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College Prep

Valuable resources for the college bound student

Prepare for your College Admissions Exams

State Funded ACT Testing Info from the Ohio Department of Education  – State law requires districts and community schools to administer the state-funded ACT or SAT to all grade 11 students in the spring of the school year. Each year, districts and schools will select the test to administer to their juniors. Find current testing dates and more on the Ohio Department of Education website. 

State Funded SAT Testing Info from the Ohio Department of Education  –  Find current testing dates and more on the Ohio Department of Education website. 

ACT – Each year, ACT serves millions of students, job seekers, schools, government agencies and employers in the US and around the world with learning resources, assessments, research and credentials designed to help them succeed from elementary school through career.

CollegeBoard – Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program.

Test Prep: Online Resources

ACT and SAT Practice Tests – Access free and current practice tests on the Ohio Department of Education website. 

Khan Academy – Provides free test prep resources for the SAT and more.

MRCPL Resources:

Career Online High School – MRCPL offers free enrollment to a limited number of adult learners in the Career Online High School (COHS) program. This is your chance to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate, whether you are looking to advance your career, prepare for workforce entry, or continue your education.

College Prep Center – College admissions test preparation covering the ACT Test, SAT Test, PSAT/NMSQT Test, AP Exam, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Tests and college admissions essay writing.

Gale Courses – Interested in taking an interactive course online? Try a Gale Course on ACT and SAT preparation. 

Learning Express Library – Provides practice tests, review materials and scoring for many academic and occupational standardized tests, including ACT, SAT, Civil Service Exam, ASVAB, GED, & more!

Gale Presents: Peterson’s Career Prep (Formerly Testing & Education Reference Center) – Peterson’s Career Prep (Formerly Testing and Education Reference Center) offers practice tests on several tests, including the GED, ACT/SAT, NCLEX, and Civil Service and licensure exams, as well as useful information on Financial Aid, and an Online Resume Builder.

Explore Careers

Occupational Outlook Handbook from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics – You can learn about the work, education and training requirements, advancement opportunities, employment, salary, and 10-year job outlook for hundreds of occupations. The Handbook also lists related occupations and sources of more information.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Seekers Tools– An invaluable resource for getting real data on current career options. 

Job & Career Accelerator (M/RCPL Database)- Whether you are looking to find a new job in your current field or pursue a career in an exciting new industry, Job & Career Accelerator has the powerful tools and expert guidance to help you through every step of the process.

Guide to Career Planning for High School Students

Not sure what college or career school might be right for you? – Learn about steps you can take to research possible colleges or career schools.

Financial Aid

Federal Student Aid – The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in financial aid to help pay for college or career school each year.

FAFSA – Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school.

College Preparation Checklists – Are you a student? A parent? An adult thinking about going back to school? Want to know how to prepare for college or career school? Check out these checklists with the steps you can take to help your (or your child’s) chances of getting into—and being able to afford—the school of your choice.

U.S. Department of Education Net Price Calculator – Net Price is the amount that a student pays to attend an institution in a single academic year AFTER subtracting scholarships and grants the student receives. Find the colleges you are interested in here and calculate the net price.

The Institute of Student Loan Advisors: TISLA – Founded to ensure that all student loan borrowers have access to free, neutral and clear student loan advice and dispute resolution assistance

Financial Aid for Veterans – Ohio provides financial aid and other resources for students who are active service members, veterans, and sometimes their family members as well.

Scholarships

OhioMeansJobs: Search for Scholarships – Over 1.5 Million Scholarships are available using this search engine from OhioMeansJobs.

National Merit Scholarships– The competition is open to all U.S. high school students who meet published participation requirements. Scholarship winners are chosen on the basis of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments—without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program – Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Gale Directory Library Scholarship Search – This keyword search within the M/RCPL Database Gale Directory Library provides an excellent way to find scholarship information. 

College Search Resources

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard – Find out about colleges: their programs, costs, admissions, results, and more.

Common App – Apply to college for the first time or transfer to complete your degree. Navigate your entire college application journey with Common App.

Resources for Students With Disabilities

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities – This information provided by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools.

Ohio HigherEd: Students with Disabilities – All Ohio public colleges and universities and most independent schools in Ohio have departments and offices dedicated to helping students with disabilities succeed. These offices can help you answer any questions and are your key to accommodations and support.

Think College National Coordinating Center – Provides support, coordination, training, and evaluation services for Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities.

Accessible College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities – It’s never too early to start preparing for life after high school, and students with disabilities shouldn’t feel left out of that.

Ohio College2Careers under the  Opportunities for Ohioians with Disabilities – Through the Ohio College2Careers (C2C) program, OOD partners with Ohio colleges and universities to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete degrees, attain credentials, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce.

Navigating College with Disabilities – An Essential Guide – For students with disabilities, this journey also involves navigating a unique set of considerations – from understanding legal rights to accessing appropriate accommodations and resources. This guide is designed to be your comprehensive companion throughout this journey. 

Books on College Preparation

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Mansfield/Richland County Public Library subject guides are assembled by our reference team. Please contact the reference department at 419.521.3110 if you would like more help with this subject.
Last updated 08/11/2022