Guam Scholars

Guam has three main higher-education options: the University of Guam (UOG), a four-year public university; Guam Community College (GCC), which offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce-training programs that can transfer into a four-year degree; and Pacific Islands University (PIU), a private Christian university in Mangilao offering Biblical Studies and Liberal Studies programs. On-island applications are typically submitted directly through each school’s own application portal rather than a third-party platform like the Common App. Check each admissions office website for the current application, required documents, program options, tuition, financial-aid information, and deadlines.

Most mainland U.S. colleges and universities accept applications from Guam the same way they would from any U.S. state. Guam is U.S. territory, so students generally qualify for in-state-equivalent or territory-specific consideration at some public universities (this varies by school, so check each college's residency policy). Off-island schools are typically applied to through either their own application portal or a shared platform like the Common App or Coalition App.

The Common Application (Common App) lets you fill out one core application that covers personal info, activities, and an essay, then submit it to hundreds of participating colleges, each with their own supplemental questions. It streamlines applying to multiple off-island schools at once. Steps to get started:

• Create a free account at commonapp.org.
• Add colleges to your list. Not all schools use the Common App, so confirm each target school participates.
• Complete the Common App essay (personal statement) and any school-specific supplemental essays.
• Invite your counselor and teachers through the platform so they can submit transcripts and recommendation letters electronically.
• Review and submit before each school's deadline.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans, and most colleges also use it to award their own financial aid and scholarships. Guam students are eligible to file the FAFSA just like students in the 50 states. File as early as possible after the FAFSA opens each year, since some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

• UOG Scholarships — UOG Financial Aid posts current and recurring scholarship opportunities for eligible UOG students and some GCC/UOG pathways. Requirements, award amounts, and deadlines vary, so check the official page after reviewing your admission and enrollment plans.
• UOG Federal TEACH Grant — Students planning to pursue teacher certification in an eligible high-need field may be able to use this federal grant for qualifying study. It has FAFSA, academic-eligibility, and teaching-service requirements. If the federal teaching-service obligation is not completed, the grant can convert to a federal loan with interest.

• Junior year spring: take the SAT/ACT for the first time; start researching on-island and off-island schools.
• Summer before senior year: draft your Common App essay; narrow down your college list.
• Senior year fall: submit applications (many off-island deadlines fall between October and January); request transcripts early.
• Senior year winter: file the FAFSA as soon as it opens; apply for local and national scholarships.
• Senior year spring: compare financial aid offers and confirm your final decision by each school's reply deadline.

These are optional external resources I personally found useful. Guam Scholars is not affiliated with or paid by the creators or services listed here. Always confirm admission requirements, deadlines, and financial-aid information with each college and official source.

Common App, essays, and college planning

• Gohar’s Guide — college-application, study-strategy, and college-life videos.
• ElevatEd School — Common App essays, activities, recommendations, and application-planning videos.
• College Essay Guy on YouTube — free college-essay brainstorming, personal-statement, supplemental-essay, and Common App videos.
• College Essay Guy — college-application and essay guides, including free planning resources.
• Pratik Vangal — college-application, essay, standardized-test, and student-research videos.

Preparing for college life and study abroad

• The Naked Roommate — resources for the social, practical, and personal transition to college life.
• Prepare for Departure: Making the Most of Your Study Abroad Experience by Shelley Story — an optional book recommendation for students considering study abroad or an extended educational experience away from Guam.

Some of these creators and organizations also offer paid products or services. Guam Scholars does not receive payment for these links, does not sell your information, and cannot guarantee an admission, scholarship, or other outcome.