College Planning
Welcome to the College Planning page! Access various college planning resources below:
Preparing for College
Need a step by step guide for applying to colleges? Check out Mounds View's "Application Cheat Sheet" and make sure you have all of your boxes checked!
Link coming soon!
Preparing for college begins in middle school and continues all the way to high school graduation. Talk with your teachers, dean and family about what courses are best for you, where you might want to attend, and what you want to do as a career.
Check out this helpful resource:
Check out this useful platform for all things college planning! This site has unlimited free resources for writing a college essay, college application assistance, college search tools, free online course videos, and more! There are numerous tips and tricks for how to make the college application process as easy and less stressful as possible:
Want to learn how to write a college essay directly from a college admissions representative? Then check out the power point here on some great tips and tricks!
SchooLinks
- “SchooLinks is a great resource for researching colleges based on what you are looking for! Go to the College tab and select College Search to find the best fit schools for you.
- “SchooLinks is REQUIRED for Seniors to use in order to send out your transcripts and letters of recommendation to colleges.”
Resources for Choosing a College
Ways to Apply
Common App
The Common App is one way to apply to colleges. It is a one stop storage hub for all of your applications (or those that use the Common App). Students will still need to complete each individual application, but all are in one place. This method of applying is recommended for those applying to numerous colleges.
Refer to this Application Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to complete your application.
Information you will need to complete your Common App:
Irondale High School
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Mounds View High School
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Applying Directly
Completing a direct application is when a student applies directly on a school’s website. This is the same application that one would complete in the Common App, but is completed through the college instead. This method is the only option for some colleges and this method is recommended for those applying to only a few colleges.
Paying for College
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Before each year of college, apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Your college uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid. After submission, you'll receive your Student Aid Report (SAR)
Scholarships
Equity Promise Scholarship Program:
Application opens: Friday, November 21, 2025
Application closes: Friday, January 9, 2026
Mounds View Public Schools has established a long-standing tradition of working with community businesses and organizations to provide local scholarships to graduating seniors. The scholarship program is aimed at reinforcing the District's Equity Promise of supporting all students in achieving their post-secondary goals, whether at a two-year college or a four-year college or university.
Wallin Scholarship Application NOW OPEN:
This scholarship is for any student who will be attending a 4-year school in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin or any HBC school. The scholarship is worth up to $16,000 over 4 years of college. There are requirements to be eligible for scholarships so take a look if you qualify. If you have questions, see your dean.
Scholarship Search Engines
- Scholarships.com
- College Board Scholarship Search
- MN Department of Higher Education Scholarships
- SchooLinks Scholarship Matching (Log into SchooLinks, click “College” and select “Scholarship Matching.”
Federal and State Grants
Federal and state governments provide grants for students attending college or career school. Most types of grants, unlike loans, are sources of free money that generally do not have to be repaid.
Paying for College and Financial Aid Resources
Federal Student Aid - An Office of the U.S. Department of Education
Minnesota Office of Higher Education - A cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to post-secondary education.
Understanding the Costs of College: A Complete Guide to Financial Aid - There are many ways to pay for college. This publication outlines how to apply for and access different types of aid, including federal and state grants and scholarships, federal, state and private loans, and other ways to pay. We will walk you through how to weigh your options, what application(s) you need to submit, and how to make college affordable for you.