Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start applying to colleges?
Students can begin the college application process in the fall of their senior year. It is imperative for the student to pay close attention to the college's deadline as it is the LAST day to submit your application. We encourage students to submit their applications prior to the deadline.
How do I know I am eligible for the HOPE scholarship and when do I apply?
Log into your GAfutures account to view and monitor your HOPE GPA each semester. Remember, your HOPE GPA is not the GPA listed on the CCSD transcript. Students apply for HOPE by submitting their FAFSA during their senior year.
How do I find the right college for me?
Take a (virtual) campus tour. You can easily schedule a tour to see the campus, meet other students, view a dorm room, and visit with an admissions representative to ask additional questions about their application process, test scores (if required), and scholarship opportunities. Each college will be very different!
How do I send transcripts to colleges? How much does it cost?
Please review the instructions located on the main SHS Counseling website. All official transcript requests will be sent through Naviance, the college and career platform adopted by CCSD. Official transcripts cost $2.00 and must be paid through MyPaymentsPlus.
I messed up in the 9th and 10th grade and my GPA is low. What does that mean if I can't get into certain colleges?
This happens to many students! The key is to remember, it's not where you start, it's where you finish! If you start college at a smaller college, like Chattahoochee Technical College, you can apply to even the most competitive schools as a transfer student. They will no longer look at your high school GPA or your test scores for the application process. The college you are planning to transfer to will focus on your GPA from the college classes.
How do I find out if my ACT or SAT is good enough?
If you search the colleges in which you are interested, their admissions websites will provide the SAT and/or ACT score requirement for admittance into their school. We encourage students to take both the SAT and ACT and do it multiple times! Remember, to increase your scores, you need to review what you missed and study.
How do I find out about scholarships?
All scholarship opportunities are posted in Naviance, under the Scholarships and Money tab. Additionally, students are encouraged to contact college admissions representatives to inquire about scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen. There are other platforms for scholarship searches, like Big Futures. There is a video located under the Virtual Core Lesson tab at the top of the SHS Counseling website which explains how to navigate the Big Futures scholarship search platform.