All MECHS students, regardless of grade level, should register at http://www.GAcollege411.org. This website, created by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, helps students as they plan, apply for, and pay for college. The HOPE eligibility is calculated on this website, so it is important that all students register. Students can learn the difference between the Hope Scholarship and the Hope Grant, and learn how to qualify and apply for those funds on this website. It also has career assessments, information about colleges and financial aid, and a personal profile section for students to use in planning their futures.

Another useful source, especially for students who are undecided about a future career, is the Georgia Career Information System, which provides easy access to state and national occupational and educational information available in the state. This computer-based system contains self-assessments, career explorations, occupational trends and college information. To access this excellent site, go to http://www.gcic.peachnet.edu and type in mountainecu for the user ID and gcis1464 as the password.

Useful Websites
More Useful Websites

SAT/ACT Testing:
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.act.org

Test Preparation:
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.GAcollege411.org

Financial Aid and Scholarships:
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.GAcollege411.org
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

For help in completing the FAFSA, call Rebecca Hammond, 706-492-2883.

Career Exploration:
http://www.GAcollege411.org
http://www.gcic.peachnet.edu/
(user ID is mountainecu; password is gcis1464)

College Search:
www.GAcollege411.org
www.fastweb.com
www.eCampusTours.com

Colleges and Technical Schools: (for a comprehensive and comparative list, see  GAcollege411.org)

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: http://www.abac.edu
Appalachian Technical College: http://www.appalachiantech.edu
Brenau University: http://www.brenau.edu
Dalton State College: http://www.daltonstate.edu
Devry University: http://www.devry.edu
Gainesville State College: http://www.gsc.edu
Kennesaw State University: http://www.kennesaw.edu
Lanier Technical College: http://www.laniertech.edu
North Georgia College & State University: http://www.ngcsu.edu
North Georgia Technical College: http://www.northgatech.edu/
Piedmont College: http://www.piedmont.edu
Reinhardt College: http://www.reinhardt.edu
Toccoa Falls College: http://www.tfc.edu
Truett McConnell College: http://www.truett.edu
Young Harris College: http://www.yhc.edu

Job Search:
Department of Labor: http://www.dol.state.ga.us
CareerOneStop: http://www.CareerOneStop.org

Timelines for Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

9^th Grade:

• Set goals about attendance and completion of courses

• Visit your counselor and register on GAcollege411
• Start doing some career assessments
• Join SADD Club and attend monthly meetings
• Attend College Night in October
• Attend Career Night in February
• Work or volunteer to gain vocational experience

• Set goals about attendance and completion of courses
• Visit your counselor and register on GAcollege411
• >Continue doing some career assessments
• Join SADD Club and attend monthly meetings
• Attend College Night in October
• Take the PSAT in October
• Attend Career Night in February
• Work or volunteer to gain vocational experience

• Set goals about attendance and completion of courses
• Visit your counselor and register on GAcollege411
• Sign up to take the ASVAB in November
• Start research colleges or technical schools
• Sign up to take the SAT/ACT (see counselor for dates)
• Sign up to visit local technical college
• Join SADD Club and attend monthly meetings
• Consider doing a Job Shadow to learn more about a career
• Investigate dual enrollment to earn post-secondary credits while at MECHS
• Attend College Night in October
• Attend Career Night in February
• Work or volunteer to gain vocational experience

• Set goals about attendance and completion of courses
• Visit your counselor and register on GAcollege411
• Sign up to take the ASVAB in November
• Start research colleges or technical schools
• Sign up to take the SAT/ACT (see counselor for dates)
• Sign up to visit local technical colleges
• Join SADD Club and attend monthly meetings
• Consider doing a Job Shadow to learn more about a career
• Investigate dual enrollment to earn post-secondary credits while at MECHS
• Attend College Night in October
• Start applying to colleges; visit campuses, if possible
• Complete FASFA application for government grants in January
• Attend Career Night in February
• Complete all requirements for graduation (EOCT, GHSGT, etc.)
• Work or volunteer to gain vocational experience
• Order graduation announcements, caps and gowns, etc.