TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR YEAR CLASS OF 2018 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR YEAR

SIGN UP FOR IMPORTANT UPDATES THROUGH THE REMIND APP:

Important Dates (1st semester): Senior portraits must be taken at Stone’s Studio before September 30th to be in the yearbook. Call them (850) 432-2351 or see Mrs. Hamilton in room 408. Cap and Gown assembly will be Monday, October 30th. The Senior Calendar will be posted on school’s website – check it often for updates.

Important Dates (2ndsemester): Awards day – TBA (Early May)– this is for Departmental awards and honors recognition. Held in the gym at GBHS. Scholarship night – TBA (Mid May)- this is to recognize seniors who have earned local and college-based scholarships. Held in the gym at GBHS. Last day for seniors – May 25, 2018 Graduation – May 26, 2018 – 11:00 a.m. held at the Pensacola Bay Center.

APPLYING TO COLLEGE DEADLINES: Vary for each college You have to visit the websites for the colleges in which you are interested. Visit the financial aid page of each school’s website to learn about their financial aid opportunities.

APPLYING TO COLLEGE How to Apply: College applications are completed online. Start by visiting the school’s website and clicking on “Freshman Applications”. Many schools also use third party websites such as Coalition, SENDedu, and CommonApp. If you utilize one of these websites, your counselor will upload your transcript for you. Apply as early as possible to take advantage of school based scholarships and housing.

APPLYING TO COLLEGE DOCUMENTATION: Test scores need to be sent directly from actstudent.org or collegeboard.org; they are NOT on your transcript. If you have taken dual enrollment courses, send your Pensacola State transcript through Spyglass by going to the PSC website: pensacolastate.edu Most state universities do NOT require a letter of recommendation. However, many private schools do. Please give your counselor a resume or brag sheet if you are requesting a letter of recommendation. At least two weeks notice is needed for letters of recommendation.

TRANSCRIPTS Please come to guidance and fill out a transcript request form located in the guidance lobby. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS DO NOT PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS. All Florida State Colleges and Universities can be sent electronically free of charge. All out of state Universities and Private Colleges will need a paper copy ($2.00) each and you must send them yourself.

SSAR – Self-Reported Academic Record University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University and Florida PolyTechnic University require SSAR. You must input all of the courses you have taken for which you have earned high school credit along with the grade you earned. Look at the GPA/Credits tab on the Classlink portal for a complete list of all your courses and grades. You do NOT send a transcript until you are accepted.

FAFSA FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application is used to determine whether you may qualify for any Federal Student Aids such as the pell grant, work studies, and loans. FAFSA is also required for students receiving scholarships directly from colleges (so basically – everyone needs to do it!!) FAFSA application opens on October 1, 2017! https://www.nasfaa.org/ppystudents - short informational video https://www.nasfaa.org/ppyfaas - longer informational video

FAFSA You apply on the website www.fafsa.ed.gov Use the FAFSA4caster to estimate your eligibility for federal student aid. EACH COLLEGE HAS ITS OWN DEADLINE SO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE.

BRIGHT FUTURES All seniors will have the opportunity to complete a Florida State Student Financial Aid Application in school during the week of November 6th with assistance from the counselors through your social studies class. The application will be available on October 1st on this website. https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/ua/sawstua_uaform.asp IF you choose to complete the application on your own, keep in mind that you can only complete this application ONCE so make sure you do it correctly!

BRIGHT FUTURES This application is not just for Bright Futures, but is also an application for other state scholarships. In order to access your account in the future you must have the user id and password that they give you once you complete your application, so please take a picture of it or write it down and keep it in a safe place. Students are responsible for checking their status on their online account as the Florida Department of Education no longer sends notices through mail or e-mail. You may check your status at: https://www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org/home/ApplyHere.asp

BRIGHT FUTURES Service hour sheets can be found on the guidance website or in the guidance office. While service hours are not required for graduation, Bright Futures requires 75 hours for the Medallion Scholarship and 100 hours for the Academic Scholarship. TURN IN YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS TO THE GUIDANCE SECRETARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are out there – you have to be proactive and look for them: You can use a search engine to gather info on multiple scholarships such as fastweb.com, tuitionfundingsources.com or goodcall.com. These websites may generate spam so it is helpful to have a separate e-mail account for just scholarships. Your employer or your parents’ employer. Church, Clubs/organizations you or your parents are members of.

SCHOLARSHIPS The Guidance Department will advertise local/national scholarships as they are sent to us. The updated list of scholarships is posted on the GBHS Guidance home page.

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR SENIORS: My Majors https://www.mymajors.com/ After completing a short assessment, you will be presented with recommended majors that appear to fit you best. Florida Shines https://www.floridashines.org/ Allows you to research schools and their degree programs AND different career choices.

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR SENIORS: State University System of Florida Admissions Matrix and other information http://www.flbog.edu/about/cod/asa/admissionstour.php Private Colleges & Universities of Florida Admissions Matrix and other information http://pcuf.net/pcuf/

GRADUATION Each student will be meeting with their counselor in the next few weeks for a “grad check” and to discuss their future plans. Students in danger of not meeting graduation requirements will be monitored closely, and the counselor will be in communication with the parents. If you do not meet all requirements for graduation, you will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony.

REFERENCE ALL OF THIS INFORMATION AND MORE CAN BE FOUND ON THE GULF BREEZE HIGH SCHOOL’S GUIDANCE WEBPAGE http://gbhsguidance.weebly.com/