College 101 Course

If you are a high school student considering your two and four-year college options, or a current community college student looking to transfer, this course pack is for you. 

In this series, you will learn: 

• 4-year vs. 2-year: Selecting the Path that is Right for You
• Four-Year College Pathway:
  • Public vs. Private: Comparing 4-year colleges
  • CSUs vs. UCs: How Do They Differ?
  • Selecting a Major vs. Applying Undecided
  • SAT vs. ACT: Be Strategic, Don't Overtest Yourself! 
  • Extracurriculars & Sports: How Do Colleges view Your Activities? 
  • Creating a Strategic College Application List
  • Staying Organized: Timelines, Tools & Templates
  • Tips for Successfully Completing the: 
    
    • UC Application
    • CSU Application
    • Common Application
  • Application Costs & Fee Waivers
  • What You Need to Do After You've Applied
• Community College Pathway: 
  • Selecting a CC that Meets Your Needs
  • Applying and Preparing: 
    
    • For Transfer to a 4-year College 
    • To Complete an AA or Certificate Program
  • Campus Options: Honors Programs & Activities
  • Suggested task timeline for applicants

Application Writing Course

If you are applying to colleges that require writing (UCs, various private and/or Common Application schools, etc.), this course pack is for you. 

In this series, you will learn: 

• Why Does Personal Writing Matter? 
• What Role Does Writing Play in Your Application? 
• How Admissions Officers View Your Writing
• How Your College List Affects Your Writing Strategy
• The First Rules of Writing: Organize & Strategize
  • Tips & Templates to Keep You On-Track
  • What to Do Before Focusing on Grammar & Word Count
  • How to Avoid Overwriting
  • How to Avoid Writing Burnout
• Reviewing Writing Prompts: 
  • UC Application 
  • Common Application
  • How to Address Challenging Supplemental College Prompts: 
    • The Academic Major Question
    • The Why Us Question
    • The Leadership Question
    • The Volunteering Question
    • The Challenge or Adversity Question
    • The Diversity Question
    • The Quote Response Question
    • 20 Questions or Fun Facts
• Brainstorming: Identifying Your Stories
• Selling Yourself: How to Showcase Your Best Side with Honesty and Integrity
• Writing Dos and Dont's
• Avoiding "Red Flags" in Your Responses
• Using Your College App Writing for Scholarship Applications

Financial Aid 101 Course

• What is Financial Aid? 
  • Understanding California Tuition & Fees
  • Why the Cost of College is More than Just Tuition
• Understanding the Types of Financial Aid:
  • Federal Aid:
    
    • Pell Grants
    • Work Study
    • Loans
      • Stafford Loans
        • Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized
      • Perkins Loans
      • PLUS Loans
      • Repayment Options
  • State Aid
    • Cal Grants A, B & C
    • State University Grant (SUG)
    • UC Grant
    • California Promise Grant
    • Middle Class Scholarship Program (MCS)
  • Student Aid from Colleges
  • Scholarships from Outside Sources
• Who Can Get Financial Aid
  • How Do I Know If I am Financially Dependent or Independent?
  • How Financial Aid Affects Families with Multiple Households
  • Financial Aid for Special Populations
• Where Do I Apply? 
  • Tips for Completing the FAFSA Application with Ease
  • Understanding Financial Need
  • Understanding the Expected Family Contribution
  • What is the CSS Application, and Do I Need to Apply? 
  • The Dream Act
• What Happens After You've Applied? 
• Cracking the Codes: A Review of Important Financial Aid Acronyms
• How to Read your Financial Aid Packages
• Money-Saving Tips once You've Chosen Your College

Student Athlete Course

If you are looking to play sports in college at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels and want to understand how that affects your application and recruitment process, this course pack is for you. 

In this series, you will learn: 

• The First Question Coaches Ask After Seeing Your Talent
• How to Become Eligible to Play in College: 
  • How NCAA Eligibility Differs from A-G Eligibility
  • Utilizing the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Understanding the NCAA Approved Course List
  • How to Obtain Division I Eligibility
  • How to Obtain Division II or III Eligibility
  • Completing the NCAA Requirement Worksheet
  • Ensuring Early Academic Certification
  • Understanding NAIA Eligibility
• Getting Recruited: 
  • The Top 3 Priorities College Recruiters Look for in Student Athletes
  • Does Athletic Talent Guarantee College Admission? 
  • How Your Grades Factor Into an Offer
  • Tips for Improving Your Chances for an Athletic Scholarship
  • Self-Recruiting: How to Get Noticed When No One is Noticing You
  • Contacting Coaches: The 5 Step Plan
• Mythbusting: Recruiting Rumors
• The Difference in Playing Across the Three Division Levels
• What You Must Understand Before You Accept an Offer