The Commonwealth of Virginia has a rich history of academic excellence and a longstanding tradition of quality education. Many of the oldest institutions of higher education in the country are located in Virginia, with dates of establishment that go as far back in history to the founding fathers of America, and even earlier. For instance, the College of William and Mary, one of the nine colonial colleges, was established about 80 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As such, there are many Virginia grants and scholarships available to help students finance their college studies and career aspirations.
College Consensus is all about access and opportunity, so the top 5 Virginia Scholarships list is simply a starting place for your search for scholarships in the Old Dominion. Programs are presented alphabetically.
See Also: Best Scholarships for Online Students
1
A.S. Forrest Scholarship
If you’re thinking about pursuing your degree at Randolph-Macon College, you may be interested in applying for the A.S. Forrest Scholarship. Preference is given to students who are originally from the Virginia Peninsula or Tidewater area, although students from other areas of Virginia will be considered as well. The award amount given varies each year.
The scholarship was established in 1985 by Aldredge S. Forrest, class of 1932. The scholarship was designed to give students in Virginia attending Randolph-Macon College the opportunity to graduate from college with a low amount of student loan debt. This can go a long way in helping you to get on your feet as a new college graduate. All students are encouraged to apply, even if they are not originally from the Virginia Peninsula or Tidewater areas.
2
Granville P. Meade Scholarship
The Granville P. Meade scholarship was designed for students who have had success in school and show the promise to succeed in college, but who have a financial need that may prevent them from getting the most out of their higher education experience. The scholarship is renewable, and recipients get $2,000 for each of their four years of undergraduate education, as long as the continue to meet scholarship requirements.
This scholarship is one of the many scholarships in Virginia offered by the Virginia Board of Education. This governing body also selects scholarship recipients. The selection process for receiving the award is rigorous. Earning the Grandville P. Meade scholarship not only helps out financially – it also looks great on resumes sent to future employers.
3
Innovators of Progress
The Innovators of Progress scholarship is available to students who reside in the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore metro areas, are U.S. citizens, are at least 18 years of age, are enrolled in a college, university, or trade school, have earned more than 24 college credits, and have a minimum GPA of 3.3. Students must submit a progressive idea in a STEM, finance, healthcare, business, infrastructure, or literacy industries. Selected students will receive $1,000 per year to put toward their idea, and $1,000 each year to put toward tuition. The scholarship is renewable if students show progress toward making their idea a reality.
This scholarship is a great opportunity to lower tuition bills while also working toward the ultimate goal of becoming an innovator and business owner. If you qualify for the Innovators of Progress scholarship, talk with your academic advisor to find out if the work you do with the program could count as an independent study credit. This scholarship is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door of your chosen field before graduation. The Innovators of Progress organization wants to help students get into the mindset that they can make a difference in their field.
4
Lee Jackson Educational Foundation Scholarship
In order to apply for the Lee Jackson Educational Foundation Scholarship, junior and senior high school students must submit an essay that analyzes the character of Robert E. Lee or “Stonewall” Jackson. The essay can be positive or negative in nature. Essays are judged and a number of different awards are available to applicants. One student from each of Virginia’s public school regions will receive a $2,000 scholarship, and another student from each region will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Private school and home school students are also welcome to apply, and one $2,000 and one $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in this category. The student who is judged to have the best essay in the state will earn a $10,000 scholarship.
Participating in the Lee Jackson Education Foundation Scholarship process is a great opportunity to put your opinions and thoughts on the Civil War into words. Use the application process as an opportunity to talk and work with your English teacher to make your essay as stellar as possible.
5
Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship
Rising college juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for the Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship provided by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium. Students must be majoring in a STEM field and must currently be working with a faculty member on a research project that is relevant to NASA or aerospace. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, full-time students, and must have a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must submit a statement that explains their academic goals, and they need to explain how their research is aligned with NASA’s overall mission.
If you’re a student who is interested in working in aerospace one day, earning the Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship is a great way to get started. This award will provide you with the connections you need to excel as you begin your professional career.
Does the Commonwealth of Virginia Offer Grants and Scholarships?
Most of the Commonwealth of Virginia grants and scholarships require its recipients to be a US Citizen, a Virginia resident and attend a university or college within the Commonwealth of Virginia’s state boundaries. The grants and scholarships are provided by the Commonwealth to help students fund their college studies.
Virginia grants and scholarships include more than several dozen programs, which include – The Commonwealth Award Program, the Guaranteed Assistance Program, the Tuition Assistance Grant program, the War Orphans Education Program, and the College Scholarship, to name a few. Additionally, Virginia residents/students also have the option to apply for the federal assistance known as the Pell Grant.
Most scholarships offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia are based on the eligible student’s academic merit and/or a student’s verifiable financial need. Virginia’s eligible grant offerings are dispersed through the Commonwealth’s counties and cities to meet a broad base of resident needs. Students interested in exploring the available grants offered by Virginia should visit the Virginia Governor’s Constituent Services website.
Do I Have to Live in Virginia to Qualify for a Scholarship or Grant?
There is a multitude of Virginia college scholarships that are available to Virginia high school seniors and other Commonwealth residents. Virginia residents have the option of choosing –
College scholarships for Virginia Students – these college scholarships are generally based on a student’s need, education performance, ethnicity, community involvement, as well as merit.
College scholarships for Virginia Residents – these college scholarships cover a multiple of roots. A partial list of these scholarships that include Museum Graduate Fellows, Aerospace Fellowships, Innovators & Engineers, Education, Music, and Tractor Supply, among others.
Virginia college scholarships are available from many public and private sector sources. Virginia high school seniors have the opportunity to apply for Commonwealth sponsored scholarships or private sponsored grants/scholarships, depending on the student’s need and educational intentions.
College scholarships for Virginia Students offered by the state typically require scholarship applicants to be state residents; however, private scholarships may permit non-Virginia residents to apply for the potential educational funding, if they meet all other eligibility requirements. College scholarships for Virginia Residents can be found easily online through state and college-related resources.
Are there Scholarships for Women in Virginia?
Scholarships offered by the state and county governments of Virginia are available to both women and men unless the scholarship specifically denotes differently. As such, there is a large variety of Virginia scholarships for women, not all from women’s colleges. There are additional Virginia scholarships for women specifically designed to help finance a female college student in the state of Virginia.
For instance, there is the Vienna Woman’s Club Scholarship, which requires applicants to live in Vienna and has enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program in an accredited technical institution of higher learning like George Mason or NOVA, among others. Eligible applicants must submit documentation that includes an application, high school transcript, a faculty referral, and the student aid report.
Additionally, there is the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG), which began in the early 1970s, that is available to female (and male) Virginia residents who plan on enrolling full-time in a private institution of higher learning. These Virginia Tuition Assistance Grants renew automatically if the grant recipient continues to meet the established grant guidelines.
Are there Scholarships for Nurses in Virginia?
There are many nursing scholarships and grants in Virginia for students or working learners interested in pursuing a nursing degree at different levels. The Commonwealth of Virginia offers nursing scholarships and grants in Virginia through the Department of Health in the state.
The Virginia Department of Health Nursing scholarships are designed for students in a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree program or a Registered Nurse (RN) degree program that is located within the Commonwealth of Virginia state boundaries. Eligible applicants must be studying for their nursing degree on a full-time basis and be a resident of Virginia for a minimum of one year prior to applying for the education funding.
The Commonwealth of Virginia also offers nursing scholarships and various grants available to meet the needs of students studying for Nurse Educators, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurse-Midwives degrees, among others.
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