Wendy Hanson

The application process can be a daunting task for students who want to become the first in their families to go to college.

In Chickamauga, Ga., families of Gordon Lee High School students are learning the ins and outs of the college application process today during "Georgia Apply to College Week," a statewide effort to help first-timers complete the process online, officials said.

Whitfield Career Academy in Dalton, Ga., will hold the same event Thursday.

The program is "especially geared toward first-in-family or first-generation college students who often need extra help and guidance through the process," said Wendy Hanson, school counselor at the Whitfield Career Academy.

Parents of first-generation college students usually have no experience with the application process and need help sifting through some of the financial aid plans and programs, Ms. Hanson said.

"'Apply to College Week' is a chance to really focus on it for one day," she said.

Chickamauga City Schools spokeswoman Jenny Vowell said 108 Gordon Lee seniors will attend today's event. Volunteers will help them fill out applications in the morning. In the afternoon, there will be a discussion forum on college life and expectations, career plans, scholarships and financial aid, she said.

"Some of the colleges have waived their application fees, and some have reduced their application fees," Ms. Vowell said.

"We're not sure they'll get this opportunity again, so we are really asking them to take advantage of it," she said.

Jennifer Phinney, the Whitfield Career Academy's assistant principal, said about 180 seniors will participate Thursday.

Officials at both schools said they set a goal for all seniors to apply to at least one college during the event.