Virginia scholarships: Your guide to free money for college

The Arthur R. & Pinkie Giesen Memorial Scholarship provides assistance to deserving students, preferably those who are residents of the New River Valley. Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities. They must not be nor ever have been, on disciplinary probation or suspension from any academic institution of higher education. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Fox Pest Control believes in investing in future leaders who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. That's why they created the Fox Pest Control Future Leaders Scholarship to support students who demonstrate leadership, commitment to their communities, and a passion for growth. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be current college students currently enrolled in a four-year or two-year program, taking a minimum of twelve credit hours; or students have been accepted to a four-year or two-year program for the Spring 2026 semester. All students must submit a Spring 2026 class schedule upon request. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

Established in 1972, the Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG) is designed to assist Virginia residents who attend accredited private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Virginia for other than religious training or theological education. The priority system is as follows: Category 1: Returning students who received a VTAG award in the previous fiscal year. This category includes transfer students who received a VTAG award in the previous fiscal year at another institution. Category 2: New and re-admit students who are eligible for fall or fall and spring term awards and who apply for the VTAG program by July 31, 2024. This category also includes returning and transfer students determined to be eligible in the previous fiscal year, but not awarded. Category 3: New and re-admit students who are eligible for fall or fall and spring term awards and who apply for the VTAG program between and including August 1 and September 14, 2024. Category 4: All students eligible for spring term awards only (except those who received the award in the previous fiscal year), and who apply by December 1, 2024. Completed applications must be submitted to the financial aid office of the student's institution on, or before, July 31 prior to the fall semester of enrollment. Applications submitted after July 31, but no later than December 1, will be considered for an award only if funds are available.

The James Cothran, KD3NI, Scholarship will be awarded to those with any active Amateur Radio License Class. Applicants must be residents of the Atlantic Division, the Roanoke Division, the Southeastern Division or Washington, D.C. Applicants may be pursuing any field of study in any institution. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.

The Gary Wagner, K3OMI, Scholarship will be awarded to those with an active Novice Class Amateur Radio License or higher. Applicants must be pursuing their studies toward a Bachelor of Science degree in any field of engineering. Applicants must submit transcripts which must cover the applicant's entire high school career to date and, if in college, must include all semesters for which grades have been awarded. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.

The L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship will be awarded to those with active General Class license or higher. Applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree or higher in electronics, communications, or related fields. Applicants must submit transcripts which must cover the applicant's entire high school career to date and, if in college, must include all semesters for which grades have been awarded. For students applying for graduate school assistance, high school transcripts are not necessary. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.

The Johnella Banks Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Johnella Banks, DNSc, RN, an associated professor of nursing at Howard University College Nursing. Applicants must be a sophomore, junior, or first-semester senior student in a registered nursing or practical nursing program. They must have a permanent residence in the District of Columbia or one of the eligible counties in Maryland and Virginia. Applicants must submit at least two, but no more than four letters of recommendations from unrelated persons. Individuals completing and signing the letter of recommendation may include a current or former nursing faculty or advisor, employers, religious leaders, or professional colleagues who can address the applicant's scholarship ability and potential, leadership skills and qualities, adaptability and flexibility, and character. Applicants must also provide evidence of any scholastic achievements, community service, honors received, awards, certificates of recognition, and/or letters recognizing or commending their actions that support their nursing career. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Alice Hinchcliffe Williams, RDH, MS Merit Scholarship is funded by the Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association Foundation to honor their deceased colleague and benefactor who helped to establish the VDHA Foundation. It is awarded to a student attending school in Virginia or possessing Virginia residency who is seeking a post licensure degree. Applicants must be a professional or student member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). They must be enrolled in a Graduate (Masters or Doctoral) degree program in Dental Hygiene or accredited degree studies related to the professional roles of the dental hygienist. Graduate students (Masters or Doctoral) must hold an active dental hygiene license and the minimum of a baccalaureate degree. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) Institute For Oral Health for more information.

The purpose of the Virginia Undergraduate Scholarship from the Patient Advocate Foundation is to provide support to individuals who must have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for a cancer or chronic disease within the past five years. Applicants must be pursuing an Associate's degree or higher. Scholars are eligible to receive a scholarship of $3,000 per school year ($1,500 per semester: Fall or Spring) for four consecutive years until the student receives a maximum of $12,000 or graduates with a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Applicants must submit a copy of an acceptance letter from the college or university they are planning to attend. If the applicant is unsure or has not received acceptance letters yet, they must list the colleges to which they applied instead. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from non-related persons such as teachers, coaches, or community leaders. The recommender should be able to endorse the applicant's personal character, academic achievements, and work or volunteer experience. Applicants must also ask their treating physician, oncologist, primary care physician, or nurse to verify their patient's diagnosis by completing the Diagnosis Verification Form or by submitting a signed letter on practice's/provider's letterhead. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Patient Advocate Foundation for more information.