All senior transcripts, testing history, and current schedules are thoroughly reviewed at the beginning of the school year to verify and confirm a students' status towards graduation. Students will be provided with a copy of their current transcript and a report of their remaining graduation requirements by the end of November.

The University of Virginia launched the Virginia College Advising Corps, formerly the College Guide Program, in fall 2005 to address the widening gap in college access for low income, first generation, and under-represented groups. The program places recent UVa graduates in high schools and community colleges throughout the Commonwealth to work alongside counselors and other college access organizations. Please view the following link for more information about the Virginia College Advising Corps, visit vcac.virginia.edu/program

College Adviser responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting students with college applications, financial aid and FAFSA, scholarships, and making the transition to post-secondary education. The College Adviser is also available to make classroom presentations on topics such as: Writing the College Essay, How to Write a Resume, SAT/ACT Basics, How to Pay for College and/or Making the Most of High School.

Scholarships are a form of money given to students that does not have to be repaid. Not every student will receive a scholarship, but it is important that you make an effort to identify and apply for those in which you meet the criteria. Scholarships are available, not only for academically or athletically gifted students, but for various criteria including: the high school you attended, the community in which you grew up, community service you performed, the program of study you intend to pursue, and/or how much financial need you demonstrate.

The GWHS School Counseling Department provides a monthly Scholarship Newsletter of local and some national scholarships that are available for students to apply. It is the student’s responsibility to review the newsletter, obtain, complete and submit the application by the posted deadline. Scholarship applications are available in the Scholarship File located in the School Counseling Office. Some applications are only available online, which will be indicated in the newsletter. The Scholarship Newsletter is emailed directly to all seniors at least once per month beginning in August. Hard copies are available in the School Counseling Office and on the bulletin board located beside the GWHS Library.

When searching for scholarships online, beware of the following scholarship scams or scholarship services that state the following:

1. The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.

2. The scholarship service will do all the work.

3. The scholarship will cost money.

4. You can’t get this information anywhere else.

5. You are a finalist in a contest you never entered, or you have been selected by a “national foundation” to receive a scholarship.

6. The scholarship service needs your credit card or checking account number in advance.

The following scholarship search websites have proven to be legitimate over the years and are approved by the GWHS School Counseling Department.

• FASTWEB: www.fastweb.com

• COLLEGEBOARD: www.collegeboard.org

• SCHOLARSHIPS.COM: www.scholarships.com

• FINAID: www.finaid.org

Legitimate services offering federal or state financial aid information should be free of charge. Be careful of “free” seminars offered by financial aid “consultants” offering tips on preparing for college or filing the FAFSA. Such organizations are often trying to coerce you into signing up for a long-term contract for services you don’t need. The correct FAFSA website is WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV. If you are asked to pay a fee for completing the FAFSA, you are on the wrong website.

Questions? Contact Federal Student Aid

• 1.800.433.3243

• Federal Student Aid

Read the 2021-2022 Opportunities Guide

Helpful Pages to Review

• Pages 8-9

• Pages 14-15

• Pages 18-23

• Pages 29-30

• Pages 42-43

Submit the SAT Fee Waiver Eligibility Form to determine whether or not you are eligible for a SAT and College Application Fee Waivers. Limit 2 per school year.

• Catalog

• Order Form (#29 is the Cap & Gown Unit)

• GW Online Store

Click HERE