Quick Links

• Class of 2026 Senior Page

• Order a Transcript

• Letters of Recommendation Request Forms

  • Counselor Letter of Recommendation

  • Teacher/Coach Letter of Recommendation

  • Administration Letter of Recommendation

• College Coach Referral Form

• Hours Owed Website - please contact your student AP with any questions regarding this information.

Post High School Planning

College Applications

To apply to a 4 year university, we recommend using one of these applications

• Apply Texas - this application is for almost all schools in Texas

  • Apply Texas has a free week of applications this year - October 13 - October 19

• Common App - this application is for schools all over the US and the world. Most big schools in Texas are on this application. This is the one we recommend that students use.

College Application Timeline

Step 1 - Investigate schools, majors

• In State vs Out of State

• Proximity to home

• Large Campus vs Medium Campus vs Small Campus

• Honors programs

• Climate

Step 2 - Create a spreadsheet of colleges, college application email address, Password Log

• We recommend that you apply to at least 3-5 Safety and Target schools and then as many reach as you want. Each school will have a different cost and differing amounts of aid. Having options in the spring is a good thing.

• Spreadsheet - college applications are complicated and have several parts. Creating a spreadsheet for the schools you are applying to will help you keep track of where you have applied, DEADLINES, and where you are in the application process. 

• Email address - we highly recommend creating an email address that is only for college applications. As you probably already know, senior year is full of spam. By having one email for applications, it can help you keep track of all your correspondence and hopefully cut through the spam.

• Password Log - you will have multiple accounts, multiple logins and passwords. Creating one place where you have all of this information will make your life easier.

Step 3 - Create your application portal account 

• Apply Texas - allows students to apply to various colleges in Texas using one application

• Common Application - serves over 1,000 colleges via one application

Step 4 - The Application - We recommend that you have this completed by OCTOBER 31

• Demographic Information

• Essays

  • Personal statement

  • Supplemental essays

  • Optional essays

  • Major specific

• Activities Resume

• Supplemental Items

  • Transcript - make sure you order it through Parchment (see VRHS counseling website for the link!)

  • Test Scores - is the school test optional? Do you want the school to see your scores?

  • OPTIONAL Letters of recommendation 

    • Letters of recommendation are not required by all schools. Some schools will only read 2-3 letters. Make sure you fully investigate the school’s requirements

Step 5 - (Optional) Interviews, Auditions and Portfolios

• Auditions and Portfolios - If you’re applying to music, art or theater programs, the colleges may want to see samples of your work. This means you may need to audition or send portfolios or videos showing your artistic ability as part of your application.

• Interviews - It’s a good idea to ask for an interview, even if it’s not required. It shows you’re serious and gives you a chance to connect with someone in the admission office. Even if a college is far away, you may be able to interview with a local alumnus.

FAFSA & Financial Aid

Quick Links:

• FAFSA - Opens October 1

• ACC Help with FAFSA - You do NOT have to be attending ACC to get help

• The Basics on Grants and Scholarships

• Video

Types of Financial Aid

Grants

A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don’t complete your service obligation). A variety of federal grants are available, including:

• Pell Grants,

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.

Work Study Jobs

The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. You’ll earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, you may earn more depending on the type of work you do and the skills required for the position. Your total work-study award depends on

• when you apply,

• your level of financial need, and

• your school’s funding level.

Loans

A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your school’s financial aid offer. When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand your repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan.

Scholarships

Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school. This type of aid, which is sometimes based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses.

Places to look for scholarships

• Naviance - The district moved to housing all local scholarships in one place. We will post scholarships here as we hear about them.

• College or University - Always check the financial aid office website and the department that your student is going to study under. 

• Texas Comptroller's Office  - Alphabetical listing of state scholarships

• National Search Engines - there are lots of search engines that you can utilize to search for national scholarships. Remember usually the money is bigger but so is the competition.

1. Going Merry

2. Raise.me

3. Redkite

4. StudentScholarships.org

5. Scholly

6. Scholarship360

College Coach

Karen French is the VRHS college coach. She is available to meet with students to discuss whaever they might need help with in the post high school planning process. She can edit essays, help with college applications, financial aide assistance etc.

Please fill out this form if your student is interested in setting up a meeting with her.

Request to see the College Coach

Alternatives to 4 year universities

Make It Movement

https://www.makeitmovement.org/

The Make It Movement is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to reaching young people while in high school and introducing them to careers where higher learning equals higher earning. In our region and across the country, there is a huge mismatch: tens of thousands of skilled positions go unfilled, while at the same time, so many young people lack confidence in their own future. 

This is a great website to start your "What do I want to do" journey.

ACC

• ACC offers trades, associates, and bachelor programs

• Texas A&M Samsung Engineering Academy  - You are an A&M student but start your Engineering classes at ACC and then transition to A&M 

• TechTEACH - become a teacher faster

• Bats to Cats - start at ACC and transfer to Texas State

• ACC Institutes - Honda PACT Institute, Information Technology Institute, Technician/Pre-Engineering Institute

• Apprenticeships: 

  • ACC Sponsored Apprenticeships

    • Accounting Technicians

• Business Office Technology

• Healthcare (Patient Care Technician)

• IT/Computer Science

• MRI/CT Program

• Veterinary Assistant

• Veterinary Technician

• Social Media Marketing

• Outside Sponsored Apprenticeships

  1. CNC Machine Operator

  2. Manufacturing - Maintenance Technician

  3. Electronic Technician

  4. Automotive Technicians

Trade Schools

• TSTC

• Universal Technical Institute

• Aveda

• Central Texas Beauty College

Apprenticeships

A Day In The Life Videos:

• Electrician: A Day In the Life of an IBEW Apprentice video

• Electrician: Another Day in the Life of an Electrician

• Carpenters: A Day In The Life of a Carpenter

• Plumbers and Pipefitters: A Day in the Life of a Plumber/Pipefitter

• Sheet Metal Workers: A Day in the Life of a Sheetmetal Worker

• Sprinkler Fitters: A Day in the Life of a Sprinkler Fitter

• Iron Workers: A Day in the Life of an Ironworker

• Laborer Union: A Day in the Life of a Laborer

For many graduates that are interested in joining the work force in a skilled labor job, apprenticeships are an amazing opportunity to get training while earning a high wage.

• Learning by Doing:
  Apprenticeships are known for their hands-on approach, where learners directly apply their knowledge in a real work environment. 

• Combines Training with Work:
  Apprenticeships include both practical, job-related training and theoretical classroom education. 

• Industry-Driven:
  Apprenticeships are often created with the needs of specific industries in mind, ensuring that apprentices develop the skills required for those industries. 

• Mentorship:
  Apprentices often work under the guidance of a mentor, a skilled professional in the field, who provides support and guidance. 

• Wage Increases:
  Apprenticeships can offer a pathway to a higher-paying job through skill development and experience gained during the apprenticeship. 

• Nationally-Recognized Credentials:
  Successful completion of a Registered Apprenticeship program can lead to a portable, nationally-recognized credential. 

• Benefits:

  • Earning a wage while gaining skills and experience, rather than accumulating student debt. 

  • Developing in-demand skills that lead to good-paying jobs. 

  • Receiving hands-on training and mentoring from experienced professionals. 

• Apprenticeship Levels:
  Apprenticeships can be classified as Intermediate, Advanced, Higher, and Degree Apprenticeships. 

• Apprenticeship Durations:
  Apprenticeships can last from 1-4 years, depending on the occupation. Four years is common for most professional trade occupations but shorter apprenticeships are becoming popular. 

Austin Area Apprenticeships