Pre-College Support

Pre-College Resources

On this page, you will find information about college prep milestones by grade-level, financial aid, testing, and more! To further discuss the resources listed on our website with a PATHe Advisor, please use our Information Request Form today.

COLLEGE PREPARATION AND STUDENT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Pinellas County Schools College and Career Centers: The College and Career Centers are
embedded within many Pinellas County high schools and are a hub of information and support for students and families. Working in collaboration with school counselors, the College and Career Readiness Coordinators provide individualized and targeted assistance to navigate the college-going process. Pinellas County Schools College and Career Center.

AVID: Advancement via Individual Determination: AVID is a college readiness system that takes students with the potential and determination to go to college and supports their academic success in the rigorous courses required for admission into those four-year universities. AVID: Advancement via Individual Determination.

Take Stock in Children: Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving, low-income youth to escape the cycle of poverty through education. They offer underserved students one-on-one support through caring volunteer mentors, professional college success services, the opportunity to earn a college scholarship, and hope for success in college, career, and life. Take Stock in Children website

Pinellas Access to Higher Education (PATHe): Pinellas Access to Higher Education aim to inspire, motivate, and counsel all students, families, and community members in Pinellas County on the resources available to them and to open the door to post-secondary education. PATHe is here to help all Pinellas County residents who want to discover the opportunities available for higher learning. Information Request Form

ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Advance Placement: Pinellas County high schools are proud to offer a wide variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses in our high schools. Students with a strong work ethic and a desire to engage in challenging courses are encouraged to request the AP courses that best meet their talents and interests. For more information, visit Pinellas County School’s Advance Placement website.

Dual Enrollment: Pinellas County Schools is proud to offer dual enrollment options at multiple colleges to allow students to reduce the expense of obtaining a degree while they simultaneously earn credit toward their high school diploma and a college degree. For more information, visit Pinellas County School’s Dual Enrollment website.

Early Admission: Early Admission is a form of dual enrollment whereby eligible high school students are admitted to USF as fulltime students for fall and spring semesters of their high school senior year. They apply while a junior by March 1st, but attend full time while a senior in high school starting in the fall. Early admission is open to students from any high school setting: public school districts, charter schools, private schools, or homeschools. For more information, visit USF’s Early Admission Page.

Early College: This full-time program allows students to spend their high school junior and senior years attending all classes at St Petersburg College (SPC) campuses. At SPC, they work toward simultaneously earning a high school diploma from their assigned school and an Associate in Arts degree from SPC. There is no cost for application, tuition, or required textbooks. For more information, visit SPC’s Early College website.

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

Colleges VS University: A “college” is a two-year or four-year higher education institution that offers certificates, associate and/or bachelor’s degrees. Colleges are typically smaller than universities, providing degrees for specialized fields of student. A “university” is a four-year institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Because universities provide master’s and doctoral degree programs, many offer more advanced research opportunities than colleges do. Universities are larger institutions than colleges.

  • Technical College: Technical colleges offer certificates in hands on fields.
  • Community College/State College: Community/State colleges offer associate degrees for workforce and transfer.
  • University: Universities offer bachelor’s degrees for specialized fields (B.S.) or liberal arts (B.A.).
A list of college options that are also listed on the page itself

 

USF Admissions: Take charge of your future at the University of South Florida! USF has more than 200 prestigious academic programs and one of the lowest tuition rates in the country. For more information, see USF's Admissions. 

USF Campus Visit: Discover all the places our students learn, live and play on the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses. Whether you’re near or far, you can now explore sunny Bulls Country with our convenient in-person and virtual experiences. Choose the option that works best for you! Request a USF Campus Tour. 

SPC Admissions: St. Petersburg College has an open-door admissions policy for students who have a high school diploma or equivalent. SPC’s online application process is quick and simple. Learn how to apply to St. Petersburg College and get on the path to success today! For more information, see SPC Admissions.

SPC Campus Visit: Experience what being a St. Petersburg College Titan is all about. With locations across Pinellas County, we're sure you'll find one to call home. Request a SPC Campus Tour.

FUNDING RESOURCES

FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. Visit the Federal Student Aid’s website to get FAFSA today!

SCHOLARSHIPS: Navigating the diverse educational funding can be a complicated task for
students and their families. Check our college funding guide for more information about
scholarships PATHE College Funding Guide

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS

ACT: Four-year colleges may require ACT testing for students who are applying as freshmen directly from high school. Subject tests are offered for students who may choose to apply for a specific program that encourages it or if students test better by subject. For more information on the ACT, visit the link: ACT

SAT: Four-year colleges may require SAT testing for students who are applying as freshmen directly from high school. For more information on the test and upcoming dates, visit the link: SAT

    • Did you know that Pinellas County School District provides every Junior with the
      opportunity to take the SAT on a school day? The SAT School Day administers to all
      Juniors in March each year, when students take the SAT on a school day, funded by
      Pinellas County Schools. For more information, see Pinellas County School’s "Preparing for the SAT"

CLT: Florida is the first state in the nation to approve the CLT as an accepted admissions test at all state public universities. Florida students are eligible to earn Bright Futures Scholarships with CLT scores. For more information, see CLT.

Military Branch Responsibilities Members Reserves Special Forces
Air Force Execute military
operations in the air		 Airmen Air Force Reserve
and Air National
Guard		 Special Warfare
Army Conduct combat
missions on the ground		 Soldiers Army Reserve and
National Guard		 Green Berets
Coast Gaurd Enforce laws at sea,
secure waterways, lead
search and rescue
missions		 Coastgaurdsmen Coast Guard
Reserve		 Maritime Security
Response Team
Marine Corps Support other branches
in land, sea, and air
combat and operations		 Marines  Marine Corps
Reserve		 Marine Corps
Special Operations
Command
Navy Protect waterways,
provide runways for
aircraft when at sea		 Sailors Navy Reserve Navy SEALS
Space Force Organize, train, and
equip members to
conduct global space
operations		 Guardians None None

Sourced from: About the U.S. military

  • Junior ROTC: Prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship Pinellas County Schools JROTC Programs
    • OBJECTIVES
      • To teach Good Citizenship, Patriotism, Self-Reliance, Leadership,Responsiveness, Appreciation of the role of the US Army, Knowledge of military customs and skills and Appreciation of physical fitness and exercise
    • GoArmy.com: The official website of the U.S. Army, GoArmy.com provides comprehensive information about Army careers, benefits, training, and the application process. It also offers insights into Army life and allows users to explore different roles within the Army
    • AirForce.com: This is the official website of the U.S. Air Force. AirForce.com provides details on Air Force careers, education opportunities, benefits, and life in the Air Force. It also offers resources for those considering joining the Air Force, including information about basic training and the application process
    • Navy.com: The official website of the U.S. Navy, Navy.com, offers a wealth of information on Navy careers, education and training programs, benefits, and life in the Navy. Students can explore different career paths within the Navy and access resources to help them make informed decisions about joining the naval service.
    • Marines: Marines.com - The official website of the United States Marine Corps provides information on Marine Corps careers, training, benefits, and life as a Marine.
    • Coast Guard: GoCoastGuard.com - The official recruiting website of the U.S. Coast Guard offers details on Coast Guard careers, missions, benefits, and the application process.

STUDENT ATHELETES:

The advantages of competing in college sports are both immediate and lifelong. Participating in college sports provides opportunities to learn, compete and succeed. Check the NCAA’s website for more information: NCAA student athletes

COLLEGE PREP CHECK LIST

For more information on how to keep track of key steps to take during middle school, each grade of high school, and beyond, check out the checklists below! For more details on college preparation for each school year, be sure to check out the College Board’s Big Future website.