EFF University dove crestEFF UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE RESOURCE CENTER

YOUR COLLEGE-NAVIGATION LIBRARY

You do not have to
figure it out alone.

Resources for first-generation students, future students, current college students, adult learners, families, schools, and organizations—organized around the next decision in front of you.

START WITH FIRST-GEN SUPPORTOPEN THE EFF STUDENT HELP CENTER ↗
WHEN A COLLEGE PROBLEM FEELS URGENT

Write down what happened, the next deadline, the amount or requirement involved, and the office that owns the decision. Contact that office in writing and ask for a specific review, extension, appeal, appointment, or support option. For EFF advocacy, use the Student Help Center.

01

First-generation students

First-generation students

You belong in college spaces—even when your family has never had a roadmap. Start with language, people, and programs built to help.

VERIFIED RESOURCE

Federal TRIO Programs

Find federally supported programs serving first-generation and income-eligible students from middle school through college.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

EFF Student Help Center

Ask for help navigating applications, FAFSA, scholarships, balances, emergencies, or school advocacy.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

College application checklist

Use this guided planning hub to understand schools, applications, deadlines, and the steps between interest and enrollment.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗
02

Paying for college

Paying for college

Understand the full price, free aid, work-study, borrowing, remaining gap, and questions to ask before accepting an offer.

VERIFIED RESOURCE

Complete the FAFSA

Use the official federal site to apply for grants, work-study, and eligible federal student loans.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Federal Student Aid Estimator

Estimate possible federal aid before or while comparing college options.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Scholarship search strategy

Learn where to look, how to organize deadlines, and how to avoid scholarship scams.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Compare financial-aid offers

Review the College Financing Plan and learn how to compare real costs across schools.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗
03

Choosing a college or pathway

Choosing a college or pathway

A four-year university is one option—not the only successful path. Compare fit, cost, outcomes, support, and career connection.

VERIFIED RESOURCE

College Scorecard

Compare fields of study, costs, graduation information, debt, and earnings using federal data.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

College Navigator

Search accredited colleges and compare programs, admissions, tuition, aid, retention, and campus characteristics.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Apprenticeship Finder

Explore paid career-training opportunities that combine employment with structured learning.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

CareerOneStop

Explore careers, training, wages, skills, and local education options sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗
04

Staying enrolled and getting support

Staying enrolled and getting support

When something goes wrong, pause before withdrawing. Document the issue, identify the office that owns it, and ask for a specific next step.

VERIFIED RESOURCE

Academic support plan

Contact advising, tutoring, the writing center, accessibility services, and your instructor before missed work compounds.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Basic-needs and emergency support

Ask your campus about food, housing, transportation, childcare, emergency grants, and completion assistance.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Student-loan guidance

Use official federal information to understand borrowing, repayment, and who services a federal loan.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Disability access

Learn about protections and campus accommodations for students with disabilities.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗
05

Families, schools, and organizations

Families, schools, and organizations

Support students without taking away their voice. Help them build questions, track deadlines, compare costs, and follow up.

VERIFIED RESOURCE

Federal Financial Aid Toolkit

Counselors, mentors, nonprofits, and families can find FAFSA presentations, outreach materials, and training.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Education planning

Use official planning resources for academic preparation, choosing a school, costs, and financial assistance.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗VERIFIED RESOURCE

Partner with Esther Funds Foundation

Connect learners to EFF advocacy, college-access support, scholarships, and the National Student Help Desk.

OPEN RESOURCE ↗

WATCH & LEARN

College information
in plain language.

These links lead to official education channels and EFFU learning experiences. Video information can change, so confirm deadlines and requirements on the linked official website.

PLAY 01

Federal Student Aid video center

Watch official explanations of the FAFSA, types of aid, student loans, and repayment.

WATCH NOW ▶PLAY 02

U.S. Department of Education

Explore federal education information, student stories, programs, and policy explainers.

WATCH NOW ▶PLAY 03

EFF University learning library

Return to EFFU mini-courses for financial aid, advocacy, college language, emergencies, and persistence.

WATCH NOW ▶
NEED A HUMAN NEXT STEP?

EFF will help you build one.

Students can request support through the Student Help Center, National Student Help Desk, scholarship resources, Emergency Grant/Name Your Need, FAFSA support, and school-balance advocacy.

REQUEST EFF SUPPORT ↗