Welcome to Ocean Discovery’s College Portal! This portal is intended to be a source for higher education support as students and mentors work to decide what the next steps after high school will be. Regardless of the pathway chosen, we have resources for all steps of the higher education exploration, application, financial aid, and transition to adulthood journeys!
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Quick Links
College Access Mentor Program
College Access Resources
Four Year Pathway
Two Year/Community College Pathway
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Career Exploration
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Michelle Obama’s Back-To-School Message to Students
If you come across concerns that social service professional could help you with, please see this City Heights Resource Guide.
For technical support regarding the portal, contact ccontreras@oceandi.org.
College Access Resources
Find helpful and trusted resources here to support your higher education pathway.
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College Search Resources
Comprehensive College Checklists
College Entrance Exam & Academic Resources
College Access Articles
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Search Engines
College Score Card
CollegeData.com
CollegeBoard’s College Search
College Greenlight
I’m First
Princeton Review
US News Best Colleges
Niche.com
Articles
College Fly-In Programs
Colleges That Claim to Meet Full Financial Need
Top Colleges Doing the Most for Low-Income Students
What are Safety, Reach, and Match Schools?
Define Your Values – Refine Your College List
College Fairs
College Fit
College Fit Coaching Questions
Find a College Fit for a Better Price – TuitionFit.org
Choosing the Right College: This report looked at postsecondary enrollment and completion rates for San Diego’s college going students with a special focus on areas that contribute to higher retention and completion rates in our most commonly attended colleges and universities (May 2021).
Individual checklists for all local community colleges, UCs, and most applied to California State Universities (CSU) can be found on the San Diego’s County of Education website, to ensure that students are aware of important deadlines.
SAT – full length practice tests
Khan Academy SAT practice tests
ACT Test Preparation
How to Improve Your SAT/ACT Scores
Albert (AP Study Tool)
English Grammar 101
Harvey Mudd College Homework Hotline
Varsity Tutors
Mentees:
Imposter, Heal Thyself
Is a 4-year College Right for Me?
Mentors:
First-Generation College-Goers: Unprepared and Behind
Four Year Pathway
Online College Applications
Personal Statement Resources
PIQ Case Studies
Choosing An Essay Topic Pt 1
Choosing An Essay Topic Pt 2
Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Write
Write An Excellent Essay Guide
Write An Excellent Essay Worksheet
General Writing Rucbric
UC Personal Questions Guide Freshman
UC Personal Insight Questions
UC Application Webinar Series: PIQ
Letters of Recommendation
Two Year/Community College Pathway
How to get started
Community College Checklist
California Community Colleges Career Pathway Programs
Here to Career Mobile App
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Campuses:
San Diego City College
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Miramar College
Financial Aid:
San Diego Promise Scholarship
Student Support Services:
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) – City College
EOPS Flyer
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) – Mesa College
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) – Miramar College
MiraCosta COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Financial Aid:
MiraCosta Promise Grant
Student Support Services:
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) – MiraCosta
Southwestern COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Financial Aid:
Southwestern College Promise
Student Support Services:
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) – Southwestern
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA Online Application
Student Aid Resources from Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid Estimator
FAFSA Overview
How to Create an Account Username and Password (FSA ID)
How to Fill Out the FAFSA
Determining Your Dependency Status
Repayment: What to Expect
California Student Aid Commision (CSAC)
Cal Grant Application
California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)
Community College Promise Grant
San Diego Promise Scholarship
Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Promise
MiraCosta Promise Grant
Southwestern College Promise
Financial Aid Assistance
uAspire’s College Cost Calculator – Free resource for students & families to compare financial aid offers
TuitionFit – Know the Prices that Colleges are Charging Students Just Like You
Borrowed Future – Getting Out of Debt (an 8 episode podcast)
Last Mile Education Fund – Addresses critical gaps in financial support
Scholarships
Ocean Discovery’s Financial Aid Guide
College Funding Opportunities for Hoover Students
HS Opportunity Databank
Full-ride scholarship applications:
The Gates Scholarship
Questbridge
The Coca-Cola Scholarship
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Dell Scholars Program
Recommended scholarship search engines:
http://collegeboard.com
https://www.collegegreenlight.com/
http://collegescholarships.com/
http://fastweb.com/
http://www.college-scholarships.com/
http://www.free-4u.com/minority.htm
http://www.scholarships.com/
For additional scholarships see the CAMP weekly newsletter or check with Christina for additional scholarship opportunities.
Career Exploration
SDSU Career Services
Career Finder
Coursera Career Growth Tools
California Career Center
California Career Zone
San Diego Workforce Partnership – My Next Move
Check with Christina Contreras for yearly programs and experiential opportunities.