There are many scholarship opportunities available to the students in Virginia. From regional awards offered by national organizations to home-grown essay contests and other opportunities, this list offers a number of unique scholarships that students in Virginia can pursue to help pay for college.
1. National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) Scholarship
Amount: $3,500
Deadline: TBD for 2020-2021
High school seniors in Virginia are eligible to apply for the Region I NIADA scholarship worth up to $3,500 to the college of their choice.
Specific requirements aren’t listed, but students are expected to have a high level of academic achievement and a “demonstrated aptitude for college-level coursework”.
2. My Political Hero Essay Contest
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: May 1
This $2,000 scholarship, sponsored by Virginia for Integrity in Government, asks Virginia high school students to pen a tribute to their favorite political hero or heroine. Heroes must be living.
3. Perlita Liwanag Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: TBD for 2021-2022
Founded in memory of Perlita Liwanag, who lost her life to pancreatic cancer, this scholarship offers up to $2,500 to students who have either been diagnosed/treated for cancer or have had their parents or siblings suffer from cancer. Eligible applicants must have been between the ages of 15 to 39 at the time of the diagnosis/treatment.
This scholarship is open to all residents of the broader Washington, D.C. area, including Northern Virginia.
4. Legacy of Life Video & Essay Contest
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 31, 2020
This scholarship fund was created to help encourage more people to sign up for the state donor registry for organ, eye, and tissue donations.
Eligible students in Virginia can create a video or essay that would be used to convince others why they should sign up for the registry. The winner will receive a scholarship worth $5,000.
5. Kids’ Chance of Virginia (KCVA) Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 1
The Kids’ Chance of Virginia scholarship seeks to help students whose parent was either severely injured or killed in a workplace accident. Students whose parents were injured and who then suffered a significant decrease in income or circumstances are eligible to apply.
This annual award varies in amount but is available any student age 16 to 25 who will be pursuing a post-secondary or trade school education in the following fall.
6. Franklin D. Boyce Annual Health Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: TBD for 2021
This scholarship, available to students planning to pursue a career in a qualifying healthcare profession, offers $2,500 to residents of Hopewell and surrounding areas in Virginia.
7. Lisa Higgins-Hussman Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 4, 2020
This scholarship is for students age 15 to 35 who have been affected by cancer either through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a parent or sibling.
It awards up to $3,000 in funds to pay for college.
8. Charles J. Colgan Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 17, 2020
Students interested in aviation careers such as becoming a pilot or airplane technician can receive up to $2,000 in scholarship money courtesy of the Virginia Department of Aviation.
Students will need to either already be enrolled in an aviation program or have proof of acceptance. Eligible students will need a 3.0 GPA, 2 letters of recommendation, and write a 200-250 word essay on the importance of aviation.
9. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship Program
Amount: $8,000
Deadline: November 6, 2020
Student artists can receive a fellowship of up to $8,000 from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
This program has many specific requirements and is geared toward helping both professional artists as well as art students pay for expenses and gain experience.
10. Leo Bourassa Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 1, 2020
The Virginia Lakes and Watershed Association hosts the Leo Bourassa Scholarship. In line with the association’s goal of protecting and managing lakes and water resources, the scholarship awards a varying amount to students who study in a water resource-related field.
To qualify, students must attend a college in Virginia, have Virginia residency, and have completed at least two semesters of college.
11. Carolinas-Virginias Retail Hardware Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 6, 2020
This unique scholarship opportunity is available to students whose parents are members of the Retail Hardware Association within either North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia.
The scholarship awards up to $2,000 and students must have a 2.5 GPA to apply.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
6.97%-15.03%* Variable
5.99%-14.00%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
6.37% - 16.70% Variable
4.50% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.98% - 16.70% Variable
4.07% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.07% - 11.31% Variable
4.39% - 10.39% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
6.22% - 16.08% Variable
4.09% - 15.66% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
6.54% - 11.08% Variable
3.95% - 8.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 18.26% Variable
4.11% - 15.90% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
4.98% - 12.79% Variable
8.42% - 13.01% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
