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 School Links, 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 grades, 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?
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Fastweb: The gold standard. It’s been around for decades and has a massive database. It also sends email alerts when new matches appear.
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Scholarships.com: Very user-friendly with excellent filters. It’s particularly good for finding "niche" scholarships based on specific interests, majors, or hobbies.
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BigFuture (College Board): Since most students already have a College Board account for SATs or AP exams, this is a seamless choice. It’s highly reputable and links directly to college planning tools.
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Bold.org: Known for exclusive scholarships you won't find elsewhere. It’s very high-energy and features "no-essay" scholarships and community-funded awards.
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Scholly (by Sallie Mae): Famous for its mobile app (featured on Shark Tank). It uses an adaptive engine to provide a "Scholly Score" that tells students how likely they are to win a specific award.
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CareerOneStop: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. It features over 9,000 awards and is excellent for vocational and technical school students.
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Scholarship America: A nonprofit that manages many of the big corporate scholarships (like those from Target or Wells Fargo).