1. Create an account on www.gacollege411.org.
2. Research financial aid information and opportunities.
3. Decide which colleges to which you want to apply. Here's Help.
   1. Pay attention to deadlines.
   2. Apply well before all deadlines. If you wait until the the deadline is imminent, you may not meet the deadline. College deadlines are firm. Don't expect an exception to be made for you.
   3. If the deadline is not before Thanksgiving, all applications should be submitted before Thanksgiving, even if the deadline is a long time after Thanksgiving.. There are good reasons for this. Do not doubt that. If the deadline is July 1, you may be admitted but other things like class selection, dorm space, etc. will be severely limited. Apply before Thanksgiving!
4. If necessary, take the SAT or ACT the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year.
   1. Register for the tests online.
   2. If you are planning to attend a Georgia technical college, the SAT/ACT is not required. They will administer the free ASSET test to you. If you take the SAT/ACT, you may not have to take the ASSET test.
5. Complete your application on line if available.
   1. Online applications are vastly superior to paper applications.
   2. With online applications you have proof of submission. Mailed applications are often misdirected or misplaced and deadlines are missed.
   3. You can apply for nearly all Georgia colleges, both public and private on www.gacollege411.org
   4. You can also apply to many out-of-state colleges on that website. Or, you can go to the college website and apply on line.
6. If you need recommendations, complete the Recommendation Request form. (This is essential for you to be given the best recommendation possible.)
7. Send transcripts to schools after you have submitted your application.
   1. If you send the application before you apply, there is a very good chance the transcript will not be connected to your application.
   2. You can send your application to almost all Georgia colleges, both public and private, through your account on www.gacollege411.org
      1. Sign into to your account.
      2. Select "College Planning"
      3. Select "Applications and Transcripts"
      4. Select "Transcripts"
      5. Follow the links
      6. You can ask the counseling office to send transcripts by going to www.pantherhelp.com and scroll down to the bottom of the home page. You will see the link for a transcript request.
8. In winter of your senior year, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Do this
   even if you think you won't qualify for federal aid. FAFSA is used for many other things, including the HOPE scholarship.
   1. It is best to apply to FAFSA through your www.gacollege411.org account.
      1. Sign in to your account.
      2. Select "Financial Aid Planning"
      3. Select "Applications"
      4. Select "FAFSA Transfer Module"
   2. If you do not apply to FAFSA through your www.gacollege411.org account, you may go here.
9. Complete the HOPE application at www.gacollege411.org
   1. Sign in to your account.
   2. Select "Financial Aid Planning"
   3. Select Applications
   4. Select GSFAPPS
   5. Select HOPE
10. Follow the directions of the counseling office at the end of the year to be sure your final transcript is sent to your college.
    
    
    

Counseling Department
Jackson County Comprehensive High School
1668 Winder Highway
Jefferson, Georgia 30549
Phone: 706-367-5003
Fax: 706-367-7275
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