Planning and Paying for College

  • Planning for your college experience can be both exciting and stressful at the same time!  The counselors and I are here to help you navigate the many resources available to you as you determine your next steps toward college.  Below you will find several comprehensive sources of information that will help guide you through the process.  Please let us know how we can help.
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  • College Application Fee Waivers

    Ways To Qualify for College Application Fee Waivers

    1. SAT or ACT Test Waiver
      • Free or Reduced Lunch
      • Income eligibility for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service
      • Receive Public Assistance or low-income program from local, state, or federal goverment
      • Homelessness
      • Orphan or Ward of the state
      • SAT application waivers are loaded in your College Board account.
    2. Common App Fee Waiver
      • Meet SAT/ACT waiver eligibility
      • Financial need
      • Student must request a fee waiver located in the Common App tab -- "Profile"  -- "Common App Fee Waiver"
    3. NACAC Application Fee Waiver
      • Based on economic need/free and reduced lunch.
      • Your counselor can provide this if you meet the criteria.
    4. Ask the College for a Fee Waiver

    Please note that if colleges do not specify how to use an application fee waiver on the application, you will need to contact the college’s admissions office to ask how they would like for the waiver to be sent to them on your behalf. 

  • CollegeBoard

    The CollegeBoard website houses a wealth of information about planning for college, required testing, college searching, and scholarships.  Bookmark this website and reference it often.

    Search for and learn about colleges of interest using the BigFuture website.

  • Common Application

    How does The Common Application work?

    Colleges request a large amount of information from applicants, and The Common Application simplifies the process by collecting much of that information all in one place. This prevents students from repeating the details of their background, education, activities, and testing over and over again, for every school on their list. It also enables students to stay on top of deadlines and manage school-specific tasks without leaving the system.

    Register via the Common App

    Georgia Schools currently using the Common Application are:

    • Agnes Scott College
    • ​Augusta University
    • Berry College
    • Brenau University
    • Clark Atlanta University
    • Clayton State University
    • Covenant College
    • Emory University
    • Georgia College (Formerly GCSU)
    • Georgia Institute of Technology
    • Georgia Southern University
    • Georgia State University
    • Kennesaw State University
    • Life University
    • Mercer University
    • Morehouse College
    • Oglethorpe University
    • Paine College
    • Piedmont College
    • Reinhardt University
    • Savannah College of Art & Design
    • Savannah State University
    • Spelman College
    • University of Georgia
    • University of North
    • Wesleyan College

    View a complete listing of out-of-state colleges using The Common Application.

  • Common Black College Application

    Apply to over 50 HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) at the same time for only $20.00.

    Visit the Common Black College Application website for a complete list of schools and to apply.

    There are also scholarship opportunities available so check out this website.

  • GAfutures

    All students need to have a GAfutures account. Please remember your login and password for this account, as you will be using it often. You can apply to Georgia colleges and send transcripts for free, participate in career planning surveys, get free test prep, find scholarships, and so much more through GAfutures. 

    Georgia Gwinnett College uses their school’s website for applications. However, you can submit your transcripts to GGC through GAFutures for free.

    NOTE: The following Georgia Schools use the Common App for their applications and not GAFutures: Berry College, Brenau University, Clark Atlanta University, Covenant College, Emmanuel College, Emory University, Georgia Tech, Mercer University, Morehouse College, Oglethorpe University, Piedmont College, Spelman College, University of Georgia, and Wesleyan College.

    Also, if you are a Senior, you need to make sure your social security number is in the GHS database and on your profile in your GAFutures account in order for your HOPE/Zell scholarship to be processed.

    If you do not have your SSN in the GHS database (called Synergy), you will need to bring a copy of your SSN card to the Counseling Office so it can be added to our system.  This is very important!

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  • FAFSA

    The 2025-26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will open on or before December 1, 2024.
    Visit the FAFSA website to learn more and apply.

    GAfutures provides many valuable FAFSA resources if you would like to learn more.

    If you have questions about FAFSA, you may contact Mr. Hal Wilkinson, Outreach Coordinator, Georgia Student Finance Commission.

  • HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships

    HOPE consists of six different aid programs. Learn more about these programs through the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

    For more information on eligibility requirements, program applications, award amounts, participating institutions, and other program-specific information, visit GAfutures.