Postsecondary Opportunities for High School Students

Making Informed Decisions

To help Virginia students get ready for college, job training, or entry-level work, the General Assembly passed House Bill 1299 and Senate Bill 738 (2022). These laws asked the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to gather and share important information. 

This information helps students and families make smarter choices about life after high school. It explains the costs and benefits of different options, like college degrees, technical certificates, and career programs. 

On this page, you will find tools and resources about getting ready for college, how to apply, how to pay for school or training, and what jobs and salaries to expect in the future.  

Preparing for Postsecondary Education

Is college worth the investment?

Research shows that earning a college degree or career credential has many benefits. SCHEV’s Key Facts About Higher Education explains the value of college, including the wages graduates earn and the average amount of student debt. 

On average, people with postsecondary education make more money at every degree level. They are also more likely to have health insurance, pay taxes, vote, and volunteer. Graduates are less likely to be unemployed or need public assistance 

Sources: National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences.

When should I begin to prepare for college and career?

It’s never too early to start planning for college and a career. Think about the future when you choose your classes and activities—always keep a career goal in mind. 

In Virginia, every student begins this planning process early. 

Your ACP is your roadmap for life after high school. It includes the classes you will take and the steps to reach your goals. Working closely with your school counselor and teachers is very important so that your plan is meaningful and fits your career interests. 

For more details, see the College and Career Preparation Programs and Opportunities for Postsecondary Credit in the Standards of Accreditation. Additional resources can also be found on the VDOE Academic and Career Plan webpage. 

How can I make the best decision for me about postsecondary education?

Your Academic and Career Plan (ACP) is your personal roadmap. It should reflect your interests, values, and skills as you plan for college and a career. One way to explore careers is by taking the Career Assessments on the Virginia Education Wizard, which help you match your strengths with possible jobs. 

Other ways to prepare include: 

If you are a student with a disability, you can begin connecting with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) at age 14. Through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), DARS works with you, your family, your school, and community partners to help you explore careers and prepare for adult life. These supports give you the knowledge and experiences you need to make informed choices about your future. 

Can the Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses I have completed in high school help me in college and for a career?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Virginia public schools reach more than 640,000 students in grades 6–12. These courses help you build real-world skills, earn industry certifications, and prepare for both college and careers. 

CTE is not just for students who don’t plan to attend college. In fact, about half of all CTE completers in Virginia go on to a four-year college. CTE gives you valuable experience that can strengthen your academic pathway and career options. 

Want to see what’s possible? Visit the CTE Student Profiles page to learn about Virginia graduates and the careers they’ve built through CTE programs. 

How do I know if there will be jobs available when I graduate from college or a credentialing program?

Having good labor market information can help you choose a career that matches your goals. In Virginia, you can see which jobs are growing, how much education they require, and the average wages they pay. The Virginia Job Outlook brochure lists fast-growing jobs through 2028 by education level, annual wages, and even shows which jobs are expected to decline. 

You can also explore the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Careers in the U.S. to see national trends for the next decade. 

For students with disabilities, additional support is available. The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC), part of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), provides training and vocational programs to help students prepare for the workforce. The Postsecondary Education Rehabilitation Transition (PERT) Program is another school-to-work option that helps students transition successfully from high school to college, training, or employment. 

How do I know if my degree or credentialing program will be of value in the labor market?

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) asks colleges and universities to use labor market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). This data helps schools show how their proposed programs match real employment needs in Virginia. 

To meet the demand for skilled workers, the General Assembly created the Workforce Credential Grant Program in 2016. This program makes training for high-demand jobs more affordable and helps keep Virginia’s workforce strong. The grant uses a “pay-for-performance” model, which means funding supports students who complete short-term, noncredit training programs that lead to an industry-recognized credential. 

Where can I find additional information on preparing for college?

Level Up Virginia (LUV) is a statewide program led by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The goal of LUV is to help more students in Virginia get ready for college, enroll, and complete their education or training program. 

We are committed to making college and career information easy to understand and accessible for everyone, no matter your background. 

Visit the Prepare page on Level Up Virginia to find a free toolkit of resources that can guide you through planning, applying, and paying for college or training. 

Applying for Postsecondary Education

College is not the same for everyone. To make the best choice for your future, it’s important to explore different schools and programs. 

The ACT College Match and Fit Toolkit can help you find schools that are the right size, distance, and program type for you. You should also meet with your school counselor or advisor to organize your college search and application process. 

Don’t forget to keep your transcripts up to date and review your Academic and Career Plan (ACP) regularly. Your ACP is your roadmap—it should guide your decisions as you plan for life after high school.  

Ready to explore some higher education institutions (HEIs)? 

Use the College Explorer tool on Virginia Student Loan Help to compare colleges and universities in Virginia and across the country. You can see a school’s profile, costs, admissions, financial aid, average debt, and student success data—all in one place. This information can help you make smarter choices about where to apply. 

You can also check out Level Up Virginia’s Explore page to learn more about different postsecondary pathways, from community college and four-year degrees to career training programs. 

Where can I find more information on applying for college?

Level Up Virginia (LUV) is a statewide program led by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Its goal is to help more students across Virginia get ready for college, apply successfully, and complete their education or training. 

Level Up Virginia offers free resources for students, families, and educators. Visit the Apply page to explore a toolkit of guides and checklists that can walk you through every step of the application process. 

Paying for Postsecondary Education

How do I pay for college, and is there financial aid and scholarships available for me?

Think you can’t afford college? Think again! There are many ways to pay for college—including grants, scholarships, and financial aid—that can lower costs and reduce student debt. 

Level Up Virginia provides easy-to-use information on financial aid programs and step-by-step guides for applying. Visit their Finance page to learn more. 

Another helpful tool is Virginia Student Loan Help, created by SCHEV. This free service teaches you how college financing works, how to borrow smart, and how to manage loans. Short online modules walk you through financial aid basics and provide support if you need help with repayment. 

Explore here: Virginia Student Loan Help 

Will I have the opportunity while in college to earn money through paid internships and/or externships in my area of study? 

Many colleges and universities offer internships and externships to help students gain real-world experience. A good first step is to connect with your college’s career center, which often has lists of opportunities and can guide you through the application process. 

In Virginia, there are additional programs that connect students with employers: 

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) offers internships for college students to build workplace skills and experience. 

The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP) links students with businesses across the state, helping them gain hands-on experience, build resumes, and show workforce readiness. 

If you had a job or internship in high school, keep in touch with your employer. These connections may lead to future opportunities while you’re in college or training. 

How many years will it take me to complete college and how much money will I owe if I take out student loans?

You can use the College Explorer on Virginia Student Loan Help to compare colleges and universities in Virginia and across the country. Each school profile includes information (where available) about graduation rates, financial aid, average student debt, and admissions. 

You can also visit SCHEV’s Institution Profiles for more details about specific colleges and universities. 

Want to know how long it usually takes to finish a degree? Check the Time-to-Degree Scorecard to see the average number of years students spend completing their programs by type of institution. 

How much money will I make after graduating from college?

Want to know what graduates actually earn after finishing college or career training? The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) tracks this information. 

You can use SCHEV’s Guide to the Post-Completion Wages of Graduates to explore the average wages of students 18 months after earning a degree or certificate. The data is broken down by program and degree level, so you can see how different fields of study compare. 

This tool can help you make informed decisions about which programs may offer the best return on your investment. 

Where can I find additional information on paying for college?

Level Up Virginia provides free tools to help you and your family understand how to pay for college or training. The resources explain financial aid, scholarships, and ways to reduce student debt. 

Visit the Level Up Virginia Finance pageto explore the finance toolkit, which includes guides, checklists, and links to help you apply for financial aid and make smart choices about paying for school. 

Going to Postsecondary

Congratulations! If you’ve prepared and applied to college, you’re ready to start making your final decision. Level Up Virginia has a Decide webpage that can guide you through the last steps. 

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with all the information and choices. Don’t go through the process alone—work with your teachers, school counselor, or college and career advisor to review your options and finalize your postsecondary plan.