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!
For technical support regarding the portal, contact ccontreras@oceandi.org.
If you come across concerns that social service professionals could help you with, please see this City Heights Resource Guide.
Preparing for the College Journey
Life after high school can be mind-boggling. This portal is designed to guide you through the thought and action processes. We suggest you make an outline of the following points to help you focus your efforts.
What majors will get you to the career you dream about?
Do you need to research specific careers to learn about what majors are needed? We will have resources in the Explore phase to help you.
How far from home would you like the college to be?
Would you consider starting at a local community college?
Do you need to acquire financing for your college education?
If you have taken the SAT and/or ACT, what are your scores?
If this is not done yet, would you like some guidance? {where do we send them?}
What is your current GPA and/or your anticipate GPA?
The next section outlines each phase of the process and provides a link to the related resources.
Enjoy the journey!
College Journey Phases
Are you unsure what’s next for you? Looking for guidance to help you take that first steps? Check out this section to help you clarify what you’re looking for.
Now that you’ve focused on your needs and narrowed down the colleges to explore, this phase focuses on applying to those colleges.
There are vast resources for college financing. This phase is designed to provide you with opportunities based on your major, colleges applied to, and other criteria.
You’ve applied and hopefully been accepted to one or more college. This phase is designed to help you decide on what is best for you.
College Access Resources
Find helpful and trusted resources here to support your higher education pathway.
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
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
College Application Checklist
Student Login Information Sheet
Financial Aid Student Parent Checklist
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
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
Grossmont-cuyamaca COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Campuses:
Grossmont College
Cuyamaca College
Financial Aid:
Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Promise
Student Support Services:
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) – Grossmont
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
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
Scholarships
Ocean Discovery’s Financial Aid Guide
College Funding Opportunities for Hoover Students
HS Opportunity Databank
Recommended scholarship search engines:
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
United Negro College Fund
Asian Pacific Fund
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships
College Board’s Scholarship Search
Cappex’s Scholarship Database
MyScholly
fastweb
Scholarships.com
For additional scholarships see the CAMP weekly newsletter or check with Christina for additional scholarship opportunities.
Financial Aid Assistance
Fund Your Future – Financial Aid Workbook
TuitionFit – Know the Prices that Colleges are Charging Students Just Like You
Borrowed Future – Getting Out of Debt (an 8 episode podcast)
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.
