SCHOLARSHIPS IN VIRGINIA
With a grand total of 225 colleges and universities to choose from in the state's borders, it is no surprise that there are numerous scholarships in Virginia to help increase students' access to the wide array of post-secondary education options available. Not only does Virginia boast many of the nation's top-ranked universities, but the "Mother of States" also serves as the location for many of the oldest institutions in the United States that stand as pillars for higher education. In order to reduce the costs of pursuing your degree in the state that embodies the foundations of our country's rich academic transitions, the following are 25 great scholarships available exclusively to students and residents of Virginia.
1. Bishop C. Charles Vaché Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
Through the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, the Bishop C. Charles Vaché Scholarship is granted for $1,000 to $5,000 each academic year to provide financial support to low-income and minority undergraduate college students who are attending an accredited institution in southern Virginia on a full-time basis. Along with the application, candidates must submit an official transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a brief 250-word essay on future goals.
Contact
Bishop C. Charles Vaché Scholarship
600 Talbot Hall Road
Norfolk, VA 23505
(757) 423-8287
Scholarship Link
2. Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2004 in remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the landmark legislative decision, the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship is presented annually for up to $5,000 to Virginia residents who were unable to attend public school between 1954 and 1964 due to the mass closing of schools to avoid desegregation. Eligible applicants must use the financial funding to pursue a master's, doctoral, or other post-baccalaureate degree program within the Commonwealth.
Contact
Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship
910 Capitol Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-3591 ext. 232
3. Central Virginia Scholarship
Deadline: March 4th
Within the Community Foundation of Richmond (TCFR), the Central Virginia Scholarship has been established to provide $5,000 to $15,000 annually to extraordinary graduating high school seniors in Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover who are unable to attend the private institution of their choice due to higher tuition expenses. Qualified candidates must plan to enroll in an accredited four-year university in the continental U.S., demonstrate financial need, be legal Virginia residents, and be involved in school/community activities.
Contact
Central Virginia Scholarship
7501 Boulders View Drive Suite 110
Richmond, VA 23225
(804) 330-7400
4. Colonel Charles E. Savedge Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 1st
Each year, the Virginia High School League presents the Colonel Charles E. Savedge Scholarship Fund for $500 to graduating high school seniors who have at least two years of full-time experience participating as a staff member on their school's publications, including yearbook, newspaper, or literary magazines. Along with an application, students must submit a one-page essay, letter of recommendation, current photo, resume, and two writing samples.
Contact
Colonel Charles E. Savedge Scholarship Fund
1642 State Farm Blvd.
Charlottesville, VA 22911
(434) 977-8475
5. Deputy Frankie Lynn Betterton Scholarship
Deadline: February 26th
In honor of the courageous police officer from the Pittsylvania County Sherriff's Office who was shot and killed in 2002 while making a routine traffic stop, the Deputy Frankie Lynn Betterton Scholarship has been established by the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region (CFDRR). In order to qualify for the $1,000 award, candidates must reside in Danville or Pittsylvania, exhibit significant financial need, and be pursuing a degree in law enforcement.
Contact
Deputy Frankie Lynn Betterton Scholarship
541 Loyal Street
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 793-0884
6. Dorothy J. Hall Memorial Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
Administered through the Virginia Credit Union (VACU), Dorothy J. Hall Memorial Scholarships provide $2,500 each year to 25 students who will be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution for the upcoming fall term in pursuit of their first undergraduate degree. Applicants must be the primary owner of a VACU account in good standing, be taking at least nine credit hours a semester, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better, and participate in community service.
Contact
Dorothy J. Hall Memorial Scholarships
13505 Tredegar Lake Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 323-6000
Scholarship Link
7. Everette H. and Edith P. Griffin Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
As part of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation (HRCF), the Everette H. and Edith P. Griffin Memorial Scholarship is granted each year for up to $2,000 to students from Isle of Wright, Southhampton, Franklin, and Suffolk counties of Western Tidewater who have a visual and/or hearing impairment. Eligible candidates must be legal Virginia residents, have financial need, be enrolling in a post-secondary institution full-time, and provide documentation confirming their status as legally blind or deaf.
Contact
Everette H. and Edith P. Griffin Memorial Scholarship
101 East Main Street Suite 4500
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 622-7951
8. Franklin D. Boyce Health Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 15th
With the goal of encouraging qualified individuals to professional healthcare occupations, the Franklin D. Boyce Health Scholarship Program is administered through the John Randolph Foundation to provide $2,500 to students enrolled in Virginia post-secondary institutions who are studying to become nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, physicians, psychologists, or radiologists. Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, exhibit financial need, and be enrolled in at least six credits per semester.
Contact
Franklin D. Boyce Health Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 1606
Hopewell, VA 23860
(804) 458-2239
9. George E. Allen Academic Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
In memory of the founder of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen Law Firm who put himself through law school despite the many obstacles in his early life, the George E. Allen Academic Scholarship is presented annually for $1,500 to graduating high school seniors from Central Virginia who have overcome adversity for extraordinary academic promise. Applicants should be pursuing a post-secondary program, demonstrate high academic achievement, and submit a recommendation.
Contact
George E. Allen Academic Scholarship
P.O. Box 6855
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 257-7542
10. Granville P. Meade Scholarship
Deadline: March 14th
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, the Granville P. Meade Scholarship is designed to provide $2,000 annually for up to four years to high school seniors with outstanding academic achievements who are financially unable to afford the costs of college. To qualify, candidates must be attending one of Virginia's public or private universities full-time, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and show involvement in extra-curricular activities.
Contact
Granville P. Meade Scholarship
2002 Bremo Road Lower Level
Richmond, VA 23226
(804) 225-2025
11. Howard D. Mast Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Established by the Suffolk Foundation in memory of the former Director of Parks and Recreation who founded the Suffolk Tennis Association, the Howard D. Mast Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually for up to $5,000 to graduating high school seniors at one of the public or private high schools within the city of Suffolk. Selection will be based on financial need, participation in tennis or other sports, personal character, and involvement in community affairs.
Contact
Howard D. Mast Memorial Scholarship
106 West Finney Avenue
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-9090
Scholarship Link
12. Hughes Memorial Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
Annually, the Hughes Memorial Foundation offers scholarships for up to $5,000 each to financially disadvantaged students living in the counties of Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Campbell, Bedford, Patrick, Henry, and Franklin in Virginia who are pursuing higher education or job training at an accredited institution. Preference will be given to children in these counties who are linear offspring of the orphanage Hughes Memorial Home as well as any other residential care facilities.
Contact
Hughes Memorial Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 10400
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 799-2412
13. James G. Browder Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 9th
Supported through the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA), the James C. Browder Jr. Memorial Scholarship provides $2,000 each year to deserving freshman, sophomore, and junior-level undergraduate students who are pursuing a career within the transportation industry. Qualified applicants must be attending a Virginia higher learning institution full-time, be U.S. citizens, be enrolled in a specialized engineering/technical curriculum related to transportation, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
Contact
James G. Browder Jr. Memorial Scholarship
620 Moorefield Park Drive Suite 120
Richmond, VA 23236
(804) 330-3312
14. Kearney & Company Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 1st
Through the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA), the Kearney & Company Scholarship Program is available for rising junior and senior-level accounting majors who are enrolled full-time at George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, Virginia Tech, or the College of William & Mary. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in accounting coursework to qualify for taking the CPA exam, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater, and demonstrate involvement in extra-curricular activities.
Contact
Kearney & Company Scholarship Program
4309 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 612-9427
15. Lee-Jackson Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: February 15th
Since founded by industrialist Jay W. Johns in 1953, the Lee-Jackson Foundation has grown to provide 18 annual scholarships for up to $2,000 apiece to Virginia high school junior and senior students who submit extraordinary analytical essays on any aspect of the career or legacy of General Robert E. Lee and/or General "Stonewall" Jackson. Applicants must be residents of Virginia, plan to attend an accredited four-year U.S. institution full-time, and demonstrate the natural academic abilities for success in college.
Contact
Lee-Jackson Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 8121
Charlottesville, VA 22906
Scholarship Link
16. Leo Bourassa Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Ranging in value from $1,000 to $3,000, the Leo Bourassa Scholarship is granted through the Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association (VLWA) to full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are attending a Virginia accredited institution with a major in biology, conservation, ecology, engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology, limnology, storm water management, or water quality. Candidates must be in good academic standing, be Virginia residents, and show outstanding promise for contributing to the field of water resources.
Contact
Leo Bourassa Scholarship
4229 Lafayette Center Drive Suite 1850
Chantilly, VA 20151
(757) 671-6222
17. Lisa Sechrist Memorial Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Created in 1996 by Brookfield Residential to honor the memory of a young employee who tragically lost her life to domestic violence at 32, the Lisa Sechrist Memorial Foundation Scholarship is awarded for 10,000 annually to one underprivileged female student who shows critical financial need for assistance in pursuing higher education. Applicants must have a high school diploma, be residents of Virginia, enroll in an accredited higher learning institution, and demonstrate good citizenship through community/civic service.
Contact
Lisa Sechrist Memorial Foundation Scholarship
3201 Jermantown Road Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 270-1400
18. Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Competition
Deadline: March 8th
Each year, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra hosts the Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Competition to provide $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000 awards to full-time undergraduate or graduate students of music who deliver an extraordinary performance of a concerto on strings, winds, piano, or percussion. Qualified candidates must be attending an accredited college or conservatory in Virginia, be 25 years old or under, and present a resume that reflects significant musical performing experience.
Contact
Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Competition
8421 Sulky Court
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 548-0885
19. Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship is awarded annually for up to $1,200 to qualified individuals who have been accepted for full or part-time enrollment in a school of nursing within the state. To be eligible, applicants must have resided in Virginia for at least one year, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, show financial need, and agree to repay the funding by working continuously in Virginia for at least 12 months as a registered nurse upon graduation.
Contact
Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship
109 Governor Street Suite 1016
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 864-7003
20. Rose Koury Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Within the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNV), the Rose Koury Memorial Scholarship is presented annually for $5,000 for up to four years of study to graduating high school seniors residing in northern Virginia who are planning to enter the field of early childhood or elementary education. Eligible candidates must be accepted for full-time enrollment in a state teacher preparation program, demonstrate financial need, be dedicated to the field of education, and maintain academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better.
Contact
Rose Koury Memorial Scholarship
2940 Hunter Mill Road Suite 201
Oakton, VA 22124
(703) 879-7640
21. Sue Gillespie Wysor Memorial Scholarship Fund
Deadline: February 24th
As part of the Arlington Community Foundation, the Sue Gillespie Wysor Memorial Scholarship Fund offers up to $8,000 to graduating high school seniors in Arlington County of Virginia who have clearly expressed a desire to pursue an undergraduate degree related to the biological sciences. Qualified students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and be attending an accredited four-year institution or two-year college within the Virginia Community College System in the upcoming fall.
Contact
Sue Gillespie Wysor Memorial Scholarship Fund
818 North Quincy Street
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 243-4785
Scholarship Link
22. Thelma W. Utt Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
Established by the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs (VFGC), the Thelma W. Utt Scholarship is available each year for up to $2,000 to junior, senior, and graduate students who are studying agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, botany, plant pathology, forestry, agronomy, environmental science, ecology, or other related subjects. Eligible applicants must be residents of Virginia, be enrolled full-time in an accredited institution, have a solid scholastic record, and exhibit initiative in a garden-related field.
Contact
Thelma W. Utt Scholarship
1800 Lakeside Avenue
Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 262-9887
23. Virginia Ruff Women's Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
In honor of a 50-year member of the Bedford Professional Women (BPW) who devoted her career to educating Bedford children as a school librarian, the Virginia Ruff Women's Scholarship is presented for $1,000 each year to extraordinary women seeking post-secondary education to re-enter the job market for career advancement. Applicants must be 25 years or older, reside within Bedford County, be U.S. citizens, be accepted into an accredited program, and demonstrate financial need to upgrade job skills.
Contact
Virginia Ruff Women's Scholarship
1629 Oakwood Street
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-9724
24. Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program
Deadline: July 31st
Since its inception in 1972 by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program has provided financial assistance to Virginia residents who are attending accredited private non-profit universities within the state. In order to receive up to $3,100 in funding, qualified individuals must be enrolled full-time as undergraduate or graduate students, attending an eligible institution, and pursuing a health-related degree.
Contact
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program
101 North 14th Street 10th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 225-2600
25. Walton Mahon Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 3rd
In collaboration with the Community Foundation of Rappahannock River Region (CFRRR), the Union First Market Bank has created the Walton Mahon Scholarship Fund to honor his 42 years of devoted service by providing $1,000 annual awards in his name. Eligible candidates must reside within Caroline County of Virginia, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, plan to attend a community college or four-year university in the state, be pursuing a career in business, and demonstrate financial need for assistance.
Contact
Walton Mahon Scholarship Fund
725 Jackson Street Suite 114
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-9292
Between rising tuition expenses, academic fees, textbook supplies, room and board, and other costs associated with higher education, it may seem impossible to save money while pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. However, plentiful financial aid resources can help to dramatically reduce the financial burden of college as well as minimize your need to accumulate mountains of student loan debt for repayment after graduation. Whether you were born and raised or are moving to the "Old Dominion," be sure to further investigate these scholarships in Virginia to unlock excellent financial funding opportunities.
Discover a program that is right for you.
Explore different options for you based on your degree interests.