north forsyth high school senior handbook class of 2020
TRANSCRIPT
Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or
gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.
North Forsyth High School
Senior Handbook
Class of 2020
North Forsyth High School 3635 Coal Mountain Drive
Cumming, GA 30028
770.781.6637
Pride…Passion…Purpose
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents, Stay Connected, Vision & Mission…………………………………………………….1
NFHS Raider Nation Counseling Office Contacts w/Administrators ……………………………………..2
Graduation Credit Checklist ……………………………...………………..………………………………3
GPA Calculation………………………………………………………..…………………………………..4
Important Terms to Know………………………………………………………………………………..5-7
NCAA Eligibility…………………………………………………………………………………………...8
Senior Year Timeline………………………………………………………………………………........8-16
Standardized Tests & Test Prep: SAT & ACT………………………………………………………...….17
Standardized Tests & Test Prep: Accuplacer…………………………………………………….…….….18
Financial Aid Terms to Know…………………………………………………………………...…….19-20
Scholarship Search Engines…………………………………………………………………………....21-22
Eligibility for HOPE Scholarship…………………………………………………………………….…...23
Eligibility for Zell Miller Scholarship……………………………………………………………...……..24
University System of Georgia College & Universities Map……………………………………………...25
Stay Connected! ● NFHS Counseling Website
● Twitter @NFHSCounseling
● Instagram @NFHS_Counseling
● Class of 2020 Important Information webpage
● Update Parent Portal contact information to ensure that you receive emails.
● Check ItsLearning for NFHS messenger blasts.
NFHS Counseling Department Vision & Mission Statement
The students at North Forsyth High School are inspired learners who use their gifts to impact
those around them to make a difference in their school, community, and world. All students will
participate in a rigorous curriculum that prepares them to be college and career ready and to
meet their personal potential. Support from the comprehensive school counseling program will
enable students to meet the challenges of the future while fostering a healthy school climate that
values diversity, knowledge, and achievement.
The mission of the North Forsyth School counseling program is to enhance educational
performance by providing all students access to a comprehensive school counseling program
that advocates for the academic, career, and social/emotional mindsets necessary to become
college and career ready and experience lifelong success. Professional School Counselors will
collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents, and the community to ensure the academic
and personal potential for all students is achieved.
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The Raider Nation’s Counseling Office Contact Information
Main School Number: 770.781.6637
Counseling Fax Number: 770.888.0934
Counseling Secretary
Ranita Christopher
Ext. 160230
Transcripts, Counselor Appointments (for new and current students), Work Permits, Social Security
Forms, Military Forms, Summer School Registration, Student Withdrawals.
*College Visit Verification Forms can be downloaded from the NFHS Counseling website AND/OR
picked up in the Counseling Office. However, to receive an excused absence, these forms MUST be
turned into the Attendance Office. *
Registrar
Kim Grogan
Ext. 160233
Data Entry, Graduate Files, Records Requests, Report Cards, School Records, Student Enrollment Forms,
Final Transcript Requests (during the summer).
Grade Level &
Last Name
Counselor &
Administrator
Email Phone
Extension
11th & 12th A-Gq C: Kaitlin Mason
A: Tracey Winkler
160242
160807
11th & 12th Gr - O C: Liz Topoleski
A: Randy Herrin
160241
160408
11th & 12th Mo-Z C: Lennox Balog
A: Nikki Thomas
160231
160815
Dual Enrollment C: Josh Owens
160236
Senior Class Sponsor
Lori Waddell, Assistant Administrator
Ext. 160118
* Check the Class of 2020 Important Information page via the NFHS Counseling website for information
concerning class dues, the graduation ceremony, baccalaureate and more. *
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Graduation Credit Checklist
This checklist reflects the minimum requirements to graduate (23 credits).
* Most students will have more than 23 credits. *
✔ English: 4 credits
9th Lit./ Honors
10th Lit./ Honors
American Lit./ AP
Adv. Comp./ AP
✔ Mathematics: 4 credits
Alg. I/ Accel. Alg.
Geometry/ Accel.
Alg. II/ Accel.
4th Math
✔ Science: 4 credits
Physical Sci./ Physics
Biology / Honors
Chem. / Enviro. / Earth Sys.
4th Science
✔ Social Studies: 3 credits
World History/ AP
US History/ AP
American Gov. (.5 credits)/ AP
Economics (.5 credits)/ AP
✔ CTAE/ Fine Arts/ W. Lang.: 3 credits
✔ Health & Personal Fitness: 1 credit
Health (.5 credits)
Personal Fitness (.5 credits)
OR
3 JROTC credits
✔ Electives: 4 credits
*Students are responsible for ensuring remaining required courses and any failed required courses are on their 2019/2020 schedule. *Check with your college to make sure you will have admissions requirements. *All course requirements must be met to
participate in the graduation ceremony.
*Students must complete 4 rigor courses as determined by GSFC to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. For a complete list of courses please visit www.gafutures.org.
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GPA Calculation
The best way to determine your core GPA is to calculate your cumulative GPA first. Your cumulative
GPA includes ALL classes on your transcript, except for credits earned in middle school. You can make
sure you calculated correctly by double checking it against the cumulative GPA on your transcript.
After you have calculated your cumulative GPA, you can copy/paste your spreadsheet into a second
spreadsheet and “delete contents” of any elective classes. You should include core electives such as AP
Human Geography, Psychology, Sociology, US History in Film, etc. This will leave you with your core
GPA. Core classes are all academic classes such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World
Language.
Calculating your GPA when you have taken Advanced Placement (AP) and/or Dual Enrollment courses:
Forsyth County adds a +1 quality point to your calculation. For instance, if you earn an A in AP Human
Geography, then instead of 4 quality points, you get 5. A 5.0 is calculated for this class.
Cumulative GPA weight given for on-level coursework is as follows:
A=4.0 (4 points)
B=3.0 (3 points)
C=2.0 (2 points)
Anything below a 70 is weighted as a zero (0).
Cumulative GPA weight given for AP and Dual Enrollment courses add 1 quality point:
A=5.0 (5 points)
B=4.0 (4 points)
C=3.0 (3 points)
Anything below a 70 is weighted as a zero (0).
HOPE GPA: AP courses and Dual Enrollment courses add .5 quality point, but nothing extra for earning
an A.
A=4
B=3.5
C=2.5
Anything below a 70 is weighted as a zero (0).
If you have questions, please see your counselor. We strongly suggest that you review your preliminary
HOPE GPA on the Georgia Futures website: www.gafutures.org.
North Forsyth High School does not calculate your HOPE GPA and does not award or determine
eligibility for the HOPE or Zell Miller scholarship for any students. Any questions regarding your
HOPE GPA or either of these scholarships should be directed to the Georgia Student Finance
Commission. HOPE GPA is NOT the GPA on your transcript.
Commented [TE1]: Add special foreign language diploma
seal requirements
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Important Terms to Know
Accreditation: Endorsement by a regional accrediting board that ensures a college or university
meets established standards.
Admissions Requirements: An application, specific set of courses, GPA, standardized test
scores, counselor and/or teacher recommendations, essays, application fee, transcript, etc. Every
college has an “Admissions” page on its website. This is your BEST resource.
Associate Degree (A.A. or A.S.): A degree awarded after completing a two-year college
program. A.A. stands for Associate of Arts and A.S. stands for Associate of Sciences.
Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.): A degree awarded after completing a four or five-year
college program.
Class Rank: A student’s class ranking determined by GPA. Some colleges will require students
to report class rank. This can be found on your transcript.
Commuter Campus: Most students do not live on campus, but rather commute to school from
home.
Credits: Official documentation that a course has been completed.
Deferred Acceptance: This is neither an acceptance nor denial. The admissions team will
simply review your application later. Sometimes this might mean you need to submit additional
application materials to help admissions make a decision.
Dormitory/ Dorms: A college building containing living quarters for students.
Early Action (EA) Admissions: You can apply to a school early in your senior year (usually
between October 30 and January 15) and request an early application review and notification of
admission. It usually takes three to four weeks to get a response. If you're accepted, you aren't
obligated to attend that school but can "bank" this admission while still applying to other
colleges during the regular admission cycle.
Early Decision (ED) Admissions: The Early Decision plan allows you to apply to an institution
early in your senior year (usually between October 30 and January 15) and to request an early
notification of admission. You and your school counselor will have to sign a contract with the
school at the time you apply to acknowledge that if you're accepted, you're obligated to attend
that school. Some colleges and universities offer both ED and EA options, so read the college
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admission requirements carefully to make sure you know for which you're applying. This is a
binding agreement, and your acceptance to a college through Early Decision will require you to
withdraw all other college applications.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The amount of money a family is expected to
contribute to a student’s college expenses, as determined by FAFSA.
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (First “F” stands for Free; you shouldn’t pay
to complete the FAFSA). The application for the 2020-2021 school year will be available on Oct.
1, 2019. Complete the FAFSA online at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ . Do not submit hard copy forms to
your counselor.
First-Year Class Profile: The most recent accepted students’ information. This may include or
be broken down into the following categories: test scores, GPA, residency, admission decision,
intended major, etc. If a college offers a First-Year Class Profile on its admissions website, it is
an excellent reference to gauge whether that school would be a good fit for you based on your
scores, GPA, etc.
Freshmen or Admissions Index: Many large public colleges and universities use a formula of
standardized test scores, GPA and class rank to assign each applicant an admissions index
number. This number may not be the sole determinant of admission, but it helps admissions staff
to organize the tens of thousands of applications they receive.
Greek Life: Joining a fraternity or sorority on a college campus.
Honors Program: A university-wide undergraduate program designed to offer highly motivated
and advanced students the opportunity to enhance their academic growth by engaging them in
rigorous honors-designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship programs,
extended research projects, and community service.
Intramural Sports: Recreational sports organized within a particular institution.
Major: The principal field of study of a student at a university.
Minor: The secondary field of academic concentration of a student at a university.
NCAA: National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Post-secondary Education or Training: Any courses or program that is completed after high
school.
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Regular Admissions: The standard deadline and admissions process for college applications,
usually between January-March.
Residency: The fact of living in a place; documentation of residency is required for some
college financial aid.
Retention Rate: The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who
return for the following year.
Rolling Admissions: An admissions process with no specific application deadline.
SAT Subject Tests: SAT Subject Tests are college admission exams on specific subjects. These
are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your
strengths and interests. Some colleges will require SAT subject tests, but most do not.
Standardized Tests: Tests such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, Accuplacer and AP tests that millions
of students take each year. This gives colleges an equal way to evaluate applicants.
The Common Application: A generic application designed to ease the workload of high school
students, college admission officers, and counselors. Over 700 US and International colleges and
universities subscribe to The Common Application. Some colleges and universities may require
additional essays which are indicated on the online application.
Transcript: Academic record of all attempted and completed high school courses. This includes
the GPA and class rank but does NOT include standardized test scores.
Transfer Student: College students who move with completed coursework or training that may
be applicable to a degree.
Tuition: The cost to attend a college or university. This is typically broken down by semester.
Undergraduate: A student who is pursuing a post-secondary degree or certificate.
Wait-list: A list of students who meet a college or university’s admissions requirements but are
not accepted because of enrollment limits.
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NCAA Eligibility
Want to be a college athlete? Follow these steps:
1. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/ .
2. Talk with your high school coach.
3. Maintain high academic achievement.
4. When being recruited, ask lots of questions such as; time demands, internship
availability, team culture, financial aid, academic supports, tutoring, “work-life” balance,
etc.
5. Ask yourself… if the coach changed, would I still be happy at my school of choice? If I
didn’t want to play after my freshman year, would I still be happy here? If the team did
not have a good record, would I still be happy here?
Your high school counselor is responsible for:
1. Submitting transcripts to the NCAA;
2. Validating fee waivers when applicable.
For more information refer to www.eligibilitycenter.org and/or Twitter: @NCAA_EC
Senior Year Timeline
Senior year has finally arrived, and it is time to get serious about college applications. Hopefully
you have spent your junior year beginning the process of searching for colleges. This may
involve sitting down with your high school counselor, talking to parents and teachers, taking the
PSAT and most importantly, maintaining your grades.
Senior year is no time to slack off. It is critical that you keep up your grades. You want to have a
well-rounded set of extracurricular experience, but make sure your schedule is balanced. Grades
are still the most important factor in college admissions.
Below is a month-by-month timeline to keep you on track as you navigate through senior year
and complete your college applications. Some dates and information may vary, depending on the
college or your own circumstances.
AUGUST
Start Your List: Now is a great time to work on your list of colleges. By the end of the month,
you should have narrowed your list of 20-25 schools down to 10 or 12, including reach, match
and safety schools.
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Common Application: Many colleges and universities use the Common Application, which can
be found online. You can register a Common Application account and get familiar with it now.
Know what is required, sketch out an application timeline, and begin thinking about your essay:
a critical component of any application.
ACT: You can usually begin taking the ACT in September. Go online to confirm testing dates
and register now. This will give you time to take the test again if you’re not happy with your first
score. Register at www.actstudent.org.
Campus Visits: Before you’re loaded up with homework and extracurricular activities, use the
idle months of summer to visit some of the campuses on your list. Almost any college will be
conducting tours throughout the summer.
Professional Email Address: While this may not make or break your college or scholarship
acceptance…consider creating a new email that is appropriate to put on applications. Who would
you rather give a $5000 scholarship to [email protected] or [email protected]?
You also need to enter YOUR OWN email address as opposed to your parent or guardian’s email
address. You will be enrolling in college. You will need to stay on top of deadlines and
notifications.
SEPTEMBER
School Counselor: Hopefully you’ve already talked about college with your school counselor
during your junior year. Now that you’ve had the summer to explore your options, sit down
again to review the whole process. Your counselor will give you valuable perspective about the
schools on your list and help you chart out the application process. Also make sure that you’re
fulfilling all of your requirements for high school graduation.
Admissions Counselor Visits: Be sure to take advantage of College Admissions Counselor
Visits during Raider Time. You will be able to register for a time in Flex Time Manager.
Letters of Recommendation: Please check with your college of choice to see if the they require
letters of recommendation. If your college requires a letter of recommendation, please ask the
desired teachers and/or counselor at least two weeks in advance of the application deadlines.
Teachers and Counselors receive a high volume of requests in the fall so being proactive is
important for a quality and timely recommendation letter. Please complete the Senior Resume
Google Form located the NFHS Counseling Class of 2020 webpage to request a recommendation
letter. It is also helpful to follow up with the counselor through e-mail to make sure they are
aware of details regarding the letter of recommendation. It is wise to ask teachers from your
Junior year, especially if you have a good relationship with them and participated in their classes.
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If a teacher doesn’t really know you or hasn’t heard much from you in class discussions, they
won’t have much to write about.
SAT: Register for the SAT, which is usually administered in October, November and December.
You can also take SAT Subject exams, which is a good idea if there is a particular subject you
excel in. Register at www.Collegeboard.org.
Gather Applications: It’s time to start getting applications from the schools on your list. By
now you want to have your list down to 8 or 10 schools, tops. With each application, write out a
schedule of deadlines so you don’t miss anything down the road. This is especially important if
you’re thinking of applying Early Decision or Early Action. Try using an Excel doc or Google
Sheets to organize your colleges and deadlines.
College Essay: Allow yourself plenty of time to formulate your essay. This is crucial. Students
who have spent months reflecting on the essay will stand out. These essay questions can be very
broad, and it can be a real challenge relating it to your life. Make sure you talk to your English
teacher about how to approach the essay. Go for unique, but not ridiculous. Only use humor if
that is a strong suit for you, and even then, make sure to have your teacher read over it.
Grades and Extracurriculars: Remember, don’t let your grades sink. Admissions counselors
will look at the first half of your senior year to see that you’re still challenging yourself and
succeeding. If you’ve already been active in extracurricular activities, explore leadership
opportunities. This can mean being captain of a sports team, starting your own club or getting
involved with student government. Senior year is your opportunity to transform from a young
adult into a student leader.
Senior Dues/Caps and Gowns for Graduation: Go to the Class of 2020 Important Information
tab to access the Balfour link to pay Senior Dues, order your cap and gown, and other graduation
items. As the year continues, the fees increase. Order sooner rather than later.
OCTOBER
Narrow Your List: By this point, your list should be narrowed to a handful of schools, and
you’ll probably have a favorite. Know whether your grades are in line with the academic
standards of each school. This will help you break your list into three categories: reach, match
and safety.
Work on Applications: With fewer schools to consider, you can now begin working on your
applications in earnest. If you’re using the Common Application, make sure each application is
tailored to the school. Don’t make the mistake of copying and pasting and forgetting to change
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the name of the college! This is huge! How would you feel if you were asked to prom, but the
person used the wrong name?
College Fairs: Most colleges and universities host open houses in the fall. This is an open
recruiting forum where students and parents are invited to see the campus and learn more about
academics and student life. Some schools also offer virtual fairs online. Find out the fair
schedule of each school on your list and take advantage of this opportunity. It will reveal a lot
about each school.
Financial Aid Night: September 19th in the Cafeteria. A representative from GSFC will be
presenting information on the HOPE Program, FAFSA, and other Financial Aid information.
High School Transcripts: Request your high school transcripts and verify that they are accurate.
If anything is wrong or missing, you’ll need time to correct it. Reviewing your transcript is also a
good reminder to maintain your grades. Transcripts are $3 per school. Forms are in the NFHS
Counseling Office.
Testing: You should be taking your SAT and ACT exams. The sooner the better, as you may get
a lower-than-expected score and will need time to take the exams again.
Applying Early: If you are applying to a school through Early Decision or Early Action, you
will need to complete your application in early October. Deadlines for these admissions
programs are usually the middle of October to the beginning of November.
NOVEMBER
Applications: By now you should know what schools you’re applying to—5 or 6 ideally.
You’ve had a few months to look over the various applications and think about your essay. Give
yourself ample time in November to complete all the applications and get feedback about your
essays. Have parents, teachers and other adults in your life read your essay and try to keep an
open mind to their constructive criticism.
Financial Aid and Scholarships: Deadlines for financial aid and scholarships are still further
down the road, but the sooner you apply the better. Knowing what kind of aid packages are
available will help you weigh the cost of different schools. Start watching the NFHS Counseling
page – Scholarships/Financial Aid link for local, state, and national scholarships.
Testing: November is still within the normal window to take your SAT and/or ACT, but
December will probably be one of your last opportunities to do so. If you haven’t taken or would
like to retake either one, make sure you register for the December test. Retaking in the spring
could be too late!
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Grades: November is also a critical month for your high school classes. The semester will end in
mid-December, so if you need to improve any grades, now is the time to get serious. Even if you
are accepted to a school, the decision can be reversed if your grades decline.
DECEMBER AND JANUARY
Submit Applications: Most colleges have regular application deadlines sometime in December.
Make sure you’ve been keeping track of all deadlines; they can vary from school to school.
Don’t leave anything to the last minute. For most people, the month of December is always filled
with extra holiday-related activities, not to mention the end of the fall semester.
Finalize Other Application Components: By now you’ve taken your exams, written your
essays and secured your letters of recommendation. Confirm that your test scores have been
officially submitted to every college to which you’re applying through either College Board or
ACT. Also verify that any letters of recommendation have been mailed/uploaded online.
Financial Aid: Most colleges require you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid,
or FAFSA. Start exploring financial aid and scholarships at the colleges you applied to. By the
time you start receiving acceptance letters, you’re going to want to have a grasp of how much
you can save, and aid packages can differ a great deal from school to school.
Early Acceptance: If you applied to a school through early decision or early action and are
accepted, you will receive a letter some time in December. Make sure you completely understand
the timetable and all deadlines. It’s also a great courtesy to notify the other schools you applied
to that you will not be attending. This will help them open your seat to other applicants.
Grades: As soon as possible, send your fall grades to every school to which you’ve applied.
Even if this is after the application, admissions counselors will incorporate it into their decision.
If your high school grades started out poor but steadily improved, your senior year transcript is a
way for you to demonstrate this upward trend.
FEBRUARY/MARCH
Confirm Applications: Most colleges will send you a confirmation that your application has
been received and is being processed. Check your application status on the college’s application
portal. If you are missing materials, turn them in or call the college admissions office to make
sure they received everything.
Mid-Year Reports: Some colleges require mid-year reports or transcripts. Your counselor or the
counseling secretary can help you with submitting a mid-year report.
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Apply to College Night and FAFSA Completion Event: November 13th in the Media Center.
College Admissions Representatives will be available to assist with the application process and a
representative from GSFC will be available to assist with FAFSA completion.
Financial Aid: You should have submitted your FAFSA by December, and by now you should
be receiving a Student Aid Report, or SAR. Review this carefully and verify that everything is
accurate. Discrepancies on this form may result in the loss of thousands of dollars in financial
aid.
Late Applications: Some schools have late deadlines or rolling admissions policies, meaning
there is no set deadline and applications may be submitted anytime in the winter or spring. As
with everything else, it is still wise to apply as early as you can. You never know how
competitive open seats will be.
Acceptance Letters: Acceptance, rejection and waitlist letters may start arriving as early as
February or March. In most cases, you will have until the end of April to make a decision. If you
haven’t received any letters yet, don’t worry. It is common for letters to go out in April.
APRIL
Make Your Final Decision: With some exceptions, by now you should have heard from all the
schools to which you applied. If you are accepted to multiple schools, weigh all your options
before making a final decision. Talk with parents, other family members, teachers, mentors and
friends. Take a good, hard look at finances, including financial aid and cost of living expenses at
each school. If possible, visit campuses again. Now that you’ve been accepted, your perspective
will be vastly different, and you can ask much more detailed questions.
Notify Other Schools: Once you’ve made your decision, notify the other schools that accepted
you as soon as possible. They will have plenty of wait list applicants anxiously waiting for seats.
Open House: Like college visits in the fall, many colleges host spring open houses for incoming
freshman. Find out when these are scheduled and take advantage if you are able. It is a chance to
learn more about the school directly from current students. You may also make friends before the
school year even starts!
Appeals: If you were rejected from a school, you may be able to appeal the decision. This is an
extremely rare occurrence and only applies to certain circumstances. If you feel you may have a
chance to appeal, research that school’s admissions policies and talk to your high school
counselor.
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MAY AND JUNE
Deposit deadline: Typically, colleges will have a deposit deadline of May 1st. You may have
already signaled your intent to enroll, but now it’s time to commit financially. Your acceptance
letter should include all the details.
Final transcripts: Final Transcript Request will be submitted through a google form in May.
Colleges will require this for final admission. This may also help you secure a scholarship or
qualify for other competitive academic programs. The final transcript is FREE.
AP exams: If you’ve been taking AP classes in high school, you’ll be taking your national
exams at the end of the school year. This is a huge opportunity that you shouldn’t let go to waste.
A score of 3, 4 or 5 on your AP exam could translate to college credit. Some students begin
college with much of their freshman requirements fulfilled through AP credits. Make sure to
send your AP exam scores via College Board, too.
Thank you notes: You didn’t get here by yourself. Chances are there were many people who
helped with your college applications. Take the time to write a personalized thank you note,
especially to school counselors, teachers, and community members who wrote letters of
recommendation on your behalf. They will appreciate the gratitude and will be happy to know
where you enrolled.
Senior Walk: Walk the halls of your elementary school on a date to be announced.
Senior Awards Night (invitation only), Senior Baccalaureate Service, Senior Picnic, Senior
Meeting/Graduation Practice -TBD. Check the Class of 2020 Senior Class News webpage.
Graduation: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7pm at Infinite Energy Arena.
Cord Recognitions:
• Nationally Recognized Honor Societies w/GPA requirements
• The National Honorary Beta Club
• GHP Alumni
• AP Capstone Diploma
• Val/SAL medals
The following honor societies and clubs are approved to be recognized at Graduation:
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1. Beta Club
2. Tri-M Music Honor Society
3. French Honor Society
4. International Skills Diploma Seal
5. International Thespian Society
6. Mu Alpha Theta
7. National Art Honor Society
8. National Honor Society
9. National Spanish Honor Society
10. National Technical Honor Society
11. Science National Honor Society
12. Social Studies National Honor Society
13. Quill and Scroll Honor Society
1. Dual Enrollment Certificate Completion
2. GHP Alumni
3. CTSO Honors:
• DECA
• FBLA
• HOSA
• TSA
• FFA
• FCCLA
• ROTC
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SUMMER BEFORE COLLEGE
Housing: If you’re planning on living in student housing, you will start receiving information
about meal plans and campus life.
Roommate: If you’ve already received your dorm assignment, you will also can make contact
with your future roommate (usually via social media). On the same note, embrace one of the
many unique experiences of college and choose to room with someone you don’t know. If you
room with people that you know from high school, you may have a hard time meeting anyone
new!
Register for Classes: As soon as you can, start registering for classes. Take your time to review
the schedule and find classes that are right for you. This will sometimes take place at your
Freshmen Orientation Session over the summer with an academic advisor.
In Summary...Applying to College Quick Checklist
▪ Narrow down your list based on location, cost, test scores, high school GPA, etc.
▪ Organize deadlines for each college.
▪ Request an official transcript in the Counseling Office. $3 per college.
▪ Send your standardized test scores via the testing website; College Board or ACT.
▪ Send your AP exam scores to the colleges via www.collegeboard.org .
▪ Fill out the online application for each college.
▪ Send in the application fee.
▪ Request counselor and/or teacher recommendations 2-3 weeks prior to the deadline.
▪ Follow admissions blogs: UGA and GT have some great ones!
o http://ugaadmissions.blogspot.com/
o http://pwp.gatech.edu/admission-blog/
Don’t Be That Kid
Ways to have your college acceptance rescinded or application for admission jeopardized:
1. Stop caring about your grades.
2. Break the law.
3. Get into severe trouble at your high school.
4. Be foolish on social media accounts.
a. Harvard rescinded acceptances for at least 10 students for obscene memes on
social media accounts in June 2017.
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/6/5/2021-offers-rescinded-memes/
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Standardized Tests & Test Prep.: SAT & ACT
SAT ACT
Why take it? Colleges use scores for
admissions and merit-based
scholarships.
Colleges use scores for
admissions and merit-based
scholarships.
Test structure Reading
Writing & Language
Math
Essay (optional)
English
Math
Reading
Science Reasoning
Essay (optional)
Length 3 hours w/o essay
3 hours 50 min w/ essay
2 hours 55 min w/o essay
3 hours 40 min w/ essay
Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages
Science none 1 science section testing your
critical thinking skills and not
necessarily your science
knowledge.
Math Arithmetic
Algebra I & II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Data Analysis
Arithmetic
Algebra I & II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculator Policy Some math sections do NOT
allow use of a calculator.
You can use a calculator on all
math sections.
Essay Optional. The essay will test your
comprehension of a source text.
Optional. The essay will test
how well you evaluate and
analyze complex issues.
How it’s scored Scored on a scale of 400-1600. Scored on a scale of 1-36.
SAT: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Khan Academy offers up to 6 free practice tests and personalized feedback on all practice
problems and tests. Use Khan Academy to access instructional videos, practice problems, etc.
ACT: www.act.org The ACT website offers 1 free practice test as well as links to paid, official
ACT test prep products.
* Review the counseling website for upcoming test prep workshops with Sycamore Learning! *
18
Standardized Tests & Test Prep.: The Accuplacer
The Accuplacer
Why take it? Technical or two-year college admission where
applicable.
Test Structure Multiple choice, web based on skill level. Your response
to each question drives the difficulty level of the next
question.
The number of questions varies depending on which
ACCUPLACER tests you take. There could be as few as
12 questions or as many as 40.
Length No time limit
Math Arithmetic
College-Level Math
Elementary Algebra
Reading Comprehension Measures your ability to understand what you read, to
identify main ideas, make inferences, and distinguish
between direct statements and secondary or supporting
ideas.
Sentence Skills Measures your understanding of sentence structure—what
makes a sentence complete and clear.
Calculator Policy Embedded calculator in computer program.
How it’s scored Cannot pass or fail. Colleges use score to determine
placement.
Accuplacer: https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/student/practice
Access free practice problems for every section on the Accuplacer through College Board's
website. There is also a free Accuplacer Practice App available for most devices.
19
Financial Aid Terms to Know
https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us - Go to the Student Support, Scholarship link for local, state and
national scholarships available to our students.
http://gsfc.georgia.gov - Go to the Georgia Student Finance Commission website for
comprehensive information on Georgia Financial Aid Programs.
Grants: Money available for college that does not have to be repaid. Awards may be based on
financial need, past academic performance, service to the community or special areas of study.
Example: HOPE Grant
GSFC (Georgia Student Finance Commission): Helps students achieve their educational goals
by administering financial aid programs and advocating for Georgia students on issues related to
financing higher education. GSFC administers the HOPE program as well as other state-and
lottery-funded scholarships, grants and service cancelable loans.
HOPE Career Grant: Formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development
Grant (SIWDG), is available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma and
eligible for, and receiving, HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant funding. The grant provides
assistance toward educational costs for eligible students enrolled in an approved designated
program of study.
HOPE Grant: Available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma. A
HOPE Grant recipient must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative postsecondary grade point
average to remain eligible. The grant provides tuition assistance to students enrolled at a HOPE
Grant eligible college or university in Georgia.
HOPE Scholarship: Is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents who have
demonstrated academic achievement. A Hope Scholarship recipient must graduate from high
school with a minimum 3.0 core GPA and meet HOPE Rigor requirements as designated on
www.gafutures.org and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative postsecondary GPA to remain
eligible. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate
degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia. A seven-year limit exists
for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12)
or later. Students also need to have passed four HOPE rigor courses. These courses can be found
on the GA Futures website.
20
Military Programs: Money available for college that does not have to be repaid if certain
conditions are met such as military service. Example: Georgia Military College State Service
Scholarship
Scholarships: Money for college that does not have to be repaid. Awards may be based on past
academic performance, special areas of study, academic excellence or other criteria. Example:
Zell Miller Scholarship
Service-Cancelable Loans: Student loans that will not have to be repaid if certain conditions are
met, such as working in a particular field or military service. Example: Scholarship for
Engineering Education for Minorities (MSEE)
Student Loans: Unlike a grant, a loan must be repaid. Loans should be used primarily to meet a
gap in your educational cost (tuition, room and board, textbooks). Usually, students begin paying
back their loans at the end of a grace period that begins once they have completed their
education. Example: Student Access Loan (SAL)
Zell Miller Grant: Merit-based program available to Georgia residents pursuing a certificate or
diploma. A Zell Miller Grant recipient must maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative postsecondary
grade point average to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided full-standard tuition
assistance while enrolled at a Zell Miller Grant eligible college or university in Georgia.
Zell Miller Scholarship: Merit-based award available to Georgia residents, similar to the
HOPE Scholarship, but with more stringent academic requirements and a higher level of tuition
assistance. A Zell Miller Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum
3.7 core GPA and meet HOPE Rigor requirements as designated on www.gafutures.org
combined with a minimum SAT score of 1,200 on the math and reading portions or a minimum
composite ACT score of 26 in single national test administration and maintain a minimum 3.3
cumulative postsecondary GPA to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided full-tuition
assistance while pursuing an undergraduate degree to attend a Zell Miller Scholarship eligible
college or university in Georgia. A seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the Zell
Miller Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12) or later. In addition, students
must pass four Rigor Courses. The Rigor Course list can be found on the GA Futures website.
21
Scholarship Search Engines
Scholarships.com - Free College
Scholarship Search
Scholarships.com - free scholarship searches,
financial aid resources, education loans
www.cappex.com Scholarships and college search
www.chegg.com/schools Chegg - College search and scholarships
www.gsfc.org Georgia Student Finance Commission -
HOPE scholarship program, loans and grants
www.fastaid.com Fast Aid - free scholarship search
www.fastweb.com Fast Web - scholarship and college searches;
financial aid tools
www.finaid.org Finaid! - scholarships, loans, savings, and
military aids
www.fafsa.ed.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid - online
application/ financial aid
https://myscholly.com/ An adaptive scholarship matching engine that
connects you with scholarships tailored just for
you.
www.upromise.com upromise - get college savings when you buy
groceries and more
www.wiredscholar.com Wired Scholar (SallieMae) - financing college
www.educaid.com Educaid (Wells Fargo) - student loan
information
22
www.CollegeCovered.com/Assist Discover - FAFSA Assist Tool, financial aid
process, timelines, scholarship help
www.nasfaa.org National Association of Student Financial Aid
Administrators - financial aid
www.srnexpress.org SRN (Scholarship Resource Network) Express-
scholarship and college searches
www.estudentloan.com E Student Loan - student loan information and
applications
http://www.onlinecolleges.net/for-
students/financial-aid-minorities/
Financial Aid and Scholarships for minority
students.
https://www.scholarshipcare.com/zi
nch-scholarship/
Scholarship search engine
http://collegefund.org/ American Indian College Fund
http://www.tuitionfundingsources.co
m/
Scholarship search engine
Remember, scholarship search engines are FREE resources for students. You
should never be asked to pay a fee for these services. If you do, it is most likely a
scam.
23
Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship
See www.gafutures.org for more information.
Basic Eligibility
All HOPE Programs require students to meet basic requirements. An eligible student must:
1. Meet HOPE’s U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
2. Be a legal resident of Georgia;
3. Meet enrollment requirements;
4. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
5. Meet academic achievement standards;
6. Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
7. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
8. Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program.
Program Eligibility
To receive HOPE Scholarship funding, students must:
1. Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (as
calculated by GSFC);
2. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a public or private HOPE-eligible college or
university in Georgia;
3. Meet academic rigor requirements. Beginning with students graduating from an eligible
high school on or after May 1st, 2015, students must complete a specific number of
academically rigorous courses, as identified on the Academic Rigor Course List, in
addition to meeting the GPA requirements. This does not include students who received a
high school diploma through petition of his or her local school board, in accordance with
O.C.G.A. §20-2-281.1, nor does it apply to students graduating from home study
programs.
Seniors who had provided social security numbers and were enrolled at NFHS the previous
school year will receive a copy of their preliminary HOPE transcript. This transcript will show
the HOPE GPA and the courses meeting rigor requirements.
HOPE GPA is NOT the GPA shown on the NFHS transcript.
24
Eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholarship
See www.gafutures.org for more information.
Basic Eligibility
All HOPE programs require students to meet basic requirements. An eligible student must:
1. Meet HOPE’s U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
2. Be a legal resident of Georgia;
3. Meet enrollment requirements;
4. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
5. Meet academic achievement standards;
6. Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
7. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
8. Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program.
Program Eligibility
To receive Zell Miller Scholarship funding, students must:
1. Graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum 3.7 grade point average (as
calculated by GSFC) combined with a minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading
portions of the SAT test or a minimum composite score of 26 on the ACT test in a single
national test administration and meet all HOPE Scholarship eligibility requirements. Test
scores must be sent to the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
2. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a Zell Miller eligible college or university in
Georgia.
3. Meet academic rigor requirements. Beginning with students graduating from an eligible
high school on or after May 1, 2015, students must complete a specific number of
academically rigorous courses, as identified on the Academic Rigor Course List, in
addition to meeting the GPA requirements. This does not includes students who received
a high school diploma through petition of his or her local school board, in accordance
with O.C.G.A. §20-2-281.1, nor does it apply to students graduating from home study
programs.
Seniors who provided social security numbers and were enrolled at NFHS the previous school
year will receive a copy of their preliminary HOPE transcript. This transcript will show the
HOPE GPA and the courses meeting rigor requirements.
HOPE GPA is NOT the GPA shown on the NFHS transcript.
25
University System of Georgia Colleges & Universities: 35 Locations Shown
26
Notes
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27
Senior Dues & Balfour
Senior Dues should be paid online only at gabalfour.com
Senior Dues cover the cost of: Cap/Gown, Senior Breakfast, Senior Picnic, Diploma Cover, Tassel,
Facility Rental and other expenses.
Senior Dues paid before 10/1 are $125. After that, the fee is $130.
After 2/28, Senior Dues will include a late fee and be $150.
April 24th is the last day to pay senior dues without having to include an additional shipping fee for your
cap/gown.
4/28/20 Cap and gown distribution in Café during all lunches
SEAN SMITH
410 WINKLER DRIVE, STE B
ALPHARETTA, GA 30004
Office: 770-594-8155
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gabalfour.com