Educational Grants in Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia offers dozens of public and private postsecondary institutions for students pursuing a college degree. Virginia students who need funding for school can obtain money through need- and merit-based grant and scholarship programs. Funding sources include the Commonwealth of Virginia, private associations, Virginia colleges and universities and the federal government. Certain programs offer funding only for Virginia residents, and guidelines can require applicants to meet academic standards or enroll in specific fields of study.
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State Grants
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The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia offers multiple grant and scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate student aid programs include the Child Care Provider Scholarship, which extends eligibility to Virginia residents attending colleges and universities in the Commonwealth. The Child Care Provider program offers funding for child care workers, or those planning careers in child care, and pays up to $2,068, as of March 2011. The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program pays up to $2,600 to Virginia residents attending school full time at private colleges and universities in Virginia. The Virginia Graduate Commonwealth Award program extends eligibility to Virginia residents and out-of-state students attending public postsecondary institutions in Virginia.
School-Based Grants
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Private and public postsecondary institutions in Virginia often offer grants and scholarships for their students through internal programs. The University of Virginia provides endowment scholarships based on financial need and academic achievement. Certain endowment scholarships can require candidates to meet specific requirements established by the funding source. For example, the Bayly-Tiffany Scholarship only provides funding for residents of Northampton and Accomack counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bridgewater College awards President's Merit scholarships to incoming freshmen based on academic achievement. As of March 2011, the President's program pays a minimum of $10,500 per school year.
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Association Funding
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Private associations offer scholarship programs for Virginia residents and students attending Virginia schools. For example, the Virginia State Golf Association offers student aid for young golfers who hold residency in Virginia and attend school in Virginia. The VSGA also provides special scholarships for students enrolled in programs involving the study of turfgrass. The Virginia State Bar awards the Law in Society Scholarship. The Law in Society program awards funding based on an essay competition. As of March 2011, first-place winners can receive up to $2,300 and second-place winners $1,850.
Federal Funding
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Certain Virginia colleges and universities may rely on federally funded grant programs to assist students with a financial need and recommend federal merit-based programs for student pursuing certain fields of study. The National Smart Grant awards merit-based funding for students enrolled in engineering, mathematics, physical science, foreign language and computer science programs. The Federal Pell Grant program offers student aid based on financial need and can pay more than $5,000 per academic year, as of March 2011. Education majors planning careers in teaching can apply for the Teach Grant, which pays a maximum of $4,000 per academic year. The Teach Grant program requires award recipients to serve in teaching positions after they graduate.
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References
- State Council of Higher Education for Virginia: Paying For College
- University of Virginia: Scholarships
- Bridgewater College: Freshmen Scholarships
- Virginia State Golf Association: VSGA Scholarship Program of the Virginia Golf Foundation
- Virginia State Bar: Law in Society Scholarship
- Student Aid on the Web: Grants
Resources
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