October 7, 2016
• There will be a college PROBE fair at Fannin County High School on Thursday, Oct. 20th, from 5-7:00 p.m. Gilmer County 11th and 12th grade students and their families are invited to attend this north Georgia area event to get information on post-secondary education for students in Georgia. Hundreds of colleges from across the nation attend PROBE each year to reach thousands of Georgia high school juniors and seniors. Before the day of the PROBE Fair, students can register at http://www.gaprobe.org/ if they would like to already have their name in a databank for the colleges they are interested in. Registration is not mandatory, but it is recommended. A barcode will be used to gather information about the students for each college. The colleges will scan the barcode and add the students to their college’s database instead of students having to fill out pen and paper information cards at the representatives table.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for 2017-2018 is now open. Parents will use 2015 tax information to complete the form. Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to find out more. Parents/guardians: If you are confused about the form, please contact your child’s counselor to find out possible resources for free help filling it out. There is no fee for this form.
Feature of the Week from GHS Counselors: Part 2, How Do I Pay for College?

1. Get free tuition. In Georgia, Zell Miller and HOPE Scholarship and Grant programs (go to https://gsfc.georgia.gov/hope for more information) are set up to help students with college costs. Out of state, colleges such as Berea College in Kentucky offer free tuition to students willing to work at least 10 hours per week at campus-approved jobs. In state or out, it is always important to factor other costs such as room and board, books and materials, parking, and other fees into your calculations of college costs. Research your schools of choice online to find out more.

2. Choose the right school. The cost of college can vary a lot depending on the school. Choosing a school that’s better for your budget can save you a lot of money in the long run, so it’s important to do a little research. Find out what kind of financial aid different schools offer, as some provide aid based on need, some offer free tuition based on academics, and others are free altogether. Public schools are typically cheaper than private colleges, and qualifying for in-state tuition at a state school can save you a lot. Plus, there are now ways to qualify for in-state tuition at an out-of-state school — usually by choosing a certain area of study. Again, research your schools of choice to compare costs.

3. Start small. Attending a community or technical college and commuting from home for the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree can save money on room and board as well as tuition. In Georgia, it is usually easy to transfer credits to a university for the last two years. Make sure you look at web sites beforehand for your schools of interest to see what each school requires. Another benefit of this approach is that you may earn a certificate or diploma during those first two years, depending upon your class choices.
4. Major in a high demand field in Georgia and apply for related financial aid. Getting help with tuition is not just for those pursuing four-year degrees. In the skilled trades, there are lots of jobs in high demand. Go to https://tcsg.edu/financial_aid.php#siwdg to find out more.

5. Don’t forget fast food! Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Wendy’s are just a few businesses that offer scholarships to help students in the community and/or programs to help employees continue their education. Each business’s offerings are different, so go to each business’s web site to find out more.