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College Preparation Handbook


Overview
An Investment in Education Pays
Preparing for College
Choosing a College
Applying to College
Paying for College
Vocational and Trade Schools
Community Colleges
Resources/Appendix
The Alliance for Affordable Services created this handbook to help you achieve
your dream of a higher education, whether that education includes a four-year university, a vocational school or a community college.
This handbook will show you:
  • How to best prepare for college during your high school years
  • How to choose the right college for you
  • How to successfully navigate the college admission process
  • How to find loans, grants and scholarships to help pay for your college education

Throughout this handbook, you find helpful tips, checklists and guidelines for succeeding in every step of the college search and admission process.

You’ll also find links to Web sites, organizations, books and government agencies
that can offer more information and assistance.


         The Alliance for Affordable Services understands the need and
desire for children to achieve a higher education. And we understand that
the cost of a college education weighs heavily on hardworking Americans.

         That’s why we’ve brought together two unique resources for
Alliance Members.

         First, the Alliance Scholarship Program helps some of the children
of our Members achieve the college dream. In 2009, the Alliance awarded $288,000 to 201 deserving students.

         Second, this Web-based College Preparation Handbook – now in its second edition – gives kids and their parents the basic knowledge they
need to begin planning and paying for a college career.

         The handbook proved to be a popular and useful resource for
college-bound students. So this year we’ve updated it with new
information about educational resources and financial aid to help even
more kids realize their dreams of going to college.

         I hope you’ll explore all of the resources in this handbook – from preparing for college and getting admitted to finding the funds to help
you pay for college.

© 2012 Alliance For Affordable Services    1-800-733-2242