The Best Virginia Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines in 2024

About scholarships in Virginia

There are approximately 8.6 million people living in Virginia, about 563,000 of whom are college students in either undergraduate or graduate university programs. The average college acceptance rate at United States colleges is about 70.1%. The acceptance rate in Virginia closely mirrors the national average, with a 70% college acceptance rate across the state. To learn more about the population demographics and how Virginia students can get college scholarships, continue to our guide for scholarships in Virginia.

Virginia students and student debt

Across the nation, student debt costs have been rising. Since the turn of the century, college prices have increased by 16.1%, when adjusted for inflation. Because of the increase in education prices, the national student loan debt is at $1.75 trillion. Scholarships can help limit the financial stress of student loans by offering students the chance to earn financial assistance for their education.

Virginia student demographics

As a state, Virginia is more racially diverse than the nation. The United States has a white population of about 76.3%, while Virginia's white population is 69.4%. This means that there is a higher racially diverse population in Virginia than in the whole of the U.S. population.

Additionally, Virginia has a lower poverty rate than that of the United States. About 9.2% of Virginia's population is below the poverty line, which is significantly smaller than the national poverty rate of 13.4%. While Virginia has fewer people in poverty, its child poverty rate has stayed at around 5%, despite significant economic growth.

Virginia is one of the top 10 wealthiest states in the nation but has a poverty rate higher than some states that don't bring in as large of an income as Virginia does. In order to help the economically disadvantaged in Virginia, there are specific financial aid programs in place to assist Virginia residents in their college education.

Virginia colleges

Virginia hosts 174 different institutions for higher education, 46 of which are public institutions and 125 of which are private universities. Whether you plan to go to a Virginia community college, attend accredited private schools, or plan on attending public institutions, there is no shortage of places to choose from. With so many college options, Virginia students don't have to look far to find a school that suits their interests and passions.

Notable institutions in Virginia include the University of Virginia, George Mason University, ​​Virginia Tech, and many more. Outstanding high school seniors from Virginia have the chance to attend whatever type of school they are interested in. Between academic achievement, planning, and effort, eligible students can explore their future and find schools that offer the best program for their journey.

Cost of education in Virginia

In 2021, the average cost of tuition alone for in-state students was $8,458 and the cost of education - which includes tuition, room and board prices, and additional expenses - averaged at $24,441. Comparatively, the out-of-state tuition in Virginia averaged $19,494, with the cost of education averaging $35,476.

No matter where you are in your financial aid search, you can begin looking for scholarships to help reduce student loans incurred through attending Virginia schools.

Student debt in Virginia

Virginia has the 4th highest average student loan debt in the nation. Because of the high education costs, more students have to take out debt when leaving college. Virginia students leave college with an average of $37,098 in loan debt. The state as a whole has $44.2 million in combined private and federal student loan debt from 1.2 million current or past students.

Virginia graduates have a high chance of leaving college with significant debt, making scholarships so important. Bold.org seeks to help Virginia students with their college costs, giving as many opportunities as possible for students to become scholarship recipients.

The best scholarships for Virginia students

High school is a great time for students to begin preparing for their college expenses. Programs like the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program assist undergraduate students from Virginia, while other scholarships help to cover hefty out-of-state costs and provide for students with financial need. Here we take a look at some of the best scholarships Virginia students can apply for.

Elizabeth D. Stark Art Scholarship

More than 80% of American schools have faced budget cuts since 2008, and the arts are often one of the first things to go. It’s critical that artistic students have the resources they need to pursue their passions. This scholarship honors the life of Elizabeth Stark by supporting two female students from Virginia who are pursuing degrees in art or art history. 

Self “ESTEAM” Scholarship

Pillars4Dignity, a nonprofit organization located in Maryland, aims to support and empower underserved women who face economic and social hardships. You must be a rising female junior or senior in high school, and be located in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia to be eligible for this scholarship.

Desiree Jeana Wapples Scholarship for Young Women

Moving from high school to college is a significant transition in any student’s life due to the pressure of preparing for college and the differences in a new environment. The financial burden of college only adds to the stress that students face when pursuing higher education. This scholarship aims to support female high school students in Virginia so they can be financially prepared for college.

Additional scholarships for Virginia students to consider

Bold.org offers scholarships for students of all backgrounds, education levels, and interests. These scholarships are on a broader scale, so it's also important to look for scholarships in your area or those with more requirements.

Learn about the opportunities offered through your school, in your community, or from organizations you're involved with. Many colleges give scholarships specifically to students attending their school. In most cases, colleges open their school's scholarship offers yearly, so pay attention to the ways you can maximize your financial aid. This involves finding scholarships that are specific to you. Read on to see what scholarships are available for you.

How you choose to pursue various scholarship options is up to you, but with all of the opportunities available for students, you can start applying today.

• #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship
• Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship
• “A Bold Life” No-Essay Scholarship
• 100 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
• Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship
• Lillian's and Ruby's Way Scholarship

Scholarships in Virginia for high school students

High school is the perfect time for students from Virginia to begin thinking about college. Bold.org offers a wide variety of scholarship opportunities that are available for any high school education level and above. Explore general scholarships for high school students that help give you a great start on saving for your college education. Use the filter on the scholarship search page listed as "High School" for specific high school scholarships or look at the "Any Education Level" filter to see all of the opportunities available for current students.

Scholarships for high school juniors in Virginia

Junior year of high school is typically when high school students begin to decide what they are interested in for their future. Part of this pre-planning is determining where to go to college if choosing to do so. To help forward-thinking juniors begin preparing for the cost of college, Bold.org provides scholarships for high school juniors that give high school juniors in Virginia the chance to begin looking ahead at their college expenses.

Scholarships for high school seniors in Virginia

Senior year is a busy one, as this is when high school seniors have begun making decisions about college, major, etc. Scholarships for high school seniors are all over the place during a student's senior year of high school. Since senior year is the big transition to college, many scholarships are open specifically to high school seniors. Use your senior year of high school to get a jumpstart on earning financial aid for college in Virginia.

Scholarships for college students in Virginia

Scholarships don't stop after high school, so even if you never looked for scholarships in high school, you still have the chance to get assistance with your college expenses. These scholarships come in different varieties, including those that are more general to all college students as well as ones specific to your year in college. Bold.org offers scholarships for undergraduate students as well as scholarships for students in graduate school that are open to college students pursuing those degrees.

At the same time, more specific scholarships, such as scholarships for college freshmen and scholarships for college sophomores focus on students enrolled in their freshman or sophomore year respectively. Use opportunities available for college students to help limit your future student debt.

Scholarships for education majors in Virginia

On Bold.org, students can find scholarships that correspond specifically to their interests. These include education scholarships, which seek to help future teachers leave college with less student loan debt. While many education scholarships are available to undergraduate students, there are still options out there for students earning higher degrees. Use the page referenced and the "Education" filter on the scholarship search page to give you a good starting point.

Scholarships for single moms in Virginia

Being a single parent is difficult as it is, but adding schooling into the mix can seem even more overwhelming. Some may have children currently in elementary and secondary school that need watching over after their own school days, and the balance between parenting, working, and schooling is tough to balance on your own. To help ease some of the financial stress single moms face while getting their education, Bold.org's scholarships for single moms offer opportunities that let single moms focus on what matters most.

Nursing scholarships and grants in Virginia

Among the scholarship categories on Bold.org are nursing scholarships for students attending college to get a degree in nursing. Future nurses in Virginia can take a look at these scholarships and find which ones fit their education level and location.

Scholarships for African American students in Virginia

Bold.org is committed to promoting diversity. Many donors strive to give opportunities to minority students. The requirements for these various scholarships vary, but a good place to begin looking is through our page dedicated to scholarships for African American students. Additionally, students can find more opportunities available under the "Diversity and Inclusion" category filter tab of the scholarship search page.

Scholarships for Hispanic students in Virginia

Going along with the diversity theme from the above section, Bold.org features specific scholarships for Hispanic students. These scholarships serve to support students of Hispanic or Latinx descent and can be found on the listed page as well as under the "Diversity and Inclusion" category filter tab of the scholarship search page.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships in Virginia

While applying for Virginia scholarships, you may have some questions regarding the application process or how using Bold.org works. We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions Virginia students have about applying for scholarships.

How to apply for scholarships in Virginia

Exclusive scholarship opportunities are offered through Bold.org that you can't find anywhere else. By creating your free Bold.org profile, you will gain access to Bold.org's many opportunities that continue to grow daily. Clicking on any of the listed scholarships will direct you to where you can open an account.

As you build your profile, add as much information about your experiences, interests, and educational experiences as possible. The more fleshed out your account is, the more scholarships you will meet the eligibility requirements for. From there, you can browse through scholarships on the scholarship search page. Begin your search by utilizing the category feature, which can narrow down scholarships specific to your education level and interests. As you go along, you can bookmark scholarships to reconsider later.

As you begin the application process, prepare the materials needed. No matter what the application requires - an essay, video, artwork, etc. - it is important to put effort into your submission. For tips on making your essays stand out, visit our list of tips on how to write a scholarship essay.

As you become more familiar with the process, educate yourself about how you can make the most out of your financial aid from scholarship programs, grants, and other opportunities. If you are new to the process, Bold.org offers great tools that help guide you through the first steps.

Are scholarships taxable in Virginia?

Scholarships received by Virginia students are sent directly to the school they are enrolled in. Since the money goes to the institution rather than the winner, scholarships are not considered income and are therefore not taxable.

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship in Virginia?

Bold.org makes it easy to find scholarships specifically for your interests. After finding the scholarships you want to apply to, click on the scholarship and look at the listed requirements for scholarship applicants. These requirements range from major to gender to cumulative grade point average and so on. Read these requirements before beginning your preparation, so that you can budget your application time more wisely.

When can I start applying to Virginia scholarships?

It's never too early to begin applying for scholarships. High school seniors often have many opportunities specific to them. And yet at the same time, undergraduate and graduate students can look at the college scholarship program for their school or seek financial aid through government assistance. Whether that be a tuition assistance grant program or a merit-based scholarship, there are many opportunities for students to save up for higher education.