Search ENGINES
The U.S. Department of Education runs this platform. Unlike most college search engines, this website operates free from advertisements, which means that the 4,500 colleges across the U.S. are represented, not just the schools that pay for representation on the other for-profit websites.
This platform is free for students and families to use.
SCOIR contains free career interest inventories, college match materials, and college stats in an "at a glance" format. There is also a resume builder tool, which makes compiling the first resume very easy.
The National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC), of which Aurora is a member, runs this platform.
Start provides students and counselors with a behind-the-scenes view of where students are at in their application process.
Financial RESOURCES
Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school. FAFSA opens the door to grants (money you do not pay back), work-study jobs, scholarships, and low-interest federal student loans. It figures out your Student Aid Index (SAI), which is a number colleges use to measure your family's ability to pay for school.
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The CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) is an online financial aid application created and maintained by the College Board. Colleges, universities, and private scholarship programs use this application to award their own non-federal institutional financial aid, such as school-funded grants and scholarships. The FAFSA is still required for federal student aid. If a school requires the CSS Profile, you must submit both forms.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) helps students from the Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education (WICHE) region choose from a wider range of institutions without the financial burden typically associated with out-of-state tuition. Participating schools agree to charge out-of-state students no more than 150% of the in-state rate.
Affordable COLLEGE
The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is a trust fund created by the Colorado Legislature that provides a tuition stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of your total in-state tuition when you attend a participating college.
Stipend amount for 2026-27:
$116 per credit hour at public college;
$58 per credit hour at private college.
Concurrent enrollment partnerships provide high school students the opportunity to take college credit-bearing courses. Concurrent enrollment also facilitates close collaboration between high school teachers and college faculty that fosters alignment of secondary and postsecondary curriculum. In many regions, the local school district covers the tuition costs, making the college credits free or very low-cost for families.
CLEP stands for the College-Level Examination Program, a group of standardized tests that provide you with college credit for knowledge you already have, instead of taking a traditional class. There are 34 different exams covering general education subjects like math, science, history, business, literature, and foreign languages. Passing an exam can earn you 3 or more college credits.
Gap YEAR
Verto Education is a study abroad organization that allows incoming college freshmen to complete their first semester or year of college traveling and learning in international locations instead of on a traditional U.S. campus. Verto Ed partners with 75+ U.S. colleges, many of which offer guaranteed admission to Verto Ed participants.
The Gap Year Association (GYA) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to advancing, coordinating, and promoting high-quality gap year experiences. The association manages a formal accreditation process for gap year program providers and consultants to ensure they meet high standards of safety, ethics, and best practices.
Outward Bound USA is a non-profit outdoor education organization that uses challenging wilderness and urban expeditions to foster personal growth, resilience, and leadership skills in youth and adults. Goals are to build self-confidence, teamwork, compassion, and social responsibility. Expeditions range from 3 days to 85 days.