CollegeHound

09/25/2025

💙 Navigating college with ADHD can feel overwhelming—but students don’t have to do it alone. Programs like “ADHD, Me, & UNC” at the University of North Carolina give students a chance to connect with peers, chat with ADHD/LD specialists, and build the tools they need to thrive—plus, free pizza doesn’t hurt! 🍕⭐️

This monthly social is a great reminder that many colleges offer specialized support programs, learning centers, or peer groups designed to help students with ADHD, learning differences, or other unique needs.

👉 Tip for families: As you explore colleges, be sure to ask about resources for ADHD/LD students. Whether it’s academic coaching, social events, peer mentoring, or disability services, these programs can make a huge difference in helping students feel supported, confident, and successful.

Because college isn’t just about getting in—it’s about having the right support to succeed once you’re there. 🎓✨

09/25/2025

🚀 Thinking about Dual Enrollment?

Last night I attended the Career & College Promise (CCP) info session at Apex Friendship High School, and it was such an eye-opener! 🌟 CCP at Wake Tech lets high school students take tuition-free college courses that count for both high school and college credit.

💡 A new national survey just published by Inside Higher Ed found that students choose dual enrollment for some big reasons:
✔️ Saving money on college tuition
✔️ Getting a head start on credits
✔️ Building confidence in college-level classes

And the outcomes are strong: students who take dual enrollment are more likely to enroll in college right after graduation and stay on track toward a degree. 🙌

👉 Learn more about Wake Tech’s CCP program here: waketech.edu/career-and-college-promise

👉 Read the survey summary here: Inside Higher Ed article

For Wake County families, this is such a great opportunity to explore. Whether your student is headed toward a 4-year college, community college, or a technical/career path, CCP can make the journey smoother (and less expensive 💰).

✨ Pro tip: Check transfer agreements early so those hard-earned credits carry over to your student’s next step.

Student Success | Understanding Dual-Enrollment Students

A new survey by Tyton Partners reveals the perspectives of high school students concurrently enrolled in higher education and their aspirations beyond graduation. https://bit.ly/42xgUMs

09/25/2025

🌟 Planning your student’s future? Here’s a great place to start.

For families in North Carolina, NCcareers.org
offers:
✅ 800+ occupation profiles (education, salaries, job outlook)
✅ Career Development Plan Builder
✅ Career assessments & lesson plans

Once you’ve explored career options, CollegeHound connects the dots 🎓:
📌 Organize activities, awards & volunteer hours
📌 Track deadlines and applications
📌 Get personalized next steps to stay on track for college

💡 Not in NC? Many states offer similar career and education planning tools—check your state’s Department of Education or workforce website. Pair those resources with CollegeHound to create a clear roadmap from career goals → college admissions → future success.

👉 Explore careers: https://nccareers.org/

👉 Plan your path: https://collegehound.com

Looking for a one-stop resource to explore careers and plan your future in North Carolina?

NCcareers.org offers tools like the Career Development Plan Builder, ready-to-use lesson plans, career assessments and 800-plus occupation profiles with details on education, salaries, job openings and more.

Get started - https://nccareers.org/.

09/24/2025

🎉 Free College Application Weeks Are Here! 🎉

Did you know many states set aside special weeks where colleges waive their application fees? 💸 That means students can apply for free — saving families anywhere from $50 to $100+ per school!

Here are some of the 2025 dates and links to learn more:

✅ North Carolina – Oct 20-26, 2025
🔗 CFNC: Countdown to College

✅ Texas – Oct 13-19, 2025
🔗 Texas Higher Ed: Free College Application Week

✅ Indiana – Sept 22-26, 2025 (this week!)
🔗 Learn More Indiana – College GO!

✅ Colorado – Oct 7-9, 2025
🔗 Fastweb – Free Application Days

✅ New York (SUNY schools) – Oct 20 – Nov 3, 2025
🔗 Fastweb – Free Application Programs

✅ South Dakota – Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2025
🔗 Fastweb – Free Application Programs

✅ Virginia – Oct 20-24, 2025
🔗 Fastweb – Free Application Programs

✅ Tennessee – September (varies by school)
🔗 College for TN – College Application & Exploration Month

📌 Pro-tip: Double-check with your student’s high school or the state higher ed site for exact eligibility (some are school-based or only for certain institutions).

👉 Families using CollegeHound can plug these dates right into their dashboard so nothing slips through the cracks.

💬 Comment below: Which colleges are on your student’s list? Let’s see where everyone is applying!

09/24/2025

🎓💻 Heads up, families! Many states and colleges host Free College Application Weeks throughout the fall. That means your student can submit applications without paying those expensive fees (and those really add up!).

✅ What’s open right now (as of Sept 24, 2025):

East Carolina University (NC) — Free App Week runs Sept 22–26, 2025

Montana University System — Free App Weeks run Sept 22–Oct 3, 2025

Tennessee Colleges — Many are offering fee waivers during September as part of TN College Application & Exploration Month.

These weeks can be game-changers for families—especially if your student is applying to multiple schools. 🌟

👉 Drop your state’s Free Application Week (or a specific college’s fee-free dates) in the comments so we can build a running list for everyone to use. Let’s help each other save some $$ this season! 💰✨

09/24/2025

🙋 Raise both hands over here. Time management is a real struggle—especially when so many distractions demand a teen’s attention.

I like how this article offers actionable ideas (planners, breaking tasks into chunks, minimizing distractions). And I’ll add: tools like CollegeHound can help too—not just for mentors or counselors, but for students working independently. They give structure, prompts, and accountability when things get chaotic.

Anyone tried combining one of these time-management methods plus an app like that? Curious what’s worked for your family.

Discover effective time management tips and tools for college students to achieve academic success while maintaining a healthy balance. 🎓⏳

09/23/2025

East Carolina Free Application Week!

Free App Week is here, and it's time to chart your course for ! 🏴‍☠️

Now through Friday, Sept. 26, can apply for FREE using the Navigator Portal. ✅

Learn more and apply now ➡️ https://bit.ly/4mnM9AT

09/23/2025

🚀 Big News from CollegeHound!

We’re excited to announce that our newest updates are LIVE 🎉

✨ What’s New:

🛠️ Bug fixes for a smoother, faster experience

📊 Grade Tiers – tailored tools and guidance designed specifically for where your student is in high school

College planning just got even easier. Whether your student is a freshman just starting their journey or a senior finalizing applications, CollegeHound now meets them exactly where they are. 🐾

👉 Log in today to see the updates in action and keep your student on track for success.

🔗 www.collegehound.com

09/23/2025

Such a quick and helpful tool! 🙌 The Federal Student Aid Estimator only takes about 5–10 minutes and gives families an early look at what financial aid might be available for college or career school. All you need is basic tax info and savings details, and you’ll have a clearer picture to start planning ahead. 🎓💡

Try a practice run of the 2026–27 FAFSA form to get an estimate of how much aid you may be eligible for. Get started at: StudentAid.gov/aid-estimator

09/23/2025

🎓 October is NC Countdown to College Month!

The UNC System’s 6th Annual Virtual Open House is your chance to explore all 16 universities from home:

📅 Dates: Oct. 6–7 and 13–14
💻 Zoom Webinar | 4 sessions
👩‍🎓 Hear from admissions counselors + current students

Tip: Don’t let the info overload! 🐾
CollegeHound helps families:
✔️ Track what you learn about each school
✔️ Compare campuses side-by-side
✔️ Keep deadlines and to-dos in order

While you explore the UNC System, CollegeHound makes it easier to determine which schools are the best fit for your student.

👉 Register here: go.northcarolin.edu/openhouse
👉 Explore with CollegeHound: www.collegehound.com

October is NC Countdown to College Month! The UNC System’s Sixth Annual Virtual Open House is your chance to explore all 16 universities from home!

📅 Oct. 6-7 and 13-14
💻 Zoom Webinar | 4 sessions
👩‍🎓 Hear from admissions counselors and current students

Parents, students and counselors—don’t miss this inside look at college life and the admissions process!

08/30/2025

📣 Parents — BOLO for Sports Admission Memberships!

If your student loves going to games, check whether your school offers a yearly sports pass (ours is through Apex Friendship Patriots Athletic Club - AFPAC, the parent-athlete booster club).

✨ Why it’s worth it:

Much cheaper than buying individual tickets for each game or match.

A great way for students to support their school, meet friends, and get involved.

Proceeds often go right back into supporting student-athletes and programs.

👉 Action step: Check your school or booster club’s website for membership details. Buying early saves money and makes it easy for your student to show up and cheer on their school all year long!

08/29/2025

📣 Parents — BOLO for Club & Activity Sign-Ups!

The start of the school year is the prime time for students to join clubs, sports, and activities. Many schools host a club fair or open sign-ups only in the first few weeks. If your student misses it, they might not be able to join until next year.

✨ Why it matters:

Leadership roles often go to students who start early.

Many scholarships ask about long-term involvement.

Clubs help students build friendships, explore passions, and boost their college applications.

✅ Action step: Encourage your student to check their school’s website or announcements for club fair dates and sign-up info—and to go explore something new!