North Gwinnett News

November is designated as Apply to College Month in Georgia, with Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) joining school districts statewide to motivate students to explore college options and engage in the application process.

Students are encouraged to visit their prospective colleges' websites to review admission requirements and consult with school counselors for guidance. Many institutions require SAT or ACT scores for admission; information on these standardized tests can be found on the district's website under assessments. For those exploring career goals, the GCPS Career Guide offers insights into various career paths.

GAFutures provides additional resources for exploring career interests and learning about scholarships and financial aid. Students are also advised to visit the University System of Georgia website to identify public colleges that align with their interests and career aspirations. A recommended timeline and checklist for college planning is available.

In the fall, seniors should watch their Senior Advisement video or schedule an advisement appointment with their counselor, attend Senior Night and Financial Aid Night at their school, complete their Senior Graduation Application, finish visiting colleges of interest, finalize a list of 3-5 schools they will apply to—including safety, match, and reach schools—and gather admissions requirements such as deadlines, test scores, GPA requirements, essay questions, etc. They should also begin filling out college applications if necessary based on deadlines and finish taking entrance exams like the SAT or ACT.

During winter, students should apply for federal financial aid through FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and submit all remaining college applications while paying attention to deadlines. They should also apply for HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarships by completing GSFAPP at gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-scholarships/hope-scholarship/application-procedure-and-deadline/, as well as other scholarships available through their school's website or the GCPS Foundation.

In spring, students will review award letters or financial aid offers from colleges they applied to in the fall via email or online portals before graduating.