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With the response, impact, and decisions being made due to the presence of the coronavirus, it looks like most of us are all going to be managing being home more often and caring for at home kids. Tensions and stress are high and the constant news cycle and rapid changes are leaving families with overwhelming feelings of instability and confusion.
In the spirit of being as helpful as possible, I compiled several student, parent, and general family resources into one place on this site. Since I specialize in helping families prepare and pay for higher education, I included many resources to help families better understand the impacts of coronavirus on higher ed.
Since circumstances change almost daily, I will try to provide updates to this page as new information becomes available or changes. There are a staggering number of articles, social media posts and other resources available that by the time you read half of it, situations change and then there are hundreds more issues to manage and read. I deliberately chose this set of links and resources that are the most relevant at this point and from reliable sources.
Please share this page with others you believe could benefit. Sign up to receive an email notification when updates are available If you have suggestions or questions, please use the button below to send me a message.
UPDATED INFORMATION ON COVID 19
Coronavirus vs. COVID 19: What's the difference?
These terms have been used interchangeably. Learn the difference.
Center for Disease Control -Get the latest accurate and most reliable updates on the virus from the CDC
International travel information and cautions
Through collaboration and coordination with State and local health departments, State and local educational agencies, other education officials, and elected officials, schools can disseminate critical information about the disease and its potential transmission to students, families, staff, and community.
COLLEGE STUDENT RESOURCES
Getting Home From College Support
Enterprise Rent A Car - special rates for college students
Frontier Airlines- Low Cost or Free Flights
Financial Aid Resources
Answering your questions about what will happen with your financial aid now that you are home
COLLEGE ADMISSION AND PREPARATION
Accepted to College? Use this College Admission Status Update Tool
As a service to students and families, NACAC is providing this online tool as a central resource for information about changes in college admission events, deposit dates, and more as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
High School Students: Get updates on your high school services
The Secondary Schools College Admission Services Update is now available. It provides secondary school professionals an opportunity to report on the current admission-related services at their schools and organizations under these unprecedented circumstances.
Forbes Article: 3 Impacts of Coronavirus on College Admission
CampusTours was founded in 1997 as a way for students to take virtual tours of colleges and universities. In 2001 CampusTours began building multimedia tours and interactive campus maps for colleges and universities,
National College Fairs
Due to coronavirus health and safety concerns, all remaining Spring 2020 college fairs have been canceled. This includes National College Fairs and STEM College and Career Fairs.
Colleges may be closed to students and/or closed to campus visits. Admission events that usually occur at this time—such as campus tours, information sessions, and open house events for admitted students—may be canceled or moved online. Please check college websites for the latest information.
The Common App provides information regarding disruptions such as the coronavirus. If you are impacted, you can reach Common App's dedicated support team via email. Fee waivers may be available if you are facing unexpected loss. Students who are having difficulty sending official test scores also have the option of sending self-reported scores to colleges.
STANDARDIZED TESTING DATES
SAT and AP Tests
The College Board, which administers the SAT and AP tests, is continually updating its list of test center closings for both US and international sites. The website indicates if tests have been canceled or if locations have changed due to coronavirus concerns. The College Board will refund all registration fees for affected students.
ACT Tests
As of March 11, the ACT website indicated that the April 4 test date has not been canceled. Please check the ACT website for updates on whether any test centers will be closed. If so, ACT will notify impacted students directly.
The IBO, which administers the International Baccalaureate program, provides updates on its website regarding the cancellation of planned events, school closures, and extensions for coursework deadlines.
FINANCIAL AID
Your Financial Aid Options During College Closings - FAQ
Will you lose financial aid if you're taking online courses? Will your financial aid change if you are no longer in the dorms? Get those answers here.
A How-To Guide on FAFSA Completion for High School Students (And the Adults Who Help Them) Available in 9 Languages
Find the Higher Education Office for Your State
All states are different The state you live in
GENERAL FAMILY RESOURCES
LOW- COST TECHNOLOGY
Find Low-Cost Internet Service and Computers in Your Area (via EveryoneOn)
New Internet Essentials Customers Will Receive Two Free Months of Internet Service (via Comcast)
BASIC NEEDS
Social Care Network
a social care network that connects people and programs — making it easy for people to find social services in their communities, for nonprofits to coordinate their efforts, and for customers to integrate social care into the work they already do.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Expanded SNAP Benefits for the months of March and April as part of a provision set forth by the federal Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of 2020. The easiest way to find the SNAP benefits information for your state Google "SNAP Benefits" and type the name of your state. (Example: SNAP Benefits Maryland)
EDUCATION RESOURCES (Resources for families now homeschooling)
Day-to-day projects to keep kids thinking, learning and growing.
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.
Lessons worth sharing. TED-Ed is TED’s youth and education initiative. TED-Ed’s mission is to spark and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students around the world.
Audible -Audio Books and Stories
Free books and stories for kids from Audible.com
WORK
Working Remotely: A Complete Guide to Turn You Into a Pro
Excellent Article that includes a wide variety of tools and strategies. Slight promotion of the author's employer (Paymo)
Comparing Web Conferencing – Working from home technology
FUN
Stuck At Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch (Video)
FOOD FOR STUDENTS HOME FROM SCHOOL
Meal Options for students and families during Closures
PHILADELPHIA -