Plan for College
College Planning
Start planning for college early. There are many things to consider after choosing a college and deciding how to pay for college, like where you will live, how you will get around, what resources your campus offers students, and how you can get involved on campus.
Here are some resources to help you get started:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| BigFuture | A great all-in-one site to make a free, personalized college plan whether you're in middle school or a senior in high school. Find the best college fit for you, explore careers and related majors, and learn how to pay for it. |
| College Greenlight | A free online portal that helps students keep track of their college and scholarship searches and connect with colleges. |
| I'm First | Advice and information from students who are the first in their family to go to college, as well as professionals from colleges and universities. |
| KnowHow2Go | Learn the four steps to college and access additional resources including a virtual college tour. |
| Opportunities Workbook | A free downloadable workbook that helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more. |
| ACT/SAT Preparation | Many students take a college admissions test like the ACT or SAT in their junior year. Tests are offered seven times a year, and may help you better plan your senior year. Information and test dates are on the ACT Test and SAT Test pages. |
Paying for College
There are many resources available to help you overcome the challenge of paying for college. Options to consider are scholarships, grants, loans, and a savings plan.
The links below are a great place to start learning about how you can fund your college education:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| USU Student Financial Support | Outlines 3 key steps to identify and access financial aid resources. |
| Pell Promise Scholarships | Most higher education institutions in Utah offer a Pell Promise Scholarship for those meeting the eligibility requirements. |
| GEAR UP Scholarship List | Features Utah, collections, and middle school scholarships by month. |
| Keys to Success | Connects students in Utah with scholarships, internships, and other career opportunities to support their education. |
| My529 | Utah's nonprofit 529 college savings plan offering tax benefits for state residents. |
| STEPS Scholarships & Resources for Minority Students | Scholarships and resources page for minority students. |
| Tuition Funding Sources | Scholarship database with financial aid, student loan, and career exploration tools. |
| Tuition Tracking | Compares college costs using data that shows what schools will actually cost in the coming academic year. |
| Utah Opportunity Scholarship | Statewide, achievement-based scholarship program. |
| Utah Promise Scholarship | Statewide needs-based scholarship program. |
| WICHE Professional Student Exchange Program | Reduced out-of-state tuition to selected programs in 11 western states. |
Find the College for You
Every college has its own unique culture. The areas of focus and programs offered will also vary from college to college. It's important to find an institution that is a good fit for you.
Below are some resources for reseaching colleges so you can find one where you will thrive:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| College Board | Has many tools, from testing and AP class information to a tool to help you compare colleges side-by-side to compare location, selectivity, majors, activities, and price for U.S colleges and universities. |
| College Greenlight | Helps you find the perfect school and sends you reminders about application deadlines and scholarship matches. |
| College Navigator | A college-search tool with information on the average amount of various forms of financial aid that students receive and a comprehensive list of all academic areas of study on all U.S. colleges and universities. |
| College Results Online | An interactive tool designed to help counselors, parents, students, and others with information about college graduation rates for nearly any four-year college or university in the country. |
| College Scorecard | Search by location, size, academic program, and many other criteria. It also includes what students actually pay after financial aid is included (the net price), graduation rates, and information about how much students typically borrow. |
| Colleges That Change Lives | A website with information on colleges and universities that offer innovative, transformative, and student-centered approaches to higher education. |
| Unigo | Advice and reviews from current college students, including videos and photos. College counselors and other experts offer information and advice. |
| Campus Visits in Utah | Utah is home to many great institutions of higher education, and they all offer some way to visit and tour their campuses. Select a school from the map on our campus visit page to see how you can visit its campus. |
Pell Promise Scholarships
Most universities in the state of Utah provide a Pell Promise scholarship at their institution. General criteria for each school is listed below. Please visit each university's website for more specific information and deadlines.
| Scholarship | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| Access Utah Promise Scholarship (SUU) |
|
| Cougar Pell Promise (BYU) |
|
| Dream Weber Scholarship (WSU) |
|
| For Utah Scholarship (U of U) |
|
| Greenlight Scholarship (UVU) |
|
| SLCC Promise Scholarship |
|
| Utah State Promise (USU) |
|
| Westminster Commitment |
|
Timeline for Seniors
Planning for college starts early. The checklist below will help seniors stay on track for college by outlining steps you should take each month of your final year in high school. So, when it's time to begin your higher education journey, you'll be ready.
College Admission Tests like the ACT
Many students take a college admissions test like the ACT or SAT in their junior year. Tests are offered seven times a year, and may help you better plan your senior year. Information and test dates are on the ACT Test and SAT Test pages.