CaliforniaColleges.edu

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

Explore Colleges

How do I learn about general information for each segment (UC, CSU, CCC, or independent colleges in California)?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select About Your Higher Education Options in California
Select desired segment from left hand navigation menu

How do I find information including statistical data, photos of campuses, links to official campus sites, and other information about student life and academics at a particular college or university?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select Campus Facts
Choose segment from left hand navigation menu, then select desired college or university

OR
Select institution directly from alphabetical menu

How do I find the main address, telephone number, and website address of a California college or university?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select About Your Higher Education Options in California
Select desired segment from left hand navigation menu
Select Campus Directory from left hand navigation menu

How do I find a map of the approximate location of a segment's campuses?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select About Your Higher Education Options in California
Select desired segment from left hand navigation menu
Select Map of Campus Locations from left hand navigation menu

How do I compare colleges and universities in California?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select Comparative View
Limit search results using dropdown menu
Click the Filter Results button

How do I search for colleges and universities that match student preferences?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select Undergraduate Student-Campus Matching Assistant
Select preferences from dropdown menus
Click the View Matching Campuses button

How do I search for a college campus close to home?

Select Explore Colleges from top navigation bar
Select Distance Search
Enter zip code
Click the View Distances button

Admissions

How do I apply for admission to a college or university in California?

Select Admissions from top navigation bar
Select Apply for Admission
Follow the "Apply for admission" link for your desired segment

How do I find information about factors to consider when choosing a college?

Select Admissions from top navigation bar
Select General Admissions Info

How do I find information about planning for high school classes and exams for college admission, including the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)?

Select Admissions from top navigation bar
Select General Admissions Info
Select Planning for College from left hand navigation menu

How do I find information about specific segment admission requirements such as GPA, high school courses, and test scores for incoming freshman?

Select Admissions from top navigation bar
Select the desired segment
Follow the "Admission Requirements" link

OR
Follow the "Freshman Admission Requirements" link (for UC and CSU)

How do I find general admission information about a specific segment such as important dates and deadlines, application fees, application acknowledgement, admission notification, and acceptance of admission?

Select Admissions from top navigation bar
Select desired segment
Select Applying for Admission from left hand navigation menu

How do I find information about specific segment admission requirements for transfer students such as community college courses, GPA, deadlines and IGETC for CSU and UC schools?

Select Admissions from top navigation bar
Select California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC)
Select Transfer Admission from left hand navigation menu

Financial Aid

How do I find the FAFSA online form?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Follow the "www.fafsa.ed.gov" link

How do I find cost estimates (including fees and tuition, books and supplies, and room and board) to attend college at each segment?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select How Much Does College Cost?
Scroll down to the "Standard Educational Expenses Chart"

How do I find information on how to pay for college (including grants)?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select How Can I Pay for College?
Select type of aid you wish to explore from main text or left hand navigation menu

How do I find information about scholarships, work study, and loan programs?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select How Can I Pay for College?
Select You, the Student from left hand navigation menu
Select type of aid you wish to explore from left hand navigation menu or from main text

How do I find information about the Cal Grant Program?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select How Can I Pay for College?
Select Grants from left hand navigation menu or from main text
Follow the "Cal Grant Program" link

How do I find examples of what a typical financial aid package might look like?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select Sample Financing Plans
Find desired housing and income scenario
Select segment to view a sample financing plan for that scenario

How do I find information about financial aid options available to me if I have a special circumstances (i.e. transfer students, family cannot help, foster youth, veterans, etc.)?

Select Finance from top navigation bar
Select What if I Have Special Circumstances?
Select desired circumstance to find out more information

Career Information

How do I find information about finding a job or internship, career planning, and choosing a major or a school?

Select Career from top navigation bar
Select General Career Information
Choose desired topic from left hand navigation menu

How do I find career self-assessment tools that will allow me to discover personal skills, career interests, work values, and personality type?

Select Career from top navigation bar
Select Career Self Assessment

How do I find careers that match my interests?

Select Career from top navigation bar
Select Student-Career Matching Assistant*
Select preferences from dropdown menus
Click the View Matching Careers button
*Note that this tool is most useful after completing the "Interests" section of the "Career Self Assessment" portion of the website.

How do I find lists of potential careers and descriptions of each?

Select Career from top navigation bar
Select Career Lists
Select search method (by occupational cluster or by alphabetical list)
Follow the links for careers interest

How do I find information about teaching careers and special incentives offered to teachers?

Select Career from top navigation bar
Select Teaching Careers

How do I find information about nursing careers and special incentive offered to nurses?

Select Career from top navigation bar
Select Nursing Careers

How do I find a list of the fastest growing careers in California?

Select Careers from top navigation bar
Select Fastest Growing Careers

Tools

How do I find a list of interactive tools available on CaliforniaColleges.edu?

Select Tools from top navigation bar
Select desired tool to explore