RRHS: College/Career News 10/16/26

Our weekly newsletter is published every Friday at 7 PM. This newsletter is packed with valuable resources and opportunities to help families navigate the path after high school. Whether your student is pursuing college, military service, or entering the workforce, you'll find information, tools, and updates to support informed decision-making. We’ll also highlight summer programs, internships, and enrichment opportunities as they become available.

For any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Marchante at tiziana.marchante@lcps.org or schedule a meeting using this link.

- October 18 | Fairfax County College Fair

🕓 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Learn More

- October 18 | Society of Women Engineers - Engineering Futures Day at UVA

🕓 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Learn More

- October 21 | NACAC National College Fair
🕘 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🕕 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Baltimore Convention Center Learn More

- October 21 | Deadline JOB FOR A DAY Deadline (10th & 11th graders only) - Register here!

- October 24 | High Point University Open Houses
🕓 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Register here!

- October 25 I Virginia Space Grant Consortium programs deadline

- November 6 I AP Registration Deadline

- November 7 | HBCU College Fair @ Tuscarora High School

- November 11 - Deadline: Jefferson & Walentas Scholarship for all seniors applying to UVA. See Seniors section.

- November 13 & 14 I 24th Annual ASBC HBCU Festival - Register here!

- November 16 - **NEW** ASVAB test (open to 10th, 11, &12th graders).

🕒 9:45 AM - 12:30 PM - Students register here and parents complete the permission!

Students who are over the age of 16 and are in grades 10, 11 and 12 have the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) when it is offered at their school or other Loudoun County Public Schools.

On November 16, 2026 from 9:45am - 12:30pm the ASVAB will be provided in the career center.

----------->We will provide another opportunity for students to take the test again in March 2027.

Students register here and parents complete the permission!

The AP Registration Deadline is Friday, November 6th!

This is a reminder that the deadline for registering for an AP exam is November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Students should have enrolled in their AP Course and indicated their exam decision via the College Board website (MyAP) during class time. Please confirm with your student that they have enrolled in their AP course and indicated their exam decision by asking them to log in to their College Board account at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org. Any exams that are registered for after November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM may be subject to a $40 late fee.

If your student attends The Academies of Loudoun, please read this before registering for AP exams. Exam payments should be made to the school locations in which your student is scheduled to take the exams.

For additional information, please click here or reach out to Mrs. Blessing.

What would you change at your school or in your neighborhood if someone gave you the support to do it?

The 2027 Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition is open to middle and high school students across Loudoun County. You pick a real problem, build an action plan, and put your solution to work. Teams that make the strongest impact earn monetary awards and recognition from the community.

Join our orientation workshop to learn how it works.

Wednesday, October 21, at 7:00 pm. Zoom

Students can view the colleges and military branches visiting RRHS by going to LCPS>SchooLinks>Events (at the top).

Students (of all grades) can register for any events and discuss college process with the college representative.

See below attached, the Discover NOVA presentation

Please view the video on each university's admissions requirement including a video on the student visa process.

The universities are:

• Concordia University
• Bishop's University
• University of Waterloo
• Queen's University

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® form) will be available to all students on October 1.

Deadline to complete it varies per universities. Generally, it is better to have it completed as soon as a college application has been submitted or by March 1, the latest.

For more information, the following information sessions & workshops have been set up for students and parents:

1. September 23, 2026 - Family Financial Aid Night -6pm-8pm at Briar Woods High School
2. October 7, 2026 - FAFSA Application Assistance at Briar Woods High School
3. January 8, 2027 - RRHS Virtual Parents' Coffee - 8:30am- 9:15am Scholarships & Financial Aid - Registration coming soon!
4. February 27, 2027 - RRHS FAFSA Workshop - 1pm- 3pm - Open to all LCPS - Register here!

In the meantime, to complete the FAFSA, create your FSA ID, if you don't have one already. This unique username and password will help parents and students access their portion of the FAFSA. ONE FSA ID per person (Student and parents/guardians). If you already have one due to another child or yourself in college, you do not need to create one.

Documents should not be needed as the FAFSA connects directly with the IRS. In case the connection does not work, you will need to bring your taxes from 2025.

Mrs. Marchante is always available to guide you with the FAFSA completion and can sit with you and families.

You can log into LCPSGO>Schoolinks and click College>Scholarship Matching on the left hand side. You can filter by district-posted and by upcoming deadlines. Deadlines go as far as June.

It is recommended to dedicate at least one hour each weekend to apply to as many as possible.

Students can start applying now!

In addition, I will share specific RRHS Scholarships or specific college scholarships that require the school nomination.

This website sends out monthly scholarships availability. I highly encourage to sign up for their newsletter or bookmark this link.

In addition, students are highly encouraged to apply to their foundation scholarships. University foundation scholarships are funded by philanthropic organizations and alumni and awarded to students based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, and field of study. These are found by doing a search on the university website or under their financial and scholarships department.

Deadline to submit the form is Nov 11, 2026

Please see the interest form.

Deadline to submit the form is Nov 11, 2026

LCPS has officially partnered with Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC) to offer a pre-apprenticeship program for seniors interested in pursuing a career in the electrical field after graduation.

ion.

Program summary:

The 160 hour program provides lab skills, basic hand tool knowledge and classroom instruction. Allowing participants to enter full-time employment as an Electrical Helper and enter formal training to become an Electrician or low voltage technician. IECC Contractor Members visit pre-apprenticeship students throughout the program to help guide them on the many avenues you can take in the electrical industry.

The program will run from January through May 2027, Monday through Thursday from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the Academies of Loudoun. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation.

Participants will:

• Receive industry-recognized credentials; OSHA-10, CPR and First Aid.

• Demonstrate an understanding of various wiring methods and installation techniques

• Define 26-30 electrical terms and identify common symbols on an electrical schematic.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities and career pathways for the electrical trades.

• Develop a resume, cover letter and other soft skills

Participants must:

• Be on track to graduate high school.

• Provide their own means of transportation

In case you missed it, we have included a link to the Student Information Session Recording.

If you are interested in participating, the next step is to complete the application:

Apply to the IECC Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Application Link

📅 Application Deadline: October 9, 2026

Please be sure to submit your application by the deadline. Completing an application does not guarantee placement in the program.

Junior Year (The Crucial Year)

• Take SAT/ACT:

  Complete these standardized tests in your junior year to get them out of the way
• Apply for Nominations: By the spring of your junior year, contact your congressional representatives (U.S. Representative and both U.S. Senators) to apply for a nomination.
• Start the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire found in each academy website: Begin the preliminary steps by filling out the pre-candidate questionnaire (PCQ), which opens in the spring of your junior year and remains open through your senior year.
• Visit the Academies: Visit the academies to see firsthand what life is like.

Senior Year (Applying & Finalizing)

• Finalize Applications: Complete the full application, including your high school transcript, recommendations, and essays, by the various fall or early winter deadlines.

• Submit Full Application: The deadline for submitting the full application is generally around December 31st or early January of your senior year.

If you are a current sophomore or junior in Loudoun County Public Schools looking for a once in a lifetime summer experience you are in the right place! The Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School (SRGS) programs cover a huge range of interests! Dip your toe into the college-life as you explore your chosen field in depth. Spend a few weeks on a Virginia college campus with students from around the state that share your interests and make life-long memories and connections through this prestigious experience. Another great thing - these programs are (mostly) FREE! Explore this website to discover what this opportunity has to offer, how to apply, and tips to make your application stand out in the selection process. The information on this site is also in our Schoology group if you prefer that platform. Join info is below:

Go to Schoology, Groups (top), My Groups (upper right), Join Group (right).

Enter access Code: NWDS-XSN2-2N9VT

The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study.

This one-of-a-kind scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university in the U.S.

Apply here: https://coolidgescholars.org/apply/ ---- Deadline is December 1 - 5PM Pacific Time

Registration is completed through SchooLinks (on the students account).

***PLEASE know that Work-Based Learning department is currently having issues with parents permissions. For any questions, please use this email wbl@lcps.org***

Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a FREE program for high school sophomores.

Application is from August 15 - October 26

This one-week pre-college musical theatre intensive is designed for passionate high school students who dream of pursuing musical theatre at the collegiate or professional level.

Under the guidance of Montclair State University’s experienced theatre professionals and teaching artists, students will receive daily training in acting, voice, and dance, with master classes focused on audition preparation, song interpretation, and ensemble performance.

More information! *New dates updated in January 2027*

Begin volunteering and explore summer programs for your upcoming grade. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to do in the future and where you’d like to work or attend college. Be sure to review the job and volunteering opportunities listed below.

Freshmen are encouraged to complete all the SchooLinks assessments to evaluate their strengths, skills, and potential college and career pathways. Take a personality test to better understand your abilities and areas for growth, then meet with Mrs. Marchante to review and interpret your results: 16 Personalities Test.

How to search?

Go on Indeed.com with key words "HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT" & "ASHBURN, VA"

Visit job postings on Loudoun Workforce Center Jobs

Did you know you can develop your resume with SchooLinks?

Check this link and come to the career center to make it even more professional!

Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to learn how to build their resume and look for jobs!

Check out below the volunteer database for Loudoun County

Students can see me at any time during school time and parents can schedule a meeting with me using the link below.

Book an appointment

Email: tiziana.marchante@lcps.org

LinkedIn