January 8, 2025

Welcome back to our Spring Semester!

Please review the grade specific information below.

Seniors:

Wednesday, January 15- HOPE / Zell Miller Scholarship Lab: Seniors who plan to go to college in the state of Georgia, come to the media center with your computers during your study hall to complete your "paperwork" for your scholarship edibility. This "paperwork" is required to receive the HOPE or Zell scholarship.

Juniors:

Monday, February 3- Junior Parent Meeting, 6pm, Media Center: Mrs. Darley will go over the college search process in order to prepare families for what will take place over the next several months. Parents, if you have not sent a student to college, you will find this workshop invaluable.

Monday, March 10- SAT at Aquinas- The SAT will be offered at school on March 10th. All juniors are required to take the SAT at school on this day.

Sophomores:

Welcome to the College Update. This newsletter goes out about 2 times a month. Various summer and leadership opportunities are advertised through the College Update, along with all things related to college. If you haven't already, it is time to really start thinking about the college application process.

We will be offering a tour of Georgia College and State University on

Friday, January 24. To sign up for the tour, complete THIS FORM by Friday, Jan. 17.

All grades are eligible to participate.

Check FAFSA deadlines. Your child’s state, their school, and the federal government all have different FAFSA deadlines. Keep track of these deadlines and encourage your child to complete their FAFSA form as early as possible. 

Use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard. This interactive tool will help you understand if you and/or another parent will be required to provide information on your child’s FAFSA form. 

Get pro tips for the FAFSA form. Learn key information that will help you prepare for the FAFSA form, fill out the form, and avoid issues. 

Find answers to frequently asked questions in the FAFSA Help Center. You’ll also find help articles, resources (including videos, infographics, and webinars), and information on ways you can get support.

The 2025 Georgia Scholar Program application window is open from January 8-March 1. Georgia public- or private-school seniors may apply provided they meet all criteria outlined by the Georgia Scholar Program.

Through the Georgia Scholar program, GaDOE identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Each Georgia Scholar receives a diploma seal for his or her diploma, and, new this year, a graduation cord. Georgia Scholar is a recognition-only program. No scholarship funds are associated with this program.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Application: 2025 Georgia Scholar Application

Verification Forms: Click Here

Student Application Guidance: Click Here

Georgia Scholar Webpage: Click Here

Summer is more than just a pause between school years—it’s an opportunity for growth, exploration, and transformation. While it might be tempting for high school students to view the summer as time off, these months can play a critical role in their personal development and even their college applications. And no, this isn’t about piling on stress or overloading schedules. It’s about using summer intentionally to foster skills, passions, and experiences that help students thrive. Click HERE to continue reading article.

The College Essay Guy team is hosting a free webinar. This features is a unique panel session hosted by a veteran team of college counselors and former admissions officers with a combined 100+ years of college counseling experience.

In this session, they will cover:

• How building a well-informed college list is the key to bringing ease, purpose and joy to your teen’s college process
• Tips for fostering healthy, honest communication about your parameters and hopes with your teen
• Understanding what colleges are looking for, and how much each component “weighs”
• Helping your child communicate their experiences and curiosities— particularly their academic interests— in a way that makes sense to colleges
• College as a business: how does this impact your child’s process?
• Ways to ensure individualized college support for your teen— for every budget

Register Here

Conference Registration is now OPEN through January 24, 2025

High School and Undergraduate Conference Overview:

This premier conference offers students an enhanced understanding of professional health programs and education. With an emphasis on medical school, Igniting the Dream offers interactive workshops, insight into the skills and preparation students need for successful admission and matriculation.

High school participants will gain the following for participating:

• Engaging Discussion: becoming a distinguished healthcare provider
• Guidance: from high school to college and med/professional school
• Real insight: from current medical students
• Looking Ahead: goal setting and action planning
• The Best Fit: choosing the right college
• Round Table Dialogue: college and medical students 
• Pre-Medical Pathway Programs: SEEP Insight
• Clinical Workshops: fun-filled, hands-on medical and health scenarios

Contact mcg_ignitingthedream@augusta.edu, if you have any questions regarding the registration process.

For more information: https://www.augusta.edu/mcg/academic-affairs/belonging-inclusivity/ignitingthedream.php

The American Chemical Society - Savannah River (ACS-SR) Local Section is pleased to announce a $1000 scholarship to support and encourage graduating senior students in the local community intending to pursue a degree in a chemistry-related field of study. ACS-SR strives to enhance the quality of life in the region by spreading knowledge and excitement for chemistry. Our goal is to improve our community through educational and outreach programs and supporting the development of young chemists. Applications are due January 15, 2025. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, letter of recommendation from a STEM teacher, and an essay.

Eligibility:

• Currently live or attend school in the following SC or GA counties: Aiken, Barnwell, Burke, Columbia, Edgefield, Emanuel, Jenkins, McCormick, Richmond, or Screven
• Graduating high school senior or home-schooled student
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
• Have taken or currently taking a chemistry class
• Planning on enrolling full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the US
• Intending to major in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, materials science, forensic science, or another chemistry-related science field

Application Components:

• Application form
• Essay (included in application)
• Transcript or test results for home schooled students
• Letter of recommendation from a STEM teacher

How to apply:  Scholarship application and additional info are located at www.acs-sr.org/scholarship.

Eligible students can submit applications and additional documentation to acssr.scholarship@gmail.com. All scholarship applications and components must be received by January 15, 2025. Scholarship award winners will be notified by April 2025.

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is made up of 26 inter/national sororities and is the largest advocacy and support organization for the women’s-only sorority experience. NPC plans to award 10 college scholarships of $2,000 each through our NPC Centennial Scholarships Program.

The scholarship application form is now available for students who are graduating in spring 2025 and attending college in fall 2025. 

The NPC Centennial Scholarships online application form is available now through March 9, 2025. Recipients will be announced in May 2025.

Centennial Scholarships Online Application

Whether you’re dreaming of a future in the arts or just exploring your options, this guide has everything you need to get started. Inside, you’ll find insights into the industry’s future, why studying the arts matters, and tons of resources to help make your artistic career a reality. From scholarships to high school programs, we’ve got all the tools to help you succeed.



What's included? 

• How to Create an Attention-Getting Portfolio  
• Bridging Technology and the Visual Arts
• Scholarships & Resources
• In My Own Words: Student Testimonials from Art Colleges
• Much, much more!

Download Now

Maria Darley

Director of College Counseling

mdarley@aquinashigh.org

706-736-5516