GSCA 2026 Annual Conference

* * Account Login is required in order to register for conference * *

Included in this year's conference fee:

• Access to over 50 informative sessions and interactive Exhibit Hall
• Downloadable Professional Development Form (to be self-submitted by attendee)
• President's Reception
• Probe Party
• Awards Ceremony
• Conference T-shirt (size requested & availability guaranteed for those registered by 9/29).

Payment and Cancellation Policies

Please review the above information carefully.  Once registration is submitted, changes must be requested by emailing info@gaschoolcounselor.org

** Important Payment Information ** 

GSCA does not accept Purchase Orders as payment.

If you are paying by check, check must be received by the GSCA office no later than 10/22/26.

Payments by credit card should be completed no later than 11/9/26 to allow for a faster check-in at the Conference.  

Our conference app from 2025 will return this year!  It will include the Schedule of Sessions, Presenter information and much more.   All registrants will be given instructions on how to access the app prior to coming to the Conference.


The 2026 Conference Team looks forward to welcoming you to Augusta!

Details regarding Pre-conference sessions will be posted in early June

All Pre-Conference will be On Wednesday, November 11. 
Sessions are run concurrently and registrants can only attend one session.  Sessions will be announced by early June.

There is an additional charge to attend a pre-conference session.  Rates are listed on the 2026 Pricing page. 

If you have already registered for the conference and wish to register for a pre-conference session, please e-mail info@gaschoolcounselor.org for assistance.

The Schedule of Selected Sessions will be published the first week of August.

Headquarters Hotel

Augusta Marriott Convention Center
2 10th Street
Augusta, GA 30901
706-722-8900

• Rooms are $175 (plus taxes and fees). Rooms are subject to availability. 
• The last day to book at the group rate is October 20, subject to availability.
• Valet parking for hotel guests is $25/day. Self-parking is $7/day.

BOOK YOUR ROOM AT THE AUGUSTA MARRIOTT

The main hotel website can be seen here.

Information for GSCA Conference Attendees

All 2026 conference attendees can download a Professional Development Form from the conference app during the Conference.  The form can also be accessed on the web after the Conference. (your login from the app is required to access the form on the web).

• After the conference, attendees will be responsible for downloading and completing the form, indicating which sessions and events have been attended.
• At the conclusion of the conference, attendees will sign and date the form.  If you would like the office to retain a copy of your form, you may upload it using this link (Link will be available after conference ends).
• Credit Hours available at the 2026 Conference - TBA 
  • Up to TBA hours for pre-conference attendance (additional fee to attend one of these sessions)
  • Up to TBA hours for general and concurrent sessions (subject to change based on final conference schedule).

The Professional Development form can also be access on the web version of the app up to 3 months after the Conference. (your login from the app is required to access the form on the web).

Attendees are responsible for self-submitting to the appropriate credentialing body.  GSCA does not provide certificates of conference attendance. 

If you would like GSCA to keep a back up copy of your completed form, you can upload it here.

National Certified School Counselors (NCSC):  NCSCs are board certified counselors who offer the highest standards of practice for schools and students because they have met stringent education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements in school counseling.  For details, please click the links below:
General Information
Continuing Education Information & to Download Submission Form

Licensed Professional Counselors in Georgia:  For details, please click the links below:
General Information
State of Georgia Application for Reinstatement (from State Board Website, form version March 2017)

Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC):  GaPSC was created by the Georgia General Assembly on July 1, 1991, to assume full responsibility for the preparation, certification, and professional conduct of certified personnel employed in the Georgia public schools.  Professional learning for the purpose of certificate renewal in Georgia is described in Certification Rule 505-2-.36, Renewal Requirements. This rule outlines the basic requirements that professional learning must be job-embedded, done on a continuous basis, and done while working with colleagues in a professional learning community.  For more information, please click below:
Professional Learning for Certificate Renewal

Questions? Please contact info@gaschoolcounselor.org

Request Employer Funding

Sample Letter to request funding

Grants

GSCA is able to offer grants for GSCA members to attend the annual conference.  A total of $2,500 will be granted, up to $500 per person.  Selected applicants will receive reimbursement for their conference registration and lodging. Mileage and food are not eligible for reimbursement.

Scholarships are non-transferable. If a recipient cannot attend, then the committee will make the decision to select another recipient.

• Must be a GSCA member by the date of application
• Must register and pay for the conference by the date of application

• Prior recipients must wait a minimum of five years before becoming eligible to apply again

Timeline

• Grant application opens with the launch of conference registration
• September 29 (early bird deadline) - deadline to join/renew membership, register and pay for the conference and apply for the grant. 
  
• On or About October 31:  notification of recipients
• November 15: deadline for submission of receipts for grant reimbursement
  

Apply for the Attendance Grant

Dr. Wayne Huey Past Presidents’ Scholarship

This scholarship aims to connect the past with the future. A key element will be to connect recipients with past presidents of GSCA. Our hope with this scholarship is to also emphasize some of the things Dr. Huey embodied during his career. 1. A commitment to student agency and equity. 2. A dedication to the school counseling profession. 3. The nurturing that is required for leadership.

Eligibility:

Students in any of the following Master’s in School Counseling programs in good academic standing according to the institution. Students may only apply ONCE during their program. *(Clark Atlanta will have an additional opportunity to apply because it is a 3-year program). These were the programs available at the time of the writing of the proposal.

1. Albany State
2. Augusta University 
3. Clark Atlanta* 
4. Columbus State 
5. Fort Valley 
6. Georgia Southern
7. Georgia State
8. Mercer
9. University of Georgia
10. University of West Georgia
11. Valdosta State

Deadline to Apply is September 1

Read More and Apply for the Wayne Huey Scholarship

Payment

Renewing members must pay membership dues within 30 days of the start of the dues year (by August 1). New or lapsed members must pay within 30 days of invoicing (Net 30). Non-payment on these timelines will result in cancellation of membership.

If you register for conference at the member rate, your membership monies must also be received per the above paragraph or by the advanced registration deadline, whichever comes first, or you will be re-invoiced for conference at the non-member rate.

Purchase orders cannot be provided as a promise to pay in order to gain entry to this conference. If you have not paid upon arriving at conference, regardless of whether a purchase order has been sent, you will be asked to provide a personal credit card.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations made prior to the Early Bird registration deadline are allowed without penalty.

Cancellations between the Early Bird and the Advanced registration deadline will be subject to a 25% processing and administrative fee for general attendees. Presenters cancelling their registration after the Early Bird deadline will not be eligible for refund. Additionally, no cancellations of ancillary registration items are allowed after the Early Bird Deadline.

No cancellation and/or refund requests are granted after the Advanced registration deadline. Appeals for exception to this policy for extreme circumstances such as death in the family, car accident, jury duty, etc. must be received by the close of the event and will be reviewed by the Executive Board after the event with decision notification being sent within 30 days of the last day of the event.

All cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing via email to info@gaschoolcounselor.org.

Individual refunds will not be given to individuals whose fees have been paid by their school systems; these refunds will be sent directly to the school system.

Presenter Policy

GSCA places a high value on the skill and expertise of its presenters, and views their participation as integral to the success of the conference. GSCA strongly encourages presenters to attend and participate for the entirety of the conference. As such, all presenters are required to register for the conference. The Content Chair may grant waivers in this policy if the request and rationale is received by the Early Bird registration deadline.

Individuals who have not registered and paid for the conference, or submitted an appeal to the Content Chair, by the Early Bird registration deadline are subject to removal from the conference schedule.

Additionally, Presenters who do not show up for their scheduled session and do not provide notification to the Content Chair or President may be subject to barring from future programs.

Presenters canceling their registration after the Early Bird deadline will not be eligible for refund.

As a reminder to all presenters, GSCA prohibits the use of selling or marketing company and / or products during presentations. The presentations are dedicated to the sharing of innovative ideas and strategies, strengthening learning objectives, and providing opportunities for audience participation.

Please click here for presenter audio/visual requirements. (information for presenters will be linked by September)

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding your registration, please contact the GSCA office. 

You can reach us at (770) 971-6002 or info@gaschoolcounselor.org.  A staff member will respond within two business days. 

During registration you will be asked to agree to the following:

GSCA Liability Waiver

I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, illness, death or property damage which I may have now or in the future as a result of attending this conference. This release is given in consideration of my attendance and is intended to discharge GSCA (including its officers, employees, and agents) from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my attendance and participation in the conference, even though that liability may arise out of the negligence of the entities listed above. It is further agreed that this waiver, release, and discharge shall be binding on my estate, heirs, and assigns.

GSCA Photograhy Waiver

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, GSCA meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to GSCA's use and distribution (now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.

GSCA Images Waiver

I hereby grant the Georgia School Counselor Association, its directors, officers, agents, and designees (collectively “GSCA”) non-revocable permission to capture my image and likeness in photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other media (collectively “Images”). I acknowledge that GSCA will own such Images and further grant the GSCA permission to copyright, display, publish, distribute, use, modify, print and reprint such Images in any manner whatsoever related to GSCA business, including without limitation, publications, advertisements, brochures, web site images, or other electronic displays and transmissions thereof. I further waive any right to inspect or approve the use of the Image by the GSCA prior to its use. I forever release and hold the GSCA harmless from any and all liability arising out of the use of the Images in any manner or media whatsoever, and waive any and all claims and causes of action relating to use of the Images, including without limitation, claims for invasion of privacy rights or publicity.

The Call for Proposals is Closed

Do you have innovative ideas and strategies to share with your fellow counselors throughout the state? Why not present a program at the 2026 Annual Conference in Augusta, GA, November 11-13.  Submit a program proposal today!

This year’s theme is This year’s theme is "School Counselors Making an Imprint on Future Generations". 

School counselors play a vital role in empowering students to take charge of their academic, social, and emotional journeys. As we prepare for this year's conference, we are seeking dynamic and engaging proposals that highlight innovative strategies, best practices, and impactful programs that help students navigate and thrive in their educational experiences.

We invite educators and school counselors to submit proposals that align with our theme, focusing on topics such as:

• Academic Success Strategies: Innovative approaches to college and career readiness, closing achievement gaps, and supporting diverse learners
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Mental Health: Programs and interventions that foster resilience, emotional regulation, and well-being in students
• Equity & Inclusion:  Strategies to create inclusive school environments and advocate for all students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds
• Engagement & Leadership: Ways to empower students as leaders, self-advocates, and active participants in shaping their educational experiences
• Collaboration & Partnerships:  Effective ways to engage families, educators, and community stakeholders to enhance student support

We invite proposals from school counselors, administrators, educators, and mental health professionals who are committed to equipping students with essential tools, as we embrace the theme "School Counselors Making an Imprint on Future Generations." Together, let’s share insights, spark meaningful change, and strengthen our collective impact in guiding students for generations to come.

Deadline to submit your proposal: April 30, 2026.  Extended to May 7, 2026
Acceptance decisions emailed to submitters: Late July

For questions regarding proposal content, please email proposal@gaschoolcounselor.org.

For general conference questions, please email info@gaschoolcounselor.org.

What Information Do You Need to Submit Your Proposal?

Proposals are submitted through ProposalSpace.com.   For new users, please create an account.  For returning users, please update your existing account rather than create a new one.   All users, be sure to add proposalspace.com to your email list of safe entities.  It is important that your ProposalSpace account be correct:  the email address Proposal Space uses to send you important messages about your proposal (acceptance, scheduling) is stored in your user profile, not what you list in the proposal submission.  To update your email address in your account profile:

• Please log in to your ProposalSpace.com account
• Click your name in the top right-hand corner
• Click "Edit My Account Details" on the right-hand side
• Update and click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page
• For assistance with resetting your password or other edits to your account on on ProposalSpace contact support@proposalspace.com. 
• For questions regarding proposal content, please email proposal@gaschoolcounselor.org.
• For general conference questions, please email info@gaschoolcounselor.org

View the Proposal Worksheet

For information on how proposals are evaluated, please download the Evaluation Rubric

Presenter Registration Policy

GSCA places a high value on the skill and expertise of its presenters and views their participation as integral to the success of the conference. GSCA strongly encourages presenters to attend and participate in the entirety of the conference. As such, all presenters are required to register for the conference.

Individuals who have not registered and paid for the conference, or submitted an appeal to the Content Chair, by the Early Bird registration deadline are subject to removal from the conference schedule.

Additionally, Presenters who do not show up for their scheduled session and do not provide notification to the Content Chair or President may be subject to barring from future programs.

GSCA's FAQ Page