Last updated Wednesday, August 24, 2020
Alabama students and families are trying to make plans for college in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty that comes with it. In partnership with teachers and counselors across the state, Alabama Possible created this resource list to support you during this transition time. Many of the linked resources are continuously updated so make sure to bookmark them! Have general questions about paying for college? Check out our Cash for College page.
Español
- Información y Recursos en Español – información sobre COVID-19 de parte de ¡HICA!
- Información y Recursos en Español – información sobre COVID-19 de parte de UAB
- Por más recursos en español, vea las siguientes notas en rojo.
Comprehensive Guides/Updates
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- Surviving COVID-19: A #RealCollege Guide for Students – This guide addresses common needs and offers resources including How to Get Money, How to Reduce Your Bills, How to Re-Locate or Find a Place to Live, How to Protect Your Health. (posted 03/23/20)
- Common App Coronavirus Resources and Solutions – This webpage contains resources and solutions to help students and those who support them during this unpredictable time.
Links sorted by topic (in alphabetical order):
Enrollment in College
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- Alabama students must report symptoms online after testing negative – This article covers requirements for college students in Alabama.
- College Students’ Perspectives in the COVID-19 World: Fall 2020 Follow-Up: Join our next webinar to hear from our panel of college students across the country. What are they thinking about? How have their plans changed? How are they rethinking their options? The webinar will take place on Thursday, August 6 at 12:00PM Central.
- NACAC Virtual College Fairs
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- Sunday, Sept. 13: September Kickoff
- Monday, Oct. 12: October Virtual Fair
- Sunday, Nov. 8: November Virtual Fair
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- YouVisit Virtual College Tours – This platform allows students and families to virtually visit about 650 colleges and universities. And, it’s free!
- College Plan Disruptions [WEBINAR] – Join College Promise for a virtual discussion about what to do when your college plan is disrupted. Talk to the experts about how to navigate a major disruption, develop a modified plan, and get your program to support you. The webinar took place on Wednesday, June 24 at 12:00PM Central.
- NACAC Admissions Updates – This tool allows you to search by institution name or by state to see updates on admission events and deposit deadlines
- College-Bound In The Time Of Coronavirus: Here’s What Class 2020 Can Do To Succeed – This article covers considerations for prospective Latinx college students
Financial Aid
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- Need help completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Meet your personal FAFSA assistance chatbot – This page tells you how to text your financial aid questions and get immediate help!
- Auburn University offers tuition payment plan as helpful tool amid COVID-19 – This page details a plan that allows students to spread out their education costs over monthly payments for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters
- SwiftStudent – This tool carefully walks users through the financial aid appeal process and produces customized appeal letters since many prospective/current college students are experiencing changes to their economic circumstances
- For high school students / prospective college students
- Creating and Using the FSA ID: English, Español – This guide explains how to get a username and password in order to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- FAFSA Process – Start to Finish: English, Español – This guide explains how to prepare for and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid resources – This page includes video and PDF guides and instructions
- Federal Student Aid Webinars – This page archives webinars for students, parents, and borrowers
- Tips for Understanding and Comparing Financial Aid Offers – This webinar provides guidance on understanding and comparing your financial aid offers
- For current college students
- Principal and interest payments on federally-held student loans are automatically suspended through December 31, 2020: Use this resource to learn more and find out if you qualify.
- Co-signed a private student loan? Here are tips to protect yourself during COVID-19: If you or the borrower have been financially impacted by the coronavirus, here are steps to protect your finances and credit.
- Emergency aid for college students is not considered taxable income – This FAQ page from the IRS discusses how a grant under the CARES Act is not includible in gross income for tax purposes.
- FAQs about the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES Act – This page from the U.S. Department of Education covers frequently asked questions about aid
- More Than $6 Billion in Emergency Cash Grants for College Students Impacted by Coronavirus Outbreak – This page from the U.S. Department of Education covers CARES Act funding which provides aid to students for expenses like course materials, technology, housing, food, health care, and childcare
- Emergency Funding for Students Included in Congress’ Third COVID-19 Response Package – This blog post explains how the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act will provide emergency aid for students. Find more details under the March 25th section of this blog.
- Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents – This webpage includes information on loans, interest rates, work-study, and financial need
- Federal student loan payments suspended, borrowers can ask for 60 days – An AL.com article on the announcement from U.S. Secretary of Education
- Edquity – This tool helps you manage the money you have and find the emergency supports on- and off-campus – as well as emergency dollars – when what you have just isn’t enough
Food
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- Alabama school meal money, $300 per child, available in May – This article discusses monetary benefits available in May for children who are enrolled in school in grades K-12 and eligible for free or reduced-price meals
- Birmingham city, Jefferson county schools restart meals for students – This article discusses meal distribution through June 5th
- Jefferson County Schools to deliver meals to students in new program – This article explains how eligible students can be mailed 10 breakfasts and 10 lunches each week
- School feeding program will continue until summer nutrition starts – This article discusses meal distribution for Gadsden City Schools every Tuesday
- Madison County Schools food assistance – This webpage lists community organizations assisting MCSS families
- Alabama schools offering meals to students – This list includes locations offering meals sorted by school district (no longer updated as of 03/25/20)
Graduation
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- Reach Higher Virtual Commencement Celebration with Michelle Obama – Join former First Lady Michelle Obama for a commencement celebration to salute your commitment to higher education.
- #I’mStillGraduating Celebration – This celebration is open to any and all students graduating from high school or college this spring. It will feature speeches and appearances from celebrities, business leaders, influencers, politicians, and other thought leaders, as well as musical guests. The celebration took place Friday, May 15 at 11:00AM Central.
- Sen. Jones, Mayor Randall Woodfin have a message for high school, college seniors – This article discusses the ways that the accomplishments of seniors have been celebrated.
- Class of 2020 – We Celebrate You! – This article encourages graduating high school seniors to upload pictures/selfies from their senior year to celebrate their accomplishments
Healthcare and health insurance
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- Insurers expanding telemedicine coverage to aid social distancing – An AL.com article on how to access care through telephone or online consultation
Study tools
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- AP Classes and Review YouTube Live – This page includes the schedule for AP livestreams
- Adjusting your study habits at home – This guide includes tips for staying organized, setting a schedule, etc.
Testing
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- ACT
- SAT
- AP Exams
- IB Exams
- Colleges with optional standardized testing requirements due to COVID-19
- AUM Waives ACT/SAT Admission Testing Requirements – This article details decisions made by Auburn University at Montgomery to adapt to the circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
WiFi
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- Drive-in WiFi – This flyer explains how students can now access free WiFi while maintaining social distancing during school closures.
News/Updates
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- Alabama State Department of Education Updates – This webpage serves as a timeline of the department’s communications around COVID-19 (updated 04/03/20)
- Alabama K-12 schools are closed. Now what? – This article discusses plans for K-12 instruction from April 6 to June 5 (posted 03/29/20)
- Alabama schools closed for the rest of year, instruction goes online – This article includes an update on official school closures and alternative instruction beginning April 6th (posted 03/26/20)
- Alabama’s K-12 schools: Here’s what we know right now – This article includes updates specific to Alabama students in kindergarten through 12th grade (posted 03/24/20)