Westview
High School
College Information II
College Research & Information
With over 2,000 colleges in the United States alone, the process of narrowing down a right-fit college can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you navigate this process.
Oregon Goes to College helps educators, students and families prepare for education after high school.
Types of Colleges & Types of Degrees
Earning College Credit in High School
It's a Plan: College Checklists for students 9th through 12th grade (and middle school too).
Additional Resources
CIS (Career Information Systems) is a free district account to use for career and college exploration and planning.
Beaverton School District's College & Career Readiness page
Khan Academy helps you explore and compare your college options
College Resources for Diverse and Multicultural Students
Fly-In and Diversity Programs, including but not limited to low income, first generation, rural, African American, Hispanic/Latinx American, Native American, Indigenous or Asian American students.
College Scorecard from the U.S. Department of Education allows you to narrow down colleges based on your preferences, then compare those schools on factors such as size, diversity, average student debt, cost, graduation rates, and average salary after attending.
The Educational Credit Management Corporation provides the Opportunities Guide, which helps high school students choose the right college, understand admissions requirements, identify types of financial aid, and more.
Colleges also host many preview days, tours, and other on-campus events to give students an opportunity to see their campuses in-person. For more information about these events or to schedule a college visit and tour, check with the admissions office of the college(s) you are considering.
- 2-Year College/Community College Information
- 4-Year Colleges
- Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)
- First Generation
- LGBTQIA+
- Black and African American Student Resources
- Asian and Pacific Islander Student Resources
- Native American and Indigenous Student Resources
- Hispanic Student Resources
- Students with Disabilities Resources
- Undocumented Status Student Resources
- International Student Resources
2-Year College/Community College Information
Community colleges are primarily 2-year public institutions that grant associates degrees and certificates. They offer education pathways for students to enter directly into the workforce or to transfer to a 4-year college, often completing core classes at a lower price. These colleges also have open admissions policies and accept all students with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Oregon 2-Year/Community Colleges
Western Underground Exchange is agreement between 16 member states, including Oregon, and territories, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities, including 2-year colleges, provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students.
CIS (Career Information Systems) is a free district account to use for college exploration.
National Junior College Athletic Association
4-Year Colleges
4-year colleges and universities offer a wide range of majors and minors, or programs of study, to prepare students for careers. They grant bachelor's degrees, which enable students to pursue opportunities in a wide spectrum of jobs. Students who earn a bachelor's degree may also continue their education and pursue a graduate degree.
Oregon's Independent, Not for Profit Universities and Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
CIS (Career Information Systems) is a free district account to use for college exploration
Historically Black Colleges & Universities
CollegeBoard's Big Future and Cappex have search tools to help you find a college based on your preferences
NCAA College Bound Student Athletes
Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)
Historically Black Colleges & Universities
graduate 17% of our nation's total African American college students
award 24% of all bachelor's degrees in STEM fields by African American students
tuition averages 26% less than comparable institutions.
What is an HBCU and Why are They Important?
HBCU Facts
First Generation
I’m First offers an online space for current and incoming First Generation College Students to share their experiences with each other and offer support.
Portland Community College's Future Connect Program is a scholarship and support program for students who identify as first-generation or low-income. They focus on eliminating barriers to college, and provide students with on-going support throughout their time at PCC. Through scholarship money, career guidance, and personalized advising, Future Connect helps students build pathways to their futures.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): Westview offers AVID elective classes, a program designed to close the achievement gap by supporting students who identify as first generation, students who are underrepresented on college campuses, students who qualify as low income or students who have special circumstances. Students apply and interview for the program. Please see your School Counselor for more information.
Westview's School Counselors and College & Career Staff are here to help you support your education needs and goals. We can work with you as well as connect you to useful resources and programs, such as AVID, ASPIRE, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and more, to to aid your post high school planning.
Talk to your School Counselor or College & Career staff about an ASPIRE mentor, a community volunteer that can partner with you to support your post high school planning in the spring of your junior year and senior year.
LGBTQIA+
Campus Pride represents the leading national non profit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBTQ students. The organization is a volunteer-driven network “for” and “by” student leaders.
Campus Pride Index is a National Listing of LGBT-Friendly Colleges and Universities
Top 30 from 2018 includes PSU and University of Oregon
Campus Pride National Scholarship Database
BestColleges College Guide for LGBTQ Students
Resources and Advice for LGBTQ College Students
EducationUSA Resources for LGTBI Students
Black and African American Student Resources
UNCF founded in 1944 to help more African American students attend and graduate from college. UNCF Student Programs & Scholarships
UNCF Empower Me Tour is a free, traveling college- and career-readiness road show—is a national series of events established to inspire and motivate high school, college students and recent college graduates toward academic excellence, career success and personal responsibility.
Black Student Organizations and Associations
Top Diversity, Minority, and African American Internship Programs
Black Scholarships is the online guide to scholarships, financial aid and more for African American students
NAACP Youth & College Resources
Asian and Pacific Islander Student Resources
Native American and Indigenous Student Resources
Native Pathways Guidebook: Preparing for College
College Fund’s Choosing a College
College Fund’s Student Scholarships
National Indian Education Association College Resources
Tribal Colleges and Universities serves 35 TCUs spanning 13 states. These institutions offer 264 certificate programs, 442 associate degree programs, 115 bachelor’s degree programs, and eight master’s degree programs.
TCU students receive a higher education in a learning environment where Native cultures, traditions, and experiences are woven into the DNA of these remarkable institutions—providing a space for students to thrive intellectually and socially.
Our closest TCU is Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington, which has 6 full extended campuses (5 in Washington and 1 in Idaho).
Hispanic Student Resources
Students with Disabilities Resources
Undocumented Status Student Resources
International Student Resources
Many colleges/universities have scholarships for international students like U of O, PSU, OSU and U of Portland. Check website for details as well as contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance. Generally, international students pay out of state tuition.
Make sure to apply through the International Student application process as directed by each college and university.
The International Student Guide for Studying in the USA
Scholarship and Financial Aid
CollegeBoard Scholarship search includes scholarships for international students.
International Education Financial Aid Scholarship search for international students.
Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for OSAC Scholarship application, ORSAA or Oregon Promise.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): If you’re neither a citizen nor an eligible noncitizen, you are not eligible for federal student aid. If you have a Social Security number but are not a citizen or an eligible noncitizen, including if you have been granted DACA, you should still complete the FAFSA form because you might be eligible for state or college aid. You should check with your school’s financial aid office to see what kind of financial aid you might be eligible to receive.