College Search:

• Naviance Tools - Log into Naviance > Colleges; includes SuperMatch College Search, College Match, Scattergrams, etc.

• Big Future - A college and career website maintained by The College Board. This is a comprehensive site that includes interest inventories, search engines, resources, blogs, scholarship information and more.

• College Navigator - College Navigator is your direct link to nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the United States. If you are thinking about a large university, a small liberal arts college, a specialized college, a community college, a career or technical college or a trade school, you can find information on all of them here.

• The Hundred-Seven - A listing and links to the 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities

College Application:

• HCPSS Senior College Folder - Instructions on how to use Naviance, request transcripts and letters of recommendation, obtain waivers/releases, important due dates

• Common App - The largest and most comprehensive application system. Connects to almost every college or university in the US.

• Common Black College App - Apply to any number of 65 HBCU's for $20.

College Financial Aid:

• Federal Student Aid - Find information regarding student aid, get your FSA ID number, fill out the FAFSA

• CSS Profiler - Apply for non-federal student aid from various colleges and universities

• Maryland Higher Education Commission Financial Aid - Resources for receiving state-based, need-based financial aid.

• FinAid - Information on financial aid for college and tips on how to help ease the burden of college expenses. 

• HCPSS Financial Aid Help Document - A collection of support resources to help you navigate the FAFSA and financial aid resources available to you. 

• HCPSS Financial Aid & Scholarship Database - A continuously updated list of local and national scholarships

• Naviance Scholarship Database - "Colleges" > "Scholarships & Money"

Understanding the Types of Financial Aid:

Students who submit the FAFSA will subsequently receive a financial aid offer, outlining what financial aid they can receive at a particular college or career school. The offer includes the types and amounts of financial aid available from federal, state, private, and school sources. This combination of aid is known as the financial aid package.

Loans

Loans are money that students borrow and must pay back to the agency from which it was borrowed. Students can receive loans from the federal government, the state government, their school, or private agencies.

• The federal government offers direct subsidized loans (also referred to as Stafford Loans) to students showing financial need. Subsidized loans do not incur interest while you are a student. Direct unsubsidized loans are offered to students regardless of financial need. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest during the duration of the loan.

• The federal government offers PLUS loans for parents and graduate students.

• Private sources and banks can provide loans for students

Grants

Grants provide funding that you don’t have to pay back. These offers are based on financial need and merit. Grants can be awarded from the federal government, state government, or directly from the institution.

• Federal Grants include the Pell Grant.

• State Grants include the Guaranteed Access and the Educational Assistance Grant. ADD Visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission for all grants awarded by the state of Maryland.  State grants vary from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on a family’s need.

• Institutional Grants vary by institution.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide funding that you don’t have to pay back. These offers are based on academic achievement, athletic merit, talent or a particular area of study. Scholarships are awarded through private employers, companies, nonprofits, community organizations, directly from colleges and career schools.

• Maryland offers scholarships through the Maryland Higher Education Commission such as Teacher Fellows Scholarship or Delegate or Senatorial Scholarship.

• Institutions offer scholarships for athletics, academic merit, leadership and more.

• HCPSS’ Office of School Counseling maintains an up-to-date list of local, community, and private scholarships.

• Check out Naviance for an up-to-date searchable database of scholarships and grants.

Work Study

Work study is a form of financial aid that allows students to earn money through full-time or part-time employment at their college/institution. Students who participate in work-study are paid at least minimum wage.

Families reviewing financial aid packages should keep in mind that:

• Each school creates a financial aid package (sometimes called an award) and sends it electronically to families.

• Each school determines how they package their financial aid; packages will be vastly different from school to school.

• Comparing financial aid packages is important in determining which institution best meets your financial needs

Check out this article from StudentAid.Gov on understanding a financial Aid package.

Athletic Opportunities in College:

• NCAA Resources - Eligibility Guides, Transfer Guides, etc. 

• Playing Sports in College - Quick guide to everything 

• NCAA Eligibility Center - For any athlete planning to participate in the NCAA at any level

Disability Services in College:

• Post Secondary Disability Services - A fact sheet prepared by the Maryland Department of Disabilities, Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Disability and Higher Education Network on accessing disability services at the postsecondary level.

• Disability Services in College Webinar - (Passcode: f3FRE!t?) Colleges and universities have vastly different systems for implementing accommodations.  Students with a 504 or IEP are encouraged to attend this session to learn how to identify colleges having strong disability programs and learn how to navigate disability services in college.

Maryland Transfer Advantage Program - The Maryland Transfer Advantage Program (MTAP) provides a pathway for students at participating community colleges to earn an undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland (UMD). 

Howard Community College (HCC):

• HCC Home Page

• HCC Programs and Courses

• HCC Application and Aid

• HCC - Rouse and Schoenbrodt Scholars Programs - (Note: Additional Application)

• HCC - Silas Craft Collegians Program - (Note: Additional Application)

Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC):

• CCBC Home Page

• CCBC Programs and Courses

• CCBC Application

• CCBC Aid

Anne Arundel Community College:

• AACC Home Page

• AACC Programs and Courses

• AACC Application

• AACC Aid

Other Maryland Community Colleges:

• List of All 2 Year Colleges in Maryland

Difference Between Enlistment vs. Commissioning as an Officer

Military Academies:  Commission

• Naval Academy

• West Point

• Air Force Academy

• Coast Guard Academy

• Merchant Marine Academy

ROTC: Commission

• Army ROTC

• Air Force ROTC

• Navy ROTC

• Space Force ROTC

Officer Candidate Schools: Commission

• Army Officer Candidate School

• Marine Corps Officer Candidate School

• Navy Officer Candidate School

• Air Force Officer Training School

• Coast Guard Office Candidate School

Enlistment:  

• Army 

• Navy

• Marine Corp

• Air Force

• Space Force

• Coast Guard

• Merchant Marine

• National Guard

Howard County Police Careers

Howard County Fire Department

*Check Community Colleges for other Apprenticeship Programs

ApprenticeshipUSA - Government run website devoted to all aspects of apprenticeships

Maryland Apprenticeship Overview

Available Apprenticeships

HCC Apprenticeship Opportunities

CCBC Apprenticeship Opportunities

*Also check Community College programs for trade programs

CCBC Automotive Technology (Catonsville, MD)

• Global Pathway

• Ford, GM, Nissan Pathway

UMBC Training Center (Columbia, MD)

• Cybersecurity

• Data Science

• Software Development

• Project Management

Lincoln Tech (Columbia, MD)

• Automotive (Auto Tech, Collision, Diesel Tech, Heavy Equipment)

• Skilled Trades (Machining, Electrical, HVAC, Welding)

• Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Tech, Nursing, Patient Care

• Culinary (Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry)

• Spa & Cosmetology (Aesthetics, Cosmetology, Nail Tech)

• Information Technology (Computer Networking)

Pennsylvania Institute of Aeronautics (Hagerstown, MD)

• Aviation Maintenance Technology

Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School (Jessup, MD)

• Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics

North American Trade School (Woodlawn, MD)

• Building Technology, Combination Welding, CDL Training, Diesel Tech, Diesel Tech w/ CDL, Electric Technology, HRVAC Technology, Industrial Maintenance

Listing of Private Career Schools in Maryland

Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation

AmeriCorps - AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.