Online Resources for College Planning

Some of our favorite sites to guide you to the college that makes the most sense for you.

We searched so you don't have to.

Click on a section to find a list of some of our favorite college planning resources from around the web.

College Search Tools

The College Board
Princeton Review
College Navigator (Natl. Center for Education Statistics, USDOE)
Campus Pride Index (LGBTQ resource)
Colleges That Change Lives
Find my HBCU
Niche
Peterson's
Unigo
Women's College Coalition

Scholarship & Financial Aid Resources

How to Spot and Avoid Scholarship Scams (article)

Bold.org (Scholarships funded by entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and brands; can sort listing by by major, ethnicity, education level, and more.)
Cappex Scholarship Search
College Board Scholarship Search
Fastweb
Going Merry (Recommended scholarship search and application portal)
Raise.me
Unigo

10 Ways to Attend College for Free (7.5.2022) on Bankrate.com
30 Top Scholarships for Public Service Students Scholarships for African-American Students (from bestcolleges.com)
American Indian College Fund
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Career One Stop (U.S. Department of Labor)
Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation
College Data
CSS Profile (College Board)
Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) (College Board)
FAFSA on the Web
Federal Student Aid (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Financial Aid for Women (Fellowships, Scholarships and Grants)
Financial Aid Opportunities for Minority Students (from bestcolleges.com)
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Grants for Women
Hispanic Scholarship Consortium
Meeting Street Scholarship Fund (Need-based scholarship fund for students in certain SC counties)
NAACP Scholarships
National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering
Niche
Peterson's Scholarship Search
QuestBridge
Regeneron Science Talent Search
SAE International Scholarships (for engineering students)
Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships.com
Scholarship Portal
STEM Study Scholarship Search
Student Scholarship Search
Study.com Student scholarships
US Air Force ROTC Scholarships
US Army ROTC Scholarships
US Marine Educational Benefits
US Navy Scholarships
US News Listing of STEM Scholarships (2015)
United Negro College Fund
Waccamaw Community Foundation-For students who reside in Horry and Georgetown counties.

Testing Information

The National Center for Fair and Open Testing (lists of test-optional colleges)
ACT
Official ACT Practice
The College Board (SAT)
Official SAT Practice (Khan Academy)

Prospective Student Athletes

NCAA Homepage
NCAA Eligibility Center
NCAA Educational Resources

Professional Organizations

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC)

Resources for First Generation Students
Tips and Resources For First-Generation College Students (Forbes Advisor, April 25, 2023)

America Needs You: ANY assists with professional development for first-generation college students. ANY hosts a fellowship program, which equips low-income, first-generation college students to graduate and succeed in their careers. The organization also offers FirstGenU, a free online program that prepares first-gen learners to secure jobs and professional internships.

Collective Success Network: This Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization helps first-generation, lower-income college students reach their academic and professional potential through mentorship opportunities and social support. Its holistic mentorship program gives first-year and sophomore learners an insight into the collegiate experience and how to advocate for their needs as first-generation college students. 

I'm First!: I'm First! is an online community that celebrates and supports first-generation college students. Its website features inspiring stories from community members who understand what it means to navigate college as a first-generation student. I'm First! also offers a college guidebook for high schoolers who hope to become first-generation college students. 

Rise First: Rise First Follows low-income, first-generation students through the college journey and into the corporate world, providing camaraderie and support. The online community offers numerous links to scholarship and mentorship opportunities that can ease the financial pressure on current and future first-generation college students. 

UStrive: UStrive provides virtual one-on-one mentoring at no cost to students who demonstrate financial need. For high schoolers, mentors guide students through applying for college and financial aid. For current college students, mentors provide college and career support.
Service Academies
U.S. Military Academy (USMA) or West Point at West Point, New York
U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis, Maryland
U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) at Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) at New London, Connecticut
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, New York