Designed for students, parents, and counselors, this timely work addresses the present state of affirmative action in higher education after the landmark decisions of "Gratz v. Bollinger" and "Grutter v. Bollinger." Informative chapters provide an overall understanding of the history of affirmative action in higher education in the United States, pointers to students on writing the crucial application essay, and discussion of the "percentage plan" states. Other chapters explore financial and student aid and historically black colleges and universities, and offer advice for veterans returning to school. Resource chapters include lists of print and nonprint sources for further research and reading. Accessible, practical and up-to-date, this one-stop guide reassures students and families that higher education remains within their grasp. Following a preface and an introduction, this book contains the following chapters: (1) How did we get to this Point? A Brief History of the usage of Affirmative Action in Higher Education from the Tumultuous Civil Rights Era to "Gratz" and "Grutter" in 2003; (2) "Gratz v. Bollinger" and "Grutter v. Bollinger": The Changing Affirmative Action Analysis; (3) Immediate Impact and Implementation of Decisions on College and University Admissions Program after "Gratz" and "Grutter"; (4) What about Affirmative Action in "Percentage Plan" States? The Unsettled Status of Affirmative Action in Higher Education in California, Texas, and Florida after "Gratz" and "Grutter"; (5) General Advice to Students and Parents in Navigating the Maze; (6) Six Steps to Completing the Compelling Application Essay; (7) Consideration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Admittedly a "Different World"; (8) Financial Aid and Student Aid in the Post "Gratz" and "Grutter"; (9) Veterans and Affirmative Action; and (10) Future of Affirmative Action in Higher Education and Admissions. The following are appended: (1) Four Year Degree Granting Colleges and Universities, the Use of Affirmative Action (or Lack Thereof), and Minority Enrollment Data; (2) U.S. Department of Education Final Policy Guidance Regarding Race and National Origin Based Financial Aid; and (3) Recommended Resources and Internet Sites.