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California launched its completely redesigned college planning Website, http://www.californiacolleges.edu, in September. CaliforniaColleges.edu, the official site for college information in the state, went live after several months of redesign to make it easier to navigate and ensure the most current information on higher educational opportunities is included.
This free site provides comprehensive information about planning for college in California. The site is designed to help students, parents, and counselors navigate the challenges of applying, planning, and paying for college in California. Access to over 215 public and private California colleges is provided, with convenient links to online admission applications and free financial aid forms.
One-Stop College Planning
Located at http://www.californiacolleges.edu, this Website offers students, parents, and counselors a one-stop-shop for college planning.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell has stated, “One of my top priorities for public education in California is the development of a comprehensive, integrated system from kindergarten to college that is designed to improve student achievement at all levels of a child's academic career. The new CaliforniaColleges.edu Website is a unique tool to accomplish that goal of making a student's journey seamless from K-12 through higher education."
Interactive tools on the site, including high school and transfer course planners, sample financing plans, and college exploration search choices, allow students to identify the courses that they need to take in order to be admitted to the schools that they want to attend. Counselors can use the tools to assist students.
Financial Aid Planning
A unique feature of the site, the Sample Financing Plans, takes the mystery out of applying for financial aid, and is only available on CaliforniaColleges.edu. Newly developed sample financial aid plans show aid packages for the same student at the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and private colleges and universities. These financing plans allow students to see the amount of financial aid, loans, and savings that will be needed to pay for college. With this tool, families can determine what they can expect to pay for a student’s college education.
The college exploration area lets users select characteristics that they desire in a college or university and identify which higher educational institution matches their preferences. Students can also see a side-by-side comparison of colleges in California. The career planning section lets users identify skills and interests that are matched with specific careers options. Information about the fastest growing careers in California and special sections about teaching and nursing are also included.
Plans for Future Improvements
New features such as a standard online admission application and electronic transcript transfer are anticipated in the future as CaliforniaColleges.edu continues it quest to simplify the college going process for the California’s students, parents and counselors.
Representatives from all sectors of education in California, including the public schools, California Community Colleges, California State University, University of California, and private colleges have spent the last year re-designing the site after focus groups and surveys of likely users were conducted. It is operated and funded by the California Education Round Table and its administrative arm, the Intersegmental Coordinating Committee.
For more information, contact Michael Burton at 916-446-7626 or mburton@aiccu.org.
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