College Planning
Missouri Connections Academy provides a comprehensive college-counseling program. Your student’s High School Counselor and Advisory Teacher work with students and parents each spring to plan for the following year's classes. Many colleges have very specific requirements, and, therefore, it is incumbent upon the students and parents to investigate the colleges or universities of interest to them.
Students are encouraged to begin taking the ACT as early as the spring of their Sophomore year and are required to take the ACT (or ASVAB or ACT Work Keys) at least once prior to graduating high school (in order to meet the College and Career Readiness - CCR academic completion requirement).
MOCA School Counselors provide students and families with information about colleges, scholarships, and financial aid on the MOCA One Stop Shop website. The task of choosing the right college is indeed daunting. The School Counselors at Missouri Connections Academy await the opportunity to serve families in this important process.
Students are encouraged to begin taking the ACT as early as the spring of their Sophomore year and are required to take the ACT (or ASVAB or ACT Work Keys) at least once prior to graduating high school (in order to meet the College and Career Readiness - CCR academic completion requirement).
MOCA School Counselors provide students and families with information about colleges, scholarships, and financial aid on the MOCA One Stop Shop website. The task of choosing the right college is indeed daunting. The School Counselors at Missouri Connections Academy await the opportunity to serve families in this important process.
College Planning Tips for JuniorsYour high school junior year is the best time to explore the possibilities ahead of you - whether those possibilities include college, travel, or a career. Now is the time to ask questions about your future, shadow a job, visit colleges, take interest surveys, and set up a checking and/or savings account. Your junior year is the last complete year that colleges may review, so it's important to maintain good grades. Keep in close touch with your guidance office about your grades and course selection. Visit the Mapping Your Future website to review suggested planning tips for your junior year.
Mapping Your Future for Juniors |
College Planning Tips for SeniorsDuring your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. This year is filled with admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extracurricular activities. Colleges are very interested in well-rounded students. The college preparation that takes place during your senior year is filled with a lot of details and paperwork. Visit the Mapping Your Future website to review a list of month-by-month planning suggestions.
Senior Calendar |
Journey to College
It is never too soon to plan for college and your future. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) offers services and tools to assist you in achieving your educational goals. This site will help you find information about postsecondary education opportunities, preparing for college, planning for a career, finding and applying to college, and paying for college.
DHEWD Journey to College Resources
DHEWD Journey to College Resources
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Resources
DHEWD provides college and financial aid planning resources for Missouri students and parents. The following links highlight some of the resources available from DHEWD.
Student and Parent Resources
Information on choosing a college that fits, admissions, costs, residency qualifications, and researching schools.
DHEWD Student and Parent Resources
Financial Aid 101
Information on financial aid categories (need based/non-need based), estimated family contribution (EFC), calculating cost of attendance (COA), and types of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans).
DHEWD Financial Aid Resources
Preparing for College
Information to help students prepare for college while they are in high school.
DHEWD Preparing for College Resources
Middle School and Elementary Links and Resources
DHEWD Middle School Resources
Student and Parent Resources
Information on choosing a college that fits, admissions, costs, residency qualifications, and researching schools.
DHEWD Student and Parent Resources
Financial Aid 101
Information on financial aid categories (need based/non-need based), estimated family contribution (EFC), calculating cost of attendance (COA), and types of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans).
DHEWD Financial Aid Resources
Preparing for College
Information to help students prepare for college while they are in high school.
DHEWD Preparing for College Resources
Middle School and Elementary Links and Resources
DHEWD Middle School Resources
My College Options
Students
My College Options provides students with the opportunity to create a personal online college and career planning profile. Students can match their individual needs, talents, abilities, goals, and interests with the offerings of over 5,500 accredited post-secondary institutions across the United States.
Along with the college match, students have access to valuable information about paying for college, types of institutions, career exploration, how to apply for college, and much, much more.
As a result of using this FREE service, students can connect with colleges and universities directly. In addition, they may hear from other education and career service providers offering educational opportunities such as college admissions services, financial aid, and career info, as well as extra-curricular, enrichment, and recognition programs.
Parents
Parents can use My College Options to find answers to their college planning questions. They are provided with newsletters, articles, answers to frequently-asked questions and other resources that will inform and support their involvement in their child’s college search process.
My College Options®
College Board Resources
"Big Future" is a comprehensive college and financial aid resource for parents and students in 7th-12th grade. Students can create online portfolios to track and save college, career, and financial aid planning activities.
College Board - Big Future
ACT College Planning Tools
ACT's College Planning tool provides parents and students with a step-by-step college planning process. The ACT website also provides parents and students with helpful Career Planning and Financial Aid information.
ACT College Planning Tools
First Generation College Students
Family Firsts Student Guide is directed toward students who are the first in their family to attend college. By starting early to think about and plan for college, students can prepare for their future. This 6-page booklet includes advice on why students should go to college, what it takes to get there, who can help, how to choose a college and succeed once there, and how to plan for college financing.
Family Firsts Parent Guide has been developed for parents whose child is the first to attend college and discusses college opportunities and experiences available to students. It provides college planning information such as the benefits of a college education, the college search, how and where to find financing, and how the parents can provide support as their child explores and plans for college.
ACT Family Firsts - Resources for First-Generation College Students
My College Options provides students with the opportunity to create a personal online college and career planning profile. Students can match their individual needs, talents, abilities, goals, and interests with the offerings of over 5,500 accredited post-secondary institutions across the United States.
Along with the college match, students have access to valuable information about paying for college, types of institutions, career exploration, how to apply for college, and much, much more.
As a result of using this FREE service, students can connect with colleges and universities directly. In addition, they may hear from other education and career service providers offering educational opportunities such as college admissions services, financial aid, and career info, as well as extra-curricular, enrichment, and recognition programs.
Parents
Parents can use My College Options to find answers to their college planning questions. They are provided with newsletters, articles, answers to frequently-asked questions and other resources that will inform and support their involvement in their child’s college search process.
My College Options®
College Board Resources
"Big Future" is a comprehensive college and financial aid resource for parents and students in 7th-12th grade. Students can create online portfolios to track and save college, career, and financial aid planning activities.
College Board - Big Future
ACT College Planning Tools
ACT's College Planning tool provides parents and students with a step-by-step college planning process. The ACT website also provides parents and students with helpful Career Planning and Financial Aid information.
ACT College Planning Tools
First Generation College Students
Family Firsts Student Guide is directed toward students who are the first in their family to attend college. By starting early to think about and plan for college, students can prepare for their future. This 6-page booklet includes advice on why students should go to college, what it takes to get there, who can help, how to choose a college and succeed once there, and how to plan for college financing.
Family Firsts Parent Guide has been developed for parents whose child is the first to attend college and discusses college opportunities and experiences available to students. It provides college planning information such as the benefits of a college education, the college search, how and where to find financing, and how the parents can provide support as their child explores and plans for college.
ACT Family Firsts - Resources for First-Generation College Students