WFHS SENIORS ARE GOING PLACES! COUNSELING CONNECTION January 2011

1. WFHS SENIORS ARE GOING PLACES! COUNSELING CONNECTION January 2011 The Counseling Connection is our way to communicate important information regarding senior deadlines, college information, scholarship deadlines, and activities. You do not want to miss out on any important resources, dates, deadlines, and opportunities. Counselors are assigned to a student based on the first letter of the student’s last name: KNOW YOUR COUNSELOR A-C, ESOL Ms. Winkler D-HI Dr. McWhorter HO-MET Ms. Wareham MI-SCO Ms. Poynton SEE-Z Mr. Carnaroli Secretary Ms. Stromie Registrar Ms. Upchurch • NEXT SAT/ACT TEST DATES • SAT TEST DATE/REGISTRATION DEADLINE Jan 22/Dec 23 WFHS, NFHS, Roswell Mar 12/Feb 11 NFHS, Creekview, Roswellwww.collegeboard.com • ACT TEST DATE/REGISTRATION DEADLINEFeb 12/Jan 7 WFHS, SFHS, NFHSwww.act.org HOPE INITIAL ELIGIBILITY and transcripts can be viewed through GAcollege411. 1.Log in or create a My411 Account if necessary, be sure to include your social security number OR update your account information2. Select the first letter of your high school name3. Select high school name. You will be able to view any information we have available on your high school HOPE GPA.  Your information will only be available once the Forsyth County BOE has reported your transcript data and verified your GPA calculation.  Check out the COUNSELING WEBPAGE for updated information on the following: • FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP • Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 6:30pm • WFHS Auditorium • A representative from the Georgia Student Finance Commission will be here to present a workshop for senior families including the following topics: • How to apply for financial aid • Help in completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • GaCollege411 and applying for HOPE • The ins and outs in dealing with college/university Financial Aid offices • Types of aid (Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Work Study) • Following critical deadlines • Senior Parents...begin getting your tax information ready! SCHOLARSHIPS Please the scholarship list on the counseling web page or in the counseling office! You do not want to miss out on an opportunity to earn money to pay for your college! SEE YOUR PICTURE ON THE WALL If you have been accepted to a college or have received a scholarship, we want to honor your accomplishments. See your counselor and update your page in the bluebook!

2. JANUARY SENIOR CALENDAR • Explore college websites for admissions information (admission deadlines, tours, visitation dates, financial aid, scholarships). • Schedule a campus visit. • Pay close attention to application deadline dates. Plan accordingly! • Check out SAT/ACT dates. Retake the tests if you need to. Scores must be sent directly to the colleges. • Prepare a resume/senior information sheet. • Research scholarship applications. • Have all applications and materials sent. • Begin the Financial Aid process (FAFSA Free Application for Student Aid) (Georgia Student Finance Commission) • GA411 is a useful tool for college financial planning and scholarship information. • Deadlines for completing Financial Aid are Very Important. • Consult with the Financial Aid office of the college you plan to attend. • Financial Aid Workshop, January 19, 2011 • Begin investigating scholarship opportunities (local civic organizations, parents place of employment, churches, clubs, • college based scholarships, website searches) • Acceptance or rejection letters will begin to arrive. • Procedure for Requesting a Transcript • Seniors requesting a transcript must get a request form from the counseling office. • There is a $3.00 fee for all transcripts. • If you are sending it to a GA public school the transcript can be sent electronically. • WFHS envelopes are available for mailing hard copies. These must be addressed and stamped (3stamps). • If a recommendation is required from your counselor, please include a resume or senior information sheet. • All paperwork must be given to Mrs. Stromie. • Please allow ten school days for processing requests. • Plan Accordingly! Attention Seniors! January 31, 2011 deadline The deadline for ordering your official West Forsyth graduation announcements from Balfour is January 31st, 2011. Online ordering is fast and easy.  Orders can be placed online at www.gabalfour.com After January 31st, there will be a $15 late fee applied to all online orders.  Please make sure your order is placed to ensure on-time delivery. Don’t forget that you may also pay your senior graduation fee (which includes your cap & gown) of $100 at this website too.  The deadline for paying this fee is February 28th.