The SFCA counseling department provides comprehensive direction from high school acceptance to graduation and college enrollment. With a college preparatory high school program of studies, our emphasis is on academic achievement and college placement.
A brief example of counseling activities includes:
8th Grade
- Conducting introductory meetings for all new families to include scheduling courses for students, providing information on the Honor Code, athletics, extracurricular activities, community service, and school regulations
- Supervising placement tests for new students
9th Grade
- Hosting individual meetings with freshman each fall to discuss transition to high school
- Advising students on course selection each spring
10th Grade
- Conduct PSAT testing
- Direct classroom presentation that includes completion of an abbreviated interest inventory
- Host individual meetings each spring to discuss career planning and to advise students on course selection
11th Grade
- Conduct PSAT testing
- Host college informational evening for students and parents
- Meet with individual students and families to discuss college selection process
12th Grade
- Host college application workshop for students and parents
- Host college financial aid evening
- Meet individually with students to discuss college applications
- U.S. News College Rankings
- The College Board
- Princeton Review
- Peterson’s Education Center
- College View
- Catholic Colleges
- Niche.com – Exploring Colleges on the “Best” lists
- College Confidential – Explore Colleges
- College Chances – Estimate your admissions chances at college
- College Scorecard – U.S. Department of Education
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now available! Please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete the FAFSA. Your parents/guardians will also be required to create an account to complete the family financial information portion of the FAFSA. For help, visit https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help
If you are beginning college in summer 2024, you must also complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA.
FloridaShines is offering a FREE WEBINAR on Feb 20th about the new FAFSA!
There are still opportunities to earn your target score on the SAT/ACT this Spring.
Juniors, it is important that you have test scores by the end of this spring so that you’ll be prepared to send scores to colleges when you apply this fall!
Eastside High School serves as the Gainesville test center for the weekend digital SAT. Eastside High School and Gainesville High School serve as test centers for the ACT.
Digital SAT Registration: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/test-center-search
ACT Registration: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
Students must apply for the Bright Futures Scholarships by submitting the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31, after high school graduation. If a student does not apply for the scholarship by the deadline, they forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship!
Guidance Office personnel submit the necessary transcript information to the Florida Department of Education for any student who may be eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarships. Students are periodically given information regarding this award and are encouraged to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their academic subjects. Specific requirements for this program are listed below: