College and Career Readiness

Attending a university or trade school is an exciting time — it means you are that much closer to putting your plans into action. The higher education pathway requires a lot of preparation starting as early as grade 9.

Admissions Testing
Some programs require that students take an admissions test; the most common are the ACT and the SAT.

• ACT — Learn more about the ACT and view test dates.
• SAT — Learn more about the SAT and view test dates.

Applying to College

Some students know early on where they want to attend college. Others may not be so sure. There are many strategies to identify the right fit for you. We outline a few things here. Talk to your school counselor about other tools that can help you.

• The Common App — Apply to more than 800 schools using one application; includes planning resources as well.
• NCAA Eligibility — Want to play college sports? Make sure you understand NCAA eligibility requirements.

Paying for College
There are many options to help pay for higher education. To improve your chances of qualifying, make sure that you meet all deadlines. Your school counselor can provide more information on financial aid options and requirements. Visit our Financial Aid — Scholarships page for more information on resources that are available to students.

• Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation (CSF) — CSF administers more than 120 scholarship funds.
• College Grants Database — This site offers information on grants.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — The CFPB provides information to make informed decisions about paying for college.
• The FAFSA — The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) links students with federal grants, loans and work-study funds.
• Fastweb — Fastweb is a hub for scholarships, financial aid and more.
• Financial Aid Information — The Ohio Department of Education offers helpful tips on applying for financial aid.
• Go College — This site offers information on grants, scholarships and other sources of financial aid.
• Ohio Higher Ed — The Ohio Department of Education offers helpful resources on paying for college.

There are plenty of tools to help you determine the right path for you. Some of the resources here offer good information about career options and planning. Check with your counselor for other tools that can help you plan your future.

• ASVAB — The ASVAB is a test to predict future academic and occupational success in the military.
• Ohio Means Jobs — This online career planning tool helps students discover career interests, explore future job options, create a resume and more.
• Occupational Outlook Handbook — Explore career information on duties, education and training, pay and career outlook for hundreds of careers.
• Job Corps — Job Corps is the largest free residential education and job training program for young adults aged 16 – 24.
• Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio — The Urban League offers workforce training and other programs to boost employability.

If you are interested in joining a branch of the military after graduating from high school, you may gain information and insight from any of the following sources:

• Recruiters who come to visit school--listen to the announcements for the dates and times
• Calling or visiting the recruiting offices in your area
• Talking to people you know who have been in the military

Other options include:

• Joining the ROTC — Attend college and receive training to become a military officer at the same time. ROTC scholarships are available to help pay your college expenses.
• Joining the National Guard or the Reserves — Serve in the military and maintain a civilian life at the same time.

For information about the educational and financial benefits of the various military options, visit a recruiter. Recruiters make periodic visits to the Guidance Office. Be sure to sign up to see them when their visits are announced.