School Counseling

Sophomore Timeline Checklist: Sophomore College Application Information and Timeline

Junior Timeline Checklist: Junior College Application Information and Timeline

Senior Timeline Checklist: Senior College Application Information and Timeline

There is a considerable amount of college financial aid available for students with demonstrated need. Both the amount of this aid and the type of aid programs are changing. In addition, many colleges are adding a merit consideration to grants beyond straight need criteria. Nevertheless, aid may be available to you even if you believe your income and assets may not fall within qualifying ranges. If in doubt, the financial aid officers of the colleges to which you are applying are usually happy to give you advice.

There are now two national processors which determine your financial need. The most widely used is the CSS (College Scholarship Service/Financial Aid Profile) in Princeton, New Jersey. Further information is available at www.collegeboard.com.

You should also utilize the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Their website is www.studentaid.ed.gov. You will need to check to see which service is used by a particular institution.  In addition, some colleges may require that you submit substantiating documents.
The college will then award aid based on whatever guidelines it follows in light of your demonstrated need.

Generally, this aid will consist of some outright grants, some loans, and some student work. The distribution of this aid package will vary considerably from college to college, and it should factor into decisions on which school to attend.
You will also need to be careful about what figure is used by the college to determine its cost. Some colleges will grant you aid to meet only tuition, room, and board, while others will also include the “hidden” costs of books, transportation, etc. For those families applying to private colleges in South Carolina, there is a South Carolina tuition state grant program. This grant must be applied for separately from the application through a national processor, such as
FAFSA.

The OSC and colleges themselves can provide you with more information about scholarships and financial aid during the fall when the forms for the coming year are available. In the meantime, don’t preclude your child from investigating the possibility of a college because of its cost. It may not be beyond reach.

Helpful Websites:
Scholarships
College and Career Corner 
Life, Palmetto, and Hope Scholarships
The eligibility of students who will be attending a postsecondary school in South Carolina for Life, Palmetto, and Hope scholarship consideration is determined by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Check the following website for updates: www.che.sc.gov and click on Scholarships and Grants for SC. Under each, click Q&A for more details.
 

College Fair

Our college fair is typically the last weekend of September. It helps students and their families learn more about their college options. Participating colleges set up booths across campus so students can ask questions and pick up information about the school. 

If you are a college / university interested in participating in the SCGSAH annual college fair please email Addy Villanti at addyvillanti@scgsah.org

College Rep Visits

College rep Visits are when a college admissions rep comes to our campus to meet with students in small groups and talk about academic programs, campus life, financial aid and admissions procedures. College rep visits will be posted in the Schoology events calendar. 

If you are a college / university  representative interested in visiting the SCGSAH campus please email Addy Villanti at addyvillanti@scgsah.org

College Visits

Students and parents are encouraged to plan college visits and auditions during weekends and school holidays whenever possible. Seniors are allowed four excused absences for college visits, which must be taken prior to April 15. In order to be excused, all college visits and auditions must be approved at least two weeks in advance. For local colleges and schools, partial day visits will be approved. Full day visits will only be approved when required. Parents/guardians will submit a request to the attendance coordinator, who will forward the request to the art department chair and dean for approval. 

Students are responsible for coordinating missed work with respective faculty members prior to their absence(s).