College & Career

Common App
Common App is a non-profit college access organization that helps students apply to college every year. Common App’s free college application tool is designed to make applying to college faster and easier. With Common App you only need to use one system to apply to multiple colleges and universities. There are two main parts you fill out: a set of common questions and each college’s own specific questions. The best part is you only have to fill out the common questions one time! Common App is a place for you to learn about the college admissions process, understand how to plan and apply to college, and discover all that different colleges have to offer. It’s a hub of information that can guide you through each step of the application journey. It’s a resource that connects you with financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Coalition for College
The Coalition for College is a diverse group of more than 150 distinguished colleges and universities across the U.S. that are fully aligned with the vision and mission of the Coalition. These institutions have demonstrated their commitment to access, affordability, academic outcomes, and student success, and are leaders in actively building supportive environments that foster a sense of belonging for all students. The Coalition offers tools and resources to help students learn about, prepare for, and apply to colleges.

Scoir
Scoir expands college access and improves student outcomes by connecting students, supporters, high schools, and colleges for a better admissions experience.

The Financial Aid Process

Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grant, work-study, and loan funds to students attending college or career school.

Types of Federal Student Aid

Eligibility for Federal Student Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Florida Student Scholarships & Grand Programs

Bright Futures
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement.

Walton County Scholarship Opportunities & Resources

Florida Prepaid
Florida Prepaid provides Florida families with an affordable means to save for their children’s future college education.

Top 175 Scholarships for College Students

2022-2023 Bright Futures Handbook

Students should begin taking the SAT or ACT towards the end of their sophomore year and should know which one they prefer so they can work on improving their scores their junior year.  College applications open in August before their senior year so they want their desired score by that date.  

ACT Test Dates (National) | 2022-2023

Click here to register for the ACT.

SAT Test Dates (National) | 2022-2023

Click here to register for the SAT.

College Board
College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.

Self-Reported Student Academic Record (SSAR)
SSAR allows students to self-report courses and grades that have been completed, or will be attempted (e.g., senior year courses in-progress), for high school credit. 

College Prep Checklists
9th Grade Checklist
10th Grade Checklist
11th Grade Checklist
12th Grade Checklist

Choosing a School
Not sure what college or career school might be right for you? Learn about steps you can take to research possible colleges or career schools.

Xello
Xello is Florida’s official K-12 career planning and work-based learning coordination provider that empowers every student to design a personalized plan for the future by providing a high-quality career development experience that’s modern and visually appealing, interactive, and age-appropriate. 

FloridaShines
An array of free online tools and resources designed to help students succeed in school, earn a college degree, and embark on a rewarding career. FloridaShines works with the state's public colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts to develop tools that benefit students, parents, counselors, and educators alike.

GetMyFuture 
The U.S. Department of Labor’s career and postsecondary readiness site geared toward young adults. The site includes occupational assessments, career information, career videos, labor market data, and numerous college and career readiness resources.

CollegeNavigator 
The National Center for Education Statistics’ tool to learn more about postsecondary training institutions offering a wide spectrum of short- and long-term credentials. Search by keyword, filter by category, interact with a map, conduct side-by-side comparisons, and review detailed institutional information and data.

BigFuture 
The College Board’s career and college planner. It includes information on planning and paying for college as well as exploring careers and majors.

Apprenticeship Job Finder 
The U.S. Department of Labor’s web tool to locate registered apprenticeships by occupation, company name, keyword, or geographic location.

MyFloridaFuture 
A data dashboard produced by the Florida State University System (FSUS) to show typical loan amounts and wages by degree for FSUS graduates.

Get There 
Florida’s official site to learn more about Career and Technical Education (CTE) – explore pathways and learn more about career-focused educational opportunities.

College Prep Checklists
Elementary School Checklist
Student and parent checklists that start the student on the road to enjoying learning and point the parent to resources for college savings accounts.

Middle School Checklist
Student and parent checklists that get the student thinking about high school and possible careers and encourage the parent to keep an eye on the student’s progress.

High School Checklists
Student and parent checklists that help the student focus on succeeding academically and learning about financial aid and provide the parent with tips for supporting the student and participating in the financial aid application process.
9th Grade Checklist
10th Grade Checklist
11th Grade Checklist
12th Grade Checklist