Are you in your first year of college? Here’s How to Apply to TFAS

Already thinking of how to spend your first summer in college? You do not have to wait until junior year to explore your career interests in Washington, D.C. First-year college students are welcome to apply to TFAS summer programs.

With an internship, academic coursework and opportunities to connect with professionals, a TFAS summer can help you discover where your interests could take you. Here is what you need to know about eligibility, applying during your first semester and submitting the transcript we need to review your application.

Am I eligible as a first-year student?

To be eligible for a TFAS summer program, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have graduated from high school.
• Have completed at least one semester of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university at the time of application submission.

Can I apply before my first-semester grades are available?

Yes. You can submit your application at any point during the admissions cycle, including while you are completing your first semester. However, TFAS cannot review your application until we receive an official college transcript showing grades from your first completed semester, along with all other required application materials.

Many first-year students choose to wait until the priority deadline to submit their application and transcript together, once their first-semester grades are available. Either approach is welcome: submit your application early and send your transcript later, or submit both together by the priority deadline.

When and how should I send my transcript?

Wait until your first semester has ended and your final grades have been posted before ordering your official transcript. Ordering it earlier could result in a transcript that does not include the grades we need.

Request your transcript through your college or university’s registrar and arrange for it to be sent directly to transcripts@TFAS.org. Your institution may send it directly or use an official transcript service, such as Parchment.

For additional submission options and instructions, read our guide:
>> How to Submit Your Official Transcript to TFAS

What should I know about application deadlines?

Plan around both the TFAS admissions calendar and your school’s grade-posting schedule. Submitting the online application alone does not make your application complete. To qualify for an admissions deadline, your application and all supporting materials, including your transcript, must be received by that deadline.
>> Application Deadlines

How will I know whether TFAS has my transcript?

Check your application portal to see whether your transcript has been added to your file. There is a processing delay between when we receive your transcript and when it is uploaded to your application, so your portal may not reflect its receipt right away.

In the meantime, keep exploring what you would like to learn, the work you would like to try and the questions you would bring to a summer in Washington. You are at the beginning of your college experience, and there is plenty ahead to discover.

Ready to take the next step? Start your TFAS summer application and make a plan to send your official transcript once your first-semester grades are available.