• 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.

• For MOWR students at Dalton State College, early registration for spring 2017 begins on 10/24/16. Go to www.daltonstate.edu for more information.

• University of North Georgia is hosting Fall Open House at the Blue Ridge campus on Thursday October 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students and their parents will have an opportunity to meet with faculty and representatives from financial aid. Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited. Register at: ung.edu/visit

Feature of the Week from GHS Counselors: Part 3, How Do I Pay for College?

1. Work during college. Working on the side throughout school can be a great way to cover at least some of your expenses. It’s important to balance working with your academics, but if you’re someone who can handle multiple commitments, this can be a good solution for affording post-secondary expenses. Check out local community websites and job boards for opportunities in the area where you are living and/or attending classes.

2. Work on campus. Talk to the financial aid office at your school of choice. Many offer work scholarship or work study programs. In these programs, students can work on campus for a certain number of hours per week and either earn an hourly wage or have some fees or expenses covered. Check with the school you plan to attend to see what might be available.

3. Take advantage of military opportunities. The military offers many educational benefits for service members during or after service. From financial aid and college funds to programs that convert military training into college credit, there have never been more ways for service members to further their education. Go to http://todaysmilitary.com/living/paying-for-college to find out more. Some post-secondary schools also offer discounts to those in military service.

4. Exchange service for help with college. AmeriCorps, Peace Corp, National Health Services Corps offer college money in exchange for a service commitment. It is important to think this through carefully, as you will be expected to honor whatever commitment you make, so make sure you know the details and agree with them before signing up!

5. Look abroad. Some universities in Europe, such as St. Andrews in Scotland, or Canada, such as McGill University, have less expensive tuition than many schools in the United States. Of course, travel expenses are a consideration when living far from home, so keep that in mind as you weigh options.