• The Scorecard provides the clearest, most accessible, and most reliable national data on college costs, graduation rates, typical debt levels, and post-college earnings. It is available to help students make informed choices about attending college.
• It is primarily designed for students and families, so the data are presented in an easy-to-understand graphical format.
• Students can also make specific searches based on what’s most important to them. For example, students can use the College Scorecard to find men- or women-onlyinstitutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, specific religious affiliations, schools that offer particular types of degrees and academic programs, and so much more.
• By making federal data on the performance of U.S. institutions widely available to the public, the U.S. Department of Education hopes that increased transparency will help support students as they pursue their academic and career goals through a college education and seek to find the institutions that will give them the best chances for success.

I’m First! assists highly motivated and qualified first-generation, low-income and minority college-bound students through the college process to identify and enroll in four-year, student-centered colleges and universities that seek to serve and support them.

From site: 

The Four Steps to College

1. Be a pain – Let everyone know that you’r’e going to college and need their help.
2. Push yourself – Working a little harder today will make getting into college even easier.
3. Find the right fit – Find out what kind of school is the best match for you and your career goals.
4. Put your hands on some cash – If you think you can’t afford college, think again. There’s lots of aid out there.

Young people in all socio-economic groups have college aspirations. In fact, eight out of 10 expect to attain a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the U.S. Department of Education. But despite their aspirations, low-income students and those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education are severely underrepresented on college campuses. Studies show these students often lack the guidance they need to prepare for postsecondary education.

In order to turn these students’ college dreams into action-oriented goals, the American Council on Education, Lumina Foundation for Education launched the KnowHow2GO campaign in January 2007.

Whether you’’re a parent, guardian, teacher, mentor or other caring adult, chances are there’’s a teen in your life who wants to go to college. You can help your teen succeed by taking time to learn about college planning and financing. Together, you and the teen you care about can share this important goal and achieve it.