FAQ - Guided Pathway Support Program

FAQ's

Eligibility

Am I eligible for the Guided Pathway Support Program?

To be eligible for the RBS GPS Program, you must:

Be a rising high school junior or senior;
Have a strong A-B academic record;
Have demonstrated leadership and active involvement at school and/or in the community; and
Identify as African-American

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to apply for the RBS GPS Program?

No, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply for the Guided Pathway Support Program.

Are home-schooled students eligible to participate in the Guided Pathway Support Program?

Yes, home-schooled students are eligible.

How much does it cost to participate in the Guided Pathway Support Program?

The Guided Pathway Support Program is free.

Application & Deadline Requirements

What should I submit to complete my application?

To complete the Guided Pathway Support Program application, submit each of the following:

the online application form and
upload an unofficial high school transcript.

Standardized exam scores and academic resume are optional.

I don't have time to order an official transcript. What should I do?

Unofficial transcripts are eligible for submission and are preferred.

I only have an official transcript. Can I still submit it for review?

Yes. Although we only require unofficial transcripts, those students who submit an official transcript will not be penalized.

What is an unofficial transcript?

An unofficial transcript is a student-copy of their transcript and is not considered official. It does not include a high school seal or registrar’s signature. If you have any questions on whether or not your transcript is official or unofficial, please contact your high school’s academic office to make sure it is unofficial.

The application asks for my test scores. Should my test scores be official?

No. Your test scores should not be official. Just indicate on the application what score you got on the test(s) you have taken.

I have accidentally provided the wrong email address! What should I do?

If you have not received a confirmation email for your login in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you are unsure whether you submitted the wrong email, go to the GPS home page, click Register for Free to access your saved application, and change the email address. For further assistance, email gpsprogram@ronbrown.org.

Application Submission Procedures

The dates/times associated with my submitted material seem to be a few hours off. Why is this?

This happens when we are unaware of your local time zone. Please set your time zone in your account settings page.

I would like to submit my completed application by mail. To what address should I send it?

Applications must be submitted online.

Can I fax or email my application?

Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to accept faxed or emailed applications or any part of the application.

How can I expect to be notified after I submit my application?

Applicants are notified by email and mail within four to six weeks after submitting a complete application.

Selection

How many applicants will the Guided Pathway Support Program select?

Students will be selected on a competitive basis. The Guided Pathway Support Program is not limited to a minimum or maximum number of participants to accept.

What does the committee look for when selecting students for the Guided Pathway Support Program?

The Guided Pathway Support Program seeks African American high school juniors and seniors who are active at school or in their community.

Is selection for the Guided Pathway Support Program the same as selection for the Ron Brown scholarship?

No, selection to participate for the Guided Pathway Support Program is not the same as selection for the Ron Brown scholarship. To apply for the Ron Brown scholarship, please visit www.ronbrown.org.

Managing Your Online Account

Where do I make my account?

You can make a new account by going to the home page here and clicking on the “Sign Up” button. Once you’ve completed the instructions you should be able to login from the home page. If you have any further questions you can follow the step-by-step process on how to make a new account here.

How do I create a new account?

Go to the GPS home page at rbsgps.com.
Click the green “Apply or Sign in to GPS” button in the top right corner.
Click “Create a New GPS Account”
On the next page, please provide the requested information and click the “Create Account” button.
You should receive an email that grants access to your new account shortly.

How do I activate my account?

Upon creating an account you should have received an email to the provided email address. This email will have instructions on how to activate your account. If you cannot see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder.

I still have not received an email to activate my account. What should I do?

If you did not receive your confirmation email in your inbox, check your spam folder.

How do I reset my password?

After you have created and saved your account, you should get an email which explains how to reset your email. Please check your inbox and spam folder.

By resetting my password will I lose all my work?

No, resetting your password will not delete all of your work. You will have the same saved information for your application, but your password will just be different.

How do I access the GPS Workplace platform?

After a student has been accepted to the Guided Pathway Support Program, the student and their parent on record can access the GPS online community by entering their email addresses: (1) at gps.workplace.com; (2) after clicking Sign In on the GPS home page; or (3) using the link in your acceptance email. Only invited guests, accepted students, and parents of accepted students may access the community. For further assistance, please email gpsprogram@ronbrown.org.