For Parents and Students

Scholarships are awarded to students based on their academic record, leadership ability, talents or need for financial assistance. There are a number of Web Scholarship Searches available. Be very careful about scams and do your research.

FCPS students are encouraged to check out the scholarship opportunities available through their high school Career Center and in their Naviance Student account. Scholarships offered by organizations other than FCPS are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school. Additional scholarships and awards can be searched through the Financial Aid Offices of the colleges and universities under consideration.

Step-by-step directions for finding scholarship and enrichment opportunities in Naviance Student.

For Scholarship Sponsors

Organizations wanting to provide scholarship and enrichment opportunities to FCPS students, review the guidelines for having your scholarship or enrichment opportunity entered into the database.

Guidelines for Inclusion of Scholarships in FCPS Database and Criteria for Bona Fide Scholarships

Non-FCPS organizations sponsoring bona fide student scholarships may request that their scholarships be included in the FCPS scholarship database. This database is available to all high school students. The scholarships may also be published in individual school-based print and electronic publications, lists, announcements, and locations identified for flier distribution in FCPS Regulation 1367. Scholarships that do not meet the criteria or procedures will not be included in the database.

FCPS staff may not assist an organization with the administration of non-FCPS scholarships, particularly restricted scholarships as outlined in Section VI of FCPS Regulation 2515. For example, FCPS staff may not recruit applicants, assist in the selection of recipients, provide publicity beyond the limits of FCPS Regulation 2515, or distribute the scholarships of other organizations, unless they have been approved for FCPS sponsorship or assistance as provided in FCPS Regulation 2515.

Inclusion in the database does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement of the sponsoring organization or the scholarship by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific FCPS school. A disclaimer stating “Scholarships offered by organizations other than FCPS are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school” will be included for non-FCPS scholarships. Students seeking further information should contact the sponsoring organization or individual directly. In order to constitute a bona fide scholarship eligible for inclusion in the database, the non- FCPS organization’s scholarship application or listing must specify:

1. The information required for application
2. The criteria for the award. Criteria must include at a minimum, a student’s academic record
3. The amount and number of award(s) and criteria for renewal of the award, if applicable
4. The scholarship must provide cash or payment for college tuition, books, etc. (not to be confused with exchanges for services, etc.)
5. If your scholarship requires an electronic portal (e.g. SmarterSelect Online Application System) to be used for the submission of educational records (e.g. transcript, letter of recommendation, test scores) please provide the following information:
   • Vendor name for electronic portal
   • URL for electronic portal
   • Vendor’s contact information to include a name (individual point-of-contact), email, and phone number

Opportunities that do not meet the criterion listed above, and/or contain any of the following, are not eligible for inclusion in the scholarship database:

1. Require a fee for application/award
2. Require solicitation of contributions
3. Use inappropriate or materials illegal for students
4. Purport to restrict their recipients
5. Require student endorsement of a product, business, or organization
6. Other indications that the scholarship is not bona fide (including, but not limited to advertising, business development, or misuse of student data)
7. Requires a format for the electronic submission of records that does not meet FCPS guidelines

Procedures for Requesting Inclusion in the Database

A non-FCPS organization or individual seeking inclusion of a scholarship in the FCPS scholarship database shall submit information satisfying the criteria outlined above to School Counseling Services in the office of Counseling and College and Career Readiness, Instructional Services Department. School staff may also submit scholarship information to School Counseling Services for inclusion in the database. It is requested that organizations provide no less than one month lead time from the time that the information is posted in the database to the application deadline/program start date.

Guidelines for Inclusion of Enrichment Opportunities in FCPS Database and Criteria for Bona Fide Enrichment Opportunities

Non-FCPS organizations sponsoring enrichment opportunities may request that their enrichment opportunities be included in the FCPS enrichment database. This database is available to all high school students. The opportunity also may be published in individual school-based print and electronic publications, lists and announcements, and locations identified for flier distribution under current version of FCPS Regulation 1367. Enrichment opportunities that do not meet the criteria or procedures will not be included in the database.

Inclusion in the database does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement of the sponsoring organization or the enrichment opportunity by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific FCPS school. A disclaimer stating “Enrichments opportunities offered by organizations other than FCPS are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school” will be included for non-FCPS enrichment opportunities. Students seeking further information should contact the sponsoring organization or individual directly.

In order to be considered eligible for inclusion in the student database, the non-FCPS organization must follow the criteria below:

1. Must list specific organization contact information.
2. Must support education, internships, job opportunities, or service learning.
3. Must not purport to restrict individuals
4. Programs can be volunteer, free, or have costs. If costs are required, it must be specified for parents/students.
5. Political enrichment opportunities may be posted in the database from the division level; however, schools should refer any students to the enrichment database rather than advertising any political opportunities at the school level. (e.g.: newsletters, fliers, bulletin boards, etc.).

Procedures for Requesting Inclusion in the Database:

A non-FCPS organization or individual seeking inclusion of an enrichment program in the FCPS scholarship database shall submit information satisfying the criteria outlined above to School Counseling Services in the office of Counseling and College and Career Readiness, Instructional Services Department. It is requested that organizations provide no less than four weeks lead time from the time that the information is posted in the database to the application deadline/program start date.

For more information contact School Counseling Services at 571-423-4420

Email your request along with your application to: [email protected]