September 18, 2006VOL. 44, NO. 16Oakland, CA

New website provides one-stop shop
for info on colleges in California

SACRAMENTO – California went live last week with a completely redesigned website to help students, parents, and counselors navigate the challenges of applying, planning, and paying for college in California. http://www.californiacolleges.eduis free to all users.

Access to over 215 public and private California colleges is provided, with convenient links to online admission applications and free financial aid forms. The Web site offers students, parents, and counselors a one-stop shop for college planning.

“California is world renown for its high quality public and private colleges. This site makes exploring those schools and the process for applying and paying for college easier than ever,” said Jonathan Brown, president of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.

Interactive tools on the site, including high school and transfer course planners, sample financing plans, and college exploration search choices, allow students to identify the courses that they need to take in order to be admitted to the schools that they want to attend. Counselors can use the tools to assist students.

“A unique feature of the site takes the mystery out of applying for financial aid,” said Allison Jones, assistant vice chancellor at the California State University. Newly developed sample financial aid plans show aid packages for the same student at the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and private colleges. “With this tool, families can determine what they can expect to pay for college.” This feature is available only on CaliforniaColleges.edu.

The financing plans allow students to see the amount of financial aid, loans, and savings that will be needed to pay for college. The college exploration area lets users select characteristics that they desire in a college or university and identify which institution matches their preferences.

Students can also see a side-by-side comparison of colleges in California. The career planning section lets users identify skills and interests that are matched with specific careers options. Information about the fastest growing careers in California and special sections about teaching and nursing are also included.

“Everyone who needs help choosing or getting information about a college in California should visit CaliforniaColleges.edu; it is free, easy to navigate, and rich in useful information,” concluded Linda Michalowski, vice chancellor for the California Community Colleges.

Representatives from all sectors of education in California, including the public schools, California Community Colleges, California State University, University of California, and private colleges have spent the last year re-designing the site after focus groups and surveys of likely users were conducted.

CaliforniaColleges.edu is the official site for college information in the state. It is operated and funded by the California Education Round Table and its administrative arm, the Intersegmental Coordinating Committee.

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