College and Career Center Newsletter
Spring Edition 2021
MARCH PERSPECTIVE - MAPPING A NEW PATH
We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming some students back into the building and continuing to welcome our virtual students as we head into spring. There are new rules to follow, mitigation strategies, and new maps of the building to show the hallway flow during class transitions. As with any new experience, it will take time and there will be some bumps along the way, but we are all on this journey together.
The Georgia Tech Admissions Blog recently had a blog post titled “Needed-A New College Admissions Map”. It is a thoughtful read for students and their families with some great starting points to consider when researching colleges, looking at college fit, and exploring options this spring with many campuses still closed for in person tours. Rick Clark ends his blog post with this quote:
"Like college itself, the college admission experience is all about learning, expanding, researching, and being open to new ideas and possibilities. That takes paying attention, reflection, intention, and sometimes tension. Focus this spring on acknowledging what you don’t know and commit to listening, learning, and exploring. Enjoy the journey!"
As we navigate this not-yet-familiar territory, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions!
College Exploration Enrichment Opportunities*
HBCU’s Beyond The Yard | March 16 at 6pm EDT | Virginia State University
- Students register here. More colleges/universities to be added in this ongoing Commonwealth Series.
Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams. Six liberal arts colleges are joining forces to offer you an opportunity to connect with our deans of admission as they reflect on this year’s application season and help you prepare for the application season ahead. There are two events for juniors and their families to help answer questions about the college search process. Students register here.
- Junior Jumpstart | April 20 at 8 pm EDT or April 22 at 8 pm EDT
- Navigating and Belonging: A Special Session for First-Generation and Low-Income Students | May 24 at 8 pm EDT or May 26 at 8 pm EDT
University of California Berkeley | Prospective students are welcome to join us for an admissions presentation offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
College Access Fairfax | Paying for College | April 13, 2021 7:00pm
The FCPS School Counseling Office and College Access Fairfax are pleased to offer a bilingual virtual financial aid presentation titled Paying for College on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. College Access Fairfax is committed to helping students with the complex task of acquiring financial aid for post-secondary education. This presentation is designed for families with students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade. Topics to be covered include: understanding financial aid, how the financial aid process works, and the steps that families need to take to secure financial aid. Additionally, parents will have the ability to ask general questions after the presentation. Registration for this event is required as space is limited. Registration will close 48 hours before the event. You will receive an email link to access the event 24 hours before the event.
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia | Preparing for college in Virginia
Military Academies and ROTC information | Students and families can see the presentation in Naviance Student Document Resources that was created by FCPS College and Career Specialists, Maureen Kim and Lynn Otto, with helpful links to navigate the academy nomination process.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES*
The FCPS curated list can be found in Naviance Student. Step-by-step directions for finding enrichment opportunities in Naviance Student.
Some recent updates include:
Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs | Saturday, March 13 and March 20
- Fairfax County high school students looking for their first part-time job, summer and seasonal job opportunities, or who want more information about potential career pathways are invited to attend one of six upcoming virtual teen job fairs and resume building workshops in Fairfax County. Local businesses and agencies will be on hand to offer a range of opportunities including part-time employment, internships, and volunteer work for prospective students. Volunteer opportunities and resume building workshops will also be available for younger students.
Application for the 2021 Student Representative to the FCPS School Board
- Each year FCPS students have the opportunity to apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. For more information on this role, see FCPS Policy 1802.
VETERINARY MEDICINE CAREERS EXPLORATION: A Virtual Workshop for High School Students | Saturday, March 2
Hack Defy | March 26-28, 2021
Cybersecurity Virtual Externship | March 29-April 2, 2021
George Washington University BLS Department Virtual Open House | April 20, 2021
Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Programs | Summer 2021
Center for Legal and Court Technology(CLCT) at William & Mary | CLCT has developed a series of introductory law courses for high school students.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES*
The FCPS curated list can be found in Naviance Student. Below are some recent updates:
- Barber Family Foundation Scholarship - deadline March 15, 2021
- Omicron Theta Zeta Scholarship - deadline March 19, 2021
- Arlington VA Chapter of the Links, Inc. Scholarship – deadline March 31, 2021
- Stratford Landing ES Legacy Scholarship - deadline April 1, 2021
- National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity - deadline extended to April 15, 2021
- Alfred Street Baptist Church Foundation – deadline April 30, 2021
- Jack and Jill of America -Fran Robinson Memorial – Reston Chapter – deadline April 30, 2021
- Jack and Jill – Reston Chapter – Sybil Caldwell Education Scholarship - deadline April 30, 2021
- Virginia EL Supervisors Association Scholarship – deadline April 30, 2021
- Teen Drinking and Driving Prevention PSA Scholarship - deadline June 15, 2021
- Community Leadership Scholarship - deadline July 15, 2021
- Growth Scholarship – deadline June 30, 2021
- Mark Elenowitz Scholarship - deadline Aug. 1, 2021
- John Giorgi Scholarship - deadline Oct. 1, 2021
- Jason E Fisher Grant - deadline Dec. 15, 2021
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SITES
Students should research all Merit Scholarship opportunities that are offered by the colleges to which they plan to apply and follow the college's application timelines for these specific opportunities. Some popular scholarship sites:
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
RaiseMe | Earn money for college starting in 9th grade based on achievements in school and life.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and Financial Aid resources | Visit www.collegeaccessfairfax.org for virtual resources or to register for workshops.
PARENT/GUARDIAN WORKSHOPS
Questions? Reach out to Student Services.
*The information provided is for your information and review. Scholarships and enrichment programs offered by organizations other than FCPS are neither sponsored nor endorsed by FCPS, the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent or TJHSST. Students and parents should carefully review all application requirements. Parents/Guardians need to confirm the details, accuracy and relevance of any program chosen for their student. This document contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. Neither FCPS nor TJHSST controls the content or relevancy of these outside pages.
External opportunities may utilize an online technology, or video and web conferencing tool that has not been assessed or approved for use in FCPS by the FCPS Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent/guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity. Families should review and agree to the Terms of Service and User Agreements for any technology platform used to facilitate these opportunities.