Frequently Asked Questions
Need to know how to update your SSAR?
FAQs
You have questions. We have answers.
SSAR is a self-reported student academic record that lists all courses and associated grades that have been attempted, or will be attempted, for high school and/or college credit. Since accuracy is critical, you must have a copy of your high school transcript available to use as a reference when you create your SSAR. Be sure to indicate any courses taken through an online school.
Applicants who have not followed an academic curriculum patterned after the U.S. system - must submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. This includes students who have attended an institution not patterned after the U.S. system for any length of time. All academic records not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, these credentials must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency. We recommend a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or International Education Credential Services provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
GED graduates - students must submit their official GED transcript, along with official partial high school transcript(s).
FAMU students can click the link in their application acknowledgment email or they can click the "LINK SSAR" Link within the iRattler Portal under your to-do list.
We recommend that you complete the SSAR after you set up your iRattler account. Your application for admission will not be reviewed until your application fee, SSAR, and Agency (ACT or SAT) submitted test scores have been received.
Yes, if they have followed an academic curriculum patterned after the traditional U.S. system. If the curriculum followed cannot be represented on the SSAR, we ask that you contact the Office of Admissions at ugrdadmissions@famu.edu or call 850.599.3796 for further instruction.
Yes, you will complete the SSAR. Students that have graduated from high school will list all of their coursework and all final grades on the SSAR. Then you will need to request a Final HS Transcript that includes your graduation date to be sent to our office.
If you choose not to use the SSAR system, you will need to request an official High School transcript. If you have any questions please contact the Office of Admissions at ugrdadmissions@famu.edu or call 850.599.3796.
Yes. Every academic course that you have attempted for high school credit while in middle school/junior high school must be listed on the SSAR.
The SSAR collects grades on a semester basis. Please refer to the following examples to guide your grade submission. If your high school transcript has:
- Only semester grades: enter your semester grades as shown on your transcript.
- Only final grades: enter the final grade twice (first semester and second semester) for yearlong courses (one credit), and once for semester-long courses (1/2 credit). For example, if you earned a grade of B in Algebra I which is a yearlong course (1 credit), enter that grade twice (first semester and second semester).
- Both semester grades and final grades: use the final grade. For example, if you took Algebra I earning an A in the first semester and a B in the second semester with your final grade being a B, enter a grade of B twice (first semester and second semester).
- Both trimester grades and final grades: use the final grade. If the course is yearlong, enter the final grade twice. If the course is only for one trimester, enter the grade in either the first or second semester.
- Block scheduling: you are completing a yearlong course (one credit) in one semester and a semester-long course (1/2 credit) in nine weeks. A one-credit course will be entered twice (first semester and second semester), and a 1/2 credit course will be entered once.
- Dual-enrollment courses: you must self-report all college courses' grades listed on your transcript. If your course is one credit in high school, enter the grade twice (first semester and second semester). If your course is 1/2 credit, enter the grade once.
- Numerical grades: you must convert to A-F grades using your high school grading scale.
If your transcript does not fall into one of the above categories, please email the Office of Admissions at ugrdadmissions@famu.edu or call 850.599.3796 for further instruction.
Since we encourage applicants to apply early in their senior year, you should list your courses and enter the grades as "In Progress" if you have not yet earned grades associated with them.
If your schedule changes, you must immediately update your SSAR. To make changes to the SSAR, simply log in to the SSAR website with the email address and password used to create your original SSAR.
You will record the course and grade in the preceding school year. For example, if you took a course between the 9th and 10th grades, you would enter the course in the 9th grade.
Pluses and minuses are not used in the admission review process and cannot be entered in the SSAR. Grades will be reported as A, B, C, D, and F. For example, grades of B+ and B- are treated as a B grade, and should be listed on the SSAR as a B.
You should report all grades exactly as they are listed on your transcript. You will use the Course Level field on the SSAR to indicate the type of course (e.g., honors, AP, dual enrollment, etc.).
You must self-report all college courses' grades listed on your transcript. If your course is one credit in high school, enter the grade twice (first semester and second semester). If your course is 1/2 credit, enter the grade once.
All attempted coursework must be listed on the SSAR. If you repeated a course, you must record both attempts. If you withdrew from a class before earning a grade, you must list the course and record the grade as withdrawn. The same is true for courses that you earned a grade of Pass or Fail.
You must list all attempts on your SSAR including repeats and withdrawals. The same is true for courses in which you earned a grade of Pass or Fail. Your SSAR must match exactly what is on your high school transcript.
You should list the high school you are graduating from and all of the appropriate courses regardless of how many different schools you attended. If you have attended multiple schools and the courses and grades are not reflected on your current high school transcript, you must obtain a copy of the transcript(s) from your previous school(s).
The SSAR website uses a database of names from College Board which may vary slightly from the everyday name of your school. When searching for your school, try to use variants of the official school name. For example, if you attended T.C. Central High School, enter "Central" in the search box. Make sure you select the correct state. If you still can't find your high school, you should contact the Office of Admissions at ugrdadmissions@famu.eduor call 850.599.3796 for further instruction.
Yes. We want your SSAR to be as accurate as possible. If you have corrections or your schedule changes, we encourage you to update your SSAR. To make changes, log in to the SSAR website with the email address and password used to create your original SSAR. After you have made your updates, you must press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the "Review/Submit" section of the SSAR. For step-by-step instructions on how to update your SSAR, CLICK HERE.
All students who are offered admission or deferred and all applicants who will receive a decision are required to update the SSAR with first semester grades. You will log in to the SSAR website with the email address and password used to create your original SSAR and enter your first semester (mid-year) grades.
All admitted students are required to update the SRAR with their final senior grades. You will log in to the SSAR website with the email address and password used to create your original SSAR. All admitted students who choose to enroll at Florida A&M University are also required to submit final official high school and college dual enrollment transcripts, so that the grades entered on their SSAR can be verified.
To re-lock your Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR), press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the "Review/Submit" section of the SSAR website. Once you click the "Submit" button, your SSAR will lock. If you do not re-lock your SSAR, your information will not be sent to Florida A&M University.
Provide the best estimation of the courses you will be taking when completing the SSAR. If your schedule changes, you must update the SSAR. If you are unable to update the SSAR, you must be in contact with the Office of Admissions at ugrdadmissions@famu.edu or call 850.599.3796. If the correct information is not listed on your SSAR when we validate your courses and grades from your official high school and college transcripts, your admission is subject to revocation and, if discovered after classes begin, cancellation of registration.
Florida A&M University, Florida State University, the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, and Florida Polytechnic University utilize the SSAR. Once you complete your SSAR, you must check with each institution for information on how to provide them with access to your data. For Florida A&M University, log in to your iRattler account to check your status.
No. Florida A&M University only utilizes the SSAR for the self-reported student academic record requirement. If you have completed the SSAR for a different institution, we will need you to complete the SSAR in order to complete your FAMU application.
Only applicants offered admission who plan to enroll at Florida A&M University are required to submit official high school and college transcripts after graduation. These transcripts will be used to validate the information on the SSAR. Students with inaccurate data on the SSAR may be denied admission to the University, have their admission revoked, or have their registration canceled if enrolled.
