I want to go to college 

What is it?

College is a higher education institution, designed to help students earn an advanced degree and gain proficiency in a chosen major area of study. Students who graduate college will receive a Bachelor’s Degree (of Arts, Science, Fine Arts, Music, etc.) after completing a four-year college or university program. 

Students who graduate from a 2-year community college may choose to transfer to a four-year college for their Bachelor’s Degree or may obtain an Associate’s Degree from their school.

What are my options?

Congratulations! You’ve decided to go to college. Now that you know that you want to attend college, you need to narrow down your college search to find the schools that fit your individual needs. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all college. In order to determine the best college for you, you can do some research and talk to your family, Placement Specialist or school Career Advisor.

What you need:

• A high school diploma or GED (90% of schools accept the GED as a substitute for a high school diploma)
  • At many schools, you will have to submit SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT scores. At a few schools, the SAT/ACT are optional.
• Make sure you have taken the required classes to apply for college.

College Options:

As you begin your search, ask yourself what you want to get out of your college experience. Take some time to explore your college options on these websites:

• The Princeton Review School Finder
• CollegeBoard’s College MatchMaker

Local Two-Year Community Colleges (Associate Degrees)

At a local Community College, you can earn credits to earn an Associate Degree, transfer to a 4-year school, improve your job skills, and/or continue your education. Many students begin their first two years of college at a local Community College and then transfer to a 4-year university.

• Community College of the District of Columbia (CCDC)
• Montgomery County Community College (MCCC)
• Prince George’s Community College (PGCC)
• Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)

Four-Year Colleges or Universities

There are literally hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States to choose from. How then do you start to choose the school that’s right for you?

If you haven’t taken one of the Best Fit School Search surveys, that is a great place to start. (insert link to that page on the website)

You may also want to consider what you want to study or where the college is located. Your Placement Specialist can help you think through your options.

Why this might be a good fit

If you are planning on graduating high school with a diploma or a GED and want to continue on to a higher level of education and increased job opportunities, then attending college may be the right choice for you!

How does this help me achieve my future goals?

A college degree can open career doors to you and allow you to open your mind and expand your analytical, writing, and major specific skills. As a college student, you will be able to pick a major of study and become proficient in that area. A college degree is often required for many job opportunities. 

Additionally, going to college can increase your yearly earnings. According to a 2008 US Census Bureau report, workers with a high school degree earned an average of $31,286 in 2007, while their college graduate peers earned an average of $57,181 in 2007.

What are my rights?

Check out these great resources:

• FAQs About Section 504 and Post Secondary Education
• Section 504 Subpart E: Post Secondary Education
• Your Rights and Responsibilities

How am I going to pay for it?

FAFSA

• For information about applying for student loans, check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website.

Scholarships & Grants

• Student Assistance Program, Department of Health 
• Student Aid, Department of Education
• Scholarship Search, Department of Education
• Scholarships & Grants Links
• Scholarships for Students with Disabilities:
  These are a few of the scholarships available to students with disabilities. Be sure to explore scholarship opportunities.
  • Anne & Matt Harbison Scholarship
  • P. Buckley Moss Arts Scholarship
  • Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship
  • Chair Scholars Foundation (Physical Disabilities)
• Scholarships for HBCUs

DC Financial Aid Programs 

• Visit the Office of State Superintendent of Education website for more information. 
• Financial Aid Checklist

DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program

• The DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) offers grants of up to $10,000 to serve as a subsidy for out-of-state tuition at public four-year colleges and universities. DCTAG also offers $2,500 per year for tuition at private colleges in the DC area, private HBCUs nationwide, and two-year colleges nationwide.
• DCTAG is neither need nor merit-based.
• For more information, visit the Office of State Superintendent of Education website.
• OneApp Online Application Process:
  1. Complete the DC OneApp
  2. Complete the FAFSA
  3. Submit the DC OneApp required supporting documents. Download the Checklist.
• Download the list of Eligible Institutions

Campus-Based Aid Programs

• Many schools participate in campus-based aid programs. How much aid you receive depends on financial need, the amount of other aid you receive, and the funds available at your given school.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study (FWS)
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Information regarding these programs can be found at the Department of Education website.

Next Steps

Before deciding on college as your next step, make sure you sit down and talk with your family and Placement Specialist. Let them know that this is something you’d like to discuss.

Check out the DCPS Prepare Yourself for College Timeline.