Student & Family Resources

Information. Resources. Opportunities.

Finding the right information can make the next step feel much more manageable. ROOTS connects students and families with educational and community resources related to college preparation, financial aid, scholarships, careers, basic needs, and student success.

FAFSA & WASFA

Understanding Financial Aid

Financial aid is an important part of planning for education after high school.

ROOTS can help students and families understand FAFSA and WASFA, prepare for the application process, identify important deadlines, and locate additional financial aid information.

Support may include:

• Understanding FAFSA and WASFA

• Preparing for the application process

• Identifying documents and information that may be needed

• Understanding financial aid terminology

• Finding financial aid resources

• Identifying important deadlines

Scholarships

Finding Opportunities to Help Pay for Education

Scholarships can help make college, career training, and other educational opportunities more affordable.

ROOTS helps students identify scholarship resources and better understand the scholarship search and application process.

Students may receive support with:

• Finding scholarship opportunities

• Organizing scholarship deadlines

• Understanding eligibility requirements

• Preparing scholarship applications

• Identifying local and community scholarships

Community Resources

Support Beyond the Classroom

Educational success can be affected by challenges outside of school. ROOTS helps students and families identify community organizations and resources that may assist with needs such as:

• Housing and emergency shelter

• Food and basic needs

• Transportation

• Healthcare and behavioral health

• Employment and workforce services

• Childcare and family support

• Legal and advocacy resources

• Financial assistance

• Youth and young adult services

ROOTS does not directly provide all of these services. We help individuals identify available resources and connect with appropriate community organizations and service providers.

College Planning

Preparing for Your Next Step

College planning involves much more than submitting an application. Students may need to research programs, compare colleges, understand admissions requirements, complete financial aid applications, meet deadlines, and prepare for enrollment.

ROOTS helps students break the process into manageable steps and better understand what they need to do before, during, and after applying.

Support may include:

• Exploring colleges and educational programs

• Understanding admissions requirements

• Creating an application timeline

• Organizing important deadlines

• College application support

• Preparing for enrollment

• Connecting with college resources

• Understanding next steps after acceptance

First-Year College Resources

You Got to College. Now Let's Help You Navigate It.

Starting college comes with new systems, responsibilities, and expectations.

ROOTS can help students understand and connect with resources such as:

• Academic advising

• Tutoring and learning centers

• Financial aid offices

• Counseling and wellness services

• Career services

• Basic-needs resources

• Student organizations

• Campus mentoring programs

• Disability/accessibility services

Career Exploration

Explore What's Possible

You do not need to have your entire future figured out.

Career exploration can help students identify their interests, strengths, educational options, and possible career pathways.

ROOTS encourages students to explore:

• Career interests

• College programs

• Career and technical education

• Apprenticeships

• Certificate programs

• Workforce training

• Education requirements for different careers