Online Resources

Have questions about going to college? Wonder about college prep courses? Think the cost of college makes it out of reach for you and your family? Need help with SAT prep? Wonder what you as a parent can do to help your child have the career he or she has always dreamed about? Feel free to look over our collection of resources that answer many questions --- often before they are even asked!

Resource Feature: May-June 2019 BC CAN Newsletter

• Stay up-to-date on college-related events and announcements in the Battle Creek area with the BC CAN bi-monthly newsletter!

 

Accomplishing Goals

• I'm First! Guide to College
  This resource was developed to help students like you get to college and succeed. It is designed to turn your college dreams into action-oriented goals and simplify the steps to college so you know what to do next.
• What Kids Can Do
  Constantly updated with relevant newsworthy information, this website presents a dual message to the reader. It explains the power of what young people can accomplish when given the opportunity and supports they need and describes what they can control.

 

Anti-Scam

• Back-to-School Scams
  This guide is designed to break down some of the common scams that new and continuing students may encounter during their academic careers, including financial aid and scholarship scams, roommate and housing scams, phone and phishing scams, and online and social media scams.
• Can You Spot a Scholarship Scam?
  Scholarships have become a target for financial aid con artists. Find out the tell-tale signs of a potential scam and what to do if you suspect a scam.

 

Applying to College

• Colleges and Universities
  You have approximately 3,825 college options. Visit the College Board BigFuture website to narrow your search of potential colleges and universities.
• Accredited Online Schools
  Browse the database of fully accredited U.S.-based online colleges and narrow down your selections by school, size, tuition rates, and site.
• Letters of Recommendation
  Colleges often ask for two or three recommendation letters from people who know you well. These letters should be written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.
• College Interview Tips
  For schools that require an interview as part of the admissions process, this can serve as an opportunity to show off your unique personality traits and build a good relationship with an admissions representative.
• "Early Action" vs. "Early Decision"
  Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) plans can be beneficial to students - but only to those who have through through their college options carefully and have a clear preferance for one institution. Use this resource to learn the difference between these unfamiliar admissions terms.
• Application Requirements
  Application requirements are more than just a form. They vary from college to college, but most have a common set of requirements. This site provides a checklist of these components.

 

Career Planning

• Directory - Career, College, Military
  Use MyFuture.com to search careers you are interested in and find out their educational requirements, salary information and other useful information.
• BLS Career Information
  This site is supported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and it helps you learn about the different jobs out there, how you get ready, how much they pay, and other important facts.
• MDOT Summer Program
  The Michigan Department of Transportation Youth Development and Mentoring Program accepts applications during the spring each year. Access a useful application guide here.

College Entrance Exam Prep

• SAT Preparation
  Official College Board site containing free SAT practice resources including test day checklists, registration tips, guides about your test scores, free practice tests and more!
• ACT Preparation
  While this site offers preparation resources for the multiple-choice ACT test that covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science; it provides much more assistance if fully utilized.
• Khan Academy
  Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization with the goal of creating a set of online tools that help educate students and prepare them for academic success. Includes short lessons in the form of online videos and can be used to prepare for standardized tests. 

College Application Essay Help

• Craft an Unforgettable College Essay
  Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application. Use this site to review tips on setting yourself apart from the competition.
• Popular College Application Essay Topics
  Take a look at sample essay questions from the 2018-19 Common Application, used by nearly 700 colleges and universities from around the country.

Financial Aid & Savings Opportunities

• Battle Creek Community Foundation
  Battle Creek area students are encouraged to apply every year for consideration of over 300 scholarship awards for postsecondary and special assistance needs!
• Kellogg Community College
  Through their financial aid program efforts, KCC attempts to make education financially possible for all eligible and qualified applicants.
• Kellogg Community College Foundation
  The KCC Foundation provides a number of scholarship opportunities including the Gold Key scholarship and other transfer scholarship opportunities.
• Michigan Student Aid - Tuition Incentive Program
  The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) encourages eligible Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing tuition assistance during an eligible student's qualifying certificate or associate degree program and also during the student's bachelor's degree program.
• Financial Literacy
  A recent study found that over half (study estimated 70%) of Americans are effectively financially illiterate - meaning the skills of handling money, saving and investmenting are underdeveloped or insufficient. Check out the website for The Simple Dollar to learn more about financial responsibility.
• Michigan Education Trust (MET)
  MET is a 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan which allows for the pre-purchase of tuition based on today's rates and then paid out at future cost when the beneficiary is in college.

Preparing for College

• Battle Creek College Access Network (BC CAN)
  Our organization has plenty of resources to assist in your college preparation. Check out our program resources page to view our Career Pathway Publication projects!
• Know How 2 Go
  An excellent resource providing information for middle school through high school students helping them prepare for college. Interactive, informative, and fun.
• State of Michigan High School Graduation Requirements
  This state sponsored site provides valuable information regarding the state mandated high school graduation requirements. The following brochures that can be accessed through this site: A Parent's Guide to Graduation Requirements Michigan Merit.
• Think College Early
  A free resource provided by the government that assists both students and parents in all areas of college awareness, preparation, and financial planning.
• NCAA Clearinghouse - A resource for students interested in being a college athlete at Division 1 and/or Division 2 schools that includes must do steps, class requirements, and GPA and test scores needed from high school in order to be eligible.