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Discover. Plan. Prepare. Apply.
 

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College. It’s about having a plan and making it happen.

These resources are available to help students, parents and educators get the information they need to plan for and make college a reality.

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Pay for college with College Bound!

The College Bound Scholarship is a program for low-income youth. If your family qualifies your child could receive college tuition for up to four years! After your child applies, he/she needs to do well in middle and high school, graduate from high school, and stay out of trouble. The scholarship may be used at a community college, a vocational-technical college, or a 4 year college or university. For more information and to apply online, visit www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound or download a brochure here. 
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  • Pay for College
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You can go to college with College Bound!

The College Bound Scholarship is a program for low-income youth. If your family qualifies, you could receive college tuition for up to four years!After you've applied, you need to do well in middle and high school, graduate from high school, and stay out of trouble. The scholarship may be used at a community college, a vocational-technical college, or a 4 year college or university. For more information and to apply online visit www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound, or download a brochure that explains the program.  
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  • Middle School
  • Pay for College
  • Tips & Advice

Finance Your Future

If you want to go to college and get a higher education, you can do it. Money does not have to be an obstacle. The first thing to understand is that college may not be as expensive as you think. And there are many ways to reduce the costs. Second, scholarships are available for students whose family cannot afford to pay for college. You don’t have to be the smartest, fastest or most talented student either. Scholarships are awarded for all sorts of reasons.  Read more
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  • High School
  • Pay for College
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Getting Started - Middle School

High school graduation might seem like a long way off. But it’s really just around the corner. When you get to high school, you’ll have more freedom, more choices…and more challenges. That’s why middle school is the perfect time to think about what you like to do and who you want to be. Believe it or not, the decisions you make now will have a big impact on your college and career options. Remember, you can do anything or be anything you want, as long as you have a plan. And getting started is easy if you take it step by step.  Read more
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  • Discover Your Future
  • Middle School
  • Tips & Advice

Which Test is Best for Me?

Which is best for you? The ACT® Assessment or the SAT I® test? Most colleges will accept either ACT® or SAT I® scores in college admissions. But these tests are not the same. Many students do better on one than the other. You can also take both. Here’s a quick comparison of the two tests.  Read more
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  • Apply for College
  • High School
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Admissions Overview

What happens to your application once you send it in?At Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities, your application will go through a few review steps.Phase 1: Admissions Index Read more
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  • Apply for College
  • High School
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Making College Happen

There’s no way around it—you need to apply to college before you get in. Depending on your school of choice, this might mean taking tests, getting ready for an interview or even writing an essay. High school students usually know all of this. But that doesn’t answer the big questions: What do colleges really want? How do colleges decide who gets in? What criteria do colleges use? For many students, this is a big mystery. Check out the following information and take the guesswork out of applying for college.  
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  • Apply for College
  • High School
  • Middle School
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  • Tips & Advice

Getting Job Skills Now

What you learn outside of the classroom is important too.Employers and colleges prefer people who have a wide range of skills. Job, volunteer, and training experiences help you develop those skills and show that you’re responsible, mature and trustworthy. And in most cases, more experience means better earning potential and opportunities. Just remember not to overdo it. School is your first priority.Here are a few ways you can get leadership experience in high school.USA Freedom Corps, AmeriCorps, and Job Corps Read more
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Successful Planning Tips

It’s all in the approach. You can follow the steps laid out for you, but its important to approach the college planning process with some basic tactics for success. These tips will help keep you focused, organized and inspired. Keep your options open. Read more
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Four Steps to Graduation

There’s a lot to think about when planning for college. But staying focused on graduating from high school is key. Read more
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What you can expect to make without higher education.
In 2005, the median income of a high school graduate or GED recipient was $24,435. That’s $16,699 less than they would have earned with a bachelor’s degree.

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