Frequently Asked Questions
What is My College Options?
My College Options is a comprehensive, FREE online college planning service. You
can learn more about what we offer you and how the service works by clicking
on "About My College Options
".
How can I get my username and password?
If you completed a paper version of the My College Options Questionnaire or our
Post-Secondary Planning Survey® under the supervision of your counselor or teachers,
you will receive your username and password along with your College Match Report.
However, you can also establish a username and password by registering online at
www.mycollegeoptions.org.
Simply click on "Join now!" and follow the prompts.
How can I change my username and password?
Once you have a My College Options account, you can change your account information,
including your username and password, at any time. Log in with your old ones and
follow the prompts to change anything you want to update. If you have forgotten
your username or password, click on "Forgot Password". Next, enter the email address
that your MyCollegeOptions account is registered with and click "Go". It's that
Easy!
What is the purpose of the Post-secondary Planning Survey®
that I filled out at school?
If you participated in the survey at school, you completed the paper version. Both
the paper survey and the online survey allow you to create a personal profile of
your needs and interests as they relate to your post-secondary school options. Online,
we refer to this as "My Matches". Having this information about you allows us to
develop for you a list of colleges that match your profile and to connect you with
institutions that are looking for students like you.
I want to go to college. What should I do to make that happen?
There is no simple answer to this question. However, you can begin by reading "
A
Successful Future Awaits You", an introductory article that will
give you an overview of college planning and how to get started in the process.
As you become familiar with your My College Options "CollegeBox" and all of its
features, you will find tons of valuable information that will help you turn your
dream of going to college into a reality.
How do I know which schools are best for me?
The colleges and universities that match your needs, interests, abilities, and career
goals are the ones that are best for you. Finding these colleges takes work on your
part. Successful college planning involves self-assessment, research, learning about
how the admission and financial aid processes work, college entrance exam preparation,
testing, etc. Although you will not begin the application formally until your senior
year, it is almost never too early to begin thinking about college. Even in middle
schools, students can gain valuable information that will help them make wise decisions
later about which colleges suit them best.
How can I find scholarships that will help me pay for college?
Finding scholarships for which you are eligible is not as easy as some make it sound.
While there are many scholarship opportunities, most have very specific guidelines
and stringent eligibility requirements.
For more information on scholarships and paying for college, visit our
College Resources section.
I am not a senior. Can I still get information from My College
Options that will help me right now?
You will find lots of info for each class (9th - 12th grades)
at My College Options. There are monthly newsletters and planning calendars, as
well as all sorts of articles providing general and specific college planning information.
Browse the site and help yourself to whatever you need. If you don't find what you
are looking for, please email us with your questions at
peggy@mycollegeoptions.org. We will respond as soon as possible.
How can I get more info on financial aid?
For more information on Financial Aid, visit our
College Resources section. This section will provide you with an overview
of the financial aid process and ways to finance your college education.
When should I start filling out student loan applications for
college?
The process of applying for any form of financial aid begins in your senior year.
If you are looking at Federal Student Aid, including loans, you and your parents
or guardians will need to complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA), which is available online (or in paper form in December) and will also
require income tax information for the year prior to your college enrollment. Other
loans may be available through the colleges to which you apply, as well.
How can I get information on good schools that will prepare me
for a career that interests me?
One of the features of My College Options is Career Exploration. You can update
your profile to include various possibilities to get a list of traditional, specialized,
and/or career colleges that match your career interests and goals.
Where can I find additional information about a particular college?
You can visit the websites of the colleges that interest you to request additional
information about them. In some instances, colleges and universities that match
your needs and interests may contact you, personally, as a result of your completing
the My College Options "My Matches".
What do I need to do to make it easier for me to get into the
college of my choice?
See the following links:
All of these sections will provide information on how you can enhance your college
search and admission experience and increase your chances for being accepted at
colleges for which you are qualified. (Remember that being minimally qualified does
not guarantee your admission to the college of your choice.)
Where can I find out of state scholarship tuition information?
The best source for tuition information related to any particular college is the
college website or catalogue. The cost of attending a college changes year-by-year
and the college will be able to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information.
I have changed my interests. How do I change them on the survey
I completed at school?
One of the advantages of My College Options is having a personal online account
that allows you access to your profile, 24/7. You can go in anytime and update your
profile, changing any information you entered on your paper or online survey.
How can I register for the PSAT and other standardized college
entrance exams?
Since the PSAT is given through high schools, registration for this exam must be
handled by your school. Ask your counselor for information about the PSAT, PLAN,
and the SAT and ACT exams. You can also find details about these exams by visiting
our Resource Center and reading the section on
‘College Entrance Testing’.