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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE �

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CGHS Family Engagement Center

Mission:

Supporting families and staff to work together for our student achievement and success through interactive engagement sessions.

Ms. Keren Padilla

Instructional Coordinator

Email: keren.padilla@gcpsk12.org

Contact: (770) 822-6540

Monday - Friday

8AM - 2PM

Call for Appointment

#1 Tip: Use the GCPS ParentVUE to monitor your student’s progress and utilize ParentSquare for all communication needs.

#2 Tip: Get involved - Join PTSA

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CGHS Counseling Department

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Welcome Ms. Vernita Moore

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Preparing for Graduation & Beyond

9^th Grade – 4 Year Plans

Career Exploration

10^th Grade – Graduation Requirements/Credit Evaluations
11^th Grade – www.gafutures.or g

Junior Conference - Individual

Classroom Guidance

12^th Grade – Senior Application for Graduation
(Senior Letter) Individual

Classroom Guidance

College Representatives on campus

Georgia Apply to College Day – Twice a year

The information presented in this slide represents the various topics and activities covered over the course of a student’s high school career, including 4-year plans, career exploration, and graduation requirements during 9th and 10th grade.

As part of postsecondary planning during 11th grade, students created an account in GAFutures to access information to include their HOPE G.P.A., request transcripts to be sent to Georgia colleges and universities, college search, scholarship, search, and a host of other resources. Students, please note that your social security number must be on file to access your HOPE G.P.A. Students, if you have not already done so, please create an account at gafutures.org.

Throughout this school year, Central Gwinnett’s counseling department will host individual senior meetings, classroom guidance sessions, college representatives on campus, college tour field trips, as well as Georgia Apply to College Day.

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Senior Application for Graduation

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GCPS Graduation Requirements

4 units of Language Arts
4 units of Math
3 units of Social Studies

World History, US History, American Government (1 semester), Economics (1 semester)

4 units of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and one Science Elective)
3 units of CTAE and/or Modern/Classical Language and/or Fine Arts
4 elective units
Introduction to PE/Health

Total Units (Minimum) 23 Credits

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Testing Requirements for Graduation

As long as students meet their course requirements, no test will keep them from graduating.

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Welcome Mrs. Faith Brown

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College Guidance

Factors to Consider

Admission requirements: deadlines, average test scores, GPA, rank, AP/Dual Enrollment recognition policies & more
Cost – Public or Private
Location – Distance from home, urban, rural
Size – Enrollment & Class size
Academics – Majors & Minors offered
Housing – Residence halls, meal plans
Activities – Greek life, Athletics & Organizations
Transitional Services: Career offices, Internships, Co-Ops & Study Abroad

College Visits

Up to 3 prearranged absences permitted.

Apply to at least 4 schools

Reach, Target, Safety!

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College Campus Tours

Colleges and Universities offer plenty of opportunities to help potential new students learn and love their respective campuses.

Here are 5 reasons to arrange a guided college tour this Fall/Spring:

1. Current Admissions Requirements

2. Understand the Academic Offerings

3. Explore the Campus

4. Student Life

5. Venture Off-Campus

* Check our CGHS College & Career Events page for College Tours along with communications sent through ParentSquare and StudentSquare.

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College Entrance Exams

ACT – www.actstudent.org
SAT – www.collegeboard.com
ACCUPLACER Testing is accepted at some colleges for admission

**ASVAB Career Exploration Exam is offered to assist students find a pathway in college & other students that are interested in the Military.

Central Gwinnett High School Code - 111805

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Resources for the ACT/SAT test & College Planning

WWW.SATPRACTICE.ORG
Download the app “CollegeGo” from the app store for help with College planning.

www.khanacademy.org

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NATIONAL TESTING DATES

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Welcome Mrs. Tomeeka Kimbro

College & Career Information

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Options After High School

4 Year College or University
2 Year College
Technical College
Military
Workforce
Apprenticeships

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Where Is College Information

COLLEGES OFFER OPEN HOUSE & PREVIEW DAYS
COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES VISIT CGHS
PROBE COLLEGE FAIR CGHS & LOCAL FAIRS
COLLEGE WEBSITES
GENERAL WEBSITES

www.GAFUTURES.org

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�College Application Process

In-State College applications may be started through www.gafutures.org

Out of State college applications may be processed directly through the school’s website.

Common App is an additional resource where you can apply to multiple schools on one application. The school must be associated with CommonApp. www.commonapp.org
Common Black College App students applying to HBCU (Historically Black College or University)institutions. www.CommonBlackCollegeApp.com.

Please Note: Not all HBCU are associated with this resource.

APPLY TO COLLEGE MONTH WILL BE NOV 2025

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�Transcripts &

Letters of Recommendation

For paper copies of official transcripts: Complete Transcript Request Form in the Student Support Center

- $5.00 per transcript, 24 hour turnaround time

Or, send transcripts electronically through www.gafutures.org (only for schools in Georgia)

Transcripts for GA and out of state may be requested through Naviance which can be found on eClass.

Submit Student Profile to your counselor with all necessary college forms for any letter of recommendation - link on your eclass

Letters of Recommendations have a 10 day turn around, so PLAN AHEAD.

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�Scholarship Information

GCPS is utilizing SchooLinks which allows students to link their Common App applications as well as apply for scholarships.

***Over 4000 Active Scholarships

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SENIOR COLLEGE EVENTS

APPLY TO COLLEGE MONTH - INSTANT DECISION DAYS

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CGHS PARENT SUPPORT

VIRTUAL Parent Edition Scholarship Workshop will be available to Senior Parents

Follow the College & Career Events Page…The Join link will be posted on event date.

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FAFSA Assistance

Thursday, October 2, 2025

4:30 - 6:30 PM

Location:

CGHS Media Center

**BYOD - Limited Devices Available

CREATE YOUR FSA ID

Both students and parents must create a Student Aid Account to get an FSA ID to access the FAFSA form.

studentaid.gov/fsa-id/

An FSA ID is an account username and password combination.

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Financial Aid Resources

HOPE Scholarship – www.gafutures.org
Georgia Student Finance Commission

www.gsfc.org

Hal Wilkinson GSFC Assistance

College and University Scholarships
College & Career Website – CGHS College & Career
Naviance - www.naviance.com [Scholarships]
Senior Newsletters
Free Scholarship websites
Federal Student Aid -w ww.federalstudentaid.ed.gov

FAFSA Form – www.fafsa.ed.gov

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SY 26-27 Financial Aid

◾ FAFSA will open until Oct 1, 2025

◾FAFSA application is simplified.

◾ Applications have to be verified through the Social Security Administration, please be patience and it could take up to 3 - 4 days before completion can be done in some cases.

◾ Colleges financial aid offices provide support and services to freshman students and parents.

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Welcome Mrs. Tiffany Brown

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Hope Scholarship

REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for the HOPE Scholarship, a student must earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all core & HOPE-eligible elective classes in high school.

2026 graduates must meet HOPE rigor requirements. A student must have four credits in “rigorous courses”. Courses that meet this include the 2^nd year of a Foreign Language, Chemistry and Physics.

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HOPE Scholarship Facts�

Approximately 100% tuition coverage (Dependent upon institution)
Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative postsecondary GPA to remain eligible for the scholarship
The awards covers a portion of tuition only, not books and fees.

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HOPE and AP Classes

Advanced Placement classes are weighted, meaning 10 points are added to the final grade. These points are subtracted, the grade is converted to the 4.0 scale and .5 is added to that class’ GPA up to a total of 4.0 per class grade.
Examples for figuring the Grade Point Average for an Advanced Placement class

Final grade of 95 – 10 = 85

85 = 3.0 + .5 = 3.5

Final grade of 85 – 10 = 75

75 = 2.0 + .5 = 2.5

Final grade of 75 – 10 = 65

65 = 0.0 + .5 = .5

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The Zell Miller Scholarship�

Zell Miller Scholars must:

Earn a 3.7 high school GPA or higher and post, in one sitting, an SAT combined score of 1200 or higher in math and reading or an ACT score of 26 or higher

OR

Be their high school’s Valedictorian or Salutatorian

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Accessing the HOPE Average

The preliminary HOPE Scholarship calculations are available through Georgia Futures.

CGHS must have the student’s social security number on file in order to receive the HOPE Scholarship.
Bring a copy of your SS card to the SSC ASAP.

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HOPE Grant

Georgia's HOPE Grant is available to residents of Georgia who enroll at any TCSG college (or Board of Regents college with a technical education division) to earn a certificate or diploma, regardless of high school graduation date or GPA upon graduation.

Starting with Fall Semester 2013, once enrolled, students must earn and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to keep the HOPE Grant.

The HOPE Grant will pay a significant percentage of TCSG standard tuition. Contact your TCSG college for more information.

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HOPE Grant

Attend a technical college in a Certificate or Diploma program
No GPA requirement out of high school
Must maintain a post-secondary GPA of 2.0 at certain checkpoints
Pays portion of tuition

Zell Miller Grant

After first term in diploma or certificate program, 3.5 GPA will earn full tuition.
Must maintain a 3.5 GPA

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Welcome

Mrs. Amanda Baker

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Senior Dues

Dues are required to Participate in Graduation!

Dues cover the following items:

Cap, Gown & Tassel
Diploma Cover
Senior T-shirt
Senior Celebration
Graduation ceremony expenses
Senior Breakfast IF paid & processed by 1/31/26
Yearbook IF paid/processed by 1/31/26

Graduation dues do NOT cover expenses for announcements/ invitations, class rings, additional apparel, prom, senior pictures, or a yearbook AFTER 1/31.

Dues are $200.00
Due by 1/31/26, starting 2/1/26 there will be a $20 increase in price to adjust for additional shipping costs
Dues must be paid by May 1st to participate in Graduation!!
Two ways to Pay Dues - online or in person with Scholastic Images

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Senior Dues Payments

Pay on www.scholasticimages.com or In Person (Once a Month)

Full Amount Only

Senior Sponsor:

Amanda Baker

Health Science Lab

Located at the end of the 400 Hallway

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Other Senior Activities

Senior Sunrise (2 opportunities)

Senior Bonfire

Senior Letters & Boards

Senior Walk - dues must be paid for by March 17th to participate

Senior Celebration

Monthly Newsletters are sent through Parent Square. Please read through them for new information and/or changes to events. It is also posted on the Senior Tab on the Centralgwinnett.net website.

Watch CGHS news for more information
More info to follow...

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Yearbook

Seniors who pay their dues by January 31st receive a FREE 2026 yearbook! Dues are paid through Scholastic Images.

Beginning February 1st, the yearbook will cost $80 and must be ordered via the Yearbook Order Center. So save some $$$ pay your DUES NOW!

Seniors must be photographed at a CADY Studio by November 15th. Visit www.CADY.com to schedule your session. There's a wide variety of photography options to choose from, or you can just do the Simple Session which includes your formal, casual, and cap & gown photos. Scan the QR Code to get started.

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Buy a Senior Ad for the Yearbook

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Welcome Back Mr.Prospere

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Senior Binder

Your one stop shop for all senior year information

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Follow us on Instagram!!

Stay updated on college visits, scholarships and other important announcements:

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