Donate Get Support

College planning support

College Is Closer Than It Looks

College can feel like a system built for people who already know how it works. E&N Michelle Hope House helps you understand the pieces — applications, deadlines, aid, and programs — so it stops feeling like a maze.

Get College Guidance View Available Resources
A young adult and an advisor comparing college information on a laptop and printed program guides at a table in a bright office.

Is this pathway for you?

You Do Not Need to Already Know How This Works

This pathway is for young adults considering college who want help understanding their options, the application process, and how paying for it actually works.

Nobody is born knowing this.

  • First in Your Family

    For young adults who would be the first in their family to consider college.

  • Worried About Cost

    For those who assume college is out of reach and have not looked into aid yet.

  • Undecided on a Major

    For anyone drawn to college who has not settled on what they want to study.

  • Starting Close to Home

    For young adults thinking about community college first and transferring later.

You do not need test scores, a chosen major, or a finished application before contacting us. Start by telling us what you are curious about.

How We Can Support You

We help you understand what is available nearby, what applying involves, and what support exists to pay for it.

  • Finding Schools

    Look into community colleges, technical colleges, and universities within reach of you.

    Explore Local Schools

  • Applications & Deadlines

    Understand admissions requirements, application steps, and the deadlines that matter.

    Review Application Steps

  • Financial Aid

    Work through federal aid basics, including what the FAFSA is and why applying is free.

    Explore Financial Aid

  • Scholarships & Grants

    Find search tools for scholarships and grants, including ones aimed at student parents.

    Search Scholarships

  • Programs & Majors

    Connect fields of study to the careers they lead to, so a choice of major makes sense.

    Explore Programs

  • One-on-One Guidance

    Talk through what you want out of college and keep track of what is due when.

    Request Guidance

E&N Michelle Hope House helps connect visitors with colleges, aid information, and outside providers. Admissions decisions, costs, aid awards, and deadlines are set by each institution and may change.

Your Next Steps

You do not need a plan, a major, or a shortlist before contacting us. Start with a conversation and we will build it from there.

  1. Reach Out

    Contact us by phone, email, or through the Get Help form.

  2. Tell Us Your Goals

    Share what interests you, what you are worried about, and what you want out of college.

  3. Review Your Options

    We help you compare nearby schools, programs, requirements, and what aid may be available.

  4. Take Your Next Step

    Move forward with a shortlist, a clear set of deadlines, and help preparing what each one asks for.

Ready to Talk About College?

Start by telling us what you are curious about. There is no pressure to have it figured out.

Start the Conversation

College & Financial Aid Resources

Explore resource categories that may help you compare schools, apply, and understand how to pay for it.

  • Community Colleges

    Open-admission colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer routes.

    • Open admission programs
    • Associate degree options
    • Transfer agreement information
    View Local Colleges

  • Universities

    Four-year institutions, their programs, and what their applications involve.

    • Program and major listings
    • Admissions requirements
    • Campus visit options
    View University Options

  • Applications

    What an application asks for and when each piece is generally due.

    • Application checklists
    • Deadline calendars
    • Personal statement guidance
    View Application Help

  • Financial Aid

    Federal and state aid, starting with the free federal application.

    • Federal student aid basics
    • State grant programs
    • Aid office contacts
    View Financial Aid

  • Scholarships & Grants

    Search tools and programs that reduce what college actually costs you.

    • Scholarship search tools
    • Grants for student parents
    • Local community awards
    View Scholarships

  • Campus Support

    The services that help people stay enrolled once they have started.

    • Advising and tutoring
    • On-campus childcare
    • Student support services
    View Campus Support

Resources are being added. Contact us for current options.

Programs, costs, aid amounts, and deadlines change every year. Contact each college and financial aid office directly to confirm current information before applying.

Need Help Finding the Right School?

Tell us what you are looking for, and we can help you identify colleges and programs that may fit.

Ask for Resource Help

College Questions

College comes with a lot of unfamiliar terms and deadlines. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.

  • No. Plenty of people start undecided, and many colleges expect that. E&N Michelle Hope House can help you think it through and look at programs without committing to one.

  • Possibly. Community colleges often have open admission, and transferring later is a common route. Admissions decisions belong to each school, so it is worth asking them directly.

  • It is the free federal application for student aid, and for most people it is the starting point for grants and loans. Applying costs nothing — never pay a third party to file it for you.

  • Cost varies enormously by institution and by what aid you receive, and the published price is rarely what a student actually pays. Confirm current costs with each school financial aid office.

  • No. E&N Michelle Hope House does not grant admission, award aid, or influence any decision. We help you find options, understand what each asks for, and prepare a strong application.

  • Many people do. Evening and online classes, on-campus childcare, and grants aimed at student parents all exist. We can help you look for the ones near you.

  • Some deadlines are firm and others have later rounds or rolling admission. Contact the school directly — the honest answer differs by institution and by programme.

  • Generally yes, though requirements vary by institution. If you are still working toward one, E&N Michelle Hope House can help with that alongside your college planning.

Still Have Questions?

Tell us where you are in your thinking, and we can help you identify questions, options, and resources.

Ask About College Support

A degree can start with one question

Take the Next Step Toward College

Whether you want to compare schools, understand financial aid, or work out what to study, start by telling us where you are.

Get College Guidance Browse College Resources