Kansas City PBS is committed to lifelong learning. We provide various resources to the community to facilitate continuing education, ranging from online resources like FastForward, a high school equivalency testing curriculum, to a hub of reliable college help resources for those pursuing a secondary degree.

High School Equivalency

College Resources

Decisions, Decisions...

Article: Is College Worth It? What to Consider Before You Enroll | NerdWallet: NerdWallet nails it again, this time with a "College Return on Investment Calculator" if you're on the fence about a bachelor's degree. They link to college alternatives, as well as their FAFSA guide and advice on student loans.

Above the Noise | PBS LearningMedia: Deciding on attending college is a big decision. What college should I attend? Can I afford college? Can I succeed without college? Use this collection of videos to help inform your decision on whether college is the right path.

Finding Your School

ACT Test: Since COVID, many institutions have made standardized testing like the ACT and the SAT optional for admission. However, some schools may require a baseline ACT score, or you may choose to provide yours regardless. Find a testing center near you, register for a date and use their free test prep resources.

The College Board: Provides information for registering and preparing for the SAT.

BigFuture: Online college planning tools.

College Majors Search by the Princeton Review: browse majors, learn more about them and discover schools.

American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Provides information and resources for American Indians and Alaska Natives interested in attending tribal colleges.

Students with Disabilities: Information on federal education programs and resources for those who are disabled.

The Finances of It All

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. You must apply for aid every year that you are in college. Even if you don't think you're eligible for aid, filing your FAFSA is free and worth seeing what support you can get.

The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid: Provides information on scholarships, loans, military aid, work-study and saving for college.

Fastweb: a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid news and resources.

Pro Tip: Just Ask!

If you have have a short list of schools (1-3 max), reach out to an admissions counselor at each school to, respectfully, ask if there are scholarships they can offer you. In some cases, your demonstrated interest can get you up to a few thousand dollars!