College Counseling

These programs emphasize hands-on knowledge and skills that lead to specific jobs in technical and industrial occupations. Instructors typically have solid experience in the fields they teach. What you can earn:

• Certificate (1 year or less)
• Diploma (2 years or less)
• Associate in Applied Science (2 years)
• Associate in Arts (2 years, some schools)

These schools provide the first two years of a four-year degree. Graduates can transfer to a college or university to complete a bachelor's degree. They also offer career-specific training and classes for students who need to refresh basic skills. Many offer athletics, clubs, and activities in theater, music, or the arts. What you can earn:

• Certificates (1 year or less)
• Diplomas (2 years or less)
• Associate in Applied Science (2 years, some schools)
• Associate in Arts (2 years)

These colleges and universities offer a variety of undergraduate programs. Private liberal arts colleges often emphasize broad knowledge in the arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Admissions requirements vary by school, but completing recommended courses will prepare you to apply widely. Most campuses offer on-campus housing. What you can earn:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree (some schools)
• Doctorate degree (some schools)
• Professional degree (some schools)

(Taken from: www.ohe.state.mn.us)

Learn more about choosing the right college for you

Minnesota

Wisconsin

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eCampus Tours

YouVisit Colleges

College Resources for Students with Disabilities

Choosing a College

MN School Profiles

Which school has my program?

College of Saint Benedict

College of St. Catherine

Dakota County Technical College

Gustavus Adolphus College

Hennepin Technical College

Minnesota School of Business

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Minnesota State University, Moorhead

Normandale Community College

Northwestern College

Saint John's University, Minnesota

Southwest Minnesota State University

St. Cloud State University

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

St. Olaf

University of Minnesota - Duluth

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

University of St. Thomas

Winona State University

University of Wisconsin System

Luther College

University of Iowa

South Dakota State University

North Dakota State University

Iowa State University

Scholarships are awarded based on criteria such as academic or athletic achievement, cultural or religious background, or special skills and talents. Some scholarships are offered directly to students through the colleges. View a partial list of Minnesota school-specific aid. You sometimes need to apply separately for these scholarships.

Remember to take advantage of free online scholarship searches that help match you to scholarship money, but be wary of any scholarship search offer that charges fees, asks for credit cards or checking account information, or guarantees scholarships.

Be sure to review our scholarship tips before applying. You will also want to check out the private scholarship information at FinAid.org, which sorts scholarships into categories such as merit, community service, and scholarships for average students.

Dollars for Scholars chapters like ours help hometown students achieve their educational goals by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments, providing assistance with college readiness and the financial aid process, and distributing scholarships each year. All students who plan to pursue post-secondary education from an accredited institution or program should apply. Students attending a technical or trade school are encouraged to apply.

Application Season

The Class of 2025 Dollars for Scholars application opens on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. However, you can start building your application profile at any time. Start the application process

Application Resources

Use the "Application Tutorials and Quick Tips" to find helpful information regarding the application process. To ensure the scoring of your application reaches its greatest potential, we urge you to be as thorough as possible in your application.

Students should utilize their Google Classroom for information on local scholarships that have an application process not associated with Jordan Dollars for Scholars.

Financial aid is available to most students and comes in three forms:

• Financial aid you don't repay (grants and scholarships)
• Financial aid you must repay (loans)
• Financial aid you earn (work study and community or military service)

Most students receive a combination of these in what's called a financial aid package that is put together by the school the student plans to attend or is attending.

To receive financial aid, you must apply for it. Applying for admission to a college or university is not enough. Timing is also important. You need to stay within the financial aid application deadlines for the various awards.

To determine how much a student and their family will be expected to contribute, they must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The difference between the total cost of attendance and the family contribution is your financial need.

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute toward postsecondary education. The results are used to determine grants, work study, and loan eligibility.

To apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This application is also used to apply for the Minnesota State Grant, federal Pell Grants, the Minnesota Indian Scholarship, Direct Loans, and other aid. It requires financial and residency information and will be sent to all the schools you designate.

Deadlines vary among financial aid programs. The earliest you can submit the FAFSA is October 1 for the following academic year. You must reapply for financial aid each year.

(Taken from: www.ohe.state.mn.us)

In April of every year, we offer the ACT to juniors for free. Students are not required to take the test. Registration for this test will be shared with students in school.

Reminder: the ACT test is not a requirement. Most technical schools and community colleges do not require the ACT test. Some four-year schools also do not. Look at the requirements for schools you are interested in to determine if you need to take it.

You can find information on registering at the ACT website.

The information here is intended to help you do your best on the ACT to gain admission to colleges and universities. Included are helpful hints and test-taking strategies, a complete practice ACT with retired questions from earlier test dates, a practice writing test, sample answer document, answer keys, and self-scoring instructions.

There are various tests that students can take throughout high school to help with career planning or college placement. Please follow the links below for more information.

ACT Test (11th and 12th Grade)
Any junior thinking about attending a four-year school or looking at PSEO should take the ACT. Most schools accept either an ACT or SAT score. JHS students traditionally take the ACT. It’s recommended to test toward the end of junior year and include the writing portion. Practice tests are available in the guidance office.

SAT Test (11th and 12th Grade)
The SAT is another college placement option. Some colleges may require it or the SAT Subject Tests.

PSAT Test (11th Grade)
Given in the fall of junior year. High scorers may qualify as National Merit Scholars.

ASVAB Test (11th and 12th Grade)
Used by the military for placement, but also a helpful career exploration tool. It’s free.

PreACT Test (10th Grade)
A practice ACT that also offers career information.

All JHS juniors are offered the ACT test to be taken at school. If you are not satisfied with your score, you can retake the test at your own cost. To learn more about this option, visit the ACT.org website for testing dates and locations. It is recommended to take college placement testing for the first time toward the end of your junior year and to also take the writing portion the first time you take the test.

JHS juniors who take the test through the school will receive their test scores in the mail. When available, your scores are also posted online and accessed using your secure ACT web account. In addition to the four institutions you selected upon registering, you can send your scores to others even after testing. Requests are processed once all scores—ACT or ACT with writing—are ready.

Additional Links

• Math test practice
• Practice tests for all sections of the test
• Free printable tests
• Test prep book (free online PDF)

Grade 9 Planning

If you're thinking about going to college, that's great! There's no better way to prepare yourself for a bright future than to continue your education.

Here are some things you can do this year to plan and prepare for college. Do the following and you will be on your way to achieving your college goals!

Work hard in your classes

To be ready for college and to have an impressive high school record, work hard to get good grades in all of your classes.

Now that you’re a freshman, everything counts—your freshman grades will be used to calculate your grade point average, and all of your freshman courses, grades, and credits will be on your transcript (an official copy of your high school record).

Make a four-year high school plan

In order to be prepared for college-level work, colleges recommend that students take the following courses in high school:

• 4 years of English
• 3–4 years of math (Algebra I & II, Geometry)
• 2–3 years of science
• 2 years of the same foreign language
• 3 years of social studies
• 1 year of visual or performing arts

To make a four-year high school plan, list the courses you plan to take each year. Be sure to include all of the college prep courses in your plan.

Be involved and develop your interests

Colleges are looking for students who are active and involved in their school and community. Participate in school activities, and if you have a specific interest, talent, or passion, take time this year to develop it.

Think about what’s important to you, and about what you want to study

Do you want to go to a 2-year or a 4-year college? A college close to home? A college with a specific major? Explore your college options at BigFuture.

In college, you will choose one subject to study in depth. This will be your major. Start thinking about your interests, talents, and abilities in terms of possible majors.

Make informal college visits

To get a feel for what college is like, walk around a college campus, go to a sporting event, or eat in the Student Union. As you walk around campus, try to imagine yourself as a student there.

Get support

Talk to your family and your counselor. Let them know that you want to go to college, and ask them for their help and support.

Decide right now that college is a goal you’re going to work toward. Keep your goal in mind as you go to class, do your homework, and study for tests. Know that going to college is a goal you can achieve!

10th Grade College Planning

Now that you're a sophomore, it's time to get more serious about planning and preparing for college. To help you stay focused and on track, here's a list of the things you need to do this year. Do the following and your future will be bright!

Work hard to get good grades

The stronger your high school academic record, the more college options you will have. The first thing colleges look at when determining whether to accept an applicant is the student’s grades—especially their grades in college prep classes.

Take college prep courses

To be prepared for college-level work, colleges recommend that students take the following courses in high school:

• 4 years of English
• 3–4 years of math (Algebra I & II, Geometry)
• 2–3 years of science
• 2 years of the same foreign language
• 3 years of social studies
• 1 year of fine or performing arts

Develop your interests and be involved

Colleges are looking for students who are active and involved in their school and community. Participate in school activities and take time to develop your interests and talents.

Consider taking a practice test

Many high schools offer tests (e.g., PSAT) to help sophomores prepare for the ACT and SAT. Your counselor will have information on the tests offered at your school.

Think about what’s important to you

Are you looking for a college close to home? One with a specific major? Is size or cost important? Explore your college options at BigFuture.

Make informal college visits

Visiting different colleges is the best way to find out which kind of college will be the best fit for you. Take a walk around a college campus, go to a sporting event, or eat in the Student Union.

Think about a major

Your major is the subject you will study in depth. Start thinking about your interests, talents, and abilities in terms of possible majors.

Meet with your counselor

Talk to your counselor to make sure you're taking the courses you need for college. Discuss your college plans and ask questions.

Decide right now that college is a goal you're going to work toward. Keep your goal in mind as you go to class, do your homework, and study for tests. Know that going to college is a goal you can achieve!

11th Grade College Planning

As a college-bound junior, there's a lot you need to do this year to plan and prepare for college. To achieve your college goals, do the following and stay focused. The future is yours!

Strengthen your academic record

The stronger your high school academic record, the more college options you will have. Most importantly, take college prep courses and get the best grades possible.

This section includes a prompt to reflect on how you'll strengthen your academic record. Download the printable PDF to fill in your response.

Be involved in meaningful activities

Colleges are looking for students who are active and involved in their school and community.

To list your intended activities and interests, download the worksheet.

Make a testing plan

Most college-bound juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT in October and the ACT and/or SAT later in the year. Visit act.org and collegeboard.org for test dates and registration info.

This section includes checkboxes and date fields. Download the PDF for a printable version where you can record your test plans.

Determine your criteria

Knowing what's important to you in a college will help you find a college that's a good fit for you.

The original version includes checkboxes and space to list college preferences. To explore and document your criteria, download the full worksheet.

Think about a major

Your major is the subject you will study in depth. Think about your abilities, talents, and interests in terms of possible majors.

Use the printable worksheet to jot down potential majors you're considering.

Make college visits

Making a college visit is the best way to find out if a college will be a good fit for you. Think of the colleges you would like to visit and check their websites for visitation options.

To make notes about which colleges you’d like to visit, download the printable PDF.

Talk to your counselor

Meet with your counselor to go over your academic record and discuss your college plans. If you have questions about college access, financial aid, or anything else, your counselor can help you.

12th Grade College Planning

The following are things college-bound seniors need to do to plan and prepare for college. Use this list to help you stay focused and on track.

To use this as a checklist you can mark up or print, download the printable version.

Get Organized

• Make a testing plan: If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT, or want to improve your scores, register for one as soon as possible. Visit act.org or collegeboard.org for details.
• Set up a master calendar: Use it to track test dates, college visits, application deadlines, and events at your school.
• Set up a college file: Keep test scores, applications, notes from visits, and other documents in one place.
• Plan college visits: If you haven’t visited colleges you're considering, schedule those visits as soon as possible.
• Meet with your counselor: Discuss college choices, possible majors, and financial aid. Bring any questions or concerns.

Your To-Do List

• Discuss college costs: Talk to your parents about the cost of your chosen colleges and how your education will be paid for.
• Decide where to apply: Determine what’s required for each application (essays, transcripts, recommendations, etc.).
• Complete applications: Know deadlines and give teachers or counselors plenty of time for recommendations.
• Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens Oct. 1. Visit fafsa.ed.gov.

You’re On Your Way

• Consider your offers: Review acceptance letters and compare financial aid offers carefully.
• Make the decision: Once you’ve selected a school, complete the necessary enrollment steps.
• Follow through: Notify all schools, inform your counselor, and stay engaged in the process until everything is finalized.

Stay focused and finish your senior year strong!