Resources for Families

Career Research and Resources:

• iSeek: A Minnesota State Colleges and Universities career and education resource. 
• Lifehacker's Career Spotlight: An interview series on Lifehacker that focuses on  jobs you might not hear much about. Jobs range from entry level to very specialized.
• The Ladder: Open monthly meetings for ages 9+ for those interested in medical careers. 
• Real Time Talent Exchange: A free job search and application website that removes systemic barriers from the recruiting and hiring process. 

Free MN College & University Admissions Application

College Entrance Exam Preparation

• Free ACT Test Prep Options: A listing maintained by the My Life Plan Lead Counselor of current free ACT Test Prep resources, as well as a few fee based options. 

College Planning:

• MN Office Higher Education Resource Page: Everything from choosing a college to paying for college.
• 12th Grade Parent Action Plan (Big Future): A checklist of activities for parents during senior year.
• Big Future For Parents, by The College Board: A resource for helping your child navigate all aspects of planning for college. 
• iSeek: A Minnesota State Colleges and Universities career and education resource. 
• MN Office of Higher Education Summer Nudging: A very helpful program students can sign up for to receive support and guidance in following through on all steps to put post-secondary plans in action. 
• Questions to ask the School Counselor: regarding college and career preparations
• US Department of Education College Scorecard: A national comparison of colleges and universities based on annual average cost, graduation rate, and salary after attending. 

Family Services: 

• HealthFinder.gov: Free health and wellness topics.
• Home Line: Free rent-related legal assistance for renters. 
• Mater Mea: A website that tells the stories of women of color at the intersection of motherhood and and career. 
• Prepare and Prosper: provides free tax assistance as well as other services to increase financial mobility.  
• VITA Locator Tool: The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
• Volunteer Tax Assistance Program:  Prepares taxes free of charge to U of M students and community members with an unadjusted gross income of less than $60,000. 
• What's Up 612: an online, citywide resource where youth, parents, educators, and youth workers can find after school and summer activities for Minneapolis for ages 5-21. 

Paying for College:

• FAFSA: EVERY documented student should apply for financial aid using the FAFSA. This application is free. It will in no way limit your financial assistance for school; it can only benefit you. 
• Best Colleges.Com Understanding the FAFSA: A line-by-line explanation of how to fill out the FAFSA. 
• Changes to the FAFSA for the Class of 2017: Federal law will allow students in the class of 2017 and beyond to apply for FAFSA earlier and to use earlier income information. Follow the link for more information
• College Emergency Financial Aid: Many schools offer emergency aid to students if an issue arises that causes immediate financial crisis, such as a sudden health emergency, unexpected loss of income, car troubles, etc. To prevent dropping out of college, these emergency funds are available to alleviate immediate and unexpected financial need. View the link for more information, and talk to your college student support services or financial aid office for more information. 
• MN Dream Act and DACA: Undocumented students can apply for financial assistance for college through the MN Dream Act. Follow the link for more details regarding how to apply and other educational financial supports for undocumented families.

Scholarship Search Tools:

• Naviance: All students should start their scholarship search by looking locally with their school Naviance Family Connection account. 
• FastWeb: An online resource to find scholarships to help pay for school.
• College Greenlight: Connects first generation and underrepresented students to caring colleges, generous scholarships, and life-changing counselors and mentors.
• Scholly: A simple, accurate, and comprehensive scholarship matching tool that was created by students for students. 

Social and Emotional Support:

• Addiction Resource: Addiction support for students and families. 
• American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry: Ideas to help teens with stress from psychiatrists. 
• Common Sense Media: Empowering kids to thrive in a world of media and technology.
• Healthy Children.org Stress Management: A specific link to helping students cope with stress created by pediatricians.
• Healthy Children.org Warning Signs:  red flags to watch for social and emotional concerns in your student
• National Association of School Psychologists Preventing Youth Suicide: Suicide risk factors, warning signs, and what to do
• One and All: strategies to protect students, reject bullying, and build communities where everyone thrives. 
• Stop Bullying: A federal government website about bullying

Undocumented Students:

• Minnesota Dream Act: Students who meet the criteria in the MN Dream Act will be eligible for the following benefits in-state resident tuition rates at public colleges and universities, state financial aid available to students who meet state residency requirements, and privately funded financial aid through public colleges and universities.
• Educators for Fair Consideration DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Guide: Very useful information to assist your students with understanding what DACA is and how to apply.
• Big Future by The College Board: For Undocumented Students: A wide range of resources for undocumented students planning for college.