College Planning

Step 1: Choose Your Education Path

Select the type of education that best matches your goals:

• Four-Year College or University
• Community College
• Technical College
• Apprenticeship Program
• Career Training Program

Step 2: Create Your College 

Naviance → Colleges I'm Applying To

Create a list of 3–6 colleges or programs that align with your interests and career goals.

When comparing schools, consider:

• Academic programs and majors
• Location
• Cost and financial aid opportunities
• Student support services
• Campus environment and culture

Outcome: You will have a focused and realistic list of schools or programs to pursue.

Step 3: Determine the Application Method

Visit each institution's admissions website to confirm which application platform is required.

Application platforms include:

• Common Application (Common App) https://www.commonapp.org
• Common Black College Application https://commonblackcollegeapp.com
• Coalition Application https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org
• Direct Application through the institution (for example, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities)

Step 4: Stay Organized

Before submitting applications, securely record and save:

• Application usernames and passwords
• A personal email address (do not use your school email account)
• Your STAR ID (required for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities)

Store this information in a secure location that you can access throughout the application process.

Step 5: Request Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation

Use Naviance Student for all transcript and recommendation requests.

Important: Do not request transcripts through Common App. All transcript and recommendation requests must be submitted through Naviance.

How to Request Documents in Naviance

1. Sign in to Naviance Student using Single Sign-On.
2. Select Colleges.
3. Select Colleges I'm Applying To.
4. Select Add College and add every college or program to which you are applying.
5. Choose the appropriate application type:
   • Early Action
   • Early Decision
   • Regular Decision
   • Rolling Admission
6. If using Common App, match your Common App and Naviance accounts.
7. Submit your transcript request.
8. Request letters of recommendation.
   • Ask teachers or other recommenders for permission before submitting a request through Naviance.

Career and College Readiness Video

This video begins at 2:04 and explains career and college readiness opportunities for students.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/rM2x2j03haU?si=aA1-gI9OJU0nZe1W

Use this step-by-step guide to complete the Common Application and apply to multiple colleges and universities.

Step 1: Create Your Account

• Visit https://www.commonapp.org
• Select Create an Account
• Choose First-Year Student
• Use a personal email address that you check regularly.
• Create and save your username and password.

Step 2: Complete Your Profile

Complete all required profile sections, including:

• Personal Information
• Family Information
• Contact Information
• Demographic Information
• Education Information

Step 3: Add Colleges
Select College Search.

• Search for colleges you plan to apply to.
• Add colleges to your list.
• Review each college's application requirements and deadlines.

Step 4: Complete the Education Section

Provide information about:

• St. Louis Park High School
• Current courses
• Academic honors
• Graduation year

Step 5: Add Activities and Experiences - you may list up to 10 activities.

Examples include:

• Athletics
• Clubs and organizations
• Employment
• Volunteer service
• Internships
• Leadership positions
• Work-Based Learning experiences

For each activity, include:

• Position or role
• Years involved
• Hours per week
• Leadership responsibilities
• Accomplishments

Step 6: Write Your Personal Essay - Common App requires one personal essay

Essay Tips

1. Maximum length: 650 words
2. Choose one Common App essay prompt.
3. Be authentic and personal.
4. Focus on a meaningful experience, challenge, achievement, or lesson learned.
5. Proofread carefully.

Step 7: Complete College-Specific Requirements - some colleges require additional materials.

These may include:

• Supplemental essays
• Portfolio submissions
• Program-specific questions
• Scholarship applications

Step 8: Request Documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation) through Naviance

Naviance Student: https://student.naviance.com/stlouisparkhs

• Log in to Naviance Student
• Select
  • Colleges
  • Colleges I'm Applying To
• Add each college from your Common App list
• Request transcripts
• Request letters of recommendation if required

Important Reminder

Allow at least 2–3 weeks for transcript and recommendation requests to be processed.

Step 9: Review Your Application - before submitting, verify that all information is complete and accurate.

Step 10: Submit Your Application

• Review your application one final time.
• Submit the application.
• Pay the application fee or request a fee waiver if eligible.
• Save your confirmation email and application receipt.

Tips for Success

• Start early.
• Stay organized.
• Track deadlines.
• Proofread everything.
• Ask for help when needed.
• Check your email regularly for updates from colleges.

Explore gap year and study abroad options that expand learning beyond the traditional classroom.

• Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) – nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization.
• Gap Year Association – Provides trusted resources for planning gap year experiences.
• Guide to Gap Year Programs | Teen Life – Teen Life’s guide helps students explore gap year programs and plan experiences.
• GO Overseas – GO Overseas helps students explore gap year, study abroad, and volunteer programs.
• International Universities
  • NACAC Guide to International University Admission
  • American Universities Abroad

• ACT.org - Delivered by experts and designed to fit every learning style, budget, and schedule.
• Accuplacer - The ACCUPLACER is a series of tests that evaluate students’ skills in reading, writing, and math to help college administrators place them in courses that match their skills. Placement testing | M State - scroll to Preparing for Accuplacer - FREE App
• ACT - The ACT is an entrance exam used by colleges and universities to make admissions and/or placement decisions
• ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery - enlistment testing practice tests
• SAT Information
• PSAT/SAT

The FAFSA helps families apply for federal and state financial aid to support college costs.

Apply now - English Apply now - Español

2026–2027 FAFSA Checklist

• StudentAid.gov account: Username and password
• Social Security Number: And Alien Registration Number if applicable
• 2024 Tax Information: Federal tax returns and W-2s
• 2024 Financials:
  • Records of child support received
  • Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
  • Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms (if applicable)
• List of schools: You want to receive your information

• Email address: To send an invitation to the contributor
• 2024 Tax Information: Federal tax returns and W-2s
• 2024 Financials:
  • Records of child support received
  • Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
  • Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms (if applicable)
• Social Security Number: For each required contributor

Why Complete the FAFSA?

• Required for most federal, state, and college financial aid

• Qualify for Minnesota North Star Promise – free tuition for eligible students

Helpful Tools

• FAFSA FAQ
• Federal Student Aid Estimator
• Who’s My FAFSA Parent/Contributor?

The SELF Loan (Student Educational Loan Fund) is a loan program from the State of Minnesota that helps students and families pay for college or career training. It's run by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, not a bank. Here's why it's different from other loans:

• It has low interest rates (you can choose a fixed or variable rate).
• The rate is the same for everyone – it doesn't depend on your credit score. 
• You'll know the interest rate before you apply, so there are no surprises.
• It's a good option if grants, scholarships or federal aid don't cover all your costs.

The SELF Loan can help fill the gap between your financial aid and the total cost of college – in a fair, transparent, and lower-cost way.

Learn more

General Scholarship Search Sites

Featured Scholarships & Grants 

Download the School Year 2025-2026 Form 

1. Open the form you downloaded and complete it with the instructions below.
   • Name of the college or university: The student completes this part. The student writes the name of the college or university. Students can submit to a maximum of four universities. (One form for each university they are applying to).
   • Student: The student completes this part. The student can sign by using the “Fill & Sign” tool on the PDF or simply type up the initials.
   • Authorized official: The authorized official completes this part. A school counselor, postsecondary support personnel, or principal at the student’s school OR an official from a community-based organization completes the Authorized Official section and verifies the student’s economic eligibility.
     • Note: CEEB# or PROGRAM# field can be found on the College Board website. If not found, this field can remain blank.
   • Economic Need: The student completes this part. International students should check the “Other Request” box in the Economic Need section and explain their financial barrier(s) to paying the application fee on the lines provided.
2. Save the form. The completed form must be sent directly to the institution’s office of admission. The student should contact the office of admission to determine the school’s accepted mode of delivery (e.g., mail, email, fax). The student should follow up with the office of admission 2-4 weeks post submission to check on the approval status.

The Minnesota Dream Act allows eligible students to access state financial aid for college. To receive federal grants (like Pell Grants), students must complete the FAFSA and meet one of these conditions:

• U.S. citizen or national
• Permanent resident (Green Card - I-551)
• Conditional permanent resident (I-551C)
• I-94 status as:
  • Refugee
  • Asylee
  • Cuban-Haitian entrant
  • Parolee
  • Victim of trafficking (T-Visa)
• Note: You may qualify even if your parents are undocumented.

Scholarships Regardless of Immigration Status
Many colleges offer scholarships open to undocumented students. Check with your school’s financial aid office. Here are some resources:

• Dream[ers] Students United
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• TheDream.US
• MALDEF Scholarship List
• Scholarships for Hispanics
• Migrant Students Foundation
• Page Education Foundation
• NAVIGATE MN List (PDF)
• Golden Door Scholars

• Attend a MN high school for at least 3 years
• Graduate from a MN high school or earn a GED
• Male students (18–25) must register with U.S. Selective Service
• Provide proof of applying for lawful immigration status if a federal process exists (not DACA)

Apply here