UPCOMING COLLEGE FAIRS:

¨       Lassiter High School College Fair – Thursday, December 13 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the gym.  Please visit http://www.cobbk12.org/schools/hs/schlassiter/ for more information, such as colleges expected to attend.

¨       Wheeler High School College Fair – Tuesday, January 15.  More information to follow:  http://www.cobbk12.org/~wheeler/

¨       National College Fair – Sunday, February 10 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.  For more information, please visit:  www.nacacnet.org/ncf

¨       QUEST (COLLEGE FAIR) – Thursday, April 17 at Hillgrove High School.  If still seeking a college in the spring, plan to attend this college fair that is jointly hosted by KMHS, Harrison, Hillgrove, McEachern, and North Cobb High Schools. More information to follow.

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP:  Thursday, January 10^th at 7:00 p.m. at Harrison High School (in the theater).  A representative from the Georgia Student Finance Commission will conduct the workshop.  Parents and students will learn how to fill out the FAFSA.  This form is required for students seeking any federal aid, such as the Pell Grant and student loans, and will be available online after January 1.  The FAFSA is also a way to apply for the HOPE Scholarship/Grant.  It is recommended to complete your tax return as early as possible, since information from both the parent’s and student’s 2007 income tax returns will be required for the completion of the FAFSA.  Colleges have various filing deadlines for financial aid.

COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES (Postmark deadlines/regular decision):

§        Check college websites or catalogues for deadlines of colleges/universities.  Do not procrastinate!

§        Remember that dorm space can fill up prior to application deadlines.

§        If a teacher or counselor recommendation is required, you must request this at least two school weeks prior to the deadline.  Also, students must complete and turn in a Student Profile form to their counselor.

*Seniors applying to a college with a January 15, 2008 deadline (or sooner), such as UGA, please note:

§        Counselors do not write letters of recommendation over the winter break.

§        If you need a letter, you must notify your counselor by Wednesday, December 19^th to allow time for your letter to be written.

§        If you bring your paperwork/request after December 19^th, the counselor form will be completed, but no letter of recommendation will be included.

SCHOLARSHIP BULLETIN:  This is updated and is available the beginning of each month on the Guidance page and in the Guidance Career Center.  Students offered scholarships should bring a copy of the award letter to his/her counselor.

SAT/ACT:  Both the SAT and ACT prefer students to register online.  It is faster and more efficient; a credit card is necessary.  Remember, registration deadlines are 4-6 weeks prior to the Saturday test dates.

§        Please remember to use the testing code for KMHS – 111739, so KMHS will receive your test scores.

§        Register for the SAT online at www.collegeboard.com

§        Register for the ACT online at www.actstudent.org

§        To review vocabulary, this is a fun website for students:  www.freerice.com/index.php

§        To register for the FREE Official SAT Online Course, go to www.collegeboard.com/satonlinecourseschool.  Students must stop by Guidance for an access code.

ASSET TEST:  Technical School admission test.  Please see your counselor if interested in taking the ASSET second semester.  The test is free. 

ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE TEST (ASVAB): Test dates to follow. The test is free and is a wonderful career tool.  There is no military commitment.

KMHS CAREER CENTER is open most Tuesday nights until 7 PM.  

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:  Seniors, please see your counselor if you have any concerns about meeting graduation requirements. 

GRADUATION TEST:  The Writing retake will be administered on February 27, 2008.  Passing all five parts (Writing, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) is required for graduation.  March will be the final opportunity for seniors to meet this requirement prior to graduation.

GOVERNOR’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:  effective with the Class of 2005, only valedictorians and STAR students will be eligible to receive Governor’s Scholarships.  Salutatorians and Georgia Scholars will no longer be eligible to receive Governor’s Scholarships.  The Georgia Scholars Program will be continued as a recognition-only program.

APPLYING FOR THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP/GRANT:  To apply for the HOPE Scholarship/Grant, you will need to complete the FAFSA and/or the e-HOPE application.  The e-HOPE application can be found at www.gacollege411.org.  The paper version of the FAFSA is available in Guidance.  The FAFSA is also available on the Web, www.fafsa.ed.gov.

WHAT IS THE FAFSA?  The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  It is the vehicle for applying for all federal grants and loans.  Many colleges/universities require the FAFSA to be considered for campus-based funds.  Students planning to attend a college, university or technical school anywhere in the United States between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009, should consider completing the 2007-2008 FAFSA, which is based on the family’s 2007 incomes.

 WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA:

Students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA on the Web.  It is a faster and more efficient process than the paper application.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PIN (PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER):  Apply for your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.

Within 1-3 business days of applying for a PIN, you’ll receive your PIN via e-mail.  If you don’t provide an e-mail address, a PIN mailer will be sent to your permanent mailing address within 7 to 10 working days.

EVERYTHING IS FASTER ONLINE

SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS OPTION

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR PIN:

·         Sign your FAFSA electronically

·         Review and, if necessary, correct answers on your processed FAFSA

·         Sign promissory notes electronically

·         View information about your federal loans and grants

·         Conduct other online business with the U.S. Department of Education.

STEPS FOR DOING THE FAFSA ONLINE:

·         Obtain a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov

·         Print the Pre-Application worksheet from www.fafsa.ed.gov

·         Save your FAFSA as you go (save button is at the bottom of the screen) If you click the EXIT button you will not only close your application, you will erase all the information that you entered since the last time you saved it.

·         Get HELP by pushing the “help button” on every page.  Also, you can chat with a customer rep directly over the internet.  You can also call 1-800-4-FED-AID.

·         Sign your application.  If you have a PIN, you can electronically sign your FAFSA.  Otherwise, you will need to print the signature page and mail it in.  If you are a dependent student, your parents will also need to sign.

·         Submit your application by clicking on the “SUBMIT” button.  You’ll be taken to a new page that confirms your submission and gives you a confirmation number.

By completing the FAFSA online, you are able to view your Student Aid Report (SAR) after your FAFSA has been completed.  You will be able to see your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), print a copy of your SAR information, and reapply for financial aid in the future.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

v      http://www.cobbk12.org/~kennesawmountain/ - KMHS Website       

- Check for updates, scholarship info, and other important information

v      http://kmhs.us/ - College information

v      www.actstudent.org - ACT website

- Registration & test dates, practice, scholarship/financial aid info

- Research careers, colleges, majors   

- CEEB code 111-739    

v      www.collegeboard.com - SAT website

- Registration & test dates, scholarship/financial aid info

- Research careers, college, majors

- CEEB code 111-739

v      www.collegeboard.com/satonlinecourseschool - FREE SAT Prep

- CEEB code 111-739

- Access code available in Guidance

v       www.freerice.com/index.php - a fun way to review and beef up vocabulary for the SAT

v      www.gacollege411.org - Apply to Georgia Colleges & More

- Plan, apply, and pay for college

- Scholarship/financial aid info

- Test prep for SAT, ACT, COMPASS, ASSET

- Career info, resume builder

v      www.dtae.org - Technical College System of Georgia

v      www.careercruising.com - Interest Inventory, Research Colleges & Careers

- user name:  Kennesaw, password:  mustangs

- For scholarship search click on Explore Colleges and Universities

v      www.fastweb.com - Scholarship Search

v      www.ncaaclearinghouse.net - Prospective college student athletes

v      www.fafsa.ed.gov - Financial Aid

v      www.gsfc.org/hope/ - HOPE Scholarship & Grant info

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