With approximately 80 schools and 30 local businesses and organizations represented each year, this event plays an important role in letting you explore possible opportunities after high school to assist in your career selection.
Is college the next step for you - talk to your admission rep to find out all the details you need to know about the application process or what it's like on campus.
Are you thinking about working right after high school - talk to the HR rep to learn more about the interview process and what they are looking for in a new hire.
This event plays an important role in guiding you on your future path by providing the space needed to explore different schools, careers, and business opportunities.
Talk to at least one rep from a school you've never heard of.
Decide on YOUR goal for attending the fair:
To find a school where I can major in _____.
Because my counselor/parents are making me.
To make a meaningful connection with the rep from the college that I am interested in applying to.
"What are the three coolest things about your school?"
"Where do you like to eat on campus?
"Where do your students go on the weekends?"
"Where is the best place to study on campus?"
"What is it about your school that students love?"
"Do students have access to film equipment during their freshman year?"
"How easy is it to take classes in the School of Journalism is I major in Physics?"
"What if I change my mind about my major?"
"What types of opportunities do you have to provide for students beyond the degree?"
"How do you support students to success in the classroom and out of the classroom?"
"What is your student-to faculty ratio?"
"Is it cold there?"
"Do you have Biology?"
"What is your school like?"
Is your {fill in the blank} program good? (They'll all say it's great.)
Talk to at least one rep from a business you've never heard of.
Decide on YOUR goal for attending the fair:
To help narrow down what I want to do after high school graduation.
Because my counselor/parents are making me.
To make a connection with the rep from the business that I am interested in applying to.
"What was your hiring process like?"
"What's your favorite thing about your job?"
"What are some of the challenges you have faced in your role or at your company?"
"How long have you been in your current role? How long have you been with this company/business?"
"Diversity is really important to me. How do you support different identities?"
"What types of opportunities do you have to help employees grow in their roles?"
"How do you support employees success in the workplace and out of the workplace?"
"How are you developing your workforce to keep up with change?"
"So what have you got for me?"
"Do you have bonuses?"
"How much vacation do I get if I am hired?"
"Is this a good company to work for? (They all say they are great)
FAFSA: What does it mean and why can it be so confusing?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a way to see if students are eligible for any federal grants or student loans.
Colleges/Universities use the information to determine if the student is eligible for additional school-based grants, scholarships, and/or endowments.
You might not be eligible for federal assistance you can be eligible for college-based grants, endowments, scholarships or loans.
Filling out the FAFSA does not hurt you - it can only help you!
Remember: most of the FAFSA asks about the student information. At some point it will ask about parent information. Make sure you are answering the questions for the correct person.
Glossary:
2025-2026 FAFSA: fill out if you will be starting college in the fall 2025 using tax information from 2023.
FSA ID: account username and password. Allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically. Student attending college will have their own FSA ID. Parents will have their own FSA ID. The FSA ID is linked to individuals social security number.
Student Aid Index (SAI): the new needs analysis formula that is replacing EFC. SAI is how colleges and universities help determine what else you are eligible for in addition to federal aid. It is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college. It is the number that colleges use to calculate how much financial aid you are eligible to receive.
Student Aid Report (SAR): once the FAFSA is signed and submitted it gives you basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid and lists your answers to the questions on the FAFSA. It is not your financial aid offer.
Net price Calculator: available on EVERY college's or university's website that allows students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): an index number used to determine what you are eligible for. This term and how it is calculated will not be used for the 2025-2026 FAFSA. This is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college.
What do I need to start the FAFSA?
Your FSA ID and your parent(s) FSA ID number. Don't have one? Go here to create an FSA ID
Social Security Number
Parents' Social Security numbers
Your driver's license number, if you have one
Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. Citizen
Federal tax information, tax documents, or tax returns - for you (if you did not work in 2023 there is nothing you need to provide)
If you worked but did not file taxes you will need to have your W2 form from your employer.
Your parents Federal tax information, tax documents, or tax returns tax information for 2023.
Records of untaxed income: child support received, interest income, veterans noneducation benefits for you and your parents.
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.
Now you are ready to submit the FAFSA!
Shew, you got it all together and now you are ready to submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA using your tax information from 2023!
Now we wait for December 1, 2024. What? Are you serious? I thought it was October 1st.
Because of the changes that the Department of Education is making to this years FAFSA the application will not open until December 1st. The good news is that colleges and universities are aware and will work with students and families. Talk to the admissions counselors and financial aid representatives at each school if you are concerned. Also, EVERY college allows you to fill out the net price calculator to give you an estimation of the cost.
Make sure to give yourself anywhere from 30 - 45 mins of uninterrupted time to complete.
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
If you have questions the FAFSA website is a wealth of resource. You also have your amazing college and career coaches at each high school that can help you. And FCPS and each high school will be holding "FAFSA Frenzy" events where students or parents can receive help submitting the FAFSA.
Need to talk to someone before the College and Career Fair? Reach to your school's CCR Coach!
Bryan Station High School | Brandy Ashford, College and Career Coach
Carter G Woodson Academy | Taquay Hairston, Community Liaison
Frederick Douglass High School | Monica Jones, College and Career Coach
Henry Clay High School | Ciera Bowman, College and Career Coach
Lafayette High School | Gaby Baca, College and Career Coach
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | Pam Bates, College and Career Coach
Tates Creek High School | Mykila Christopher, College and Career Coach