Post-secondary FAQ

How can I learn more about the college application process?

Information about the college application process can be found in our College Application Handbook, on our Google Classroom page, and on websites such as Naviance and the College Board.

How can I make an appointment or speak with a College and Career Counselor at FHHS?

Students are welcome to come to the College and Career Office during their lunch period or at the end of their day for support. If a parent would like to make an appointment, they can email anyone of the College and Career Counselors and/or call the main office at: 718-748-1537 (Ext 1016) to schedule an appointment.

What opportunities are available to volunteer or get professional experience during high school?

At Fort Hamilton High School, we have a Fort Shadowing Program, which offers students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers in different industries to determine whether or not they would like to continue pursuing that career and gain experience for future employment. Students have a variety of options such as attending a presentation with a guest speaker, career day events, workplace tours, informational interviews (virtual and in person), job shadowing, internship/volunteer positions and/or work experience.

What should my child do if they aren’t sure what career or college they want to pursue?

The best approach is to help them identify their core interests, values, and preferred lifestyle, then researching careers that match those. They can also take general education and elective classes for up to the first two years of college until they decide what they would like to major in.

What is the best school to apply to?

There is no “best school.” Instead, the question is: which school is best for you? Everyone has different wants and needs; therefore, it is important to research schools to see which schools have most of their wants and needs. (For example: the desired major, school size, location, cost, sports, clubs, supportive opportunities available, etc.)

What are the GPA requirements for applying to college?

There is no universal GPA requirement for college admission. Each college establishes its own admissions criteria, and expectations can vary from one college to another. When researching colleges, students should consider not only a school's academic requirements but also its level of selectivity. Colleges with lower acceptance rates (typically anything 20% or lower) are generally more competitive and may have higher expectations for academic performance, coursework, and extracurricular involvement. Naviance is a great tool that we use to assist students in researching and looking for colleges. You will be able to review college admission, selectivity via Naviance. Students are encouraged to review the acceptance rates of colleges they are considering as this information will help students to create a balanced college application list that includes target, safety and reach schools. Finally, we always remind students that college will look at everything during the admissions process and will consider factors beyond a GPA, for example course rigor, standardized test scores (if applicable), extracurricular involvement, essays, letters of recommendation, and personal circumstances.

CUNY Admissions Profile

SUNY Admissions Profile

What if my child has a low GPA, can they still get into college?

Yes! A lower GPA does not prevent a student from pursuing a college education. The key is identifying colleges that are a good fit and ensuring that the student presents the strongest possible application. While GPA is an important factor in the admissions process, colleges typically review applications holistically. Admissions officers often consider additional factors such as course rigor, standardized test scores (where applicable), extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, essays, letters of recommendation, and evidence of academic growth over time. If there are extenuating circumstances that contributed to a student's academic performance, colleges generally provide opportunities for applicants to share that context as part of the application process. Students should also remember that there are multiple ways to earn a bachelor's degree. Community colleges can serve as an excellent starting point, allowing students to strengthen their academic record before transferring to a four-year institution. For example, a student who would like to attend Binghamton University (SUNY) but does not initially meet the university's admission requirements may choose to enroll at Broome Community College (SUNY), earn strong grades and later transfer to Binghamton University. For many students, this pathway provides a successful and cost-effective route to achieving their educational goals.

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?

Early Decision and Early Action applications can be beneficial to students who have carefully considered their college options and have a clear preference for one institution. Early Decision is a binding agreement, so a student who is accepted through ED must attend the college. On the other hand, Early Action is not binding. Students can weigh other options and do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1st.

What is the difference between Regular Decision and Rolling Admission?

Students may also apply to college via Regular Decision as well as Rolling Admission. Applications for Regular Decision are typically due around January. Rolling decision applications will vary and college admissions will review applications as they receive them.

How can I request my transcript be sent to colleges?

The College and Career Office has a Transcript Request Form that must be completed by all students to indicate which colleges they are applying to and where they need their transcript sent. If a student attended another high school (that was not a NYC Department of Education public school), they need to bring a copy of that transcript (with a translation, if applicable) to the College and Career Office so it can be submitted to the colleges as well.

How many letters of recommendation do I need for college applications?

Most colleges require 1-2 academic letters of recommendation, however that requirement may vary by college, so it is important to review the application requirements for all the colleges you are applying to. It is recommended that students ask two teachers for letters of recommendation. Some colleges may also require a letter from a guidance counselor.

What scholarships are available for college?

There are many different types of scholarships available for students who are applying to college. Some include: Financial Aid (FAFSA, TAP, Excelsior, Work-study, The Dream Act), Merit (for students with a high GPA/academic profile) and Need-based (for low-income families) Scholarships, School/Field of Study or Career Specific, Identity/Underrepresented Group Specific, and Private Scholarships (offered by private businesses/organizations/individuals).

What is the Difference between CSS Profile, FAFSA and Tap?

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile, and TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) are the three primary financial aid applications used by college students to help cover educational costs. They differ significantly in who issues them, how they calculate need, and the type of funding they provide.

FAFSA is the universal, federally mandated form required to access federal, state, and institutional financial aid.What it covers: Federal grants (e.g., Pell Grant), federal work-study, and low-interest federal student loans.
CSS Profile is a highly detailed, supplemental financial aid application created and administered by the College Board. It covers institutional aid which refers to grants, scholarships, and funds directly from the specific college or university.
TAP is a specific, state-funded grant program for New York State residents only. It covers grants to help pay for tuition at approved colleges and universities within New York State. It requires students to be New York State residents attending a SUNY, CUNY, or participating private in-state college.

What are the requirements needed for financial aid?

Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or eligible noncitizen (e.g., green card holder)
Education Level: Have a high school diploma, a recognized equivalent like a GED, or have completed a state-approved homeschool program.
Program Enrollment: Be accepted or enrolled as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program at a qualifying college or career school.
Academic Standing: Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) once you are enrolled in college.

Why do financial aid applications need parents’ information?

Financial aid applications require parent financial information because many students are considered dependent on their parents for financial support. Typically, parent and student financial information is used to assess a family’s overall financial circumstances to determine a student’s eligibility for need based financial aid. This information is used to calculate a student's financial need and determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional grants, scholarships, work-study programs and student loans. Students with unique family circumstances, such as homelessness, foster care involvement, legal guardianship, or unusual family situations, may qualify for special consideration. In these cases, students should contact the college's financial aid office for guidance and support throughout the application process.

What information do parents need to provide for financial aid applications?

Parents will need to provide their proof of income or tax return from 2 years prior, their social security/permanent resident number if applicable, and spousal information. Parents will also have to create their own account on the FAFSA Application website in addition to the student’s account.

If I do not qualify for financial aid, what other options are there to pay for college?

Other options to pay for college include but are not limited to merit and need based scholarships, student loans, opportunity programs and work-study programs.

List of Senior Events & Activities:

The College Application Process Class Presentation (September/October)
CUNY Application Workshops in all senior Social Studies classes
College and Career Fair (October/April)
Career Day (December)
FAFSA Information Night/ FAFSA Completion Night (December/January)
College Trips/Tours (Ongoing)
Informational Session Presentations from Careers, Schools, and Opportunity Programs (Ongoing)
Fort Shadowing Career Events (Ongoing)
Decision Day (May)
Senior Awards Night (June)
Graduation (June)