The U.S. Department of Education today unveiled College.gov, a new website that aims to motivate students with inspirational stories and information about planning, preparing and paying for college. Designed with students' input and participation, College.gov was created by the U.S. Department of Education to be a go-to online resource for credible information about college that also provides real life experiences of peers who are already attending college. U.S. Under Secretary of Education Sara Martinez Tucker unveiled the website during a discussion with students at The David A. Stein Riverdale/ Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141 in Bronx, N.Y.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings' Action Plan for Higher Education calls for expanding the accessibility, affordability and accountability of higher education for more Americans. Students pursuing education beyond high school has a significant impact on their future—and America's future economic prosperity. With approximately 90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs requiring some postsecondary education, students need proper information and support to realize the benefits of higher education.

"Secretary Spellings has made college accessibility, affordability and accountability a priority and a key part of the national dialogue on education and global competitiveness," said Under Secretary Tucker. "As we have traveled around the country and talked with students and their families, we heard over and over again how helpful it would be to have a one-stop shop for reliable information from the department about planning for college and advice from fellow students who overcame challenges to attend college. We hope this site assists in filling that information gap and helps more students attend college and pursue the American Dream."

College.gov delivers the following unique features:

• Inspiring videos of college students sharing their stories and experiences about how they overcame obstacles to achieve their college dreams;

• Fresh design picked by students that boasts a non-government look-and-feel;

• An interactive tool for students to create an "I'm going" personalized roadmap that details the steps to take to get to college;

• Content organized and presented in a way for students to easily find the answers to their higher education questions: Why Go? What to Do? and How to Pay?

To learn more about this new site, visit www.college.gov.

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