College Connections Newsletter
December 2024
College Connection Newsletter: October 2025 Edition
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Dr. Joy Grimes, Principal—Avondale Academy
Mr. Randy Wild, Principal—Capital City School
Ms. Juli Watson, Principal—Highland Park High School
Ms. Nicole Johnson , Principal—Hope Street Academy
Mr. Dustin Dick, Principal—TCALC
Mr. Dustin Dick, Principal—Topeka High School
Mr. John Buckendorff, Principal—Topeka West High School
Ms. Laura Nichols, Associate Principal—TCALC
1st Semester in in the Books
1. Mark your Calendar with registration, admissions, financial aid and scholarship deadlines, and Graduation May 16, 2026.
2. Be aware of Scholarship submission dates, be aware available scholarships close every month.
3. Take the ACT test, sponsored (free to you) dates are available.
4. Keep track of ALL deadlines.
5.This is 2nd semester of your last year, keep up your schoolwork and look forward to Graduating.
Quote of the Month
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated.” ― R. Collier
TPS 501 High School Web Sites
ACT/SAT Registration
ACT Test Dates
**Please see your counselor to register for the State and/or District sponsored ACT tests.**
KSDE Sponsored ACT Test: February 24, 2026 (Juniors only)
TPS District Sponsored ACT Test: April 26, 2026
ACT National
December 13, 2025
February 14, 2026
April 11, 2026
June 13, 2026
July 11, 2026
District ACT
October 28,2025
April 26, 2026
SAT Test Dates
SAT - All dates subject to change. Online only
November 8, 2025
December 6, 2025
March 14, 2026
May 2, 2026
June 6, 2026
Kansas Promise Act
FAFSA Federal Student Aid
FAFSA registration for the 2026-27 school year is open NOW!
Gathering the Documents you may Need to Apply
The FAFSA questions ask for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and about your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances (for instance, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or what tax form you used), you might need the following information or documents as you fill out the application:
· Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)
· Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student
· Your driver’s license number if you have one
· Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
· Federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are a dependent student:
- IRS 1040
- Foreign tax return, IRS 1040NR, or IRS 1040NR-EZ
- Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau
· Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
· Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
Keep these records! You may need them again. Do not mail your records to us.
Scholarship Opportunities
Click on Scholarship Name for Application
November Deadlines
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships
Deadline: November 12th, 2025
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: November 12th, 2025
Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship
Deadline: November 15th, 2025
Rudd Foundation Scholar Program
Deadline: November 31st, 2025
December Deadlines
Science Ambassador Scholarships
Deadline: December 15th, 2025
Deadline: December 31st, 2025
MORE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:
IMPORTANT!
There are numerous other scholarships available that have specific requirements that a smaller population might meet, you are encouraged to research scholarship on Naviance: on the upper menu: Click Scholarships, then click on deadlines and the scholarships will sort by the earliest deadlines.
Internships & Job Opportunities
Internships
See your school counselor for information.
Job Opportunities for Students
Who: Topeka Public Schools, Shawnee County, City of Topeka
Click on links to view current job openings:
Video: Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
College Exploration
Information from Kansas Public Universities
Remote Notes Youtube Messages from Admissions Team
Additional resources including instant chat box
Connect with Your Admissions Rep
Additional virtual resources including:
● Online appointments
● Instant chat box
Jayhawk Info Sessions (for high school students wanting to learn more about KU)
Admitted Senior Info Sessions (for admitted high school seniors making final decisions)
More digital resources related to specific programs at KU
General Overview Video: Financial Aid
General Information for Prospective Students & Parents
Information from Kansas Public Community & Technical Colleges
Allen County Community College
Cloud County Community College
Virtual Tour / Ariel Campus Tour
Scholarship Process Information
General Information for Prospective Students
Academic Scholarships: Deadline June 1st
Independence Community College
Johnson County Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Schedule an Appointment with an Admissions Counselor
Manhattan Area Technical College
Neosho County Community College
Washburn University Institute of Technology
Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology