community
gwinnettdailypost.com
SECTION C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015
spotlight on education
COLLEGE READY? HOW
WHEN
Seasoned parents: Start application process early on By Keith Farner
the process. “Following up with them, showing them you’re Leigh Ann Sweney has really interested in their one word to describe the school, you care,” Chip college application prosaid. “It sort of sets you cess: Overwhelming. apart that a student’s taking “It’s almost like a little initiative.” part-time job for a period While a traditional of time,” said Sweney, four-year college degree is co-president of the Duluth not for everyone, and the High PTSA, whose chilpath to a doctorate is not dren, Caroline and Jack, required, or even desired in are a college freshman and some cases, Jessica Smith a high school sophomore. encourages high school “It’s very much like apply- students to achieve some ing for a job. You want to type of certification or stand out, you want to go degree after high school. for the acceptances, and “You do really want to then choose.” get something done after When the family high school,” said Smith, a planned for Caroline, a counselor at Duluth High. Duluth High alumnus and “The more education you student at Georgia College obtain, it does correlate to Ante Williams of the Georgia Student Finance Commission speaks to a crowd of students and parents recently at and State University, Leigh a couple of things. One, it’s Duluth High about options to pay for college. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner) Ann said they focused on a higher earning potential, her major of study, costs of and the other is less likelischools where she would hood of unemployment.” be accepted, enrollment A large majority of and distance from home. jobs continue to need at “There’s so much out least some type of skilled there, it’s easy to get lost,” training, especially by Leigh Ann said. “I made a when current high school plan, and worked the plan. students will be graduating It’s very time-consuming, or entering the workforce. By Keith Farner February or early March. lege411.org, has plenty of “Look at different and there’s really no way “There really is a plan keith.farner And tax forms are needed resources for scholarship scholarships outside around it.” for every single student, @gwinnettdailypost.com to determine eligibility. options, Williams encour- of what you see on the That plan was to finish and as long as you have an Williams works for the aged students to think screen,” Williams said. testing by the end of her idea of what you want to DULUTH — Ante Georgia Student Finance creatively for scholar“Start looking at things junior year, have applicado, we can help you find Williams has one reason Commission, and remind- ships. Start looking at that relate to your own tions out by August or the appropriate course of why high school students ed students recently at a Coca-Cola or Xerox, or interests, or your own September trying for early study,” Smith said. should encourage their Duluth High College and other major companies characteristics.” acceptances by Christmas For every job where parents to finish this Career Night that the Free that offer scholarships. If you’re 4-foot-11 or of the senior year, and to a doctoral or advanced year’s taxes: Financial Application for Federal Look in local comshorter, there are scholar- apply for scholarships in degree was required, there aid. Student Aid, or FAFSA, munities where in Gwin- ships, Williams said. A January and February. would be two jobs where Deadlines for some col- scholarship deadlines are nett, for example, sevDuct Tape scholarship is Leigh Ann’s husband, just a four-year degree was leges and universities pri- fast approaching. eral electric membership also out there. Chip, added that taking required, and seven jobs ority financial aid appliWhile his organizacorporations that offer initiative with schools’ adcations are at the end of tion’s website, gacolscholarships. See PAY, Page 2C missions personnel helped See APPLY, Page 2C
Tips on paying for college Beyond loans: Don’t overlook niche scholarships
keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com