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College Access Portal – New

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.

Quick Links

College Access Mentor Program
College Access Resources
Four Year Pathway
Two Year/Community College Pathway
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Career Exploration


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

Explore

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.

Apply

Now that you’ve focused on your needs and narrowed down the colleges to explore, this phase focuses on applying to those colleges.

Finance

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.

Select

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.

College Search Resources
College Entrance Exam Resources
College Avenue Compact Resources
College Access Articles

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College Search Resources:

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 Fair Tips

College Fit

College Fit Coaching Questions
Find a College Fit for a Better Price – TuitionFit.org

Return to College Access Resources

College Entrance Exam & Academic Resources:

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

Return to College Access Resources

College Avenue Compact Resources:

 College Application Checklist
 Student Login Information Sheet
 Financial Aid Student Parent Checklist

Return to College Access Resources

College Access Articles:

Mentees:

 Imposter, Heal Thyself

Mentors:

 First-Generation College-Goers: Unprepared and Behind

Return to College Access Resources


Four Year Pathway

Online College Applications

UC Admissions Presentations
Filling Out Your Cal State Apply Application

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

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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 

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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)

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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.

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Contact

4255 Thorn Street
San Diego, CA 92105
Phone: 619.795.8365
Email: info@oceandi.org
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About

Ocean Discovery Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that uses science to empower young people from underserved urban communities to transform their lives, their community, and our world as scientific and conservation leaders.

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