College Information & Programs

Junior/Senior Night - Sep. 6, 2007 - At 7:00 PM in the Auditorium - The annual joint program by Guidance and the Academic Booster Club. All seniors and their parents are urged to attend this evening for last minute information on college planning, including understanding the application process, writing the college essay, applying for financial aid (including Georgia's HOPE scholarship), and SAT/SAT II/ACT questions. You will also receive an important senior information packet. Find out what you need to know!
If you missed this year's meeting, the information packets are available in the Guidance Office.

College Admission Essays: Here's a great link full of helpful advice on writing a great essay for college admissions: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9406.html

Planning Ahead For College Night - October 4, 2007 - At 7:00 PM in the Auditorium - Our popular annual program for juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and their parents. It's NOT too early to begin planning for college!

If you miss this year's meeting, the information packets are available in the Guidance Office.

"Preparing for Life After Wheeler High School" -- a blue-covered booklet produced by Academic Booster Club and available in Guidance. The booklet contains checklists you should follow each year of high school to prepare for college and careers. Get your copy soon! It's full of valuable information and has space to record your activities. Click on the links below for tips for your year in high school or download our booklet.
- Freshman Year Checklist
- Sophomore Year Checklist
- Junior Year Checklist
- Senior Year Checklist

College Corner - Visit us in the Guidance Office! Open to all Wheeler parents and students daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Parent volunteers are available every day during all lunch periods (11:30-2:00) to assist you.

College applications, brochures, and viewbooks
College catalogs, videos, and CDs, available for check-out
College guidebooks and directories
Reference books on preparing successful applications and essays
ACT and SAT information:
Test preparation CDs for check-out; test registration and preparation bulletins; information on local test prep courses; many test reference books including real SATs.
Scholarship Information:
Up-to-date list of available scholarships; scholarship descriptions and applications; reference books on financing college; HOPE scholarship details.
And more...
Information on technical institutes and the military; college summer programs for high school students.

College Visits to Wheeler - Representatives of colleges will visit Wheeler throughout the year -- watch for announcements here and around school! Students who wish to meet with the representatives should obtain a pass from the Guidance Office if they need to miss a class. See the bulletin board in the main hallway for other college visits in the Atlanta area.
Click here to see the list of college visits.

College Fairs -
PROBE College Fairs -A good way to speak with representatives from many colleges at once is to attend a PROBE or college fair. The PROBE tour travels around the state of Georgia from September to November every year and provides the opportunity for students and parents to speak with over 100 college representatives as well as representatives from the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The following are nearby locations for the 2007 PROBE fairs. For a complete list visit the PROBE Website .

Scholarships -
Academic Booster Club Scholarship - Each year (as membership funds permit) ABC gives scholarships to graduating Wheeler seniors who will be enrolled in college in the fall. One student is usually selected from the Learning Links program, other honoree(s) are chosen on academic excellence and teacher recommendation. Applications are due in the spring.
Scholarships on file in Guidance - Come to the Guidance Office for complete information on scholarships. Watch deadlines carefully! Guidance receives scholarship information constantly so beginning in the fall seniors are advised to check here and in the office frequently for new scholarship information. Completed applications must be turned in to the Guidance Office at least two weeks prior to the deadline.
View Available Scholarships Online - Click here to view the current list of scholarships as compiled by the Wheeler Guidance office

Financial Aid -
You must go looking for the money -- it will not coming looking for you! It is up to the student and parents to look for financial aid. You must be active in the search process. You cannot wait until spring to decide how you plan to pay for college.
If the Georgia HOPE Scholarship is the only scholarship you want to receive, parents and students should complete the electronic HOPE application (eHOPE) at Georgia Student Finance Commission website as soon as possible during your senior year.
To qualify for other types of financial aid such as Federal Pell Grants or federal student loans, parents must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Student Aid) form using updated and correct income tax information. As soon as parents receive W-2 forms, the FAFSA needs to be completed. Check FAFSA online for complete information. FAFSA packets are available in Guidance beginning in January. The FAFSA may also serve as the Georgia HOPE Scholarship application for students.
When you apply for admission to a college, apply for financial aid. Deadlines vary from college to college. There are many types of loans and grants. Use College Corner resources and websites to find what is available.
Beware of scholarship and financial aid search services which charge you a fee or make high-pressure promises to get you big money! Check the Federal Trade Commission's Scholarship Scams website for important consumer information!
Come to the annual "FAFSA and Financial Aid" presentation for great information! Check our Calendar page for date and time.

More Help - Go to our Links page for web sites with helpful information on colleges, scholarships, financial aid, and more!