15 Fall Programs for High School Students in Virginia
Fall programs for high school students offer skill development and industry exposure that can help you figure out what you want to do in the future. These programs are typically offered by top colleges and organizations in the form of internships, dual enrollment programs, or specialized workshops. Fall programs demonstrate your interest in a field and ability to manage rigorous academics, which can strengthen your college applications.
What fall programs are available for high school students in Virginia?
Virginia has many fall programs for high schoolers across subjects. Opportunities like Dual Enrollment through Virginia's Community Colleges (VCCS) and partnerships with top universities like UVA and Virginia Tech allow you to earn transferable college credit. This early exposure to undergraduate academics can ease your transition to higher education. For students who are more interested in professional careers than academia, there are many internships to explore. State initiatives like the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP) and various community college programs emphasize Career and Technical Education (CTE) and work-based learning, which provide essential skills, industry-specific credentials, and valuable connections.
Below, we have listed 15 fall programs for high school students in Virginia.
1. NASA OSTEM Internship Program
Location: NASA Langley Center, Hampton, VA
Stipend: Paid based on academic level and internship duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; > 3,000 students annually
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, and fall; fall internships usually last 16 weeks, from late August/early September to mid-December
Application Deadline: Fall: May 22
Eligibility: Current and full-time high school students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
NASA allows you to explore STEM through a wide variety of paid internships offered throughout the year, including in the fall. As a high school intern, you will work on NASA missions under the guidance of expert mentors and contribute to ongoing missions in fields such as engineering, space science, and aeronautics. You will directly collaborate with mentors and be part of projects such as refining telescope operations, analyzing planetary data, and designing next-generation robotics. You will gain technical skills, career experience, and insights into how major space and science projects are executed.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective, typically eight-week-long startup internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work with a high-growth startup on an internship that averages raising over a million dollars and is backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have worked for companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta. You will intern across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Apply now!
3. Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program (FCYLP)
Location: Fairfax County government departments and facilities
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 25 students
Dates: Academic year (February 4 – January 13); monthly meetings and a three-week internship take place in the summer in June
Application Deadline: November 7
Eligibility: Fairfax County high school juniors
The Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program (FCYLP) is designed to cultivate future leaders and active citizens through direct exposure to local governance. You will engage in monthly educational sessions with County leaders to understand how government functions and impacts the community. A core component is a three-week, paid summer internship within a Fairfax County department, providing invaluable, hands-on public service experience. Furthermore, juniors serve as student ambassadors, sharing their civic experiences with middle schoolers. By combining leadership development, community involvement, and compensated professional work, FCYLP provides a comprehensive initiation into civic service for ambitious high school students.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 1:1 mentor-student ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. Weekly mentor meetings help you fine-tune your research direction, strengthen analytical skills, and become familiar with discipline-specific tools and frameworks. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper and also become eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Fairfax County Park Authority Internships
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia — work locations vary depending on the internship division (parks, recreation, natural, cultural, historical, or business operations)
Stipend: Varies by internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Three internship sessions per year, including Spring, Summer, and Fall; Fall internships take place between September and December
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers high school students internships across several key areas, including parks and recreation, natural/cultural resource management, historic preservation, and business administration. You gain expertise in environmental conservation, park operations, and public service, assisting with activities such as park upkeep, supporting recreational events, conducting field research, and executing administrative or marketing duties. The program offers personalized mentorship, structured career training, and the flexibility to rotate through diverse FCPA divisions. This experience cultivates essential professional skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, preparing students for future career paths.
6. Goodwin Living Internship Program
Location: Falls Church and Alexandria, VA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 35 – 45 interns annually (Around 15% are high school students)
Dates: Four cohorts available year-round; Fall cohort runs September – November
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The Goodwin Living Internship Program is an eight-week paid opportunity providing high school students with non-clinical exposure to the senior living and healthcare sector. You rotate through departments like Life Enrichment, Finance, and Marketing, engaging in structured projects that bolster senior living operations. You acquire proficiency in program coordination, professional communication, and data analysis, potentially contributing to community outreach, financial reporting, or health initiatives. This cohort-based program emphasizes structured mentorship and professional growth, offering practical insight into the management of a non-profit healthcare organization.
7. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Northern Virginia (part of the Greater DC region)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10-month program (approximate) during the school year
Application Deadline: Typically, in the spring
Eligibility: High school seniors on track to graduate and live in or attend a high school in one of the Urban Alliance service areas (DC, Northern Virginia, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit) | Authorized for an off-campus/early release schedule | Minimum 2.0 GPA
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program is a career accelerator specifically created to help seniors transition into the professional landscape. The initiative combines paid internships with professional development workshops, where you develop critical workplace proficiencies like teamwork, communication, and time management. Core activities include job shadowing, resume creation, mock interviews, and attending corporate meetings, offering genuine industry exposure. The program features personalized, one-on-one coaching and continuous support, which assists you in defining career objectives and overcoming obstacles. Ultimately, participants build confidence, a robust professional network, and practical skills.
8. Pathways for Future Engineers – Virginia Tech College of Engineering
Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multi-year program including virtual activities and a two-week Summer Residential Camp
Application Deadline: Typically, in the spring
Eligibility: Virginia residents entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in Fall | Potential first-generation college student (neither parent has a four-year college degree, in the U.S. or abroad)
Pathways for Future Engineers is a year-long Virginia Tech initiative designed to guide first-generation high school students toward an engineering degree. As a participant, you also work in teams on engineering design projects and build a community with fellow future Hokies. After you’re admitted to Virginia Tech, Pathways continues to support you through programs like STEP and engineering-focused Living Learning Communities such as Galileo, Hypatia, and Digerati. The program also offers pre-college support, such as help with college applications, guided campus visits, and opportunities to connect with current engineering students.
9. NOVA Engineering Technology Career Scholars Programs
Location: Northern Virginia Community College (multiple campuses)
Cost/Stipend: None (Maximum total support per scholar is $14,250)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; spots vary by track and campus
Dates: Academic year
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who must be residents of Northern Virginia or attend a high school in the NOVA service area
This one-year NOVA program equips students with practical skills essential for semiconductor manufacturing and data center operations, focusing on core systems like electrical, mechanical, and HVAC. It begins with a summer bridge program for essential career and college preparation. During the academic year, you earn a Career Studies Certificate (CSC) in either Data Center Operations or Engineering Technology, completing hands-on courses in specialized areas like Electric Motor Control and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Systems. The curriculum prioritizes developing technical competence and professional readiness, culminating in industry certifications that quickly launch you into high-demand, well-compensated technology careers.
10. Prince William Living Internships
Location: Prince William County or Greater Manassas, Virginia (some remote options available)
Stipend: Some may be paid after a successful evaluation period
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions offered; Fall sessions take place between September and December
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) based in Prince William County/Greater Manassas, VA, during internship.
Prince William Living offers a variety of internships across departments like photography, advertising, editorial, public relations, digital media, and social media. These internships allow you to build professional skills, gain real-world experience, and explore career paths in media, communications, writing, and community engagement. Many roles, such as photography, advertising, editing, public relations, and digital media, can be done remotely, while others involve local travel and event coverage. From writing and photography to advertising and PR, this program allows you to explore creative careers while building a professional portfolio and networking within your local community.
11. NSBE Pre-College Initiative (PCI) at Virginia Tech
Location: Virginia Tech
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: Year–round; Recent events included – Materials Science & Mining Engineering: September 27; Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering: October 25; Electrical & Computer Engineering & Computer Science: November 15
Application Deadline: Varies by event
Eligibility: K–12 students interested in STEM
The NSBE Pre-College Initiative (PCI) at Virginia Tech is designed to spark your interest in STEM fields through hands-on sessions, department visits, and interactive activities. You’ll explore different branches of engineering, from materials science to computer science, throughout the academic year. The PCI program encourages you to consider college pathways in technical majors by showing how engineering connects to real-world problems. Through workshops, competitions, and guided activities, you get the chance to understand STEM careers in an exciting and accessible way.
12. JSSA High School Internship Program
Location: National Capital Region (Maryland, D.C., Northern Virginia)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 – 20 interns
Dates: Year-round (flexible scheduling)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are residents of DC, Maryland, or Virginia
The JSSA High School Internship Program deeply immerses into the non-profit sector of human services, supporting individuals and families across the lifespan. You will gain experience in various departments based on your interests, contributing to administrative support, helping craft community mental health presentations, assisting with youth initiatives, or observing professional case consultations. This tailored placement provides valuable insight into social services careers and allows you to complete the required Student Service-Learning hours. It is specifically designed for adaptable, motivated students eager for hands-on, community-focused professional engagement.
13. Children’s Science Center Youth Development Initiative Internships
Location: Children’s Science Center Lab (Fairfax) and community sites across Northern Virginia
Stipend: Most positions are unpaid; select internships (such as cybersecurity) include stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Offered year-round, including summer, fall, and rolling opportunities; the fall program usually takes place between September and December
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; Fall program: typically, early August
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ for STEM Camp, 17+ for Commonwealth Cyber Initiative; some internships (e.g., animal husbandry) require them to be 18+
The Children’s Science Center’s (CSC) Youth Development Initiative provides various internships that integrate mentorship, practical STEM engagement, and leadership development. You will contribute by assisting with elementary STEM camps, developing and delivering educational programs, or managing outreach and communication projects. Older, eligible students may access specialized, stipended cybersecurity internships through the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, working directly with local organizations. Other pathways, such as animal husbandry, offer experience in animal welfare within an educational context. The program ensures continuous feedback to enable the development of essential employment skills.
14. Landstown High School Governor's STEM Academy
Location: Landstown High School, Virginia Beach, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 400 students
Dates: Runs during the standard VBCPS academic calendar (typically late August/early September to June)
Application Deadline: Typically in January for the following school year
Eligibility: Current 9th graders who are residents of Virginia Beach
The Landstown High School Governor's STEM Academy is a highly selective, four-year program within the Virginia Beach public school system designed for students interested in STEM. It focuses on two core strands: STEM Engineering Technology and Information Technology, with specialized coursework in areas like Aerospace Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Cybersecurity, and Game Design. It features a project-based learning environment where you might design and build 3D-printed prototypes, program robotics systems, or develop database solutions for real-world problems. This model, which includes a mandatory senior internship, allows students to earn valuable industry certifications (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Oracle) and acquire essential critical-thinking, problem-solving, and professional communication skills.
15. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Remote Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid generally; some need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by department/role
Dates: Fall internship window typically October – December
Application Deadline: Typically, July
Eligibility: All high school students authorised to work in the US
FPRI's remote internships allow you to work on policy research, communications, editorial work, or project support in international relations, global affairs, and public policy areas. In this program, you contribute to policy briefs, articles, or research under experienced mentors. You benefit from engaging seminars with guest policy experts, gaining insights into current international issues and global relations careers. A key feature of the program is the opportunity to contribute to public discourse by publishing research articles on the FPRI's Intern Corner. This provides valuable real-world experience and focused mentorship in the fields of policy analysis and foreign relations.
Image Source - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Logo