LibGuides: Choosing and Paying for College: Start Here

Use the College Source Database @ STLCC Libraries

College Source Online

Features over 22,669 College Catalogs in complete cover-to-cover, original page format representing 2-year, 4-year, graduate, professional and international schools.

Faculty: Use this URL within Blackboard: http://ezproxy.stlcc.edu/login?auth=ezpr0xy&url=http://www.collegesource.org

This is a great database to find college catalogs for 2-year, 4-year, graduate, and professional schools in the U.S. and throughout the world.

College Source Online features over 22,669 college catalogs in complete cover-to-cover, original page format. In addition to college catalogs, access to web sites and a transcript key is provided when available.
Use the Advanced Search feature for options that includes a choice to do a criteria search. A criteria search allows you to search by public or private U.S. schools, majors, tuition, enrollment, degrees and more.
The Advances Search feature also offers a geographic search option.

Use the Learning Express Library Database

Learning Express PrepSTEP for Colleges
Online test preparation materials for education and other fields.

Learning Express, PrepSTEP for Colleges offers a variety of tools for skill building and career development. It includes the following sections:
Core Math and Science Skills; Core English Skills; College Success Skills; Career Preparation; Basic Computer Skills; Placement Test Preparation; ACT® and SAT® Test Preparation; High School Equivalency Center; and Recursos Para Hispanohablantes
NOTE: To use materials and tools, create an account in Learning Express. The account is free, just select "Register" under New Users. When users log in, they will see another section called My Center, where the tutorials, ebooks, tests, etc. used are stored for later access.
Video Guides
System Requirements
Faculty: Use this URL within Blackboard: http://ezproxy.stlcc.edu/login?auth=ezpr0xy&url=http://www.learningexpresslibrary3.com

PrepSTEP™ for Colleges, EBSCO Learning Express, is a collection of tools for skill-building, test preparation and career development and more. Select the "more..." link above to see everything this valuable database has to offer. To get the most out of PrepSTEP™ for Colleges, create an account.. The account is free, just select the "Sign In / Register" button at the top of the page. NOTE: Access from off-campus requires STLCC students and staff "authenticate" before getting access to the database. Easy directions are provided.

College Reality Check, College Affordability & Transparency Center

College Reality Check (select this link to visit the site)

Your Education, Your Investment: Your degree should work as hard as you do!

College Reality Check is produced by The Chronicle of Higher Education with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the Web site is to share facts and figures that students, parents, and counselors should weigh in making decisions about college. These factors, often overlooked, include colleges’ graduation rates and net price, how much it will take each month to pay off student loans, and how much a graduate might potentially earn.

College Affordability & Transparency Center, U.S. Dept. of Education
Find out which colleges have the highest and lowest tuition and net costs. How fast are college costs going up?
Mapping Student Debt
How borrowing for college affects the nation.
College ROI: 8 Tools to Gauge the Return on your Degree
Kat Tretina, May 17,2018 (Credible.com)

CollegeFish.org - Check it out!

CollegeFish is FREE to all currently enrolled community college students. Click on the image below to go to CollegeFish.org and then select "Log in" to create a free student account.

Watch this short promotional video

CollegeFish.org is a FREE tool for both community colleges and their students.

Students can research colleges, get organized, and successfully plan and prepare for community college completion and transfer. Including access to transfer guides, college and university transfer programming, and over $37 million in transfer scholarships, CollegeFish provides a number interactive, online resources to keep students on track and support the community college staff who serve them.
CollegeFish.org is dedicated to connecting students to completion & transfer from their first day on campus. It provides easy to follow, step-by-step support for students and facilitates effective, efficient advising and transfer planning sessions, workshops, and lessons.

Chat with us here, or go to our Ask a Librarian page to see other ways to get help.

Planning & Paying for College

Planning & Paying for College, Missouri Dept.of Higher Education (MDHE)
The Missouri Department of Higher Education provides services and resources for students and their families, Missouri’s financial aid community, high school counselors, personal finance teachers, and other professionals interested in helping students earn a college degree or certificate.

MDHE works to raise awareness about federal and state financial aid programs, scholarships and financial literacy. The tools and resources provided by the MDHE are designed to help students succeed in college and beyond are prepared to make informed decisions regarding educational opportunities and succeed in college an d beyond.

Comments or Suggestions?

Do you have questions, comments or suggestions about this guide? Do you know of a website or resource to add? Please contact::

Sharon Fox, Professor/Reference Librarian sfox@stlcc.edu