We offer several programs and services for academic support! Read more. 

College and career planning information and resources are provided below to assist students to explore and plan for their future.

Contact the career specialist or school counselor for additional information. Click on the following links:

• Career Exploration
• Florida Options
• The U.S. Military
• Useful Links

We encourage students to read Choosing a College When You Can’t Visit Campus (A Guide for Students).

College Planning Checklists

A college planning checklist helps a student know what to do each year of high school. High school counselors, career specialists, and graduation enhancement teachers are available to help guide students.

The College Board provides the following checklists to students and families:

• College Planning: 9th/10th Grade
• College Planning: 11th Grade
• College Planning: 12th Grade

Dual enrollment is an acceleration program that allows Florida’s secondary students to take post-secondary classes to earn credit toward a high school diploma, and a career certificate, an industry certification, or an associate or baccalaureate degree at a Florida public or eligible private institution.

Dual Enrollment courses vary in credits, reference the high school course equivalency lists below for more information.

• Dual Enrollment High School Course Equivalency Academic List
• Dual Enrollment High School Course Equivalency Career and Technical List

You may wish to review the Dual Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions, provided by the Florida Department of Education.

Eligibility

Students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be enrolled as a student in a Florida public or nonpublic secondary school (grades 6-12), or in a home education program;
• Have a 3.0 unweighted high school grade point average (GPA) to enroll in college credits, or a 2.0 unweighted high school GPA to enroll in career dual enrollment courses;
• For college credits, achieve a minimum score on a common placement test
• Meet any additional eligibility criteria specified by the postsecondary institution in the Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement; and
• Not be scheduled to graduate from high school prior to the completion of the dual enrollment course.

Early Admission

An early admission is a form of dual enrollment permitting high school students to enroll in college or career courses on a full-time basis. As with all dual enrollment programs, students earn both high school and college/career credits for courses completed.

Registration by Term

Please visit the District School Board of Pasco County’s Dual Enrollment web page for current information.

Students are encouraged to review the Student Online Dual Enrollment Request Form.

Special Note: Completion of the Student Orientation online is also REQUIRED for all dual enrollment students. Students who have not completed this course will not be able to register. Visit https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/dual-enrollment  to access directions on how to complete the orientation.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid is money provided by various agencies (federal, state, and local governments, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, and private corporations or individuals) to help students meet the costs of attending college. It includes gift aid (grants and scholarships) and self-help (loans and student employment).

• Scholarships are based on academic or athletic achievement, but financial need may also be considered. Scholarships are considered gift aid because they do not have to be paid back. Scholarships are awarded by states, institutions, departments, private companies and individuals.
• Grants are gift aid awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Grants do not have to be repaid.
• Student loan programs offer long-term, low-interest educational loans, which may allow students to defer repayment until after graduation, withdrawal or termination of attendance. Students must file the FAFSA to be considered for any federal loan program.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Paying for college is not always easy. College costs rise every year and many students and families need some form of financial assistance to help pay these costs. The following suggestions will help facilitate the financial aid process.

• Students should contact their high school counselor to inquire about federal, state and other sources of student financial assistance programs.
• Students should complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA), available online at FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, to be considered for State of Florida student financial aid programs, including the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications to access this application which opens on October 1.
• Students should contact the institution they want to attend and request a financial aid application packet. The packet will provide them with information about the financial aid programs the school offers and the forms they will need to complete.
• Some colleges will request that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at fafsa.ed.gov. Some colleges will also require completion of other forms. Be sure to contact the college to inquire about other forms that the financial aid office may require.
• If possible, students should apply for federal financial aid beginning in October before the academic year they plan to begin college. A late application may reduce the amount of money the student ultimately receives. Some programs, however, such as the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Stafford Loan, are open for application throughout the year.
  • Students can obtain part-time employment to assist in meeting their college costs and, if possible, gain work experience in a field related to their chosen profession. Jobs may or may not require special skills.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Requirements and Award Amounts

Up-to-date information about Florida Bright Futures can be found on the Florida Student Financial Aid website. Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to change with each legislative session so a student will want to continue to monitor the above website.

Community Service Hours

Students at GHS are not “required” to complete community service hours for graduation but community service hours are required to be eligible for earning a Bright Futures scholarship from the State of Florida and additionally, to many other scholarships. 

Please visit the following two resources:

• Community Service and Volunteering
• Community Service Proposal and Log

Students are encouraged to contact Ann Donlon, career specialist, to get some ideas of places to volunteer and discuss their proposal ahead of time.

Check Student Status

FloridaShines is a website that provides assistance to Florida students with college and career planning.  Within the website is the ability to check Bright Futures status. 

Note: The State will only update the students status each February and July.  Any changes that occur in a student’s record or with their number of volunteer hours will not reflect on this site until the net February or July depending on when the changes occurred or the hours were submitted to their school counselor.

Local Scholarships

 The Scholarship Scoop web page provides a monthly scholarship newsletter that contains a listing of the available local scholarships with applicable deadlines. Also, there are downloadable local scholarship applications. Students are encouraged to apply, apply and apply! Contact Ann Donlon, career specialist, for additional information.

Useful Links

• College Board Opportunity Scholarships
• FloridaShines Pay for College
• FloridaShines Financial Aid
• ACT Financial Aid Checklist

Gulf High School student services staff provide a wide array of support services for students and families. The student services program is designed to promote academic achievement by removing social and emotional barriers to success. The student services team works collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure equity, access and positive outcomes of all students.