Resources that actually help

Paying for college

Our own plain-language guide to the four kinds of student loans, the order to consider them, and a calculator that shows the real monthly payment before you sign anything.

Paying for college

The official FAFSA site. Filing it is free and it's the key that unlocks grants, work-study, and federal loans — file every year, even if you think you won't qualify.

Paying for college

Scholarships and support for students of Hispanic heritage, from high school seniors through grad students. Also runs mentorship and career programs.

Paying for college

Matches high-achieving, low-income students with full four-year scholarships to top colleges. If you're a junior with strong grades, look at this early.

Paying for college

Full-ride scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households.

Paying for college

The largest college access program for undocumented students (DACA or otherwise), covering tuition at partner colleges.

Paying for college

College Board's free scholarship search and college planning tool — filter scholarships by your background and situation.

Applying & getting in

One application that works for 1,000+ colleges. Their first-gen resources explain fee waivers — most first-gen students qualify to apply for free.

Applying & getting in

Free, official SAT practice. No paid prep course required — this is the same material, at no cost.

Applying & getting in

Guides for undocumented students on applying, funding school without federal aid, and building careers regardless of status.

Thriving in college

The national hub for first-gen student success — check if your college is a member; many run first-gen programs you may not know exist on your own campus.

Thriving in college

Federally funded programs (like Student Support Services and McNair) on many campuses offering tutoring, advising, and grad school prep specifically for first-gen and low-income students. Ask your school if it has one.

Thriving in college

If food is ever a stress point in college, this org partners with campuses on meal support — and most campuses also have food pantries. Using them is normal, not shameful.

Career & after graduation

The job board most colleges use for internships and new-grad roles. Employers on it are specifically looking for students from your school.

Career & after graduation

A career-accelerator course (at partner universities) built for first-gen and low-income students — teaches the unwritten rules of the job hunt.

Career & after graduation

Free digital-skills apprenticeship for first-gen and low-income college grads who are underemployed — peer cohorts, real skills, alumni network.

Career & after graduation

Career prep and coaching for Black, Latinx, and Native American students — from college through MBA and executive levels.

Career & after graduation

Real salary data. When nobody in your family has negotiated a professional offer, this is how you learn what the job actually pays — never accept the first number without checking.

Mental health & belonging

Call or text 988 anytime, free, in English or Spanish. For any emotional crisis — you don't have to be at your lowest point to reach out.

Mental health & belonging

Focused on the mental health of young people of color — resources for students and a crisis text line (text STEVE to 741741).

Mental health & belonging

Directory of Latinx therapists plus a podcast that talks about mental health in a culturally real way — in English y en español.

Mental health & belonging

Student-led mental health chapters on hundreds of campuses — a way to find community around mental health at your own school.

Grad school

One application to 20+ top MBA programs, with full-tuition fellowships for underrepresented students committed to diversity in business. If an MBA is anywhere in your future, know this exists before you apply anywhere directly.

Grad school

Fellowships for underrepresented students pursuing STEM master's and PhD programs — pairing grad funding with a paid internship at a sponsor employer. Apply the fall before you'd start.

Grad school

The most overlooked way to pay for grad school: many employers cover up to $5,250 per year tax-free (some engineering and consulting firms pay far more). Before taking any loan, ask HR if your company has a tuition benefit — especially for part-time and online programs designed for working professionals.

Motivation & mindset

Miguel's pick: the "Hip Hop Preacher" — raw, loud, sermon-style motivation from a man who went from homeless dropout to PhD. His style isn't for everyone, but when I wanted to quit school, his voice was in my headphones every morning. Start with "How Bad Do You Want It" on YouTube.