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Before You Apply
Who should apply for an Educational Foundation scholarship?
If you are enrolled in or plan to enroll in a minimum of 6 credits for the upcoming academic semester at Virginia Western Community College with a minimum 2.0 GPA you should apply. It is important to note that a scholarship may require that you be enrolled in more than six credits. If a scholarship requires that you be full-time, then you must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits.
I don’t qualify for financial aid, should I still apply?
Absolutely! Scholarships are available for academic excellence and/or financial need. We award scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need, but may or may not qualify for financial aid.
What types of scholarships are available?
Virginia Western Educational Foundation scholarships are established by generous donors. The scholarships are based on academic merit, financial need and program of study. For a list of scholarships currently offered, see our main page for a link.
How do I know which scholarships I should apply for?
The online scholarship application system is designed to guide you through the three parts of the application. When Parts 1 and 2 are completed, you may be directed to Part 3, Recommended Scholarship Opportunities. Based on the information you provided in Parts 1 and 2 of the scholarship application, you may be recommended to apply for additional opportunities.
How do I apply for an Educational Foundation scholarship?
The online Educational Foundation scholarship applications are processed only by the Educational Foundation and its staff. For the purpose of applying for Educational Foundation scholarships, do not submit any required information to the Office of Financial Aid.
What expenses will be covered by an Educational Foundation scholarship?
Scholarship funds are most commonly used to cover tuition and fees, but funds may also be used to cover books or other allowable expenses as stated in your Scholarship Agreement.
When is the Educational Foundation Scholarship deadline?
The deadline for applying for scholarships varies depending on the semester. You should apply when you first begin to see information on the website, on-campus TVs, posters, and social media. All parts of the scholarship application (a completed application, taxes, statements of recommendation, and transcript) must be uploaded as part of the application process by the scholarship application deadline to be considered.
I am currently a high school senior planning to attend Virginia Western and applying for fall semester scholarships. What academic transcript do I provide?
Provide your most recent high school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA.
Are Educational Foundation scholarships available in summer?
No, Educational Foundation scholarships are only available for fall and spring semesters.
Who can I contact if I have a question about the scholarship process?
For more information you can contact the Educational Foundation CCAP & Scholarship Program Coordinator.
Completing the Application
What am I required to provide as part of the application?
In addition to answering all questions on the scholarship application, scholarship applicants must provide the following:
- most recent unofficial academic transcript indicating a cumulative GPA. Click here for how to retrieve your transcript.
- most current FAFSA Submission Summary indicating the Student Aid Index (SAI) (click here for example). Log on to your Federal Student Aid account at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to obtain a copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary.
- or most current federal tax return indicating Adjusted Gross Income amount and display of filer’s signature (click here for example tax return-PDF).
- names and email addresses of 3 persons (not family or friends) to serve as references.
How do I obtain my FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)?
If you have an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Username & Password),
- Go to http://fafsa.gov,
- Click on the Login button and enter your FSA ID on the left,
- Select View or Print your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the “My FAFSA” page.
If you provided an e-mail address on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will receive an email with a link to an online copy of your SAR.
If you did not provide a valid e-mail address on your FAFSA, the Social Security Number you included in your FAFSA did not match the one on file for you with the Social Security Administration, or you did not sign your FAFSA, you will receive either a SAR or a SAR Acknowledgement via postal mail. Typically, you will be able to access your SAR within two weeks of filing your FAFSA.
What if I do not have any of the documents required for the scholarship application?
If you do not have an unofficial transcript, FAFSA Student Aid Report or tax return to upload into your application, then you must upload an explanation of why you do not have the specific document requested in the section where it is required. Provide your explanation in Word or PDF format.
How long will it take to complete the scholarship application?
Once you collect the required documents, the scholarship application will take approximately 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to complete. There is an online step-by-step guide (PDF) to help you through the application process.
There are 3 simple steps to completing the application:
- Part 1 General Application (Profile)
- Part 2 General Scholarship Application
- Part 3 Recommended Scholarship Opportunities
Who should provide a reference for me?
A link to the online reference questionnaire is sent to the three (3) persons you list on the application. When you finish and submit the application, they will receive an email notifying them that they are being asked to provide a reference for you. They will do so by clicking on the link provided in the message, which will take them to an online questionnaire. It is so easy! If you are a current student, at least one recommendation MUST come from a Virginia Western instructor. If you have never attended Virginia Western, you may ask former teachers, volunteer supervisors, employers, or work colleagues to provide recommendations. Please note, recommendation by relatives/family members are not acceptable. And remember, ALWAYS GET PERMISSION from the person before using their name as a reference.
After You Apply
How are recipients selected and notified?
Scholarship recipients are selected by the Virginia Western Educational Foundation Scholarship & Grants Committee using a competitive award process. Recipients of the scholarships will be notified of their award in email and letter from the Educational Foundation. Students who apply for, but do not receive, a scholarship may still be eligible for loans, grants, or scholarships from federal, state and other sources. Please contact the Virginia Western Financial Aid Office at 1-855-874-6690 for more information regarding loans and/or grants.
If I receive an Educational Foundation scholarship, how will I receive the funds?
If you are awarded a scholarship, that amount will be credited to your Virginia Western student account.
What are the conditions regarding the use of scholarship awards?
Scholarship funds may be used only for tuition, books, and supplies required for courses taken at Virginia Western Community College during the semester awarded. Specific use will be stated in the scholarship criteria in the Scholarship Agreement which the recipient signs. Scholarship awards are not transferable to other colleges.
Contact Us
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Fax: 540-857-6370
TTY: 800-855-2880 All users: 711
Mailing Address:
3093 Colonial Ave. SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
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