College Resources

Successful scores on Advance Placement (AP) exams can earn a student college credit. Visit College Board to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

Parchment.com is the official site to order transcripts for current and alumni students where colleges require a transcript to be sent electronically or to an email address. Transcripts sent to Common App schools will be included with the school report and do not need an order placed here.

Please contact the Counseling Department for graduation verifications.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that students in the U.S. complete to apply for financial aid for college or career school. It determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs, and student loans, as well as state and institutional aid. The FAFSA is free to complete and is required by most colleges to award financial assistance. Students are encouraged to submit it as early as possible to maximize their aid opportunities.

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) in Michigan is a state-funded financial aid program that helps eligible students pay for college tuition and fees. TIP is designed for students from lower-income families who have received Medicaid coverage for at least 24 months within a 36-month period.

TIP provides assistance in two phases:

• Phase I covers tuition and fees for associate degree programs at participating Michigan community colleges, public universities, and some private institutions.

• Phase II offers additional aid for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at eligible four-year institutions.

To qualify, students must apply before high school graduation and enroll in an eligible college by age 20.

The Common App (Common Application) is an online college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities with a single application. It streamlines the admissions process by providing a centralized place to submit personal information, essays, recommendation letters, and other required materials. Over 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad accept the Common App, making it a convenient tool for students applying to multiple schools.

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the main governing body for college athletics in the U.S. It oversees three divisions (Division I, II, and III), each with different levels of competition, scholarships, and athletic commitments.

• Division I: The highest level of competition, offering the most athletic scholarships. Schools often have large enrollments and extensive sports programs.

• Division II: A balance between athletics and academics, with some athletic scholarships available.

• Division III: Focuses more on academics, with no athletic scholarships but other forms of financial aid available.

The NCAA enforces eligibility rules, academic standards, and amateurism policies to ensure fair competition. Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to compete at the Division I or II level.

The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is a governing body for small colleges and universities that oversees college athletics, similar to the NCAA but on a smaller scale. The NAIA includes over 250 schools in the U.S. and Canada and offers scholarships for student-athletes across various sports.

NAIA schools typically have smaller enrollments and emphasize a balance between academics and athletics. The organization hosts national championships and has its own eligibility center, where student-athletes must meet academic and athletic requirements to compete.