Resource guides

The college resource guides cover a range of topics related to preparing for and going to college.

Guides

Accessing college as a student living with a disability

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, including students... Read more >

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, including students living with disabilities. We’ve gathered some resources to help guide you through the process of accessing and succeeding in college as a student living with a disability.

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Accessing college as an undocumented student

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, regardless of their... Read more >

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, regardless of their immigration status. We've gathered some resources to help guide you through the process of accessing and succeeding in college as an undocumented student.

California
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Minnesota
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Oregon
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Virginia
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National
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California transfer opportunities

Every year, more than 100,000 California community college students... Read more >

Every year, more than 100,000 California community college students transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Our resource guide can help you navigate through the transfer process.

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College admissions for homeschooled students

Early preparation is the key to helping homeschooled students succeed in the... Read more >

Early preparation is the key to helping homeschooled students succeed in the college admissions process. This information can help you understand what you can do to best prepare.

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College entrance exam basics

Colleges use many criteria to make an admissions decision. Your high school... Read more >

Colleges use many criteria to make an admissions decision. Your high school transcripts, essay and/or personal statement, letters of recommendation and standardized test scores are considered during the admissions process. The information colleges gather about you from these sources gives them a full picture of the type of student you are and how well you will fit with the school's academic culture. Learn the basics of college entrance exams with our resource guide.

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College for adults and returning students

Starting college or returning to school as an adult is becoming more... Read more >

Starting college or returning to school as an adult is becoming more common. Our resource guide answers common questions about college for nontraditional students. These answers can help you plan which steps to take to achieve your education goals.

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College tips for parents

It's never too early to start planning for college. There are many benefits to... Read more >

It's never too early to start planning for college. There are many benefits to planning well in advance. You have an important view on what a college education can offer your child and the effort it takes to get there. Our resources guide provides some tips for college planning, whether your child is 7 or 17.

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Earning college credit in high school

One way to save time and money in college is for you to earn college... Read more >

One way to save time and money in college is for you to earn college credit during high school. Our resource guide details the ways to accomplish this.

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Financial aid application worksheets

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the doorway... Read more >

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the doorway to all federal financial aid, including loans, grants and work-study opportunities. Most states and colleges also use FAFSA submissions to determine financial aid. This worksheet will help you gather information necessary to complete the FAFSA.

2023-2024 academic year
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2022-2023 academic year
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Finding the right college for you

Congratulations on making the decision to go to college—now it's time to pick... Read more >

Congratulations on making the decision to go to college—now it's time to pick a school. Our resource guide details common factors to consider when beginning your search.

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Housing insecurity and college

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, regardless of their housing... Read more >

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, regardless of their housing status. In this changing economy, skills and qualifications that are obtained through education beyond high school are becoming more important to earning a family-wage job. We have gathered some resources to help guide you through the process of accessing and succeeding in college as a student with housing insecurity in the United States.

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Navigating the financial aid process

Did you know the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)... Read more >

Did you know the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to more than $150 billion dollars in federal aid to help pay for college or a career and technical education (CTE) program? Follow the steps in this guide on how to navigate the financial aid process and you will be on your way to fulfilling your higher education goals and dreams.

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Paying for college

Figuring out how to pay for college is one of the most important college-planning... Read more >

Figuring out how to pay for college is one of the most important college-planning steps. One way to make up the difference between what your family can afford to pay and what college costs is through financial aid. Most students currently enrolled in college receive some sort of financial aid to help pay their college expenses. Learn about the different types of financial aid and how to apply for federal financial aid in our resource guide.

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What to do when you get to campus

You've paid your housing deposit, purchased your books and have a few days... Read more >

You've paid your housing deposit, purchased your books and have a few days left before classes begin. What now? Whether your school is across country or just across town, you'll have to make some adjustments to college life. Our resource guide provides ten things you can do on and around campus to help you settle in.

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Why go to college

Making the decision to go to college requires thought and careful planning. You... Read more >

Making the decision to go to college requires thought and careful planning. You must consider your goals in life—both educational and personal—and then decide how college might help you achieve those goals. Our resource guide provides you some of the benefits of completing a college degree to help you weigh your options.

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