As the year winds down and thoughts turn to what comes next, it’s a good time to start planning for the future. If higher education is part of that plan, finding ways to pay for college, researching schools and preparing applications are important steps.
November is National Scholarship Month, a reminder to explore scholarships and other funding opportunities that can make college and future ambitions more affordable. Johnson County Library offers resources to help students find financial assistance and nonprofits identify grants to support their missions.
Brainfuse HelpNow: Get homework and application help
Need a second set of eyes on a scholarship essay or help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Brainfuse HelpNow connects students with academic support and learning tools.
Services include:
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Live tutoring: Connect with a tutor for help with coursework and academic questions.
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Writing Lab: Submit essays and other writing for feedback within one business day.
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Send question: Get answers to academic questions within one business day.
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SkillSurfer: Access study resources and test preparation materials.
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Language Lab: Get live help learning Spanish.
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eParachute: Explore college majors and careers based on your skills and interests.
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LEAP: Build a customized learning plan.
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Flashbulb: Create and share flashcards, tests and learning games.
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MEET: Collaborate with classmates in virtual study rooms.
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Brainwave: Record notes in videos you can revisit and share.
Create a free Learning Account to review past tutoring sessions, save practice tests and access expert feedback. Once registered through the Brainfuse website, you can also sign in through the Brainfuse mobile app.
Peterson’s Test & Career Prep: Research colleges and scholarships
Not sure which college is right for you? Peterson’s Test & Career Prep can help you compare schools, explore careers and find ways to pay for your education.
Find schools: Search nearly 4,200 accredited colleges and universities. Filter by your priorities and create a customized list of schools to consider.
Find scholarships: Search scholarships and grants by award amount, eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Listings also include descriptions and contact information.
Candid: Search for grants and funding opportunities
While students can use Library resources to search for scholarships and prepare college applications, nonprofit organizations can also use Candid to find potential funding opportunities.
Candid offers a searchable directory of nearly 30 million grants and 2 million nonprofit organizations. Use it to research funders, explore funding opportunities and learn about organizations’ missions, finances and leadership.
Available for in-library use only. Use a Library computer or connect your device to the JoCoLibrary Public Wireless network to access.
You can also:
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Find funders that have supported organizations or individuals with similar goals.
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Evaluate nonprofits through their Seals of Transparency.
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Access tutorials, on-demand courses and sample fundraising documents, including cover letters, budget proposals and sponsorship toolkits.
Take the next step
You don’t have to figure out the college planning or grant-seeking process on your own. Visit jocolibrary.org to explore these resources or ask a Library staff member for help getting started.
