December 4, 2025

Seniors & Families

If you plan to go to college, December is a good time to complete the FAFSA.

• What is the FAFSA® form and why should I fill it out?
• What information will I need to fill out a FAFSA® form?
• Which FAFSA® form do I need to fill out?
• Will I need to fill out the FAFSA® form each year?

Juniors & Families

All juniors have been in the process of meeting with Mrs. Darley within the past few weeks. These are informal meetings to see where the student stands with possible plans after Aquinas. Mrs. Darley will also provide a copy of their transcript and current Hope GPA. Parents- if you have any questions, reach out to Mrs. Darley directly.

SAT and ACT Test Prep

If you have used any test prep tutors or other resources that you liked, please share those resources with Mrs. Darley. She would like to build a list for future students to use.

A free College Admission Workshop will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Furman University. Students and guests will get to hear from representatives from Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Wofford College, Lander University, and Furman University as they share insider advice on the college search and application process. Attendees will also get to experience what it’s like to be part of an admissions committee by reviewing sample applications and making decisions as a group on which sample applicants they would like to admit, deny, and waitlist. The goal is to help students and families better understand what colleges may be looking for in the admissions process. Visit this site for details.

REALTORS® of Greater Augusta is excited to, once again, offer their annual President's Scholarship! In 2006, the REALTORS® of Greater Augusta (RGA) started the President’s Scholarship Award Program to recognize area high school seniors for their accomplishments and award scholarships to alleviate expenses of their college education. Since its inception and including this year’s recipients, RGA has awarded $176,000 to local students. The committee selects recipients based on academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, honors, and leadership positions held throughout their high school years. 

There are (14) $1,000 scholarships available to local graduating seniors. This scholarship is open to all fields of interest (not just real estate). Applications must be completed and returned to the Association by March 6, 2026.

The application and information can be found here: 
https://www.augustarealtors.com/youth-scholarship-program/

The primary mission of the Watson-Brown Foundation is providing need and merit-based scholarships to select Georgia and South Carolina students attending accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The scholarships are renewable in amounts of $3000 and $5000.

The deadline for the 2026-2027 Watson-Brown Scholarship application is February 8th, 2026. Apply HERE.

The University of Alabama College of Engineering is hosting E-Day on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This open house event provides middle and high school students the chance to learn more about majors and career opportunities available in engineering and computer science. Students will also receive information about admissions, housing, financial aid and other college readiness topics.

Register by visiting eng.ua.edu/e-day. The priority registration deadline is Dec. 15, 2025.

CGN Live: Dream Schools Redefined*

Monday, December 8 - 7:30 pm

What if your ‘dream school’ isn’t the one everyone tells you it should be? Join us for a live Q&A on prestige, fit, affordability, and real-world value in making a college decision that’s right for you and your family. 

TuitionCents 2025: How High-Income Families Can Pay for College & Still Retire Comfortably

Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 07:00 PM 

Topics will include the following:

- Is it worth filling out the financial aid forms?

- Cost reduction tactics & strategy

- Using tax-efficient money and versatile financial vehicles

- Lesser-known tactics

 Designing a Summer That Sets Your Teen Apart 

Wednesday, January 7th at 7:00 p.m.

Join Matchpoint for an upcoming webinar on how to design a summer that builds both purpose and potential. Their team will share expert guidance on finding internships, pre-college programs, jobs, and camps that align with your student’s goals while encouraging personal growth. Whether your teen is exploring new interests or preparing for college applications, this session will give your family clear, practical steps to create a summer that strengthens confidence and college readiness.

Eight Predictions That Will Shape College Admissions in 2026

Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 p.m.

Start the new year with a clear understanding of the forces that will shape college admissions in 2026. Join our January 15 webinar, where we will discuss the eight trends every family needs to watch, from the growing power of test scores to the rising influence of AI-driven evaluation. You will walk away with a focused plan for your student and a much sharper sense of what lies ahead.

The scholarship is designed to identify and reward outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated an ability to excel in the fields of academics, extra-curricular school activities and community involvement. The scholarship is available to any male, graduating high school senior who is enrolling in a four-year undergraduate college program that commences in the fall. The scholarship is awarded through the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence, a registered 501(c)3 organization. Current or future membership in a fraternity is not required.

• December 1, 2025: Scholarship application open, apply here
• April 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET: Scholarship application closes

Maria Darley

Director of College Counseling

mdarley@aquinashigh.org

706-736-5516