College Information

Below you will find a variety of college resources to aid you as you make this very important decision.

In-state Colleges

Learn more about in state colleges here!

• Application Process: Use Apply Idaho: Apply Idaho is a free, common application platform for up to 10 in-state colleges. Open October through June, this application is ONLY available to current-year Idaho high school seniors.

Click here to view the map of Idaho college’s.

Out-of-state Colleges

Out-of-State College Search: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Application Process: Common Application, Coalition Application, or Institutional Application

College Admissions Lingo: When applying to college, students are bound to come across unfamiliar
collegiate terms. This glossary can help students make sense of all the college terms they need to
know.

Western University Exchange (WUE): Through WUE, students from Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and Guam can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs and pay no more than
150% of the institution’s resident tuition rate. More than 170 public colleges and universities offer
reduced tuition rates through WUE to qualifying students. These discounted rates help students
avoid the full cost of pursuing higher education outside their home state and minimize the impact
of student loan debt.

Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL): CTCL is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement
and support of a student-centered college search process. CTCL supports the goal of each student
finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a
successful and fulfilling life beyond college.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): HBCU’s are historically black colleges or
universities that were established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was and is, the education
of black Americans.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU are colleges and universities where
Hispanic students make up 25% or more of the student body. These institutions also make a special
commitment to serving Hispanic students, and may offer scholarships, internships, advising and
support, and other services specifically for Hispanic students.

College Admission Tests

SAT: The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions
decisions and to measure a high school student's readiness for college. The SAT is a multiple-choice,
computer-based test created and administered by the College Board. How important SAT scores
are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher the SAT
score, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available.

North Star Charter School participates annually in the SAT School Day administration for 11 th grade
students in spring semester of their junior year. The state of Idaho pays the test fees for the school
day administration.

ACT: The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions
decisions and to measure a high school student's readiness for college. It is a multiple-choice,
pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. How important ACT scores are in the college
application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher a student scores on the ACT
and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available.

Financial Aid Options:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ): In order to be eligible for federal student aid such
as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans, students and families must complete the FAFSA
annually. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and easier than ever, and it gives you
access to the largest source of aid to help you pay for college or career school. In addition, many
states and colleges use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for state and school aid. Some
private aid providers may use FAFSA information to determine whether students qualify for their
aid as well. Watch more about FAFSA here!

Scholarship Idaho: Scholarship Idaho is the common application for state-managed scholarships
and grant programs.

Idaho Community Foundation (ICF): Every year, ICF distributes nearly 1,800 grants and scholarships
to support Idaho nonprofits, schools, students, and communities. From donor-directed grants to
opportunities for Idaho students to apply for scholarships, they distribute over $12 million in
funding every year.

The Lightfoot Foundation: The Lightfoot Foundation is a non-profit organization with one goal in
mind – helping people. They assist students in the Treasure Valley who wish to further their
education, organizations engaged in the protection and preservation of our environment, and
homeless shelters and family housing organizations that help those in need. The scholarship cycle is
open from 3/1 through 4/15 each year.

Best Scholarship Websites:
Fastweb
Scholarships.com
Cappex
Chegg
Niche
Peterson’s
Unigo
Scholarship Owl