I will be honest – there is simply too much college planning information floating about. Some is very good. Unfortunately, much is misguided or just plain bad. I only use resources I trust. My favorites are listed below.

College Planning Websites

College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics
College Affordability and Transparency Center (US Dept. ED)
College Scorecard
College Board, Big Future
Colleges of Distinction
Colleges That Change Lives
Minnesota State Colleges & Universites (MnSCU)
Minnesota Private Colleges
Minnesota Transfer
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
National Association For College Admissions Counseling
Niche (formerly College Prowler)

Transferology
Iowa Private College
Iowa Colleges and Universities
South Dakota Colleges and Universities
University of Minnesota System
University of North Dakota System
University of Wisconsin System
Wisconsin’s Private Colleges

Tuition Discount Programs

Midwest Student Exchange Program
Reduced Out of State Tuition Discounts (Reciprocity)

Paying for College – College Financial Aid

College Board
CSS Profile
FAFSA4caster – Calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Federal Student Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Minnesota Office of Higher Education (Paying for College)
National Association of Financial Aid Administrators
Troy Onink, via Forbes.com

Scholarship Searches

College Board Scholarship Search
FinAid.org
Fastweb
Scholarships Offered By Minnesota Institutions (MOHE)
Scholarships.com
Scholarship America
StudentScholarshipSearch.com
SallieMae
Minnesota Scholarship Links

Standardized Tests and Pre-College Credit

ACT
Advance Placement (AP)
College in the Schools (CIS)
Fair Test – Test Optional Schools
International Baccalareate (IB)
SAT/College Board

Free Test Prep Help

Khan Academy (SAT)
Number 2.com
The Critical Reader
The Princeton Review

Prospective College Athletes

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
NCAA Eligibility Center
NCAA Recruiting Calendars
College Athletic Scholarships
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)
NCAA Student Eligibility Guide