Welcome from the TJHSST College and Career Center

The College and Career Center (CCC) in Student Services is a resource center for students in support of counseling goals and programs from ninth grade through twelfth grade.  These goals and programs align with our Portrait of a Graduate profile that prioritizes the development of skills that will empower students to be productive citizens of a global community and successful in their post secondary plans. 

This newsletter serves to update students and our TJHSST community about College and Career Center programs and events as well as updates on local events and opportunities.  Students are reminded that the most comprehensive and up to date information can be found through Naviance Student or in their respective year's TJHSST Google Classroom.

As we bend, pivot, flex, learn, and adapt to our virtual reality this year, our support for our students remains constant.  Questions?  Reach out to the College and Career Specialist, Ms. Wolf.  

COLLEGE VISITS TO THE CCC

College representatives will visit TJHSST virtually this fall during lunch and 8th period activity blocks, as well as Monday afternoons, to give students an overview of their programs and application process.  These are wonderful opportunities for upperclassmen students to explore different colleges, speak directly with the representative, and understand if the school may be a good fit for them.  

Junior and Senior students must sign up to attend these visits in Naviance Student where the full list of visits is updated daily.  These visits are for students only.  Next week's roster of visits include:

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS

Colleges are hosting virtual events and information can be found on the individual college websites.  Most events do require prior registration so please read the details carefully.

Upcoming events:

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form completion is your first step to apply for financial aid for college.  The form opens on October 1, 2020.   For many colleges to which TJHSST students apply,  the CSS Profile from the College Board will also be required to determine eligibility for institutional financial aid. 

College Access Fairfax holds virtual workshops to guide families through both these forms and processes.  Registration is recommended so they have enough staff at the workshop particularly if you are attending a FAFSA completion event where you can get individual help in completing the form.  Spanish and Korean translation is offered at some workshops.  

Virtual Financial Aid Seminar with College Access Fairfax for FCPS Region 2 Schools including TJHSST*:

Thursday, October 15, 2020 | 7pm | Register here. 

*families can attend any Region's seminar that suits their schedule but are asked to please register. 

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The FCPS updated list can be found in Naviance Student.  Below are some recent updates:

SciFest-A Virtual STEM Expo | September 26, 2020 to October 3, 2020

Virginia Space Coast Scholars | Application Deadline October 25, 2020

Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) | Application Deadline November 30,  2020

High School Diplomats | Application will open November 1, 2020

High School Diplomats (HSD) is a scholarship program that brings together high school students from the United States and Japan each summer. HSD U.S. provides the opportunity for American and Japanese students to meet at Princeton University for ten days of cultural exchange. All rising sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply for the program.

Find the list of Enrichment Opportunities in your Naviance Student.  On the home page of Naviance Student you will see the picture below.  Click on "read more" to access information and a link to the Enrichment Opportunities list.  You must be logged into Naviance Student to access this list.  The picture below does not provide direct access from this page. 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The FCPS updated list can be found in Naviance Student.  Below are some recent updates:

QuestBridge National College Match | Deadline September 29, 2020

Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship |Deadline October 31, 2020

Ron Brown Scholarship | January 9, 2021

Bull Run Civil War Round Table Scholarship | Deadline April 5, 2021

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SITES

Students should research all Merit Scholarship opportunities that are offered by the colleges to which they plan on applying and follow the college's application timelines for those specific opportunities.  Some external search sites are listed below:

Scholar Snapp  | Common Application partner 

College Board Opportunity Scholarships

RaiseMe | Earn money for college starting in 9th grade based on achievements in school and life.

Scholarship Sharing Database

FastWeb

PARENT/GUARDIAN WEBINARS

• Survive and Thrive with Virtual Learning: Practical Strategies to Make At-Home Learning Work for You 

• Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series 

Digital Citizenship Series: Tips for Parents: Helping Kids Navigate Life in the Digital Age | Tuesday, November 6, 2020 | 10am | Register here. 

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.