Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Can I attend high school and college at the same time?
- What is the difference between the HOPE Scholarship and the HOPE Grant?
- Can I still go to college if my parents can't afford to send me?
- When should I apply to college?
- How many credits do I need to move to the next grade?
- What is the ASSET?
- What is the COMPASS?
- What is the PSAT?
- What is the SAT?
- What is the ACT?
- What is the ASVAB?
- What is ACCEL?
- How do I request my transcript?
- How do I know if I received the HOPE Scholarship?
Can I attend high school and college at the same time?
Accel is a program made possible through the Georgia
Student
Finance commission so that high School juniors and seniors in
good standing
can take college classes and earn dual (both high school and
college)
credit. Because of the regulations, HOPE money can be used to
pay for these
classes. Students are responsible for book costs not covered by
HOPE and
also may be responsible for some fees incurred by the college.
Accel students attend colleges within driving distance of
their high
school and home so that it is convenient. Core classes are
covered by
Accel, and these are generally transferrable to other colleges,
depending on
your course of study.
To participate in Accel, students must:
3.0 high school GPA
Completion of all of the academic requirements of the
10th grade.
Minimum 970 combined (critical reading & math) SAT I (21
ACT
composite) score. In order to take college English/Social
Science courses
that also satisfy high school college preparatory curriculum
requirements,
the student must have a minimum SAT I critical reading score of
530 (23 ACT
English score); for Math /Science courses, the student must have
a minimum
SAT I math score of 530 (22 ACT math score.
Must be a legal resident of Georgia.
2. Freshman and Sophomore Years
Take academic classes. If you want to earn a dual seal,
be sure to
take those classes at this time. Make the best grades possible
to ensure
that you have at least a 3.0 (B) average. If you have the
opportunity to
take ��next year��s�� class (i.e., Junior English as a
sophomore), do it.
Take the SAT no later than March of your sophomore year
if you plan
to begin Accel in your Junior year. (Taking Algebra II is a good
pre-
requisite for the SAT!)
3. Junior and Senior Years
Be sure to fill out SAT paperwork each semester
that you take
an Accel course. There is a state mandated form (about 6 pages)
as well as
a local form (1 page). These forms should be turned in to the
guidance
office.
Please be aware that you have certain course
requirements here
at CCHS to fulfill also.
If you are playing sports, please remember that
college hours do
not equal high school hours! It takes 5 semester hours to equal
one unit of
high school credit. To be eligible for sports and take only
college
classes, you must take (and pass) 15 hours of college coursework
in the
semester preceding your sport. You also must take enough hours
during your
sport to remain eligible.
For more info:
http://www.gacollege411.org/FinAid/ScholarshipsAndGrants/accel.asp
What is the difference between the HOPE Scholarship and the HOPE Grant?
The HOPE Scholarship is for students who finish high school with
an ACADEMIC
GPA of 80 or above (college prep) and 85 or above (tech prep).
The
transcript is submitted electronically to the Georgia Student
Finance
Commission, who figures the average...not the school.
HOPE Grant is money utilized by all technical colleges to fund
diploma and
certificate programs for all students. Sometimes students can
earn a HOPE
scholarship by starting in a diploma or certificate program,
earning good
grades, and then making the transition into a related degree
program.
Remember...you will be re-evaluated for the HOPE scholarship, but
you must
re-
apply. Your FAFSA form counts as a HOPE application, although
many schools
have a separate (and shorter) application.
Can I still go to college if my parents can't afford to send me?
Fee waivers are available for the SAT as well as for college
application fees. Be sure to fill out your FAFSA form after
January 1 of your Senior year (earlier if you are on Accel
program). This will determine your
eligibility for federal money, which is applicable at colleges,
universities, and technical colleges. Also, don't forget about
HOPE Grant and HOPE Scholarship.
When should I apply to college?
A student should traditionally apply to college in the fall of
his or her Senior year.
How many credits do I need to move to the next grade?
6 credits to be a sophomore
13 to be a junior
21 to be a senior
28 to graduate
A student can earn 8 credits in a regular school
setting during a calendar year, excluding summer school.
What is the ASSET?
This is a placement test for certain technical colleges.
What is the COMPASS?
It is a placement test used by many technical colleges. In our
area,
primarily Columbus Technical College.
What is the PSAT?
This is a "Practice" version of the SAT. The Georgia
Department of
Education pays for all 10th graders to take the test. If you take
it in the
11th grade you could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship,
but you
will have to pay to take the test yourself.
What is the SAT?
This is a university placement test. Certain schools require
certain scores
for admission. This test is used to determine STAR student (but
you must be
in the top 10% of your class). The test requires student to
perform in the
areas of critical reading, math, and essay.
What is the ACT?
This test serves basically the same purpose as the SAT. Some of
the more
elite schools do not accept this test, so check with the college
you would
like to attend before taking this test.
What is the ASVAB?
This is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, this test
is given
to students who are interested in joining the armed services.
What is ACCEL?
This is not a test but it pertains to testing. Students who are
interested
in the program must enroll at a local college. In order to do
so, they must
have a 3.0 GPA and be on college track. They must take the SAT
not the
ACT. Under ACCEL, college credits and high school credits are
awarded for
college courses taken.
How do I request my transcript?
Click on the mailbox in the right hand corner of this page and
give your
first and last name, date of graduation, name and address of
location you
want the transcript sent to. Remember to include the zip code for
where you
want it sent.
How do I know if I received the HOPE Scholarship?
HOPE transcripts
How to view your HOPE GPA on GAcollege411
1. Log in or create a My411 Account, be sure to include your
social security number
2. Go to My411
3. Go to My Financial Aid (link on the left-hand side of the
screen)
4. Select HOPE GPA Calculation Report
5. Select the first letter of your high school name
6. Select high school name
You will be able to view any information we have available on
your high school HOPE GPA. Your information will only be
available once Chattahoochee County High School has reported your
transcript data and verified your GPA calculation.
GA College 411--Helping Students Plan, Apply, and Pay for College
800-505-4732
GAcollege411.org
https://www.gsfc.org/main/publishing/pdf/2007/view_hope_gpa.pdf
