Hello from the kitchen table of Mr. Kulp! This message is for graduating seniors, so all other grade levels can kindly hit delete at this point.
Now that it is just us, I wanted to tell you some important information that will allow you to sew up affairs as you head to your next destination- mainly those who are going to technical college or a two-year/four-year college. I am including a list of things you have to do:
1) Pay deposits for housing and for classes. Your college has definitely reached out to you to ask for this money since you have been accepted. They are pretty good at asking for money... If you have not sent in the check or paid on line, get that done soon as they can assume that you are not coming and give a dorm room away or relinquish your spot in the Class of 2024. If you cannot afford the deposits, here is a link to a form to appeal for that to be waived from the great folks at National Association of College Admission Counseling: https://www.nacacfairs.org/globalassets/college-fair--homepage/ncf-documents/learn/nacac-req-for-enroll-form-0420_1-fillable.pdf
2) Provide your Verification of Lawful Presence. This is super easy. You will upload your driver's license (or another acceptable form of identification) to the Office of Admission's website.
3) Immunizations, ouch! We get this request for shot records to be sent to the college from SCHS often. Unfortunately, that would be too easy! Colleges want their immunization form filled out and submitted back to them. The one that is in your permanent record at SCHS will not be acceptable. Here is what you do- print the immunization form off of the college's website, take the form to your pediatrician or to the health department to fill out, take the original back home and upload it to their website. SAVE the original, in case they lose it!
4) Final transcripts have to be sent. In the next few days, you are going to be asked to complete a survey. In that survey, you will be asked to tell us where you want us to send a final transcript. We will do it. If during the summer (after June 15th), your college is still barking for a final transcript, you can always log in to GAFutures.org and send one through them to your college, just like you did when you were applying. It is instant, easy and free, and you will get a faster reaction than you will from us; we are not instant...
** Special instructions for Dual Enrollment kids: your "next year" college (if different from your Dual Enrollment college) is going to want a transcript from your Dual Enrollment college. You have to do this, and it, too, is simple. Go to PAWS (Georgia State), Banner Web (Athens Tech) or into your GMC Portal. Search for the request transcript feature (sometimes it is well hidden, but it is there). You will need the address of the Office of Admissions at your "next year" college to put in to the request. The Dual Enrollment college will mail that transcript to the next college.
5) Request a spot at orientation. Most colleges are going to an online version of orientation. While this is not as exciting, your access to an earlier orientation may allow you to register for classes earlier. Colleges will often not clear you to register for classes until you go through orientation. Waiting on this ensures that all your classes will be at 7:50 am or 5:30 pm.
6) If you have not done so by now, it is still not too late to complete a FAFSA. Mr. Corbett has you covered on that! Here is a link to his help: FAFSA Help
Also, go to HOPE Scholarship/Grant Application to do the one time, forever application to get access to HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant funds. HOPE Grant works at technical colleges and there is no GPA requirement. You can go to learn welding (for example) for almost free!
7) Look over the Office of Financial Aid's financial aid letter that they should have sent that breaks down what they can do to help you pay for college, including merit based scholarships (like HOPE), grants and loans. If you are not aware of a letter, call the Office of Financial Aid at the college and have your student sit with you to learn about this process. Those folks tend to be very helpful. You may need to sign paperwork for loans, if those are ABSOLUTELY necessary. Remember that a cheaper college and a willingness to work while you go to school are decisions that will make the 50 year old version of you happy. To still be paying on a college education at fifty years old is not uncommon. That is a bunch of money that could be spent on fun things. Trust me, you would rather have to work now to reduce loan debt load that will still be biting your rear end way into your working career. For more information about that, check out this website: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/
8) Though local scholarships are finished, there are a ton of other scholarship opportunities. You have not, because you ask not. Do the applications!! Scholarship Search engine
9) Write your family a note of thanks. It is warranted, and it will be well received.
10) Be wise with your graduation money you get in those cards! The people giving it to you are making an investment in your future, not new wheels for your truck. "Invest" this money into things that are going to make your paycheck bigger in five years. It doesn't matter that you are enjoying those new AirPods bumping in your ears now. Those funds should be spent on college expenses to keep from taking out those loans!
Ok, that is a lot to take in. You are loved. Do great things, and don't settle for less than your dreams and hard work will get you. It has been a pleasure being your guidance counselor!
