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TJ-Prep
Access for All

Removing financial barriers for under-resourced, military, and law enforcement families.

Preparing for the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) admissions process shouldn’t depend on how much a family can afford. TJ Prep was built to democratize TJ admissions—so students with potential, curiosity, and resilience can access high-quality SPS and PSE preparation, regardless of income or family circumstances.

Why We Created This Program

Many families who would benefit most from a structured SPS/PSE prep tool are the ones with the least access to paid prep courses, private tutors, or test-prep companies.

TJ Prep Access for All is our commitment to:

  • Level the playing field for students from low-income or financially stressed households.

  • Honor the service of military and law-enforcement families whose schedules and sacrifices often make traditional prep harder to access.

  • Focus on potential, not privilege by making high-quality, reflective practice for the Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) and Problem-Solving Essay (PSE) available to everyone.

Who Qualifies

1. Families experiencing financial hardship

  A student qualifies if any one of these applies to their household:

  • Receives SNAP / EBT food assistance

  • Receives free or reduced-price school lunch

  • Receives Medicaid, WIC, TANF, or similar public assistance

  • A parent/guardian is receiving unemployment benefits

  • The family is going through a major financial disruption (e.g., recent job loss, medical crisis, housing instability), even if they are not yet enrolled in a public assistance program

 

2. Military families

  • At least one parent/guardian is active-duty, reserve, National Guard, or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

 

3. Law enforcement & first responders

  • At least one parent/guardian works in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, or related first-responder roles.

What You Receive

Eligible students receive full, free access to the Elite Plan for the entire TJ admissions cycle, including:

  • All SPS practice prompts for the five Portrait of a Graduate traits

  • All PSE practice problems and step-by-step guided solutions

  • All mock tests with full evaluation and feedback

  • Built-in AI-driven virtual brainstorming tool to help students write more thoughtful, growth-oriented responses

  • Progress tracking, mock tests evaluation history, and practice under realistic timed conditions

  • Access to any equity-program live or recorded workshops we offer during the season (if you decide to add these)

There are no hidden fees and no trial period for these students. If they’re approved, they’re in.

How to Apply (Simple, Private, and Quick)

Step 1 – Sign up TJ-Prep app and fill out the form below
  Parents/guardians (or students with permission) first sign up for the app and complete a quick online form with:

  • Student’s name and correct email address

  • Current school and grade level 

  • Which eligibility category applies - for military, law enforcement, and first responder families, no financial hardship information is needed.

  • Self-Attestation - for those who are in financial circumstances other than those listed above.

 

Step 2 – (Optional) Send one proof document
  To keep access sustainable, we may ask to send us any documents of proof to general@caapschool.com, such as:

  • A photo or scan of an EBT card (front only)

  • A benefits approval or award letter (SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, TANF, unemployment, etc.)

  • A free/reduced-price lunch eligibility letter from the school

  • For military/law enforcement: an ID with sensitive information covered, or an official employment/assignment letter

If you are unable to provide documentation, you can choose the self-attestation option to briefly explain your situation. We will never deny a student solely because a family cannot find the “right” paperwork.

 

Step 3 – Once approved, your plan will be upgraded to the Elite Plan
   You will receive :

  • A confirmation email notifying your plan upgrade to the Elite Plan

  • Instructions on how to access additional features for free

No student should be priced out of a chance at TJ.

If your family qualifies—or if you’re not sure but think you might—please submit your information below. We are committed to making high-quality, thoughtful SPS and PSE preparation available to every student who needs it, not just those who can afford it.

Financial Hardship - Check all that applies: Required

Your application is successfully submitted!

 

Please send any documents of proof to: general@caapschool.com

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