The Massachusetts
College and Career Web Portal
November 4, 2009
Your Plan for College Mission Statement
The Your Plan for College Web Portal will serve as a one-stop site to
provide all students with online tools to plan, prepare, research, apply
and pay for college. The site will play a key role in the Commonwealth’s
efforts around college, career readiness and success.
Your Plan for College Goals
> Increase access to information related to higher education and career
opportunities for all students, especially those students who otherwise
would not have access
> Provide easy to use Web-based tools for families, students and
guidance counselors
> Simplify process for students, parents and counselors to explore and
facilitate career and academic objectives
> Offer one comprehensive accessible free Web site for users
> Provide ability for students, parents and counselors to submit
information electronically—college applications, transcripts, letters of
recommendation, FASFA
How does Your Plan for College work?
> Student Information is loaded directly from high schools Student
Information System (SIS) to portal to ensure data integrity
> Students continue process by registering and establishing student
portfolios
> Your Plan for College provides the following tools over the course of
implementation:
> Career and interest assessment
> High school course selection driven by college and career interest
> MCAS, SAT and other test preparation
> Research colleges and potential careers
> Fill out FAFSA, apply for financial aid online
> Online college applications that include transcripts, letters of
recommendation and other supporting documentation
Pilot High School Program
> Twenty-two high schools have agreed to participate in a pilot
program to assist with the development of Your Plan for
College.
> The pilot high schools will test functionality, participate in focus
groups to assist in evaluating the various features and provide
guidance on Your Plan for College and also provide feedback to
the development team.
Pilot High Schools
•
Agawam High School
•
Longmeadow High School
•
Bartlett Junior/Senior High School
•
MATCH
•
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical
•
Milford High School
High School
•
Monson High School
•
Burncoat Senior High School
•
North High School
•
Central Catholic High School
•
Salem High School
•
City on a Hill Charter School
•
Somerville High School
•
Claremont Academy
•
South High Community School
•
Clinton High School
•
Stoneham High School
•
Doherty Memorial High School
•
Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High
•
Everett High School
•
Holyoke High School
School
•
Worcester Technical High School
Implementation Phases
Phase I – Fall 2009
> Online matching tools for students’ college and career
assessment
> Evaluating interests, skills, career and students’ post-secondary
options
> Processing of online college applications
> Online student portfolios
> Online college profiles, campus tours
Implementation Phases
Phase II – Fall/Winter, 2009
> Financial Aid module for students to apply online including cost
of attendance components, types of financial aid, local and
national scholarship search and glossary of terms
> Administrative tools for guidance officers to assist with advising,
analysis and reporting.
Implementation Phases
Phase III – Winter 2010
> Test preparation
> Directs students/families to information that tracks progress towards
meeting state graduation requirements
> Provide administrative tools to improve the advising process and
analyze data about students and their postsecondary career plans
> Career and college interests, skills, and inventory tools
> Comprehensive resources for career pathways, occupations, and
education and training
> Employment resources during and after post secondary school