Did you know that Virginia is home to the second oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, the College of William and Mary? This esteemed school boasts a notable list of alumni, including presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. Given its rich educational legacy, it’s unsurprising to find robust support for ongoing learning through scholarships in Virginia available to Virginia residents.
Even if you currently reside outside of Virginia but intend to enroll in one of its renowned institutions such as the College of William and Mary, University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Tech, or George Mason University, you may still qualify for these scholarships to bolster your college savings. We’ve already curated a comprehensive list of scholarships for Virginia students, so all you have to do is apply! Explore our selection to uncover the various awards awaiting you.
Scholarships In Virginia
The L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship
The L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship targets licensed radio amateurs holding a general class license or higher within the ARRL Roanoke Division (comprising North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia), who are enrolled in college within this division. Eligible candidates must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher in electronics, communications, or related disciplines.
Applicants are required to submit an application form, an unofficial transcript, and three references. It’s essential that applicants reside in and attend a college or university within the ARRL Roanoke Division. They should also have plans to pursue a bachelor’s or graduate degree in electronics, communications, or a related field. Notification of recipients usually occurs by mid-May via USPS mail and email.
The scholarship is worth $500 annually and is not renewable. The total amount awarded is $500.
Scholarship By Vera Yip
This scholarship is open to young adults who have battled cancer themselves or have had a parent or sibling undergo treatment while they were at least 15 years old. To apply for the Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship Award, candidates must submit an application form, an essay, a recommendation letter, and verification from a doctor.
Evaluation criteria include financial need, medical challenges faced, involvement in community service, dedication to educational and career aspirations, and how the applicant has utilized their cancer experience to support other young adults affected by the disease. The scholarship grants $2,500 annually, but it is not renewable, with a total funding of $2,500.
The VSGC Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is open to freshman students from Virginia who are currently enrolled in a Virginia community college. Applicants must be pursuing a program of study with coursework related to aerospace technology and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The application requires submission of an application form, official transcript, two recommendation letters, and two personal statements.
Administered by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), this scholarship program is supported by NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia. It aims to promote STEM education at Virginia community colleges.
Awardees will be chosen by a committee of VSGC representatives and must fulfill certain obligations, including providing personal information, participating in follow-up surveys, and potentially sharing their experiences in public forums. After completing the award period, recipients must submit a brief report on their time as a Virginia Space Grant Community College STEM Scholar.
Scholarship For Undergraduate STEM Bridge Program By VSGC
The VSGC Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship is aimed at sophomores enrolled full-time in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) programs at one of five designated Virginia Space Grant institutions, who are also federally recognized minorities (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander).
Applicants are required to submit an essay, recommendation letter, application form, and transcript. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) aims to cultivate future engineers and scientists and address the decline in STEM interest.
The scholarship seeks individuals with a strong academic background in STEM subjects, demonstrated interest in STEM-related careers through extracurricular activities and projects, and preferably prior involvement in STEM-related research or programs, including NASA initiatives.
Selection criteria include academic merit, faculty recommendation, and evidence of interest in NASA and STEM careers. VSGC collaborates with the institutions’ designated contacts and advisory council members for a competitive selection process. Awardees are notified by May and must officially accept or decline the offer. The scholarship awards $1,000 annually, distributed equally for fall and spring semesters, totaling $1,000.
Scholarship By Granville P. Meade
The Granville P. Meade Scholarship Program is aimed at Virginia high school seniors who intend to pursue higher education within the state. Eligible candidates must exhibit both academic excellence and financial need.
To apply for the scholarship, students must submit an application form along with their official transcript, standardized test scores, and at least four recommendation letters.
Once applications are submitted, public school principals will forward them to the superintendent of the division, while private schools will send theirs to their respective associations. These submissions must reach the offices by March 25, 2019.
Each division superintendent will then assess the applications and select the top five seniors. These finalists will be forwarded to the chairperson of the regional study group screening committee by April 15, 2019. The chairpersons will then submit the five best applications to the CTE Resource Center by May 6, 2019.
Similarly, private school and homeschool associations will be asked to submit their top five applications to the CTE Resource Center by the same deadline.
Selection of Granville P. Meade scholars will prioritize both financial need and merit, considering academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, positive character references, and financial circumstances. Successful applicants will receive notification of their award status by May 31, 2019.
The scholarship provides up to $2,000 annually, renewable for three additional years, contingent upon the recipient’s continued enrollment in a Virginia college or university and maintenance of a 2.5 GPA or higher. The total funds allocated for this scholarship amount to $1,932.
Scholarship Offered By The Richmond Credit Unions Chapter
The Richmond Chapter of Credit Unions Scholarship is open to high school seniors in the U.S. who are either members of a Richmond Chapter Credit Union themselves or have a parent who is a member. Applicants must be Virginia residents planning to enroll in a college or university within the state and must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8.
To apply, students need to submit an application form, an essay, and their official transcript. Sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of Credit Unions, this scholarship aims to support high school seniors entering college. Eligible candidates must graduate from high school in the specified year and commence college studies by the end of that year.
Scholarships, totaling up to $1,000 annually per recipient, are awarded based on merit rather than financial need. Selection criteria emphasize leadership qualities, active participation in extracurricular activities and community service, as well as exemplary citizenship attributes such as loyalty, integrity, trustworthiness, and a genuine concern for others’ well-being.
Scholarships In Virginia
The SREB Doctoral Scholarship Program
The SREB Doctoral Scholarship for Virginia Residents targets minority U.S. students enrolled in a Ph.D. program aspiring to become professors. Applicants must be Virginia residents and commit to attending one of the eligible institutions: College of William and Mary, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia.
To apply for the scholarship, candidates must submit an application form, a personal statement, an official transcript, a recommendation letter, and proof of acceptance and state residency.
The State Doctoral Scholars Program aims to increase the number of minority Ph.D. students pursuing faculty careers. It offers various forms of support, including financial assistance, academic and research funding, career guidance, networking opportunities, participation in the annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, and early career support.
Selected scholars will receive a $20,000 stipend and a full tuition waiver if they attend a partner institution. The total scholarship amount available is $75,000.
Scholarship by George Mason University
This scholarship is open to both domestic and international students who are currently in their third year at George Mason University. Eligible students must be pursuing a major in a technology-related field and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The application requirements for the George Mason University NVTC-Bannister Scholarship include submitting an application form, a personal statement, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and a resume.
Administered by the School of Information Technology and Engineering, this scholarship supports third-year students pursuing degrees in technology disciplines. Recipients are also expected to engage in a professional connection with the NVTC through a summer internship.
The scholarship provides an annual award ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, and it is not renewable. The total funding allocated for this scholarship is $1,750.
The Hershey Company Tribal Scholarship Initiative
This scholarship is available to undergraduate students in the United States who are not of tribal descent but have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must be majoring in math, technology, science, engineering, or business. Preference is given to applicants from or studying in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
To apply for the Hershey Company Tribal Scholarship – Non-Tribal College Students, candidates need to submit an application form along with a photo, proof of tribal affiliation, a financial need form, and transcripts.
The American Indian College Fund assesses student eligibility and administers the scholarships. Notices of acceptance or rejection will be sent out to all applicants by August each year, to the address provided in the application.
The scholarship award is $2,500 annually and is non-renewable, totaling $2,500.
Conclusion:
Scholarships in Virginia play a crucial role in Virginia, as they do elsewhere, by providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education. Overall, scholarships in Virginia play a vital role in making higher education accessible, promoting diversity and inclusion, driving economic growth, and investing in the state’s future.