Counselor Corner

Education FAQ's

Finding education topics on ISEEK

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S) focus on providing a “one-stop” source of information for Career Counselors regarding education and training resources. Valuable ISEEK pages for servicing students or clients can be located here, along with other state of Minnesota resources.

Find answers to these questions:

Where do we find information about Adult Basic Education?
How can we show our clients key ISEEK pages to suit their individual needs?
What is a reputable source for financial aid?
How do you complete college application forms or transfer credits?
Where can we find valuable information about colleges nationwide?
What is eFolio Minnesota?
What are CAS and DARS?
What is WIA certification?
Where can we find articles about current education trends and news?

Q. Where do we find information about Adult Basic Education?

A. Learn more about learning the basic skills and competencies that adults must master in order to participate fully and effectively in society including reading, writing, computation, listening and speaking. ISEEK's Adult Basic Education section will show you where and what types of courses are offered in Minnesota.

Q. How can we show our clients key ISEEK pages to suit their individual needs?

A. Career Counselors service various populations. ISEEK's "My Workbook Samples" showcase some of our typical users which include these profiles: high school and college students, dislocated workers, career changers, unemployed and lifelong learners. You'll see common paths taken through ISEEK by people with these different goals and life experiences. Just click on the profile to see the ISEEK pages that have helped these individuals the most. See more details.

Q. What is a reputable source for financial aid?

A. Students and/or their parents may often be confused about whether they would qualify for college financial aid. ISEEK's Develop a Plan includes "Financial Aid 101" and "File the FAFSA." These are updated annually by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. This section, along with other pages, emphasize that students do not necessarily need to have a low income to get financial aid. Regardless of the family financial situation, there is probably at least one source of financial aid for everyone. See Types of Aid to find information about aid you don't repay, must repay, can earn and reciprocity agreements between states. Financial Aid Resources will link you to websites and tools that will help you plan your education.

Q. How do you complete college application forms or transfer credits?

A. Students often ask how to complete college application forms and transfer credits from one school to another. ISEEK’s Admissions section gives details about the applications process, credit transfer with links to MnTransfer, the different types of Admissions tests and much more.

Q. Where can we find valuable information about colleges nationwide?

A. Try CareerOneStop's Education and Training Finder. Discover colleges in other states that offer programs which match a specific major or field of study.

College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, and counselors, compare postsecondary institutions nationwide. Formerly known as College Opportunities Online (COOL), users can find programs, retention and graduation rates, prices, financial aid, and more. Newer features include: an interactive map, a favorites menu with side-by-side comparison, the ability to save and export search results, view search criteria at all times, and make modifications without starting over.

Q. What is eFolio Minnesota?

A. eFolio Minnesota is a multimedia electronic portfolio designed to help individuals create a living showcase of their education, career and personal achievements. All Minnesota residents, including students enrolled in Minnesota schools, educators and others can use this free tool to reach their career and education goals. See more details.

Q. What are CAS and DARS?

A. Minnesota's Course Applicability System (MnCAS) is a multi state, web-based transfer information system which helps transfer students move from school to school and earn degrees in a timely manner. Users can obtain program information, course descriptions and equivalencies, student services Web sites (admissions, financial aid and others) and maintain a personal "degree audit" with courses and grades they have earned. MnCAS is a collaborative effort by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota.

The Degree Audit Reporting System Project (DARS) provides students with current and accurate transfer and course information to enhance their degree and program planning. With DARS, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities students are able to self-advise and to do 'what if' scenarios - what if I choose that school or 'what if' I choose that major: how many courses do I have to take? Registrars also utilize DARS to process registration and graduation clearance. With DARS, there should be no surprises for students - no extra courses or unknown factors as they work toward their goals. DARS is viewed as a campus recruiting and retention tool.

The University of Minnesota pioneered DARS in Minnesota. The degree audit is known as the Academic Progress Audit System (APAS) report and is a service to students on all campuses.

Q. What is WIA certification?

A. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Grants focus on upgrading current job skills, retraining workers whose skills are not marketable and providing support services. To qualify for WIA certification, schools must submit required program details to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Individual programs must be posted to the ISEEK website as one of the certification criteria. DEED flags a program as WIA certified once all criteria are met. Link to Workforce Investment Act for more details.

Q. Where can we find articles about current education and news?

A. You can link to FutureWork articles and Spotlights from the home page. FutureWork articles originate from various media journals throughout the country. They are sorted by areas (careers, education, jobs and business) and can be found in the related section of ISEEK or by searching the entire article database. Spotlights are updated monthly and often relate to careers, education, jobs and business in Minnesota.

Page last updated in October 2007.