The DoDEA Student Information System (DSIS) Family Portal will be unavailable from Wednesday, June 25 at 2:00 pm ET until Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 pm ET. Parents and students will not be able to access the system or register students during this time. Registration will resume when the system is reopened on July 10.
College Bound? If you are interested in attending college after graduating from high school, this page will help you get started. While it's true when it comes to preparing for college "the earlier, the better", it is never too late to plan for higher education.
To make your dreams of college a reality, you will need to formulate a step-by-step plan. The following checklist can assist you with carrying out your preparations for college:
You may choose to order your preparations for college differently, but remember that the key to successful collegeÂ
A portfolio is an excellent way to get started in planning for college. This method of preparing to enter college should begin early, usually during ninth grade, but can be started at any time. Your portfolio will contain information about your extracurricular activities, awards, jobs (including volunteer work), and grades at school. It's a good idea to collect the information about these important milestones - in the form of notes, report cards, award certificates, newspaper articles, photographs, etc. - as they happen. That way, you won't have to remember and collect everything when you are ready to apply for college.
Start with your school counselor by making an appointment to talk about your plans for college - thoughts on your future study and career, type of school (a two-year community college or a four-year college), location, and expenses. Make a list of questions you'd like to ask your school counselor before your appointment. Some examples might be:Â
DoDEA uses SchooLinks for post-secondary exploration and planning. All 6-12th grade students enter the platform using ClassLinks. Parents are invited to create an account and link to their student’s account.Â
Don't overlook the power of the Internet when you start considering different colleges. Although actually visiting the colleges you're interested in is desirable, "cyber visits" through SchooLInks can also provide very helpful information for the prospective student. Colleges and their admission requirements can vary greatly. One of the best sources of information about college is already available to you through the SchooLinks platform, which is available at all DoDEA high schools. Â SchooLinks is updated continually therefore has proven to be a very useful tool for students and their parents to plan for college because the information provide is accurate and current. There are excellent resources available to you through the Internet:Â
Many colleges and the US military require some kind of standardized test as part of your application packet. Talk with your school counselor about preparing and registering for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. You may also want to inquire about the ASVAB used by the military for enlistment.Â
The SAT, ACT, and ASVAB sites offer practice questions and test preparation suggestions to help students prepare for the exams. Kahn Academy individualizes tutorials for students customized from their answers on the PSAT and SAT. This helps students focus on the exact skills needed to be successful on the test.
One of the big topics you will have to consider when you plan for college is how you will pay for it. In general, there are three types of financial aid available to supplement any funds you already have:Â
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply for federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school.
Federal Student Aid Handbook
This guide is intended for college financial aid administrators and counselors who help students begin the aid process—filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, verifying information, and making corrections and other changes to the information reported on the FAFSA.
Just for Military Families
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation honors Marines and their families by helping cover the cost of attending post-high school, undergraduate, and career and technical education programs.
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Scholarship Fund
MOAA established the MOAA Scholarship Fund in 1948 to provide educational assistance benefits to children of military families.
The Air Force Academy is both a military organization and a university. Much of the Academy is set up like most other Air Force bases, particularly the 10th Air Base Wing, but the superintendent, commandant, dean of faculty and cadet wing are set up in a manner resembling a civilian university.
The United States Coast Guard Academy presents an unrivaled opportunity to attend an elite professional college that charges no tuition and guarantees a challenging and rewarding career upon graduation.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are committed to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. With 95 percent of the world's products transported over water, these leaders are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport in peace and war. Academy graduates abide by the motto: “Acta Non Verba," or "Deeds Not Words," and are leaders that exemplify the concept of service-above-self.
As the undergraduate college of our country’s naval service, the Naval Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Naval Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy. They attend the academy for four years, graduating with bachelor of science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Naval Academy graduates serve at least five years in the Navy or Marine Corps.
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point's mission is "to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army."
