How the Education Field is Responding: A Roundup of COVID-19 Resources

By Zenia Henderson, Chief Program Officer, and MorraLee Keller, Senior Director of Strategic Programming

Note: We are updating this page regularly with new resources and links. The newest additions are highlighted in yellow.

In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, students across the country are facing a great deal of uncertainty as school districts and higher education institutions move to online instruction. Furthermore, the students National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members serve are some of the most vulnerable.

This page is where we'll share best practices, FAQs, policy updates, and other news and information related to supporting students during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Be sure to also check out these other resources and insights from NCAN:

• What NCAN Members Need to Know About How the Government is Responding to COVID-19
  
• Pivoting to Virtual Advising? Consider the Evidence and These Approaches
  
• COVID-19 & College Access and Success: A Message From NCAN's Director of Member & Partner Engagement
  
• NCAN Partners With ECS on Brief Outlining Steps States Can Take to Support Postsecondary Transitions
  

External Articles, Lists, and Practical Recommendations

• Tangible Support for Undocumented Communities During COVID-19 – Immigrants Rising
  
• COVID-19 Resources Useful for Rural People and Communities – Aspen Institute
  

Updates from the Education Field

Standardized Testing

• SAT Test Center Closings – College Board
  
• ACT Research: Impact of COVID-19 on Learning and Testing
  • ACT Test Dates
    
• A chronology of schools dropping ACT/SAT requirements with details about the duration of those policies – FairTest
  

FAFSA and Financial Aid

• College Board Professional Judgement Tip Sheets
  
• COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Federal Student Aid. This page from Federal Student Aid (FSA) includes both a student and a student loan borrower question and answer section.
• "FAFSA: The How-To Guide for High School Students (And the Adults Who Help Them)" – Center for New York City Affairs
• Federal Student Aid Estimator
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Coronavirus Web Center
  
• Student Loan Borrower Resource Page – TICAS
• SwiftStudent is a free tool that helps students students learn about the financial aid appeal process, review eligibility requirements, and customize template appeal letters to submit to their college financial aid office.
  • SwiftStudent one-pager (English | Spanish)
    
• Request Tax Transcripts Online – IRS
  

FAFSA Completion Videos

• Easy Renewing the 2023-24 FAFSA Tutorial – Get2College

Other Topics

• COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel – The US Department of Education's Guidance for interruptions of study.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for students (temporarily expanded during COVID) –  USDA
  
• NCAA Eligibility Center COVID-19 Response FAQs
• Charts: Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates (Class of 2025); Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid; Financial Aid for International Noncitizens – Big J Educational Consulting
  

Updates From the Technology Field

• Find Low-Cost Internet Service and Computers in Your Area – EveryoneOn
• Internet Essentials Customers Can Purchase a Computer at a Discounted Price - Comcast
  
• Guide to Internet Plans for Low- and Fixed-Income Households – InMyArea.com
  

NCAN Member Shared Resources for Supporting Students

NCAN members are the best source of information when it comes to what works in postsecondary advising.

If your organization is willing to share examples or templates of resources from the categories listed below (to be shared with other members of our network), please send them to MorraLee Keller (kellerm@ncan.org) for review.

• Communications to seniors explaining how you will deliver services this year.
• Communications to underclassmen about preparing for college.
• Information on how you are assisting with virtual college visits.
• Descriptions of how districts are providing college services to students.
• Communications to students related to the test-optional concept.
• Checklists/calendars that include college milestones (for students and/or parents).
• Descriptions of services being provided to seniors, perhaps in the form of directives for advisers or an organizational plan.
• All things related to providing virtual FAFSA assistance.
• Communications to families who may wish to file a financial aid appeal.

Checklists/Guiding Instructions for High School or College Students

• Junior Checklist for College – College Now Greater Cleveland
  
• Senior Checklist for College – College Now Greater Cleveland