COLLEGE CENTER - 9th-11th Grade

Class of 2027: Now that you're a senior, you'll want to check out and bookmark our Class of 2027 College Center newsletter!

9th - 11th graders: Check back often for more events and opportunities....

The Heights College Center hosts a TACRAO College Fair each fall. Over 70 colleges from Texas and across the US come to Heights to meet our students! Juniors and seniors attend during the school day to talk with admissions advisors and learn about different college options.

• All 11th grade students at HHS take the SAT during the school day in the spring semester.
• All 9th - 11th grade students at HHS take the PSAT during the school day in the fall semester.
• Students can register for and take additional tests outside of school.
• Free test prep is available. See details below.

Log on to Khan Academy and get studying! https://www.khanacademy.org/digital-sat

Register for SAT: www.collegeboard.org

Test Day: December 5, 2026, Registration Deadline: November 20, 2026

Test Day: March 6, 2027, Registration Deadline: February 19, 2027

Test Day: May 1 2027, Registration Deadline: April 16, 2027

Test Day: June 5, 2026, Registration Deadline: May 21, 2027

Register for ACT: actstudent.org

Test Day: December 12, 2026, Registration Deadline: November 9, 2026

Test Day: February 27, 2027, Registration Deadline: January 22, 2027

Test Day: April 10, 2027, Registration Deadline: March 5, 2027

Test Day: June 12, 2027, Registration Deadline: May 7, 2027

Test Day: July 10, 2027, Registration Deadline: June 4, 2027

Find free test prep materials on the ACT website

College applications generally open on August 1st. Students can check out the portals before their senior year to explore different colleges and understand what the applications look like.

All seniors must complete the FAFSA their senior year as mandated by the state of Texas. The FAFSA helps colleges determine the distribution of financial aid.

Click here for the FAFSA form and more details.

Seniors who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA may complete the TASFA instead to be considered for state financial aid.

Click here for more details about TASFA.

Baker Ripley Tax Prep Assistance

• Free tax preparation services for families earning up to $58,000 annually.
• Services include tax returns and amendments for 2020-2025, ITIN applications and renewals.
• Get details and contact info HERE.

• Heights HS Scholarship List: Cash4Bulldogs
• HISD Hot Scholarships List: March/April 2026
• Schoolinks Scholarship Matching Tool: app.schoolinks.com/scholarship-matching

• Appily: www.appily.com/scholarships
• Niche: www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships
• Big Future: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
• Fastweb: www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships
• Student Scholarships: http://bit.ly/2KzqrLm

Planning for college and career through BigFuture can help you earn a BigFuture scholarship. Scholarships are available for seniors, juniors, and sophomores. Qualify by completing steps on your BigFuture dashboard and earn chances to win $500 - $40,000.

Learn more here!

• Consider joining the HCC Honors College to apply for scholarships! Get info here.

• Reside in the Houston metropolitan area
• Be a current-year graduating high school senior
• Demonstrate the potential to be a leader in the classroom and on campus
• Have earned a GPA of at least 3.0 (Some HBCU Partners GPA requirements are higher)
• Have a minimum ACT score of 19 or a combined SAT score of 990 for both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections (Some HBCU Partners test score requirements are higher)
• Commit to becoming a member of 5 Strong and to attending your selected HBCU.
• Be available to attend all mandatory bimonthly College Ready Prep Sessions in person in Houston

Apply here!

The MF3 Scholarship is for Houston area seniors who are seeking a career and technical education pathway.

Scholarship Offerings:

• Full 2-Year Scholarship: Covers six semesters of study
• Comprehensive Coverage: Includes full tuition, books, and essential supplies
• Exclusive College Partners: Awards are only applicable to Houston City College (HCC) or San Jacinto College (SJC)

Eligibility:

• Location: Reside in the Greater Houston Area
• Status: Graduating High School Senior
• Academics: Minimum 2.0 GPA
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen
• Need: Must demonstrate financial need
• Study: Enrollment in an approved certificate, license or AAS degree program of study

Learn more here.

The Posse Foundation provides full tuition scholarships to students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. Applicants must be nominated to participate in Posse's extensive application and review process. Scholarship winners in the Houston area are matched with one of 6 Posse partner colleges:

• Bryn Mawr University (Bryn Mawr, PA)
• Carleton College (Northfield, MN)
• Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH)
• Colby College (Waterville, ME)
• Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH)
• Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

The nomination process starts in May; applications and interviews begin over the summer. Juniors who are interested in being nominated should see Ms. Schumacher or Ms. Winesett in the Heights College Center.

Learn more about Posse here.

The QuestBridge National College Match is a scholarship and college application for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. QuestBridge is looking for rising high school seniors who:

The College Prep Scholars Program is designed to give high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds scholarships, awards, and resources to support them as they apply to top colleges. QuestBridge is looking for high school juniors who:

• Earn primarily A’s in the most challenging courses offered and demonstrate strong writing ability and intellectual curiosity.
• Come from a household earning less than $65,000 annually (for a household of four) with minimal assets.
• Demonstrate resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed.

Find more information about the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program here.

The Horatio Alger Association provides need-based scholarships and services for promising young people who are persevering through adversity. Scholarships are given at both the national and state level.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
• Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
• Demonstrate critical financial need ($100,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
• Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• Be a United States citizen

Application deadline is March 1. Apply here!

• Must be a junior in high school at time of application.
• Must be enrolled in a high school within HOUSTON ISD
• Planning to enroll/attend a 2 or 4-year college or university.
• Cumulative 2.5 on 4.0.
• CANNOT be a dependent of a CITGO Petroleum employee or an ABC 13 employee.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/3OTvTtd

The goal of Preview@SAM events is to allow students, and their guests, to experience Sam Houston State University in their major area of interest. It is a specialized campus visit including a presentation from a representative of the specific college of interest.

Fall 2026 Preview Days

Friday, November 6th - Science & Engineering Technology

Thursday, November 19th- Agricultural Sciences

Friday, November 20th- Criminal Justice

REGISTER HERE

Discover what life could look like at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW).
Students will:

• Tour the campus and residence halls.
• Hear from current students about student life and living on campus.
• Learn about the Cardinal Experience from offices, faculty and staff.
• Find out about careers in their chosen major.

Saturday, November 7, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Get details and register here.

The festival is dedicated to connecting high school students and their families to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and scholarship opportunities. Over 70 colleges and universities will be represented during the two-day event.

• Meet college representatives face-to-face
• Get on-the-spot admission decisions
• Have college application fees waived
• Discover scholarship opportunities
• Learn about programs, majors, and campus life
• Build connections that can open doors to their future

Friday, November 13, 3:00 pm -7:00 pm CT

Saturday, November 14, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm CT

Get details and register here.

Prospective students are invited to experience the University of St. Thomas and discover what it means to be a Celt! Meet University leadership, connect with faculty and current students, explore academic programs, tour campus, and learn about the opportunities that await you at UST.

Saturday, November 14, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Learn more and register here.

Future students of all ages will be able to explore campus and learn about academic programs, financial aid, housing, and more. There will also be opportunities to mingle with faculty, staff, and student representatives from across campus for an inside look on what being a Bobcat is all about.

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Find more info here

Roadrunner Preview is our signature open house for future students. Explore campus life through tours, workshops, and presentations while connecting with admissions, faculty, and current students. Discover your academic program, learn about financial aid, and see what’s possible at UT San Antonio.

Saturday, February 20, 2027

Saturday, April 10, 2027

Find more info here.

Spend the day on campus at UHD and experience what it's like to be part of the Gator community.

• Explore academic programs during College Showcases.
• Discover campus life, student support, and opportunities to thrive.
• Get the scoop on Admission, Financial Aid, and Scholarships.
• Experience UHD with a guided campus tour.

Saturday, March 20, 2027

Details and registration link coming soon.

Cougar Preview is our grand on-campus experience for students to get to know their future home! This event provides an introduction to the University of Houston from the Admissions team, an academic information session by your college of interest and an overview of scholarships and financial aid. Plus, you'll hear from current students who are excited to share their experiences!

Spring Preview dates coming soon!

This open house event is the perfect opportunity for students to explore programs, connect with faculty and staff, and receive dedicated application support—all in one place.

• Major Exploration: Learn about academic and workforce programs, including NEW bachelor’s degrees.
• Apply Texas Application Help: Get hands-on help completing Apply Texas applications. HCC’s application is always free!
• Free Tuition Options: Discover programs that allow qualifying high school graduates to earn their degree (or credential) for free at HCC.
• Preview: Tour campus facilities and connect with expanded support services.
• HCC Swag: Enjoy giveaways, food, and a preview of life as an HCC Eagle.

Spring Preview date coming soon!

Students and guests are invited to learn more about Texas A&M’s dedicated marine and maritime campus, Texas A&M University at Galveston. The free, all-access open house, Aggieland Saturday by the Sea, is an immersive event, offering you a 360º introduction to Texas A&M’s island campus, including information sessions about the admissions process, financial aid and student life; visits to research labs and training simulators and tours of the new 524-foot state-of-the-art training vessel, Lone Star State; fun Aggie traditions and hospitality with our student organizations; and more.

Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

See more details and register here.

The Houston Prospective Student Center (PSC) is your gateway to Texas A&M University. Students in the Houston area have access to admissions advisors trained to help you through the application and enrollment process, answer any questions you may have, and lead year-round events.

The Houston PSC offers Freshman Information Sessions, STARS Workshops, Financial Aid Information Sessions, and one-on-one advising appointments.

Learn more and register for events here.

Learn from the experts about the college application process and how to make your application stand out from the crowd. Get inside tips, best practices, and resources that will help you successfully navigate the college application process.

In-Person Application Workshops are being hosted across the states of Texas and Colorado. Virtual Application Workshops are also available. Click below to view the full application workshop calendar and search for an event near you or filter by event type for virtual events.
Application Workshops | Undergraduate Admissions | Texas Tech

• October 20: 5 Things to Know About Financial Aid
• December 15: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Campus Visit
• February 16: 5 Essential Experiences at the NW5 Colleges
• April 20: 5 Tips to Kick Off Your College Search

Students and family members can register online. Registrant information will be shared with each of the participating institutions. Each program will begin at 5:30 p.m. Pacific and last for about 60 minutes.

Pomona Admissions offers live monthly webinars on a variety of topics, from Pomona 101, to alumni panels, financial aid and application tips and explorations of different majors. Students and parents are invited to register and log in to a webinar at a pre-designated time, but recordings will also be made available here once the sessions have concluded.

Find more info and register here.

Get advice from college admissions counselors and financial aid experts as you begin the college application process. Register for free, virtual workshops about writing college essays, filling out the Common Application, cultivating a best-fit college list, getting letters of recommendation, and understanding financial aid. Workshops start July 15. See dates and register here.

The University of Houston offers a variety of on-campus experiences: walking tours, information sessions, honors college and academic college overviews, Saturday tours, and Spanish language tours. Click here for details and registration information.

The Syracuse University Classroom Preview Program offers virtual sample courses taught by our professors. You'll join a live 60-minute Zoom session, dive into real topics and get a taste of the Orange experience. As a bonus, students who attend two classes and complete a short survey after each one will receive a Syracuse University digital badge to showcase their academic curiosity. This digital badge icon is yours to keep and comes with real benefits:

• Add it to your college application materials or list "Syracuse Classroom Preview Program Participant" as evidence of your academic engagement.
• Reference the program in college or scholarship interviews to show your initiative and love of learning.
• Share your badge on your social media to highlight your achievement.
• Build familiarity with Syracuse University.

To view the classes and register, click here: Virtual Sample Classes - Syracuse University

Virtual Freshman Admission Presentations are designed to help prospective students learn about academic opportunities, campus life, and the admission review process. The thirty-minute sessions are hosted by UCLA Undergraduate Admission representatives.

Registration Link

Some colleges offer opportunities for high-achieving students to fly in and visit campus for free. These programs are designed for students who are from low income backgrounds and/or the first generation in their family to attend college. Students typically apply in the spring/summer before senior year for visits in the fall of senior year. Find a list of fly-in programs here.

Colleges like when students are intentional about how they spend their summers. But they don't expect students to spend tons of money on expensive summer programs! Working a summer job, exploring a career interest, volunteering for a cause that's meaningful to you, or taking care of family obligations are all valuable ways to spend your time.

Tiger STRIPES, RIT's free experiential learning platform, is available to students worldwide. The Tiger STRIPES platform was built to give you a taste of RIT while building your skills and earning certificates. Participate in free experiential opportunities such as a data analyst internship, design thinking workshop, storytelling competition, power skills courses, and more.

Find details here.

Experience what college is really like, explore potential college majors, and take college courses. Opportunities are available on campus at Syracuse and online. Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply. Some options even guarantee admission and scholarships to Syracuse! Application deadline: May 1, 2026. Find more details here.

Northeastern’s Accelerate Pre-College Programs are designed for talented high school students in the U.S. and around the world. Programs are taught by internationally acclaimed faculty, allowing students to experience collegiate learning in a world-class environment. Students gain extensive, hands-on education in subjects including engineering, cybersecurity, design, writing, health sciences, and more, allowing them to preview life as a Northeastern student.

• A virtual one-pager detailing Accelerate Pre-College programming.
• The Accelerate Pre-College Programs website for students to review our full list of Summer 2026 programming options.
• Our inquiry form for students to express their interest in Accelerate Pre-College programs and receive emails about Accelerate Pre-College deadlines, events and additional programming options.

Applications open in early December. The program applications include a financial aid section for consideration for need-based aid awards. Most programs offer a $500 discount on tuition for admitted students who apply by the priority deadline of January 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Visit the website for more info.

British American Foundation of Texas provides high school juniors an all-expenses paid (program, flights, passport, food, transfers, accommodation, insurance, etc.) attendance at the London International Youth Science Forum.

LIYSF is 2 week summer STEM program held at Imperial College London (UK’s MIT) & The Royal Geographical Society with lectures from world-leading scientists and Nobel prize winners and visits to other leading research centers, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Applicants must:

• Be resident in Texas;
• Be 16 years or older by the program start date;
• Be enrolled as a full time high school junior within the Texas education system;
• Come from a low income household;
• Be in possession of a valid US passport or eligible to receive one, or have a non US passport from a country participating in the UK ETA visa program and valid until at least March 2028;
• Be passionate about STEM;
• Maintain a competitive GPA and hold an excellent school attendance record;
• Be able to attend a brunch with their families in Houston on April 3, 2027 and be able to depart for the UK from Houston on July 17, 2027;
• Be able to attend an Awards Dinner to receive the award in Houston on April 29, 2027.

Application deadline is January 31, 2027.

Visit the BAFTX website for more information.

Love Elementary is looking for volunteers to help prepare for the 2026-2027 school year.

Volunteer opportunities may include: organizing classroom materials, preparing instructional resources, creating bulletin board displays, assembling student packets and supplies, helping teachers get classrooms ready.

For more information contact Love Elementary Assistant Principal Patricia Onyejekwe at 832-631-7226.

The Summer High School Research Internship is a 10-week program designed to introduce a select group of juniors and seniors to the world of translational research. By working alongside undergraduate research interns, these students gain valuable insights into the research process and explore potential academic career paths following high school.

Program Dates: June 1 - August 6, 2027

Applications open December 4, 2026 and close on January 29, 2027.

Application Requirements

• Completed summer internship program application
• Two required essay questions and one optional
• Two recommendations
• Current transcript (official or unofficial): The grades from your current academic year must be included for your transcript to be accepted. Your transcript MUST include your grades for the current 2026 fall semester.
• Resume
• Minimum 3.5 GPA

Find more information here.

Visit the College Center in M110 anytime during open office hours!

• Monday - Thursday: lunch, 7th/8th
• Friday: all day

Email:

Ms. Schumacher: cschuma2@HoustonISD.org

Ms. Winesett: leslie.winesett@houstonisd.org

Instagram: @Heights2College

Phone: 713.865.4400