College & Career Planning
College Planning by Grade Level
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Don't forget about the super awesome resources you have at your home school through the College and Career Assistant in the Counseling Department at each high school.
When should I apply for financial aid?
12th grade students and their adults should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it has become available in December. Check with the colleges you are applying to for any priority application deadlines or separate scholarship applications since some are due EARLY in October, November and December.
Where does financial aid come from?
Federal Government (grants, loans, military, specialty education programs)
State Government (grants, loans, National Guard)
Colleges/Universities (merit and need-based grants and scholarships)
Private Sources
What are the types of financial aid?
Work Study: students work on/off campus to earn money to help pay for college
Grants: based on individual financial needs and do not have to be paid back
Loans: borrowed money that must be paid back with interest
Scholarships: a form of gift aid that does not have to be paid back
Employee Tuition Reimbursement: a form of employee benefit for working at a company
Reserved Officer Training Corp (ROTC): military linked scholarships for students who are interested in commissioning as an officer into the military after college graduation
Want to learn more about how scholarships, financial aid and paying for college work?
Senior students, use these resources to complete your FAFSA and/or the VASA so you will be eligible for scholarships and financial aid:
For FAFSA and financial aid Qs, you can use this new Wyatt resource (a partnership between Common App and Benefits Data Trust): Free Wyatt resource
Seniors in 2023-24 should complete the 2024-25 FAFSA application
Use your own personal email, and NOT your LCPS student email address
Want to learn more about how scholarships work?
Access your SchooLinks account through LCPS GO and search for Scholarships
NCAA
If you are a student athlete and wish to play college sports, your first step is to create an NCAA account.
Connect with the College and Career Center Specialist at your home high school for assistance with requesting a transcript release so that your high school transcript can be provided to NCAA for your eligibility.
LGBTQ+
The Campus Pride Index is a national database that features LGBTQ-friendly campuses and what they offer. The index is owned and operated by Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer, more LGBTQ-friendly learning environments at colleges and universities. The index is supported by the Campus Pride Q Research Institute for Higher Education as well as benefits from strategic partnerships with professional organizations in higher education and related LGBTQ nonprofit organizations.
Additional resources:
Northern VA Community College Resources
Did you know that Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is the largest college in the state of Virginia?
There are tremendous opportunities at NOVA, both for students seeking to earn a certificate, an Associates degree, and even transfer on to a 4-year school to continue work on a Bachelors degree and beyond.
JumpStart2NOVA Summer 2024
NOVA is pleased to announce the return of JumpStart2NOVA for summer 2024! This program is available to seniors graduating this spring and considering NOVA in the fall. Students may select one 3 or 4 credit approved course plus SDV 100. The application for JumpStart2NOVA is now open and closes at 5pm on Friday, May 10, 2024. Courses begin on Monday, June 3 and end on Monday, August 12.
To learn more, attend a JumpStart2NOVA Information Session:
Wednesday, March 13 from 6 pm – 7 pm
Tuesday, April 30 from 6 pm – 7 pm
Qualified seniors graduating this spring who are considering attending NOVA in the fall and in good academic standing at the college may apply for one approved course and NOVA’s 1-credit College Success Skills course, SDV 100, at no tuition!
All classes will be offered through NOVA Online and run June 3 through August 12, 2024. Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks or other course materials, if required. Courses have been selected based on their usability in NOVA degrees and their status as part of the Uniform Certificate of General Studies.
The application is now open and will close at 5PM on May 10, 2024. First-time NOVA students will need to apply to NOVA and create an account to request the course in nvcc.dualenroll.com. Current DE students can skip the NOVA application and go straight to nvcc.dualenroll.com, selecting term “JumpStart2NOVA 2024.” All students will be required to upload a current high school/home school transcript and qualifying test scores if they do not have a 3.0 GPA.
To learn more about JumpStart2NOVA, including course offerings, minimum qualifying scores, and details on how to apply, please visit JumpStart2NOVA.