Scholarship Opportunities

VCU is developing this page as a centralized source of information about scholarship opportunities available to students.

Please check back for updates. In the meantime, please visit the following webpages:

Opportunities by College or School

Select a college or school below to view scholarship opportunities administered or promoted by that VCU unit. The scholarships listed below represent selected opportunities available to students. Additional scholarship opportunities may be available. Visit the Rams Scholarship Hub to explore current opportunities and review eligibility and application requirements.

College of Engineering

College of Engineering Scholarship Information

The College of Engineering provides a variety of merit-based scholarship opportunities to entering first-year and transfer students.

All admitted freshman and transfer applicants are reviewed for consideration for our general scholarship program.

In addition, both you and cuwrrrent students are encouraged to apply for our other open scholarships listed below. The application process includes a single form from which you may apply to multiple awards. Current College of Engineering students, freshman applicants, and transfer applicants have a unique set of application instructions.

If you have questions about scholarships, please email the Engineering Scholarship Coordinator.

The following liwst shows all awards managed by the College of Engineering. All scholarship applications for continuing VCU students run through the RAMS Scholarship Hub. The Scholarship Hub will have the latest available options open for applications. If an award is not showing in the Scholarship Hub, then that award is not available at this time.

Each listing includes information on restrictions based on major, academic year, or other criteria. Estimated award values are approximate, actual award values will be given to scholarship recipients after the selection process. Any details listed in the Scholarship Hub take precedence over information listed here.

Application details

Apply through the RAMS Scholarship Hub.

Awards for Fall are typically posted in March or April.
Awards for Spring are typically posted in November.
Each award may have a different deadline.
Search for keyword "Engineering" to see all open awards.st

Albemarle Corporation Scholarship - MNE
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants, and transfer applicants

The scholarship is available to students majoring in mechanical and nuclear engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Recipients may be in any year of study, and are encouraged to compete for internships at Albemarle Corp.

Approximate yearly value of the award $4,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $16,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in mechanical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Alfa Laval Scholarship in Heat Transmission - MNE or CBE
For current VCU Engineering students only - rising second year or above

Awarded annually to a student enrolled in either mechanical or chemical engineering as a sophomore to make an impact on the lives of students. Will pay half in-state tuition for up to 3 years

Approximate yearly value of the award $3,500 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum value of $10,500. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in mechanical or chemical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award varies per year for up to 4 years. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
ASHRAE Scholarship – MNE
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,250 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $5,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in mechanical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Barton B. Cregger Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students

This scholarship is named in honor of Barton B Cregger, former Associate Dean of the College and is awarded at the discretion of the Director of Student Services. Students cannot apply for this award.

This award is typically a one-time offer, but it may be renewed at the recommendation of the Director of Student Services, and it may be split between multiple students. Approximate $3,500 is available each year.

Boehringer Ingelheim Chemical Scholarship – CBE
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $6,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $24,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater as a full-time student in chemical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Boxer Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Students must be nominated for the Boxer Scholarship. You cannot apply directly to this award. Approximate yearly value of the award $1,250 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $5,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal, you must maintain status as a full-time student in in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants
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Approximate yearly value of the award $2,500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $10,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Carl Linwood Burlock Scholarship Fund in Electrical Engineering – ECE
For current VCU Engineering students only

Awarded to sophomores and higher enrolled in electrical engineering

Approximate yearly value of the award $500 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum value of $1,500. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in electrical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Dean Mattauch School of Engineering Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $4,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Dennis & Hahn Hellenguard Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Must maintain a 2.8 GPA or coming from high school, provide sufficient funds to cover 1 year of in-state tuition, books and fees, qualified students may apply again.

Approximate yearly value of the award $14,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $56,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Dominion Scholarships in Engineering – ECE
For current VCU Engineering students only

The scholarship is available to students in electrical and computer engineering majors in the VCU College of Engineering. Recipients must be in their second year or beyond.

Approximate yearly value of the award $8,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum value of $24,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in electrical and computer engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Entrepreneurial Scholarship in Chemical Engineering – CBE
For current VCU Engineering students only

Tuition support also provided for a required, 10-week industrial internship between the junior and senior years of study.

Approximate yearly value of the award $14,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum value of $42,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater as a full-time student in chemical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Eugene P Trani Leadership Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Award can follow a student into and through graduate school. From the gift agreement: "The major objective is to identify and assist in the development of entrepreneurs as future business community leaders."

Approximate yearly value of the award varies in alignment with in-state tuition. As of Fall 2019 this is $16,000 per year for up to 4 years. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Gary S. Huvard Chemical Engineering Scholarship – CBE
For current VCU Engineering students only

This scholarship is named in honor of Gary S Huvard, former professor of Chemical Engineering, and was established by a group of students after their graduation.

Approximate yearly value of the award $500 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum value of $1,500. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in chemical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Gray Younce, Jr. Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $6,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Henrico Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants.

Students must have graduated from a Henrico County high school to be eligible for this award. All majors in the College of Engineering are eligible. Students will be identified and nominated by Engineering faculty and staff.

Approximate yearly value of the award $5,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $20,000. The number of years for each recipient may change depending on expected graduation date.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Initiatives of the Bersoff Scholarship in Engineering
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Awarded to any undergraduate or graduate student majoring in any department of humanities and science, must have a 3.0, and submit 2 letters of recommendation as well as a 500 word essay

Approximate yearly value of the award $3,500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $14,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Jamie Knight Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $2,500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $10,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Jeremiah & Mary Rita Sheehan School of Engineering Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Awarded to incoming full-time first year student in the College of Engineering, based on merit

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $4,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
John Sherman, Jr. Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Awarded to an incoming full-time first year student in the College of Engineering, based on merit, and can be renewed as long as student remains in good academic standing

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $6,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Joseph C. Farrell Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Awarded to incoming full-time first year student in the College of Engineering, based on merit, award is renewable.

Approximate yearly value of the award $2,500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $10,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Julia M. and Nicholas E. Cain Scholarship – CBE
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

The Cain scholarship is the first endowed award in the history of VCU Engineering to be established by graduates from the College of Engineering.

Approximate yearly value of the award $2,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $8,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in chemical engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Louis T. Rader Scholarship – ECE
For current VCU Engineering students only

Scholarship includes responsibility to establish, maintain, and upgrade and Internet web site with Louis T. Rader's publications and tasks for use of whoever could find value in them.

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum value of $3,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in electrical and computer engineering in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Miles Circo School of Engineering Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $6,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $24,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Nathan School of Engineering Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $2,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $8,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Prestwould Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants. Demonstrated excellent academic credentials and a commitment to community service.

Approximate yearly value of the award $500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $2,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Richard & Ann Posey School of Engineering Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants. Student must maintain academic eligibility to receive renewal, award based on merit to an incoming full-time first year student.

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $4,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Richmond Joint Engineers' Council Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Approximate yearly value of the award $1,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $4,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Robert C. Williams Leadership Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants. Student must display strong leadership abilities during his/her high school career

Approximate yearly value of the award $10,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $40,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Rocheleau Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants. Award given to a full-time student majoring in engineering or computer science, based on merit and financial need, can be renewed if student remains full-time and in good academic standing

Approximate yearly value of the award $500 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $2,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Wilkinson Merit Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

Awarded to an incoming full-time First Year student in the College of Engineering, based on merit, and can be renewed as long as student remains in good academic standing

Approximate yearly value of the award $2,000 per year for up to 4 years and a maximum value of $8,000. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year, however the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

For renewal you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 or greater as a full-time student in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Wright Engineering Access Scholarship
For current VCU Engineering students, first year applicants and transfer applicants

The mission of the Wright Engineering Access Scholarship is simple: Give students a way to earn a high-value engineering degree at a very modest cost.

VCU Engineering’s gives need- and merit-based awards to a wide range of students, including non-traditional students and community college transfers. For many Wright Scholars, this award means being able to focus exclusively on academics without having to take on part-time jobs. When combined with internships and co-ops, this program can reduce — and even eliminate — the need for student loans.

The scholarship is available to students in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Recipients may be in any year of study. The scholarship committee may offer awards of different values, including awards that increase over time. Typical values range from $2,000-$16,000 per year. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year; however, the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater will be renewed while studying full time with a major in the VCU College of Engineering. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.7 - 3.0 and those who are part-time will be renewed at the discretion of the Scholarship committee. Renewal eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.

Scholarship Policies

Please direct all questions regarding College of Engineering scholarships to the Scholarship Coordinator at engrscholars@vcu.edu.

Award Names
When a student receives a scholarship offer, including both Progressive Scholarships and Opportunity Awards, the initial offer
may be assigned to a placeholder account name. After the start of the student's first semester the scholarship will be assigned to a specific funding account or may even be split between two accounts.

When scholarships are assigned to a funding account the name of the award changes to reflect the account, the placeholder name will go away. If this happens to your award you will be notified by email at your official VCU email address to indicate the new name you will see on your student account. Name changes do not change any other terms of the award. When an award is split between two accounts, the sum of the accounts will combine to match the original offer.

Renewal Requirements
All scholarship offers are designated for a specific value over a limited time. Offer letters clearly state if the award is for a term of 1, 2, 3, or 4 years. Renewal eligibility will be reviewed at the end of each semester. To be eligible for automatic renewal students must do all of the following:

Remain enrolled with a major in the VCU College of Engineering
Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- First-Year students with a first semester GPA of 2.7 to 2.999 are given a warning with the second semester to raise their GPA
- Transfer students do not receive a warning semester
Demonstrate progress toward an Engineering or Computer Science degree by
- Meeting all VCU Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Registering as a full-time student each semester (12-plus credits)
- Completing at least 28 credits in each academic year
  - Taking Summer courses counts toward the 28 credits, but does not change the scholarship value
- Not withdraw from any course (receive a grade of “W”)
  - Medical withdrawals will be reviewed by the Engineering Scholarship Committee with leniency
  - In extraordinary circumstances the Engineering Scholarship Committee may grant approval in advance for a withdrawal
Scholarships are not extended beyond the original term for students who have not graduated by that time

Students who meet all requirements do not need to do anything to make the award renew.

Exceptions to renewal requirements may be allowed upon review by the Engineering Scholarship Coordinator or Scholarship Committee. Students who do not meet the renewal requirements will be placed on Scholarship Probation (see below for more information about probation.)

Renewal Notifications
Every semester the scholarship coordinator sends students a notice regarding the status of their award. These notices include a reminder of the scholarship value and the final renewal semester.

Scholarship Holds and Part-Time Enrollment
Students on Co-Op
Many VCU Engineering Students will spend a semester or a year completing a co-op. The College strongly encourages co-ops, and
will hold scholarship funds while a student is on a co-op. Placing a scholarship on hold allows the student to receive the full value of the original offer, but with a modified disbursal schedule. Please contact the Scholarship Coordinator at engrscholars@vcu.edu
as soon as possible when you make co-op plans to have your disbursal schedule modified and your final renewal date updated.

Students Studying Abroad
If you plan to study abroad for a semester you may be able to receive your scholarship through the VCU Financial Aid Office if VCU has a tuition agreement in place with the university where you study abroad. If such an agreement is in place then your award will be distributed normally. If VCU does not have an agreement in place with then you should contact the Scholarship Coordinator at
engrscholars@vcu.edu to make alternative arrangements.

Part-Time Enrollment and Other Circumstances for a Semester Off
If you expect to need a semester off for a reason besides a co-op and study abroad, or if you expect to enroll less than full time during any semester for any reason please contact the Scholarship Coordinator in advance at engrscholars@vcu.edu. All such requests are handled on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. However we want to work with you to ensure that you reach graduation and whenever possible will help develop a plan to extend the time for your scholarship to accommodate your part time semester.

Combining Engineering Scholarships With Other Scholarship Offers
Merit Awards From Other VCU Offices
Some students may receive additional merit scholarship offers from the VCU Office of Admissions or another VCU office. In general Engineering scholarships may be combined with other VCU merit scholarships up to the total cost of in-state tuition, fees, room and board. If the total value of any such awards exceeds the total cost, then the Engineering Scholarship Coordinator will collaborate with VCU Financial Aid and other relevant departments to decrease one or more award to match the total cost.

We collaborate with other VCU departments on initial scholarship offers to minimize modifications in advance, but students should be aware that additional scholarship offers can result in changes to existing awards.

For new first-year and transfer students College of Engineering scholarships do not combine with Presidential Scholarships or Provosts Scholarships from VCU Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Awards from VCU Engineering
If you already have a scholarship from the College of Engineering in most cases it cannot be combined with a second award from the College of Engineering.

For new first-year and transfer students the College of Engineering might offer you an alternative to your original offer. If this happens the larger offer will replace the smaller offer, you will receive only the larger of the two awards.

For returning students if you already have an Engineering Scholarship and apply for additional Engineering Scholarships in the RAMS Scholarship Hub you will only be able to receive the larger of the two awards. There are a few exceptions that allow combined Engineering Scholarships. These awards will be clearly marked in the Scholarship Hub description.

Impact on need-based awards
In some situations receiving a merit-based scholarship may impact your eligibility for need-based grant or loan programs. The VCU Financial Aid office can help you understand the complete picture of your financial aid package.

Engineering Progressive Scholarships
The Engineering Progressive Scholarship (EPS) model is designed to increase the support for students each year as they progress through the College of Engineering. This model is applied across several different scholarship accounts. If you were offered a Progressive Scholarship then the original offer shows both the total value and the value for each semester. The values listed at the original offer will remain in effect for the duration of your award. Each semester you should receive a renewal notice that shows the semesters remaining on your award.

Engineering Opportunity Awards
The Engineering Opportunity Award is designed to promote access and opportunity to as many students as possible.

Award Value
For students entering in Fall 2023 Opportunity Awards will be either $3,000or $4,000 per year. Your scholarship offer will clearly state the yearly value of your award. For new first-year students the offer covers four years (eight semesters) of enrollment. For
new transfer students the award covers two years (four semesters) of enrollment. The value of an Opportunity Award does not change over time.

College of Health Professions

College of Health Professions Scholarship Information

Gerontology

Scholarships and Awards

Fall 2026 New Student Scholarships: We are extending a special scholarship, usually available only to VCU alumni, to ALL our new Fall 2026 Master's in Gerontology students: a $500 scholarship and a waiver of the application fee.

In addition, newly accepted students can receive up to $2,500 in scholarships in Fall 2026 based on your enrollment status. Multiple scholarships are available.

Scholarships

All M.S. students are eligible to receive scholarships and are invited to apply each August. Scholarships are awarded by a faculty committee based on each student's application, academic achievement and need.

Cathy Saunders Career Gerontologist Award
The Department of Gerontology has established the Cathy Saunders Career Gerontologist Award in order to honor her tremendous commitment to the field, and her generous donations to the Department and School of Allied Health Professions. Ms. Sauders also considers this donation as a challenge and leadership effort to encourage other alumni to provide support.

This award was created as a scholarship fund to promote student enrollment among career gerontologists. As the only realtor in the Richmond area who is also a gerontologist, and her exemplary career as such, she has continued to promote gerontology related issues in the real estate community through assisting other realtors who are working with persons with Alzheimer's Disease, and referring realtors to gerontology related community resources.

Guy M. Kinman, Jr. Scholarship Award for Inclusive Gerontology
The Guy M. Kinman, Jr. scholarship is awarded to a Master of Science in Gerontology student who endeavors to study diversity and aging. The scholarship was created in honor of Mr. Kinman, a pioneer in LGBT advocacy, continuing up to and beyond his 100th birthday, December 23, 2017.

Marion Cotter King Memorial Scholarship
Dr. J. James Cotter endowed this scholarship for students studying elder leisure in honor of the memory of his mother and in recognition of her love of travel, recreation, leisure and overall personification of optimal aging.

Theresa Thomas Health Professional Scholarships
The Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Foundation was established nearly 30 years ago by the late George Thomas to honor his wife, who was a nurse. Upon his death in 1975, Thomas left virtually his entire estate to the Foundation, with the hope that the money would make a difference in many aspects of healthcare.

The Theresa Thomas Health Professional Scholarships were established as a means of carrying out Mr. George D. Thomas' desire to promote and develop medical specialists, and education for medical practitioners who plan to practice family medicine in rural Virginia. (No plaque presented)

The Walters-Wilkerson Memorial Gerontology Scholarship
William and Patricia Wilkerson generously fund this scholarship to ensure that more recent undergraduates who demonstrate exemplary academic skills have access to Gerontological scholarship and its practical application in aging services.

Awards

Gerontology Student of the Year
Each year the faculty chooses a graduating student who has exhibited outstanding scholastic achievement and demonstrated service in Gerontology.

A.D. Williams Award
An annual award is made to a student who demonstrates by virtue of high scholastic achievement and professional competence unusual promise and ability in the field of Gerontology.

Medical Laboratory Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Sciences

Scholarships

Applicants for undergraduate scholarships must be accepted into an accredited program for medical laboratory scientists. Grade point average, references, professional and extramural activities and financial need are considered.

A.D. Williams Scholarship
This scholarship is distributed in the spring semester to students who are selected based on the criteria: financial need, professionalism and scholastic standing, weighted in that order. A minimum GPA of 2.5 on departmental course work is required to be considered for the scholarship.

Daria Downing Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship was established in memory of Miss Daria Downing. The award is given to a senior student on the basis of scholarship, professionalism and need.

Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship
The VCU Chapter of the Honor Society of the Phi Kappa Phi awards a $2,000 Scholarship annually to a full-time senior student. Each school with an undergraduate program nominates one student. Nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.

Virginia Society for Medical Laboratory Science Scholarship
The Virginia Society for Medical Laboratory Science has a scholarship available each year to MLS/MT, CLT/MLT, cytology, and histology students in their last year of training in an accredited program in Virginia.

American Society of Medical Pathology Scholarships
Fifty scholarships of $1,000 each are available to students in their final Medical year of MT, MLT, CT or HT programs.

Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity Scholarships
Alpha Mu Tau is a national honorary fraternity whose purpose is the advancement of the professions in medical laboratory sciences. One of the prime activities of the fraternity is the granting of scholarships. The awards that are available are $1,000-$4,000.

Hospital Sponsored Scholarship Program
Students entering the senior year of the undergraduate medical laboratory science program are eligible for financial assistance in return for an employment commitment. The institutions participating in this program are:

VCU Medical Center
Up to three $10,000 scholarships available; recipients agree to two years of employment with the Department of Pathology, VCU Medical Center.
University of Virginia Health System Medical Laboratories
$10,000 scholarship to one student who completes Medical rotations at UVAHS Medical Laboratories; recipient agrees to two years of employment with UVAHS Medical Laboratories.

Master of Science in Medical Lab Sciences

Scholarships

Applicants for graduate scholarships must be accepted into an approved masters or doctoral program in medical laboratory science or related areas and be a U. S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. Grade point average, references, professional and extramural activities and financial need are considered.

Recent Alumni Master's Opportunity: Attention recent VCU undergraduates - see if you qualify for an application fee waiver and a one-time $500 scholarship before you apply. Click here for more information.

Commonwealth of Virginia Graduate Tuition Assistance Funds
Awards are given to students entering the graduate program full-time. The majority of the funds must be used for Virginia residents. Print and complete the application below, and mail it to the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Box 980583, Richmond, VA 23298-0583 or contact the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at (804) 828-9469.

A.D. Williams Scholarship
This scholarship is distributed in the spring semester to students who are selected based on the criteria: financial needs, professionalism and scholastic standing, weighted in that order.

Phi Kappa Phi Scholarships
The VCU chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi awards two Graduate Scholarships ($1,000 each) funded by the School of Graduate Studies. One of these scholarships will be awarded to a master's degree candidate and one to a doctoral candidate in recognition of demonstrated academic excellence.

All students who are pursuing a graduate degree and who will be continuing their studies full-time for both semesters of the year of the award are eligible to be considered. Master's degree students should have completed the equivalent of at least one semester of full-time study toward their degrees and should have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or better. Students must be nominated by their department.

Jessie Hibbs/Marian Waller Scholarships
The VCU/MCV Women's Club awards two scholarships each year. The scholarships are for $1,000 each and are awarded to a female graduate student from each campus in recognition of academic excellence and financial need.

Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity Scholarships
Alpha Mu Tau is a national honorary fraternity whose purpose is the advancement of the professions in Medical laboratory sciences. One of the prime activities of the fraternity is the granting of scholarships. The awards that are available are $1,000-$4,000.

Nurse Anesthesia

Scholarships

Thanks to faculty, alumni and friends who generously support the Department of Nurse Anesthesia and student success, we are pleased to offer the following endowed scholarships for current students in the Department of Nurse Anesthesia:

Endowed scholarship awards for students

The Mildred Anne Poitevin Scholarship - Supports student who are 1) US citizens, 2) US Military veterans or active-duty personnel uniformed military services, honorably discharged US military veterans (including Reservists and National Guard personnel), disabled veterans, or spouses of the preceding, 3, enrolled in the VCU Nurse Anesthesia program, 4) in good academic standing as defined by the Department, 5) prepared to submit an essay and/or interviewed.

The Fallacaro Patient Safety Endowment is awarded to graduate student (s) who best represents a spirit of service to others through a commitment to patient safety as demonstrated by their words (whether this be a scholarly product such as a capstone or publication) or through their deeds (such as exemplary actions to promote patient safety through alleviating pain and suffering in another).

The Bernard A. Kuzava Scholarship in Nurse Anesthesia is awarded annually to those enrolled in the VCU Department of Nurse Anesthesia program and in good academic standing as defined by the VCU Department of Nurse Anesthesia's standards.

The Dr. William Hartland, Jr. Fund helps support educational opportunities and programs for development of teaching skills for faculty, adjunct faculty and students in the Department of Nurse Anesthesia.

The District V/VANA Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Scholarship shall be annually awarded to those student(s) in the DNAP practice doctorate nurse anesthesia program who are either CRNAs or SRNAs. The student(s) must be working or accepting a job in Virginia upon graduation with the anticipation of continued employment in Virginia for at least one year after graduation. The scholarship recipient is required to attend the VANA midyear assembly and/or VANA lobby day, speak at a District V VANA meeting (one hour) or at a general VANA meeting (15 minutes) or write an article in the Monitor, the VANA newsletter.

The Brenda Wands and Edward Woods Scholarship provides opportunities for nurse anesthesia students to engage in leadership and/or professional development within the nurse anesthesia industry, at the discretion of the Department Chair in the Department of Nurse Anesthesia.

The Russel H. Horner Scholarship in Nurse Anesthesia provides scholarships for students who meet the following criteria: must be 1) US citizens, 2) US Military veterans or active-duty personnel uniformed military services, honorably discharged US military veterans (including Reservists and National Guard personnel), disabled veterans, or spouses of the preceding, 3, enrolled in the VCU Nurse Anesthesia program, 4) in good academic standing as defined by the Department of Nurse Anesthesia in the VCU College of Health Professions.

For more information on scholarships and how to apply, please contact our department:
nrsa@vcu.edu
804-828-9808

Occupational Therapy

AD Williams Research Scholarship
An annual scholarship awarded to one student with high academic achievement, leadership, and research contribution to the university.

AD Williams Fieldwork Scholarship
An annual scholarship awarded to one Grad III student (in their final semester to be used towards Grad III tuition) based on high financial need, outstanding fieldwork performance, leadership, and potential.

AD Williams Leadership Scholarship
An annual scholarship awarded to one student based on leadership and service to the department.

AD Williams Service Award
An annual scholarship awarded to students with a high level of service to the university, school, and the community.

Katherine Lawrence Dragas Scholarship
Katherine Dragas was a graduate of the VCU OT program in 2001. She was a committed occupational therapist and when she passed away in 2009, her husband and classmates established an endowed scholarship to honor her beautiful and giving spirit to serve as a lasting tribute to her memory. The scholarship is awarded to a student with outstanding academic performance and a commitment to pursuing a career in pediatric occupational therapy.

Commonwealth Of Virginia Scholarship
These awards are presented to graduate student(s) with high academic and professional potential. Preference is given to residents of Virginia, and financial need is considered.

Patti Ann Maurer Scholarship
This award is given to the top ranked applicant for the Entry-Level Professional Master's program.

Gudger-Garris Scholarship Award
This award is a bequest from Lucille Gudger. It is awarded each year to students in the occupational therapy program in good academic standing with financial need.

Patient Counseling

Certificate in Patient Counseling

A limited amount of scholarship assistance is available through various scholarships depending upon student candidacy. Interested students should submit an electronic letter requesting financial assistance to the Program Manager, Brenda Brown (brownbl@vcu.edu), and Program Director, Calvin Bradley, Jr. (bradleyce@vcu.edu).

Robert B. Lantz Endowed Scholarship

A.D. Williams
Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Pastoral Education training program

Commonwealth of VA
Student is enrolled at the graduate level Patient Counseling Department program and student must be enrolled in the Masters of Science Internship

Scholarship Applications and Disbursement

Scholarships are explained in a student’s letter of acceptance into the program. Student must submit a letter of need upon acceptance to program. Letters of need are viewed and considered during the committee process for scholarship disbursement decisions.

Scholarships are announced by a letter of notification to student during the 2nd week of a student's program. Student must sign and return before or on deadline date. Scholarships are processed by the Graduate School as submitted by department.

Master of Science in Patient Counseling

Robert B. Lantz Endowed Scholarship

A.D. Williams
Student must be enrolled in the Clinical Pastoral Education training program

Commonwealth of VA
Student is enrolled at the graduate level Patient Counseling Department program and student must be enrolled in the Masters of Science Internship

Scholarship Applications and Disbursement

PhD in Health Related Sciences

Some financial aid, in the form of student scholarships, is available through the program. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and are determined based on financial need, academic achievement, and scholarly promise.

The traditional model for PhD education is that the student leaves their full time job to work in their mentor's lab for 4-6 years; during this time their tuition is covered and they get a stipend to live off of. This model does not work for most people who already have careers and families. Our program allows people to keep their job (and their salaries) and does not require a major move. But, the trade off is that we do not offer full tuition or automatic stipends for students. Here is what we do offer:

We get approximately $100,000 in scholarship funds each year to distribute amongst all our PhD students. This means that nearly all of our students get some scholarship money, but it can range from $1500- $20,000 based on need and availability
On a year-to-year basis there are limited numbers of teaching assistant, adjunct teaching, and research assistantship positions. Some of these positions are distance-based (online) and others require in-person availability.
Each time you come to campus, you are able to request a travel grant of $300 to offset your travel costs.
When you get to the dissertation phase, we offer $750 in dissertation grants to help offset the costs of doing your research (not for tuition).

To learn more about funding options and how to be considered for our scholarships, please contact Stacey Reynolds at reynoldsse3@vcu.edu in the Doctoral Program in Health Related Sciences office. You may also visit the VCU Graduate School Funding Opportunities webpage for more information.

Physical Therapy

View the DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet for information about student costs.

Incoming Students

Honoring Our Mentors Physical Therapy Scholarship
In 2022, Dr. Ann Dunbar established this scholarship in recognition of the role mentorship had in her career. Dr. Dunbar is a double graduate of the MCV/VCU Physical Therapy program in (advanced masters: 1987 and tDPT: 2007). Over her long career in the Richmond area she worked across several practice areas before specializing in women's and pelvic health. Dr. Dunbar was recognized with a VCU PT Carlton Jones Clinical Educator Award in 1981 for her excellence as a clinical instructor, and served for many years as an adjunct instructor in the VCU physical therapy program. Her inspiration for the scholarship was Dan Kahsar. She remembers him as a master clinician dedicated to lifelong learning and challenging those around him to be the best they could be. She credits him with inspiring her to find the motivation and confidence to advance her own career.

The scholarship is a non-renewable $1,500 award designed to support those with a demonstrated financial need. Students interested in the award should describe the value of mentors or mentorship in their lives or education in a written submission (max 300 words).

First year DPT students awards/scholarships

Virginia-Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (Va-LEND) Participation
The Va-LEND program is an advanced level interdisciplinary leadership training program for health professionals and related disciplines in the field of childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program is funded through a grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to train future leaders to work with children with special needs and their families. Students who have a special interest in working with pediatric populations while completing their DPT degree are invited to apply to this program at the end of their first year in the DPT program. Students who are accepted and participate in the Va-LEND training are awarded a stipend/tuition assistance to defray some tuition costs in the second year of the DPT program. The stipend amount varies from year to year (approximately $5,000 for the last three years). Learn more on the Va-LEND website.

Louis and Violet Childers Scholarship
In 2010, Janet and Lee Showalter endowed the Lewis and Violet Childers Scholarship in loving memory of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Childers worked hard to earn the money that gave Janet the opportunity to study physical therapy at MCV (Class of 1958) and enter a profession. This annually renewable scholarship is awarded to a physical therapy student with strong academic credentials, a financial need, and the intent to practice in a rural setting.

Criteria:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all courses taken before entry to the Physical Therapy program and current good academic standing in the Physical Therapy program (not on probation).
Satisfactory GRE scores and recommendations (admissions packet)
Financial need based on FAFSA determination
Preference is given to a Virginia student
Intent to practice in rural Virginia as described in an essay to be judged by the scholarship selection committee

Student must write an essay as part of the application and Faculty will select recipient.

Second year DPT students awards/scholarships

Cindy Gouldin Memorial Scholarship
Dr. and Mrs. Gouldin have established this scholarship in memory of their daughter Cindy who died of complications of a brain tumor on May 22, 2003. Cindy Gouldin was a graduate of the VCU Physical Therapy program in 1987. She was a gentle, kind, sensitive young lady who believed in helping others and was a strong believer in volunteering. She volunteered throughout her life. Following her surgery and irradiation for her brain tumor at 32, she became a volunteer for the American Cancer Society driving patients to their doctor and lab appointments. The scholarship is available for one student in the second year entry-level DPT program and one student in the third year entry-level DPT program at VCU.

Award: $1,000

Criteria:

Service (described below)
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Financial need based on FAFSA determination

Student-judged criterion:
Evidence of service related activities within healthcare, in the community or world-at-large. Class presidents will solicit nominations in the first month of the fall semester. Nominees will be self-selected and will provide a list and details of service-related activities. This criterion will be judged by the students. Students will vote on candidates within their class based on depth and breadth of service. If the class president self-nominates, the vice-president will run the selection meeting. Students will vote by confidential ballot to select the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place nominees.

Faculty will determine that the nominees meet GPA and financial need criteria while students judge and rank service activity. The student judged by their class as making the greatest contribution in service-related activities will be given the award, assuming that student meets the other criteria. Preference will be given to non-awardees from the previous year.

A.D. Williams Awards
Adolph D. Williams was the youngest son of Thomas C. Williams Sr., tobacco manufacturer and founder of the School of Law at the University of Richmond. Early in his life, he was associated with his father’s firm, T.C. Williams & Company, as a buyer. When the firm was dissolved in the early 1900s, he retired from active business life and dedicated his life to philanthropies. His bequest to the Medical College of Virginia supports awards and scholarships.

Award: $500

Criteria:

Student in the second year DPT program at VCU
High scholastic attainment
High professional performance
Unusual promise and ability to contribute to the profession

Selection: Faculty selects recipient

M. Scott Sullivan Scholarship
Dr. M. Scott Sullivan, PT, Ph.D., associate professor and faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy since 1990, passed away suddenly in December 1998. He taught, mentored and encouraged countless numbers of students in that time, many of whom are now practicing in Virginia. He was very active in the Virginia Physical Therapy Association, having served as chapter treasurer and delegate. Many therapists around the state had the opportunity to work with Scott either on a committee, in the classroom or lab or in clinical practice. Dr. Sullivan’s contributions to our profession included research, teaching, serving as a role model for students, clinical practice and conveying a vision for the future of our profession. He could always be counted upon to pose the tough questions, challenge the status quo and make us look to the future as a challenge. After the work was done he would always encourage those he taught and worked with to laugh, talk about current issues and spend time enjoying life. He left behind colleagues, former students, friends and family that miss him.

Award: $1,000

Criteria:

Students in the second year DPT program at VCU
Need: based upon FAFSA (Federal application for financial student aid)
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 (at end of the summer of first year)

Selection: Faculty selects recipient

Third year DPT students awards/scholarships

Award: $1,000

Criteria:

Service (described below)
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Financial need based on FAFSA determination

Award: $500

Criteria:

Student in the third year DPT program at VCU
High scholastic attainment
High professional performance
Unusual promise and ability to contribute to the profession

Selection: Faculty selects recipient

Jules Rothstein Scholarship
Dr. Jules Rothstein served on the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at VCU from 1984 to 1991. During that time, he was known as a superb teacher, a mentor for graduate students and a strong advocate for students. He was an especially strong advocate for students who had to overcome difficult obstacles during their education. Dr. Rothstein was editor of the journal Physical Therapy from 1989 until his untimely death in 2005. His past students still comment about Dr. Rothstein’s abilities as a teacher and his passion for providing a stimulating learning environment for all students. Dr. Alan Jette, interim editor for Physical Therapy in 2005, summarized Dr. Rothstein’s contributions to the profession in an editor’s note: “Jules was instrumental in providing leadership at a critical time in our profession’s history and helped transform the role of scientific evidence in our field over the past 15 years.”

Award: $1,000

Criteria:

Students in the third year DPT program at VCU
Need: based upon FAFSA (Federal application for financial student aid)
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 (at end of the summer of second year)

Selection: Faculty selects recipient

Marianne E. “Mac” McDonald Award
This award was instituted in 1991 to honor Marianne “Mac” McDonald, a faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy from 1964 to 1992. During her 28 year tenure, Mac shared not only her special gift of teaching, but also her caring, understanding and compassion that guided many students through the physical therapy curriculum and into the profession. The award is presented to a member of the graduating class of the Professional Physical Therapy Program who demonstrates an unselfish commitment to assisting other students - both academically and personally, who has a caring and supportive influence on other members of the class and who has the personal factors necessary to succeed in physical therapy.

Award: $500

Criteria:

Student in the third year DPT program at VCU
Unselfish commitment to assisting other students academically and personally
Caring and supportive influence on other members of the class
Has personal factors necessary to succeed in PT

Selection: Classmates select a recipient of the award

Terry Wise Memorial Scholarship
Terry Wise was a 1963 graduate of the MCV physical therapy program who was a respected and well-loved private practitioner in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. He died in 1982 and his peers and friends established a memorial fund in his honor. An annual award is given to a graduating physical therapy student who demonstrates outstanding clinical competence, as shown by his or her performance beyond normal expectations in a variety of areas.

Award: $500

Criteria:

Student in the third year DPT program at VCU
Outstanding clinical competence

Selection: Faculty selects recipient from list of nominations provided by clinical instructors

Marjorie Champion Salamone Award
The Physical Therapy class of 2002 of VCU established this award to honor the memory of the mother of one of their fellow classmates. Mrs. Salamone died during the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. This is an annual award given to a graduating physical therapy student who exemplifies values similar to those of the award namesake: love for profession, caring, compassion, concern for fellow man and willingness to give of one’s time and talent to the overall benefit of the individual and society. It is a character-based award.

Award: Fee for the state licensure exam for physical therapy for the recipient

Criteria:

Student in the third year DPT program at VCU
Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0
Character: Love for profession, caring, compassion, concern for fellow man and willingness to give of one’s time and talent to overall benefit of the individual and society

Selection: Classmates select recipient

Professional association awards

American Physical Therapy Association Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) grants the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award. The award is intended to honor outstanding physical therapy students. The scholarship program contributes to the growth of physical therapy as a profession by recognizing individuals with superior capabilities. Awards are given to physical therapist assistant students, professional physical therapy students, post-professional master degree students and doctoral students. An award of $3,000 is given to each professional physical therapy student recipient selected. The criteria for selection are superior scholastic performance, past productivity and evidence of potential contribution to physical therapy. The nominee must be an APTA member and must have completed one full year of study in the professional program. Only one nominee from each educational program is permitted. The faculty and the student body of the program in which the nominee is enrolled select the nominee.

Virginia Physical Therapy Association Student Stipends
Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VPTA) Student Stipend Awards encourage physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students to become active participants in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at district, state and national levels and recognize participation and involvement of students in VPTA and APTA activities. Stipends are available for attendance at the VPTA annual meeting, the APTA National Student Conclave and the APTA Annual Conference. Information and applications for these stipends is available through the VPTA Student Relations Committee.

College of Humanities and Sciences

College of Humanities & Sciences Scholarship Information

CHS Emergency Fund
The CHS Emergency Fund is a one-time financial assistance fund created to assist full-time students with unexpected emergency expenses that may derail their progress towards a degree (i.e. textbooks, materials and living costs). The CHS Emergency Fund is designated to offset a short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid.

Students may apply for funding via the RAMS Scholarship Hub.

Please note, submitting a CHS Emergency Fund application does not guarantee approval. All submissions MUST include official documentation of the emergency circumstance and official documentation of the expenses you are requesting funds for as outlined in your statement of explanation. Submissions without documentation will be automatically denied.

CHS Experiential Learning Scholarship
Are you planning an internship, research experience or study abroad trip? Or do you have an interest in attending a professional conference or have an idea for a social entrepreneurship project?

The College of Humanities and Sciences offers several scholarships, including the Baldacci Student Experiential Learning Endowed Fund and Karen and Ike Carter Scholarship for Experiential Learning that provides financial support for students participating in experiential learning opportunities. Awards up to $5,000 will support these types of experiential learning activities. Applicants for these funds must be full-time undergraduate rising juniors or seniors, in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of ≥ 2.0), and be primary majors in the College of Humanities and Sciences.

To be considered, complete the College scholarship application on our scholarship portal.

Accepting applications through March 1, 2027.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be full-time undergraduate rising juniors or seniors, in good academic standing, and be primary majors in the College of Humanities and Sciences.
Applications outlining experiences with total costs above $5,000 will be considered, but only awarded at a maximum of $5,000 per request.
Funds may be requested for, but are not limited to:

Summer weekly stipend
Academic year hourly financial support
Travel to/from experiential learning site in the U.S. or abroad
Additional costs associated with study abroad including required tuition
Expenses associated with attendance and presentation at professional conferences
Other supplies/expenses associated with experiential learning experience

Application requirements:

A statement describing your proposed experiential learning opportunity
An outline and narrative of your budget to participate
A letter of reference from your experiential learning sponsor/mentor/supervisor

Department of Chemistry
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

Of those, the following are offered to undergraduate students specifically through the Department of Chemistry, though there are more general scholarships in the full scholarship database for which students may qualify, as well. Our scholarships are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to physics as a discipline.

Albert T. Sneden III Scholarship in Chemistry: The Albert T. Sneden III Scholarship in chemistry was established by alumni, friends and associates of Sneden upon his retirement to honor his 28-year career at VCU. Sneden was the former executive associate dean of the College and is a professor emeritus in the Department of Chemistry. The scholarship is available to qualified undergraduate or graduate students majoring in chemistry who are in good academic standing. Graduate student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 with no grade lower than a B. Undergraduate applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and are 'true' chemistry majors (not pre-med students).
David F. Ingraham Scholarship: The Richmond Chromatography Discussion Group established the David F. Ingraham Scholarship with gifts in 1995. The fund honors the memory of David F. Ingraham, an analytical chemist who worked in the areas of high resolution, GC, GC/MS and ancillary techniques. This fund seeks to encourage young students to follow in his footsteps by pursuing the separation sciences. The scholarship is awarded to a meritorious, upper-class chemistry major with an interest in the separation sciences.
Department of Chemistry Merit Scholarship: The Department of Chemistry Merit Scholarship will be awarded to an incoming, full-time freshman planning to major in chemistry. The scholarship may be renewed for an additional three years provided the student remains in good academic standing. Please note: Admissions criteria is used to award a recipient. No additional application is necessary.
Distinguished Chemist Fund: The Distinguished Chemist Fund recognizes and funds undergraduate and graduate scholarships for students who demonstrate distinguished performance and intend to complete an advanced degree in chemistry within the VCU Department of Chemistry. Undergraduate candidates must be a rising junior or senior in good standing who have completed a semester of Independent Study or a semester of Chemistry Preceptorship and who plan to obtain an advanced degree in chemistry. Graduate student candidates must have passed the oral candidacy exam and have one peer-reviewed publication.
Gerald and Susan Bass Scholarship: Upon his retirement from the Department of Chemistry in 1998, R. Gerald Bass, Ph.D., and his wife Susan established this endowment. The scholarship is awarded with preference given to a student who is majoring in chemistry with secondary preference given to an undergraduate or graduate student with a primary interest in chemistry.
Jon & Wendy Baker Award: The Baker Award Fund provides funding for a deserving student who has participated in undergraduate research in VCU's Department of Chemistry.

Department of English
Several scholarships and awards, many of significant monetary value, are available each year to English and Foreign Language students. While most are based on academic merit, community service, or financial need, the annual departmental writing awards are based solely on writing samples. All students are encouraged to submit to the writing awards, and to apply to any scholarships and awards for which they meet the criteria.

Dr. Antonio Masullo Italian Studies Scholarship: This scholarship shall support College of Humanities and Sciences students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, minoring in Italian Studies and/or planning to complete a study abroad/internship in Italy with preference given to those with a minor in Italian. Students will be required to provide proof of their academic trip to Italy in the application if applicable. Students must be enrolled at VCU during the time of the award.
E. Allan Brown English Scholarship: In honor of the long-time chairman of the Department of English, a scholarship is awarded each year to an English major of rising senior status (75–90 credit hours) who has an outstanding GPA (usually 3.7 and above). Students who meet these criteria are invited to submit applications to the online scholarship portal early in the spring semester.
The Dinah Grossman-Wolfe Book Award: This award, established by Mrs. Marilyn Ruben and husband Joel Ruben in memory of Mrs. Ruben’s mother and a 1968 graduate of the VCU English Department undergraduate program, Dinah Wolfe, provides recognition, incentive, and limited financial help to a rising junior English major (60-75 credit hours) with a GPA of at least 3.5 or higher who is having difficulty meeting the costs of completing an education at VCU. This book award is designed to help the student offset his/her educational expenses related to textbook purchases. Candidates should show a strong commitment to creativity, active participation in cultural events, and proven scholarship. Students who meet these criteria are invited to submit applications to the online scholarship portal early in the spring semester.
Italian Studies Fund: The Italian Studies Scholarship is open to students of Italian studies with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. There are two scholarship opportunities: 1) Travel scholarship to Italy or Italo-phone Switzerland: For students who have excelled in Italian classes and will use the scholarship for travel or study abroad; 2) Academic Recognition Scholarships: Recognizes students excelling in Italian classes but who are not necessarily traveling. Graduating seniors are not eligible unless they are attending a VCU study abroad program in Italy or Italo-phone Switzerland.
The Riely Scholarship Fund: This scholarship, funded by and honoring the family of a two-degree graduate of the VCU English department, Jean Roy Riely, is offered to a rising junior or senior class English major with demonstrated merit who has returned to higher education after a significant absence and who demonstrates experience with or a commitment to the advancement of women in English studies. Students who meet these criteria are invited to submit applications to the online scholarship portal early in the spring semester.
English Department Writing Awards: Each spring the English Department offers monetary prizes to students in the following categories: Critical Essay, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry. The call for submissions begins late fall semester and runs through early to mid February, and is open to the entire VCU student community, though English majors who have taken creative writing courses are strongly encouraged to submit. (Note: the category of Critical Essay is restricted to essays on literary topics.) For submission guidelines contact english@vcu.edu.
Outstanding English Major: Each semester at least one graduating English major is selected for this award. Criteria for selection include outstanding grade point average (3.7 or higher), record of service to the department, school, university, and community, and recommendations of faculty. Eligibility for this award is determined from graduation applications. No separate application is necessary.
Carter G. Woodson Awards for Academic Excellence: This award is given each year to an English major of rising junior or senior status (60–90 credit hours) who has a strong GPA (3.5 or higher) and shows potential for graduate level work. The English faculty chooses a recipient each spring. No application is necessary.

Department of Forensic Science
Scholarships are funds that are awarded to students to use toward their education, and don’t need to be repaid.

Some scholarships and funding opportunities are given based on merit (academic achievement), some are based on need, and some are awarded for athletics and other skills. Here, undergraduate students in the department can find a variety of scholarship opportunities to help support their education and further their academic and professional goals in forensic science. From university-specific scholarships to national awards and grants, there are many options available for students to explore and apply for. We encourage all students to take advantage of these resources and apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

VCU Humanities and Sciences Scholarships: Deadline in March
VCU Student Financial Services: Scholarships

Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

The scholarship portal features a searchable database of opportunities and details the requirements for each. The application process opens early January and closes late February.

Our scholarship awards are established by alums, individuals and organizations, and recognize factors such as specific majors, financial need, academic achievement, service and leadership. These scholarships are a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid.

Explore scholarships

Department of History
Of the scholarships and awards in the College of Humanities and Sciences database, those listed below are offered to undergraduate students through the history department. The majority of them are supported by, or endowed in honor of, former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to history as discipline. If you have a question about your scholarship or scholarship application status, please email hsscholarship@vcu.edu.

Albert A. Rogers Undergraduate Essay Award (book prize)
Named for the department's first chairman, whose service at the University extended from the 1940s to the 1970s. This book award is presented for the best paper written in Honors History or Independent Study during the previous academic year. Students and faculty can submit papers to Professor Karen Rader at karader@vcu.edu.
Alden G. Bigelow Undergraduate Essay Award (book prize)
Named for an associate professor who served in the department from the 1950s until the 1980s. The book award is presented to the student writing the best class paper or completing the best project for any history course other than Independent Study during the previous academic year. Students and faculty can submit papers and projects to Professor Karen Rader at karader@vcu.edu.
Craig Kennedy Scholarships
This scholarship was established by Craig Kennedy, husband of the late Susan Estabrook Kennedy, Ph.D. Two scholarships are awarded annually. Both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in history are eligible. One scholarship shall be awarded based on merit to a recipient with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and one shall be awarded based on merit and need to a recipient of 2.5 and higher.
Daniel (Dan) P. Jordan, Jr. Scholarship
Named for Dr. Jordan, who taught in the History Department at VCU from 1969-1984. The scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates the qualities Dr. Jordan inspired in his students and advisees - academic excellence, a passion for the study of history, leadership, and integrity. Students do not apply for this scholarship. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees.
Edward Lund Award (book prize)
Named for a department chairman in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This book award is presented to the graduating senior history major with the highest grade point average in seven or more history courses taken at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Harold and Laura Greer Scholarship
Established in 2012 by Emeritus Professor Harold Greer and his wife Laura Greer. For several decades, Professor Greer was an award-winning teacher of Latin American history at VCU. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate history major with the highest average in history courses and who has completed at least two courses in Latin American history. The recipient may be a full-time or part-time student, provided they remain in good academic standing. This scholarship is renewable. Students do not apply for this scholarship. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees.
Marc Noble Scholarship in the History of Technology
The Marc Noble Scholarship in the History of Technology is endowed through a gift from Marc Noble, a VCU history major who made a successful career in the field of information security, to be awarded to a graduate or undergraduate history major with a demonstrated interest in ethical perspectives on technology and its uses, past and future.
Susan E. Kennedy Memorial Scholarship
Honors the History Department's former chair and distinguished teacher, scholar, and administrator. It is awarded to an undergraduate history major based on merit.
Thelma S. Biddle Scholarship
Named for an assistant professor who served in the department from the 1960s until the 1980s, the scholarship is awarded to an advanced student who plans to teach.
W.E.B. Du Bois Award (book prize)
Identifies and encourages a promising African American undergraduate to pursue graduate work in history. This award is presented as part of the "Black History in the Making" celebration sponsored by the Department of African American Studies. Student receives a copy of Du Bois' 1903 classic The Souls of Black Folks and another book prize. Students do not apply for this award. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees.
William E. Blake Scholarship
This scholarship honors William E. Blake, Ph.D., who taught in the department for 25 years before being named professor emeritus upon his retirement. Blake joined the university, then the Richmond Professional Institute, in 1965. He was named associate professor in 1969 and became a full professor in 1977. This merit-based scholarship is awarded to a full-time advanced undergraduate or graduate student majoring in history with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a demonstrated interest in the history of Medieval, Renaissance, Reformation and history of Christianity.

Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

Of those, the following are offered to students specifically through the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, though there are more general scholarships in the full scholarship database for which students may qualify, as well. Our scholarships are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to kinesiology and health sciences as a discipline.

Kinesiology and Health Sciences Scholarship: Endowed in the spring of 1994, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student majoring in kinesiology and health sciences. The scholarship is intended to benefit academically talented majors who have also been active in university and community service.
The Schiltz Family Merit Scholarship: The Schiltz Family Merit Scholarship will be awarded annually to an incoming, full-time freshman planning to major in kinesiology and health sciences or criminal justice majors. The award will be made based on merit and is renewable as long as the recipient remains in good academic standing.

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Of the scholarships and awards in the College of Humanities and Sciences database, the following are offered to undergraduate students through the math department. They are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to mathematics as discipline.

James N. Boyd Merit Scholarship: The endowment fund was created through a gift from Mr. James Boyd, MS ’78. This scholarship is awarded to a meritorious incoming, full-time freshman planning to major in mathematics. The scholarship may be renewed for an additional three years provided the student remains in good academic standing.
Mary Lou Gibson Scholarship Endowment: This scholarship was established by J. Larry Gibson in honor of his wife, Mary Lou Gibson, who died on Feb.11, 2002. She was a retired adjunct instructor, and in 1986 became the first teacher-in-residence in VCU’s Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The recipient must be a rising junior or senior mathematics major with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must demonstrate intent to teach mathematics.

Department of Physics
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

Of those, the following are offered to students specifically through the Department of Physics, though there are more general scholarships in the full scholarship database for which students may qualify, as well. Our scholarships are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to physics as a discipline.

Bijan Rao Scholarship in Physics. The College and the Department of Physics established the Bijan Rao Scholarship in Physics in honor of Bijan K. Rao, Ph.D., a beloved physics professor known for his research in atomic clusters and nanoscale science. Rao passed away in May 2004. The scholarship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate physics major who has completed at least 16 credit hours of physics courses applicable to the major, is at least one year away from graduation, has not won the award before, and has at least a 3.0 GPA in their physics courses. The scholarship will be assessed on academic merit.

Department of Political Science
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

Of those, the following are offered to students specifically through the Department of Political Science, though there are more general scholarships in the full scholarship database for which students may qualify, as well. Our scholarships are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to psychology as a discipline.

Visit the links below for the full scholarship/award description, criteria and details on how to apply.

Baldacci Political Science Endowed Scholarship: The Baldacci Political Science Scholarship will provide financial support to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Political Science. To qualify, students must be rising juniors or rising seniors, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship will be awarded to ambitious students who are engaged as a volunteer in the community and/or working part-time or full-time while attending VCU.
Carol B. Parker Scholarship: The Carol B. Parker Scholarship will provide financial support to academically promising rising juniors or seniors majoring in Political Science. Student recipients must have demonstrated financial need.

Department of Psychology
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

Of those, the following are offered to students specifically through the Department of Psychology, though there are more general scholarships in the full scholarship database for which students may qualify, as well. Our scholarships are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to psychology as a discipline.

Visit the links below for the full scholarship/award description, criteria and details on how to apply.

Kathleen and Holton List Merit Scholarship: The Kathleen and Holton List Merit Scholarship was established by a gift from Dr. Margaret L. DuVall (MS ’81, PhD ’84) in honor of her parents. The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming, full-time freshman planning to major in psychology.
Melvin V. Lubman Scholarship: The scholarship honors Dr. Lubman’s dedication and service as a professor in the Department of Psychology and is available to undergraduates majoring in psychology. Preference will be given to students with meritorious academic performance who are employed either full- or part-time throughout their enrollment.
Pierluigi Antonio Menna Scholarship in Psychology: The Pierluigi Antonio Menna Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student in Psychology.

Graduate Student Financial Support
The scholarships listed below are offered to graduate students through the Department of Psychology. The majority of them are supported by, or endowed in honor of, former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to psychology as discipline.

Corazzini Award in Group Process Research
The scholarship was established jointly by the Department of Psychology and University Counseling Services to honor John (Jack) Corazzini, Ph.D., director of counseling services and a professor in the Department of Psychology. Corazzini was active in research on and theorizing about the dynamics of therapy groups. He was both a scientist and a practitioner. The purpose of the award is to encourage and facilitate the work of graduate students who share the late Dr. Jack Corazzini’s interest in group processes, group dynamics and group counseling therapy. The award is given annually to a graduate student who has demonstrated interest in group processes, group dynamics, and/or group counseling and therapy (courses, experiences, supervised practice, research or scholarship) and will present a proposal for a research project on one of these topics. The project may or may not be intended to satisfy a graduate degree requirement such as a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. Applicants should submit a vita delineating training, skills and accomplishments to date.
Deborah Braffman Schroeder Research Scholarship
Established in memoriam in 1990 by the family of Deborah Braffman Schroeder, a former Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Psychology, this scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in clinical psychology. Preference is given to students who pursue research in psychology.
Dr. Peter Zucker Scholarship
The Dr. Peter Zucker Scholarship shall provide one scholarship per year for one Department of Psychology graduate student who plans to or has undertaken study in psychology (counseling, clinical, health). The selected student must have a GPA of 3.5 or greater to be considered. Preference will be given to a student who has taken or plans to take classes through the VCU School of Business or the VCU College of Health Professions Master of Health Administration program, or who has earned a certificate in a related program. The intent of this scholarship is to prepare a psychology graduate student for a career in behavioral healthcare management, healthcare management, executive consulting and/or leadership, or similar fields of study and practice. Suggested interdisciplinary courses may include business management, organization development or leadership, operations management, accounting, policy and law, ethics, management practicum or internships, or other related courses.
Elizabeth A. Fries Scholarship in Psychology
Dr. Elizabeth A. Fries (1963-2005) was a VCU associate professor of psychology, co-director of cancer control at the VCU Massey Cancer Center and a nationally respected cancer control researcher. She was also the director of research for the VCU Institute for Women’s Health, a National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. The focus of her work was on reducing cancer-causing behaviors and increasing adherence to health promoting behaviors, such as cancer screening, exercise, abstaining from tobacco and consuming a healthy diet. This scholarship will be awarded yearly to one VCU graduate student presently enrolled in a doctoral degree program in psychology, and who is involved in cancer control and prevention research areas. The successful candidate should be active in the field of cancer control and prevention and have the potential to serve as a leader and role model to others working in this area. This scholarship will be awarded to the student to further professional development. The successful student must use the scholarship for cancer control and prevention activities including, but not limited to: (1) traveling to conferences and presenting cancer control and prevention-related research results; (2) attending specialized training in cancer control; (3) gathering data to further cancer control research; and/or (4) developing and implementing a cancer control and prevention community-based project.
Evelyn E. Gunst Scholarship
Established by an anonymous donor in 1998 in honor of Evelyn E. Gunst, this scholarship is awarded to a master’s-level graduate student in the Department of Psychology.
John P. Hill Award for the Study of Adolescent Development
This scholarship was established in 1989 in honor of John P. Hill, Ph.D., former Department of Psychology chair and internationally acclaimed scholar in the field of adolescence. The award is given each year to a graduate student in psychology who exhibits high academic standards and evidence of promise in research in adolescent or family development. Students are nominated by faculty and submit a vita showing research, teaching and service.

Department of Sociology
The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.

Of those, the following are offered to students specifically through the Department of Sociology, though there are more general scholarships in the full scholarship database for which students may qualify, as well. Our scholarships are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to sociology as a discipline.

Sociology Scholarship Fund: The Sociology Merit Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded annually to a rising sophomore, junior or senior with a declared major in sociology.

Robertson School
Of the scholarships and awards in the College of Humanities and Sciences database, the following are offered through the Robertson School and may be of particular interest to mass communications students. Many of them are supported by, or endowed in honor of, former members of our faculty or alums, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to mass communications as discipline.

21st Century Communications Scholarship: Created by the members of the School of Mass Communications (now the Robertson School of Media and Culture) National Advisory Board to attract the nation’s best and most creative secondary school students to the School. The scholarship will be awarded annually and may be renewed annually upon review of the recipient’s performance. This scholarship will be awarded based on demonstrated merit, an assessment of the applicant’s promise for academic success, and an applicant’s statement of desire to succeed at the School and in a mass communications profession.
Alden Aaroe Scholarship: Frances Aaroe established this fund in 1994 in memory of her husband Alden Aaroe, a broadcast journalist and one of Richmond’s most popular radio personalities. This scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior mass communications student studying journalism with a 3.0 or higher GPA. This award is based heavily on GPA.
Barbara J. Payton Scholarship: The Barbara J. Payton Scholarship will provide an annual award to a deserving undergraduate student who is from the South Hampton Roads, Virginia region (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake or Portsmouth) studying in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture. Preference will be given to a student from the Public Relations sequence.
Ed and Jo Pritchett Scholarship: The Ed and Jo Pritchett Scholarship will annually award a full-time student with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher majoring in print, broadcast, or online journalism in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture. Preference will be given to students from the Greater Atlanta Metro area with second preference for students from the state of Georgia.
George S. Loder Scholarship: Awarded annually to a student in good academic standing in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture.
George T. Crutchfield Journalism Scholarship: This fund was created in 1989 by friends and family of George T. Crutchfield, a faculty member and former director of the School of Mass Communications. The scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior majoring in the news-editorial program, and is based on academic achievement and the promise of success in newspaper work.
Jane Dowrick and Michael Whitlow Scholarship: This scholarship will encourage and reward students with high commitment to the community. Preferred student candidates will be involved in at least one of the follow activities: community-focused journalism; purposeful internships or extracurricular activities; or volunteering or working with Title I schools or disadvantaged youth to help develop an appreciation for the media's role in society.
Joseph F. Mason Scholarship: Richard (B.S. ‘83) and Elizabeth (B.S. ’84) Mason created this scholarship fund in 1994 in honor of Richard Mason’s father, Joseph. It is awarded to rising senior majoring in mass communications who is studying advertising with a GPA of 3.0 or better. The award is based on merit, as well as demonstrated student and community leadership.
Lincoln Financial Media Journalism Scholarship: The Lincoln Financial Media Journalism Scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 hours in a program of study in Journalism, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in those completed courses and be in good academic standing.
Robert Beverly Orndorff Scholarship: Established by Media General/Richmond Newspapers Inc. in 1997, this scholarship honors former science and medicine reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch Robert Beverly Orndorff. The scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior undergraduate or graduate mass communications student interested in pursuing science reporting in print journalism. Prospective recipients will have a 3.0 GPA or better in mass communications courses.
Scott Stevens Scholarship: Clinton Smith, a popular Richmond radio personality known as Scott Stevens, was a member of the adjunct faculty in the School of Mass Communications (now the Robertson School of Media and Culture) for several years, teaching radio production and writing classes. The scholarship, established by friends and colleagues of Stevens upon his death in 2003, honors his teaching legacy and will be awarded annually to an upper division broadcast journalism student interested in pursuing a broadcasting career.
Tiramisu for Breakfast Scholarship: The Tiramisu for Breakfast Scholarship will provide financial support to undergraduate students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture majoring in public relations, advertising, and/or journalism. The Tiramisu for Breakfast Scholarship shall provide support for student professional development opportunities such as attendance at networking events or to gain membership in professional organizations. The scholarship may cover registration fees, related meals and travel as funds permit. More than one student may receive this financial award. The committee may consider additional professional development opportunities. Preference shall go to students in good academic standing who have financial need.
T. Edward and Polly D. Temple Writing Award: The late Morton Wallerstein created this scholarship in 1976 in honor of T. Edward and Polly D. Temple. The scholarships is awarded to a rising senior majoring in journalism chosen by the faculty as the most promising writers in print journalism.
Virginia Communications Hall of Fame Scholarship: In recognition of outstanding Virginia communicators, this scholarship was established by the school’s faculty and funded by an anonymous donor in 1992. It is awarded to an undergraduate student based on merit and writing skills.

VCU Scholarships

VCU Scholarships: A listing of opportunities available at the university level along with criteria and instructions for applying

School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability (SLSS) offers several scholarships and awards to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in the life sciences. The following scholarships are listed in the scholarship database. These awards are supported by, endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU.

Charles and Leann Blem Scholarship in Biology: This scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior who is majoring in biology with specific interest in vertebrates, vertebrate ecology or vertebrate anatomy. The scholarship may also be awarded to a student who has done research in Biology with emphasis in those areas; a pre-veterinary or professional student who plans to attend graduate school; or any athletes who are biology majors. Students who have received guaranteed medical school admission or other scholarship awards are ineligible.
Dr. Erich W. Damm Memorial Award: This award honors outstanding undergraduate or graduate students in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability, with preference for those pursuing research careers in stem cell or developmental biology. Established in memory of Dr. Erich W. Damm.
Kelly Marie York Scholarship: This scholarship was created by family and friends in memory of Kelly Marie York, who was a biology major at VCU. This scholarship will provide support to a transfer student pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology. Preference will be given to a transfer student with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Transfer students must be from a Virginia college or university and transfer a minimum of 30 credit hours.
Lewis C. Goldstein Award of Excellence: The endowment honors Professor Emeritus Dr. Lewis C. Goldstein. Dr. Goldstein joined the faculty of Richmond Professional Institute in 1955 and taught at the school for over three decades. The Lewis C. Goldstein Award of Excellence is awarded annually to a rising sophomore, junior or senior majoring in biology.
Miles F. Johnson Award of Excellence: The award was established in 2008 through a gift from Dr. Miles F. Johnson, professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Biology. The scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in biology.
Nguyen-Ninh Partial Scholarship: Awarded to a rising junior or senior who is majoring in biology, this scholarship was established by Duc T. and Hang N. Nguyen to honor the faculty dedication, guidance, teaching, and excellent education in biology received by their sons, Eric N.D. Nguyen (‘08) and Don N. Nguyen (’09). The Nguyens’ gift is made in the spirit of helping other well-deserving VCU students to experience similar educational opportunities.
Turner-Silverman Professional Development Fund: The fund was created to provide financial support for biology majors who are rising sophomore, juniors, or seniors. The fund shall provide support for student professional development opportunities such as attendance at professional conferences or to gain membership in professional organizations. The award may cover registration fees and travel related costs as funds permit. More than one student may receive this financial award should funds allow. The committee may consider additional professional development opportunities and shall determine the number of awards. Preference shall go to students in good academic standing who have financial need.
Wyatt Family Scholarship: The scholarship, established in 2021, will provide annual scholarship support to a student student pursuing a biology major. Preference will be given to undergraduate students with an interest in pre-medicine who are residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

School of World Studies
Of the scholarships and awards in the College of Humanities and Sciences database, the following are offered to undergraduate students through the School of World Studies. They are supported by, or endowed in honor of, alums and former members of our faculty, in a tangible representation of their deep commitment to VCU and to World Studies as discipline.

Anthropology Scholarship Fund: The Anthropology Merit Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to a rising sophomore, junior or senior with a declared major in anthropology with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Dr. Christina Turner Award Endowment: The Dr. Christina Turner Writing Award was established in 2008 and commemorates the lifelong achievements of Turner in teaching. Turner was a cherished instructor with a particular passion for improving the writing skills of her students. Many students over the years have thanked Turner for her help with making them better critical thinkers and writers. The aim of this award is to maintain her legacy as a teacher and her focus on writing as a necessary skill in today’s society. The award will be given with preference for a VCU student of anthropology.

Honors College

Honors College Scholarship Information

The Honors College offers a variety of merit-based and need-based scholarships to incoming freshmen, transfer and current VCU Honors College students. The VCU Office of Admissions offers a variety of merit-based, renewable four-year scholarships for incoming freshmen.

Honors scholarships are awarded by the academic year, and Honors students may apply each year. The VCU Office of Admissions scholarships are not affiliated with the Honors College. Students seeking financial aid should contact the VCU Financial Aid Office.

A huge resource for Honors students seeking to apply for scholarships is the National Scholarship Office!

The NSO recruits and prepares Honors students (and others) who are applying for (inter)nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. Many of these awards will help Honors students and recent alumni pursue opportunities to study abroad or attend graduate school.

For Freshmen
The Honors College Scholarship Program recognizes incoming first-year Honors students who demonstrate strong academic potential and project active involvement in the Honors community. Scholarship recipients are awarded for one academic year, and receiving both disbursements of the award is contingent on maintaining good standing with the Honors College. Honors College scholarships range up to $3,000 per year and are non-renewable, although students may apply for them each year. Please note that these scholarships are separate from the merit-based scholarships offered through the Office of Admissions.

Only students accepted into the Honors College are eligible to apply for incoming freshman Honors College scholarships. The online application for Honors College scholarships for incoming freshmen opens December 15. Incoming freshmen students accepted into the Honors College may log back into the Honors College application portal to access the incoming freshman scholarship application. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 31, 2026. Notifications of Honors College scholarship decisions will be sent via email by early March. Please contact honors@vcu.edu if you have additional questions.

The merit-based scholarships offered through the Office of Admissions do not require a separate application. Students must only apply to the University by November 1. For more information, please visit the Office of Admissions scholarship page.

All National Merit Scholar finalists who apply to the VCU Honors College and notify of their finalist status are guaranteed admission into the VCU Honors College. Additionally, finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who apply to VCU by November 1 and notify the National Merit Scholarship Corp. by May 31 that VCU is their first choice are eligible for a VCU Presidential Scholarship. Finalists with questions can contact Kittinun Wongsirikul or (804) 828-6528.

For Transfer Students
The Honors College Scholarship Program recognizes incoming transfer Honors students who demonstrate strong academic achievement from their transfer institution, and show active involvement in the community. Scholarship applications open in the spring, and are awarded for the start of the fall academic semester. Recipients are awarded scholarships for one academic year, and maintaining the award is contingent on maintaining good standing with the Honors College. Honors College scholarships are non-renewable, although students may compete for them each year.

For Current Students
The Honors College Scholarship Program recognizes current Honors students who demonstrate academic achievement and active involvement in the Honors community. These scholarships are granted to current Honors students who maintain good standing with the Honors College as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and active Honors engagement. Recipients are awarded scholarships for one academic year, and maintaining the award is contingent on maintaining good standing with the Honors College. Honors College scholarships are non-renewable, although students may compete for them each year.

Current students, be sure to check your weekly update emails for announcements regarding scholarship applications. The timeline for scholarship applications is updated each spring. Please contact honors@vcu.edu if you have additional questions.

Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The Honors College promotes discovery, inquiry, and creativity-based opportunities through mentored research experiences. To that end, the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program (HSURP) allows students to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor or a research team to examine various research topics across many disciplines. Additionally, it is a great way to meet fellow honors students and participate in professional development workshops and social activities.

Program Dates

May 26-July 24, 2026

A $4,000 stipend is provided in two installments over the nine-week program.

Professional Development Workshops

Resumes & Job Interview Skills
Maximizing the Library as an Undergraduate Researcher
Strategies For Increasing Success When Applying To Graduate And Professional Schools
Strategies for Making the Most Out of Undergraduate Research Conferences
Applying for Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Social Activities

VCU Outdoor Adventure Program
Museum and Park Visits
Pizza & Movie Nights

How to Apply

Each project is unique and may include running lab experiments, literature reviews, data collection and cleaning, web scraping, and statistical analysis. Application Deadline: The priority application deadline is Monday, February 9 at 11:59 p.m.

Eligibility, Requirements, & Benefits

Eligibility	HSURP is open to all majors Students must plan to be enrolled full-time during the fall semester after participating in HSURP Meet the requirements of good standing in the Honors College Letter of recommendation from faculty, academic advisor or university staff employed outside of the Honors College
Requirements	Upon receiving an offer from HSURP, students sign an agreement to fulfill the following requirements: To devote full effort to conducting the HSURP project; students must disclose plans to take summer courses, hold a job, or any involvement in activities that may conflict with HSURP before accepting the offer To update digital time sheets, detailing work done on a day-to-day basis To regularly update a blog outlining your experience with your research and your progress in the program To submit two written reflection assignments during the program To participate in weekly workshops, group meetings, social activities, etc. To present at the culminating poster symposium during the last week of the program If you have questions, contact Dr. Jacqueline Smith-Mason at jsmithmason@vcu.edu
Benefits	Participants receive hands-on research experience guided by a faculty mentor Excellent preparation to apply to a graduate or professional degree program or a national scholarship Build community with honors students Gain public speaking and presentation experience Strategies for making the most out of attending conferences Professional development opportunities (e.g., resume and interviewing skills) Social activities: museum & park visits, pizza & movie nights, exploring Richmond Stipend: $4,000

Eligibility

HSURP is open to all majors
Students must plan to be enrolled full-time during the fall semester after participating in HSURP
Meet the requirements of good standing in the Honors College
Letter of recommendation from faculty, academic advisor or university staff employed outside of the Honors College

Requirements

Upon receiving an offer from HSURP, students sign an agreement to fulfill the following requirements:

To devote full effort to conducting the HSURP project; students must disclose plans to take summer courses, hold a job, or any involvement in activities that may conflict with HSURP before accepting the offer
To update digital time sheets, detailing work done on a day-to-day basis
To regularly update a blog outlining your experience with your research and your progress in the program
To submit two written reflection assignments during the program
To participate in weekly workshops, group meetings, social activities, etc.
To present at the culminating poster symposium during the last week of the program
If you have questions, contact Dr. Jacqueline Smith-Mason at jsmithmason@vcu.edu

Benefits

Participants receive hands-on research experience guided by a faculty mentor
Excellent preparation to apply to a graduate or professional degree program or a national scholarship
Build community with honors students
Gain public speaking and presentation experience
Strategies for making the most out of attending conferences Professional development opportunities (e.g., resume and interviewing skills)
Social activities: museum & park visits, pizza & movie nights, exploring Richmond
Stipend: $4,000

Exclusive Scholarship & Housing

Honors students gain access to special housing in the Honors dorm and scholarships.

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs Scholarship Information

Wilder School Undergraduate & Graduate Student Scholarships

The Wilder School offers multiple scholarships each year to undergraduate and graduate students. Each application requires the following to be submitted online through the Rams Scholarship Hub:

A completed application
Your resume/CV
One 500-word essay per scholarship describing why you deserve that specific scholarship
Additional requirements may vary per scholarship

A complete list of scholarship guidelines and submission instructions are included on the online applications.
All application materials are to be completed and uploaded online through the Rams Scholarship Hub
(https://vcu.academicworks.com).

Please note: All applicants must be VCU Wilder School students, with a Wilder School major/program as their primary major/program. Scholarship recipients are awarded funds in the fall semester following the application and selection process. Funds are deposited into the recipient's VCU Student Accounting account.

All applicants must first complete the general application on the Rams Scholarship Hub. Then, a separate online application is required for each scholarship. If a scholarship indicates merit-based, this requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and within the degree program; if financial need-based, this requires a FAFSA on file.

If awarded a scholarship by the Wilder School, I understand that I will:

Maintain the required academic performance outlined in the scholarship guidelines.
Complete forms requested to share information about yourself, career aspirations, and thank you to the donor(s) for scholarship(s), attend recognition events if available, and participate in stewardship activities when asked.
Give the university permission to release information about the recipient, including the recipient's photograph, or quotations for donor stewardship, publications, and award purposes.
Be enrolled in the Wilder School for the semester and at the credit level required by the scholarship (full-time or part-time enrollment).

Submit completed application materials online at https://vcu.academicworks.com/

Questions? Please contact the Wilder School Office of Student Success:

Email: wsscholarship@vcu.edu |Phone: 804-827-2791 | Location: Raleigh Building, 1001 W Franklin St.

VCU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university.
Please note that all scholarship amounts are determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy at the time they are awarded.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Excellence in Virginia Government Awards Scholarship (undergraduate and graduate)
The Excellence in Virginia Government Awards (EVGA) scholarships honor the previous year’s EVGA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The scholarship is awarded to students who exhibit a commitment to community service and a deep interest in the practice of government and public affairs. Scholarship awards are made each year thanks to the generous sponsorships of individuals and public and private organizations in the Commonwealth.

Undergraduate or graduate student
Merit-based award
The recipient should attend the annual EVGA ceremony in the spring

James Hooker Memorial Scholarship (undergraduate or graduate)
This scholarship was established by the friends and colleagues of the late James Hooker, a former policeman and professor of Criminal Justice who taught for 30 years at VCU. Ever devoted to his students, he served as the faculty advisor to the VCU chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. Since 2007, this award has been given annually in his honor.

Undergraduate or graduate student
Need-based award
Merit-based award
Must have completed at least six credit hours of Criminal Justice or Public Safety coursework
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in those completed courses, good academic standing

Kohlbeck Memorial Scholarship for Service & Excellence (undergraduate)
Established by Thomas J. Kohlbeck (B.S. in Justice ’08, B.A. in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness ’08) in memory of his grandfather, Victor J. Kohlbeck (United States Army - WWII, Vietnam and Korea), and his great uncle, Kenneth J. Kohlbeck (United States Marine Corps - Korea), who both sacrificed their lives in service to their country. Their commitment to service and excellence inspired a legacy of careers in the field of public service for his family. Thomas and his father, Gunnar (B.S. in Administration of Justice and Public Safety ’74), continued this commitment in the fields of homeland security and criminal justice. This scholarship will support an undergraduate student in criminal justice and/or homeland security and emergency preparedness with ambitions to pursue a career related to either academic program.

Undergraduate student in Criminal Justice and/or Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness programs
Full-time student (preference)
Required 500-word essay to address the pursuit of a career in either discipline or both disciplines, and a commitment to service and excellence in the field
Students with demonstrated service in the field through volunteer efforts and/or an internship experience (preference to an unpaid internship)
Merit-based award
Need-based award (preference)
3.0 min cumulative GPA

National Ovation to L. Douglas Wilder Scholarship (undergraduate)
The National Ovation to L. Douglas Wilder Scholarships represent an opportunity to help launch a new generation of public servants. Scholarships are available to Virginia Union University and Howard University graduates who enroll in a graduate program at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Scholarships are also available for VCU undergraduate students majoring in an undergraduate program at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Full-time undergraduate student enrolled in any Wilder School Program

Schulz-Porter Endowed Scholarship (undergraduate or graduate)
Established with a pledged gift from Benjamin D. Porter (B.S. in Urban Studies '76), this scholarship will support the Urban and Regional Studies/Planning department. The scholarship honors the work and legacy of Dr. Peter Schulz, who dedicated his academic career to VCU and the department.

Full-time junior, senior, or first-year Master of Urban and Regional Planning student with a grade point average of 3.25 or above
Preference given to a student concentrating in one of three areas: 1) transportation planning, 2) transportation and land use integration, or 3) spatial analysis.

Tillett Scholarship in Government and Public Affairs (undergraduate)
Established by the Hon. Ronald L. Tillett (B.S. in Urban and Regional Studies '79), a former Virginia Secretary of Finance from 1996 to 2001, who later became director of Morgan Keegan and Co. and is still a leader in public finance matters.

Undergraduate student in any Wilder School degree program
Cumulative and major GPA of 3.0, good academic standing
Need an additional (second) letter of reference from an individual of choice
500-word essay which articulates personal career and/or graduate study aspirations in public service

Graduate Scholarships

Edward E. Willey Graduate Award for Excellence (graduate)
This honors the late state Senator and School of Pharmacy alumnus, Edward E. Willey. The award is made to graduate students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and potential, centrality of the proposed field of study, and specialization in the public affairs area as demonstrated through voluntary activity in relevant civic, community, or campus organizations. Although not required, residents of Virginia who seem likely to pursue public careers in the state are given preference.

Master of Public Administration, CJ, or MURP students
Students with a demonstrated interest in public careers in Virginia preferred
Must be enrolled full-time in the Fall semester at the time of awarding
Voluntary activity in civic, campus, or community organizations preferred
Determined to be outstanding in character, as judged by faculty and classmates; leadership ability, as demonstrated by participation in and leadership of student organizations; and academic performance, as shown by the attainment of a minimum 3.75 GPA.
A letter of recommendation and a CV/resume are required
Three graduate student awards are available on a rotating basis. In even years, awards are available to graduate students in public policy, recreation, and rehabilitation counseling. In odd years, awards are available to Wilder School graduate students in MPA, CJ, or MURP programs.

Elizabeth Roderick Scholarship in Public Administration (graduate)
Established by Elizabeth Roderick (MPA ’18) to support a graduate student in public administration with career aspirations or intentions to serve or support the nonprofit field. Ms. Roderick is an experienced public, academic, and state agency librarian and library consultant, and a student of nonprofit management studies.

Current Master of Public Administration or post-baccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Management student
500-word essay describing or demonstrating career intentions to serve or support the nonprofit field
Need a letter of reference from a Wilder School faculty member, a community-based nonprofit organization, or an agency
Merit-based award
Need-based award (preference)
Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Eva S. Hardy Scholarship in Public Administration (graduate)
Established by Eva S. Hardy in 2007, the Eva S. Hardy Scholarship in Public Administration shall be awarded to meritorious graduate students in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship may be renewed provided the recipient stays in good academic standing. Mrs. Hardy served as Virginia’s secretary of health and human resources in the Baliles administration (1986-1990) before serving as senior vice president for external affairs and corporate communications at Dominion Resources. Recognized by multiple organizations for her community service, she currently serves as a consultant for Dominion Energy.

Master of Public Administration student
Need and merit-based award (preference)

Undergraduate or graduate Student
Merit-based award
The recipient should attend the annual EVGA ceremony in the spring

Jacobson Family Scholarship in Planning (graduate)
Established by Tom and Andi Jacobson to support a MURP student with an interest in comprehensive land use or environmental planning and aspirations to consider a role within local government. Tom, a local government planner for over 40 years, including a major planning role in Chesterfield County as planning director and revitalization director, has also served at VCU as an adjunct faculty member in URSP, a researcher at the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis, and a lead instructor for planning commissioners across Virginia.

MURP student
Demonstrated interest in comprehensive land use or environmental planning is highlighted in the required 500-
word essay
Preference for students with a current role or pursuing a career within local government
Merit-based award (preference)
Need-based award (preference)
Preference will be given to students with a minimum of a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or financial need.

Undergraduate or graduate student
Need-based award
Merit-based award
Must have completed at least six credit hours of Criminal Justice or Public Safety coursework
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in those completed courses, and good academic standing

Jeffrey S. Cribbs, Sr. Endowed Scholarship in Philanthropy (graduate)
Established by the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation to commemorate Mr. Cribbs’s first ten years of service to the organization, Mr. Cribbs is the former associate vice president for planning and budget at VCU. He founded Richmond Memorial Health Foundation in 1996, which strives to create a healthier Richmond through grant-making, strategic initiatives, and community program investments addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in the region.

Pursuing a career in philanthropy
Committed to serving the nonprofit community in Richmond and Central Virginia

John J. Accordino Scholarship (graduate)
This scholarship was founded in 2018 by Dr. Accordino’s family to honor his decades of service as a faculty member, scholar, and dean, as well as his commitment to improving the quality of life in American communities. The award is made to a graduate student, including post-baccalaureate certificate students, with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to improving the quality of life in American communities.

Graduate student, including post-baccalaureate certificate students
If no full-time graduate student applicants apply, part-time graduate students with a minimum of 6 credit hours and who meet the criteria above will be considered
Preferably, a full-time non-provisional admitted student in their first year
A 500-word essay must demonstrate commitment to improving the quality of life in American communities
Need-based award

John Marlles Scholarship (graduate)
Established in 2008 with a gift from the family and friends of John Marlles, this merit-based award is given to a MURP student. John Marlles (MURP ‘83) was serving as director of planning for Henrico County at the time of his passing in 2005.

Student in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program
Merit-based award
Renewable

Karen Lynn Becker Memorial Scholarship (graduate)
This scholarship was established in 2016 through gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Becker in memory of their daughter and Wilder School alumna, Karen Lynn Becker (MURP ’94). The scholarship is awarded to students with demonstrated need in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program.

Current student in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program
Demonstrated financial need

Leigh E. Grosenick Scholarship in Public Administration (graduate)
Established in 2001 in memory of the school’s first director of public administration, this scholarship honors Dr. Leigh E. Grosenick's legacy by supporting students. He founded the public administration program in 1975 and passed away in 1999.

Master of Public Administration or Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration student
Merit-based

National Ovation to L. Douglas Wilder Scholarship (graduate)
The National Ovation to L. Douglas Wilder Scholarships represent an opportunity to help launch a new generation of public servants. Scholarships are available to Virginia Union University and Howard University graduates who enroll in a graduate program at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Scholarships are also available for VCU undergraduate students majoring in an undergraduate program at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Full-time graduate student enrolled in any Wilder School Program
Graduate student who has graduated from Virginia Union University or Howard University, currently enrolled at the Wilder School

Robert D. Holsworth Graduate Student Enrichment Fund (graduate)
Established in 2020 by Robert D. Holsworth, Ph.D., the founding director of the VCU Center for Public Policy and Wilder School. Dr. Holsworth also served as Dean of the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, the university's largest unit, and was on the VCU Board of Visitors for two terms. Preference will be given to full-time graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are pursuing enrichment opportunities during the summer session.

Graduate student pursuing program-related items including coursework, a faculty-led or a faculty-sponsored student academic research project, professional development opportunities or an internship.

Thomas C. and Cathleen C. Burke Scholarship (graduate)
This scholarship was established in 2018 by Thomas C. Burke, Jr. (B.S. in Elementary Education ‘79, MPA ’95) and Cathleen C. Burke to support a graduate student in Public Administration. Mr. Burke is a U.S. Army veteran and has served VCU for 40 years in leadership development roles. Mrs. Burke has led VCU's human resources for 10 years. Both are dedicated to VCU and to public administration.

Graduate student in public administration with a preference to students within the post-baccalaureate certificate program in nonprofit management
Preference to part-time students
Merit-based
3.0 minimum GPA

Schulz-Porter Endowed Scholarship (undergraduate or graduate)
Established with a pledged gift from Benjamin D. Porter (B.S. in Urban Studies ’76), this scholarship will support the Urban and Regional Studies/Planning department. The scholarship honors the work and legacy of Dr. Peter Schulz, who dedicated his academic career to VCU and the department.

Full-time junior, senior, or first-year Master of Urban and Regional Planning student with a grade point average of 3.25 or above
Preference given to students concentrating in one of three areas: 1) transportation planning, 2) transportation and land use integration, or 3) spatial analysis.

VLGMA – T. Edward Temple Scholarship (graduate)
Created in 1984 by the International City Management Association (later renamed the Virginia Local Government Management Association) to award academic achievement and career promise. This scholarship is awarded each year in memory of T. Edward Temple. The president of the VLGMA is apprised of the status and recipients of the award each year.

Master of Public Administration student
Merit- and need-based award
A Virginia resident or committed to working in Virginia local government

School of the Arts

School of the Arts Scholarship Information

Time-sensitive: the Art Education Student Teacher Scholarships application for Spring 2027 student teaching opens October 5, 2026. Details are below.

Questions about the VCUarts scholarship process should be directed to artsscholar@vcu.edu.

Scholarships for Incoming Students

Scholarships are available to new students from VCU, VCUarts and our departments, and nearly two-thirds of accepted first-year students are offered a scholarship!

Generous donors committed to supporting VCUarts students have established scholarship funds at the VCU School of the Arts. These funds are available to both graduate and undergraduate students.

VCU Undergraduate Scholarships
First-year fall semester applicants who submit the Common Application and transcripts by November 1 are automatically considered for the University’s Presidential, Provost, and Deans’ scholarships. Recipients are selected based on academic merit, but leadership, community service, and artistic talent also may be considered. Additional scholarships are available to students who apply by January 15. For more information, please visit the Office of Admissions scholarship page

VCUarts Talent Scholarships
First-year out-of-state students are automatically considered for VCUarts talent scholarships, currently $18,000 per year, and are renewable for up to four years. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic merit and artistic talent.

Scholarships for Current Students

The School of the Arts offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students. Our scholarship awards are established by alumni, individuals and organizations, and recognize factors such as specific majors, financial need, academic achievement, creative excellence and leadership.

To be considered for most scholarships, you only have to submit the arts scholarship application which is open each year from November 15th - February 1st. You may only access the arts application when it is open but you can view the full scholarship database at any time.

Current students, please direct your inquiries to artsscholar@vcu.edu.

Grant Support

Student Teacher Scholarships (Art Education)

Application Deadline for Spring 2027 semester student teaching: Spring 2027 student teaching scholarship application will be open October 5 - November 2, 2026.

Application Deadline for Fall 2027 semester student teaching: Fall 2027 student teaching scholarship application will be open March 1 - March 31, 2027.

Ruth Hibbs Hyland Scholarship (MAE and BFA)

Eligible students have completed an application for clinical internship and are planning to register for Student Teaching (TEDU 485, TEDU 486 and ARTE 404). Established in 1975, the Ruth Hibbs Hyland Scholarship trust fund is named after the founder of the department. It was established for the sole purpose of awarding scholarships to outstanding Art Education students whose futures hold promise of continuing the same ideals for art education as those promoted by Mrs. Hyland. Mrs. Hyland not only recognized the importance of training students in pedagogy, but in the studio arts as well. She further realized the need to prepare students who could develop art programs for grades K-12 that would acquaint young people with what she called the “joys of art."

Allen N. Lewis Scholarship (BFA only)

All undergraduate art education students are eligible to apply but preference will be given to students that have completed an application for clinical internship and who are planning to register for student teaching (TEDU 485, TEDU 486 and ARTE 404).

How to Apply Visit the RAMS Scholarship HUB to submit the Art Education Student Teacher Scholarships Application online that will include:

Resume
Letter of Application (one page). Include a description of accomplishments, ideas about art and teaching, co-curricular activities, service contributions, special awards, recognition, exhibitions and teaching experience.
Examples of recent studio work (5-8 examples). Include either slides or digital format with a description of each piece.
Two professional references. Include name, address, telephone, email and title of references.
NOTE: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be on file with Student Financial Services for the 2026-27 academic year to be eligible for the Allen N. Lewis scholarship.

Wes Freed Memorial Scholarship

Honoring a Creative Legacy

In September 2022, our community said farewell to cherished artist and celebrated VCUarts Painting + Printmaking alumnus Wes Freed (B.F.A. ’88). To honor Freed’s memory, his friends and family have come together to establish a scholarship in his name. The Wes Freed Memorial Scholarship Fund will support aspiring artists attending VCUarts, recognizing Freed’s profound influence on both the art and music worlds. This grassroots effort ensures that his legacy endures, empowering future artists to pursue their creative dreams just as he pursued his own.

Support the Wes Freed Memorial Scholarship Today

Freed’s artistic pursuits were diverse and interdisciplinary, so the scholarship was created with the same approach in mind. It’s designed for any VCUarts degree, with a preference for applicants who reside in a rural Virginia county. Gifts to the fund help ensure that scholarships in Freed’s name can be annually awarded in perpetuity.

Give Now

Send a check payable to the VCU Foundation to: VCUarts Box 843042 Richmond, VA 23284-3042 To make a gift by phone: (804) 938-4348

School of Dentistry

School of Dentistry Scholarship Information

Dean Harry Lyons Student Scholarship Endowment

To mark their 50th reunion, the D.D.S. Class of 1962 created an endowed scholarship in memory of their dean, Dr. Harry Lyons. Members of the class shared many memories of the positive and profound influence Dean Lyons had on their personal and professional lives. The 50-year class established the Dean Harry Lyons Student Scholarship Endowment to support a dental student in good standing who is a Virginia resident with financial need.

Required Criteria:

Dental student in good academic standing
Financial need
Virginia resident

John D. Stephens Endowed Scholarship Fund

Dr. John D. Stephens was a member of the Class of 1951, the group that distinguishes itself as the only class to be completely comprised of World War II veterans. Stephens served his country and served his chosen profession. And now, following his passing in 2011, his scholarship will serve students as they pursue their dental education. The John D. Stephens Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to students with critical financial need, was established in Stephens' memory.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student enrolled in the first, second, third or fourth year in good academic standing
Preference given to students with critical/severe financial difficulties

Edmond Theodore Glenn Scholarship

Dr. Edmond Theodore Glenn attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was an ardent tarheel. He loved the mountains of N.C., especially in Avery County, the site of his Appalachian retreat. Glenn was an avid outdoorsman and a vivid conversationalist. He played a mean hand of bridge and could pound out a tune on the organ. Glenn was fourth in his class at the MCV School of Dentistry, graduating in 1934. His work as a scholar led to his specialization in exodontias. Dr. Harry Lyons, the dean of the dental school during Glenn's years there, recalled he was "always gentlemanly" as a student, and his demeanor won him the admiration of everyone who knew him.Lorena Lawrence Glenn established this fund in honor of her husband in 1992.

Required Criteria:

Exemplifies the ethical standards of the dental profession
Junior or senior dental student
Shows evidence of future leadership

D.D.S. Class of 1986 Scholarship Endowment

To mark their 25th reunion, the D.D.S. Class of 1986 created an endowed scholarship to benefit a rising fourth-year student in good standing who demonstrates clinical excellence. The class won the "Dean's Reunion Challenge" as the reunion class raising the most money from the largest number of alumni. Their efforts yielded an extra $50,000 bonus to this endowment.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrates clinical excellence
Dental student in good academic standing
Rising fourth-year student

Class of 1977 Scholarship Fund for Dentistry

The fund was established in 2001 by the members of the class of 1977 in honor of their 25th reunion. The money raised was in response to a challenge from the class of 1951, whose members created a scholarship in commemoration of their 50th anniversary.

Required Criteria:

Dental student
Virginia resident

R. Ashton Gay and Henry F. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund

The fund was created with a stock gift by R. Ashton Gay, a 1923 graduate of the MCV School of Dentistry, and his wife. The fund honors the Gays and memorializes Mrs. Gay's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Vaughan. The scholarship continues to grow through an estate bequest from Gay.

Required Criteria:

Dental and dental hygiene students in any class year

John J. Lacy Jr., D.D.S. and Carolyn E. Lacy Scholarship

Dr. John J. Lacy Jr. began his education at Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1963 with a degree in biology. He then entered the MCV School of Dentistry and graduated with the Class of 1967. After earning his dental degree, he pursued specialty training in oral surgery at Norfolk General Hospital (now Sentara Norfolk General Hospital) followed by a one-year residency in anesthesia at Mount Sinai Hospital in N. Y.At the completion of his residency, he was called to active military duty and served 42 months at the U.S. Army Hospital in occupied Berlin. Upon discharge from the Army in 1973, he and his family moved to Waynesboro, Va. to establish his practice and make their home.Lacy and his wife, Carolyn, decided to establish a scholarship in appreciation for everything that dentistry has provided them. Dentistry afforded Lacy an entry into the ranks of a respected profession. He has never forgotten Dean Harry Lyons' remarks during his first week of dental school about what distinguishes a professional from other people. They profess not only a higher education and great skill, but they also profess a dedication to use these skills for the betterment of their fellow man without regard to personal gain.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Enrolled in third or fourth year of the dental program
Exhibited leadership skills in dental school
Preference given to graduates of Virginia Military Institute
Preference given to Va. residents

Dwight H. Shull Scholarship Fund

Dr. Dwight H. "Doc" Shull was born on Dec. 13, 1921, in Bridgewater, Va. He attended Bridgewater College, where he competed on the track, baseball and basketball teams. Shull attended the MCV School of Dentistry and earned his degree in 1944, graduating second in his class. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and rose to the rank of captain while serving in the Philippines and Japan.After the war, Shull set up his practice in Blacksburg, Va., but his heart was in Bridgewater, where he returned and remained until retirement. In his hometown, he became an ardent outdoorsman. Shull developed a love for native wildflowers and shared his knowledge by lecturing on them and photographing them. He participated in water quality surveys and worked with the Virginia Game Commission to protect the flowers and their environment. Shull's public service extended to other areas, such as Little League, the volunteer rescue squad and volunteer fire company.He also provided funds to improve Bridgewater's parks and soccer fields.Shull extended his generosity to the VCU School of Dentistry by establishing the Dwight H. Shull Scholarship Fund.

Required Criteria:

Dental or dental hygiene student in any class year
Preference to students from Rockingham or Augusta Counties, Virginia

Roger E. Wood, D.D.S. Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Enrolled in the third or fourth year of the dental program
Exhibits leadership skills while in dental school

Sanford L. Lefcoe, D.D.S. Endowment Fund for Undergraduate Dental Research

Sanford, "Sonny" L. Lefcoe was a 1948 graduate of the MCV School of Dentistry. As his private practice flourished, he remained philanthropically committed to the profession and to the VCU School of Dentistry. He was deeply involved in the organization and government of dentistry at local, state, national and international levels. Among his many achievements: vice president and secretary of the Norfolk Study Club of Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity; examiner at the Southern Regional Testing Agency; chairperson of the Tidewater Dental Association; and president of the Virginia Board of Dentistry.Lefcoe also was an associate clinical professor at VCU's School of Dentistry. He was a big promoter of the school's clinical simulation labs and lectured extensively through continuing education programs at a number of national dental schools.The permanently endowed Sanford L. Lefcoe Fund was established by his children. The fund is given regardless of financial need and goes to a student who has exhibited keen interest in dental research, a reminder of the continued intellectual engagement and broad-ranging gifts of this unique colleague and friend.

Required Criteria:

Dental student who has exhibited interest in dental research

D.D.S. Class of 1983 "Winnebago" Scholarship

The Class of 1983 fondly remembers rolling around their "Winnebago" from clinic to clinic with their "green box" inside and operatory chair on top of the monstrous cabinet. Some were decorated with stickers and handed down from the classes before, others were sleek and contemporary. Many in the class were handy with woodwork and built their own. Regardless of the "Winnebago" itself, the memory of owning one and rolling it from Lyons Building to VCU Dental Building 1 is hard to forget. In today's world, it would be laughable, but for the Class of 1983 it was necessary. They thought there was no more iconic image of their class than this-and named their scholarship for it.Photo credit: Dr. Lawrence Kyle (D.D.S. '83).

Required Criteria:

D2, D3 or D4 Dental student in good academic standing
Exhibited financial need
Recognized for promoting class camaraderie

Elizabeth and Eugene C. Harrison Scholarship Fund

The fund was established in the early 1980s by a bequest from the estate of Eugene Harrison. Harrison's good friend, Dr. Calvin Belkov, encouraged the donation and acted as executor for the estate.The endowment fund gives a yearly scholarship to a worthy dental student.

Required Criteria:

Worthy dental student

International College of Dentists Scholarship Fund

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

D3 or D4 dental student
One scholarship awarded for demonstrated leadership, formally or informally, in any aspect of his or her life to include, but not limited to, leadership within the school or associated with the profession of dentistry
One scholarship awarded for humanitarian activities to potentially include international study, participation in the Jamaica Project or MOM project, or other international or humanitarian efforts as indicated by the student’s application.
students selected must make every effort to attend the ICD breakfast held annually at the Virginia Dental Association meeting.

Dr. Robert and Ruth Helsabeck Scholarship Fund

Dr. C. Robert Helsabeck attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1940. He returned to Rural Hall, N.C., after graduation and practiced general dentistry there for 56 years.Helsabeck and his wife established the scholarship in December 2007 for currently enrolled dental students in financial need. The recipients are chosen by the school administration and may be in any of the four years of dental school. When asked why he was establishing a scholarship, Helsabeck said, "Dentistry has rewarded me in many ways throughout my life. By establishing this scholarship, I can share some of those rewards with the next generation of dentists."

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in any of the four years

Marshall P. Brownstein, D.D.S. Scholarship

In 2013, Dr. Marshall P. Brownstein retired after a 40-year-long career in dental education, including 30 years at the VCU School of Dentistry. Beginning in 1975, Brownstein served as the assistant dean of admissions and student affairs as well as an associate professor of pediatric dentistry. During his lengthy tenure, he met and mentored hundreds of aspiring young dental students. And those students have not forgotten him.To honor their mentor and friend, several of Brownstein's former students joined together to create the Marshall P. Brownstein, D.D.S. Endowed Scholarship. Just as Brownstein fostered the development of budding dentists at VCU, the scholarship, which will be awarded annually, will support deserving dental students.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Demonstrated participation in student activities and involvement in assignments and group projects related to the profession of dentistry
Dental student in good academic standing
Student enrolled in second, third or fourth year of the dental program

Mr. and Mrs. George A. Oley Jr. Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. student who has successfully completed his/her first year of dental school
Demonstrated financial need
Student in good standing

Willie D. Crockett Fund

Willie D. Crockett was born on Sept. 17, 1920, in Tangier Island, Va. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1943 and earned his dental degree from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1947.In 1951, Crockett started a private practice but three years later returned to the School of Dentistry to teach. Crockett was on the faculty for 34 years before retiring in 1987.The fund is given to juniors based on merit and other criteria as established by the school's administration. Currently, preference is given to students intending to set up practice in Southside or Southwest Virginia.

Required Criteria:

Currently enrolled junior year dental student
Financial need
Preference from a rural area
Preference is given to students intending to set up a practice in Southside or Southwest Virginia
Resident of Virginia

Dr. Michael V. Dishman Scholarship Endowment

To mark their 20th reunion, the D.D.S. Classes of 1990 and 1991 created an endowed scholarship in honor of Dr. Michael V. Dishman. A 1974 graduate of the VCU School of Dentistry, Dishman began his teaching career at the school in 1990 following a time in private practice. His student-centered approach had a profoundly positive effect on the dental students. This scholarship is awarded to a dental student who exhibits the same personal characteristics the alumni admired so much in Dishman.

Required Criteria:

Dental student known for his or her honesty and sincerity based on his or her peers' judgment
Student known for his or her impeccable integrity in and out of clinic
Student known for putting the interest of the patient or the school above those of himself or herself

Virginia Dental Association Scholars

The Virginia Dental Association has witnessed the exponential growth of dental student indebtedness and its effects on the state of current dentistry. In 2014, following years of support for dental student scholarships and with a desire to decrease the burden of student debt, the leadership of the VDA generously and graciously established an endowed scholarship at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry.Virginia Dental Association Scholars are chosen from a pool of applicants who have expressed interest in practicing in Virginia and in organized dentistry. A slate of qualified candidates will be presented to the executive director of the VDA each year, and the VDA leadership will recommend their preference(s) with the school's scholarship selection committee.

Required Criteria:

Expressed interest in organized dentistry
Expressed interest in practicing in Virginia
VCU dental student

Dentistry Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund

As the Class of 1971 gathered to celebrate their 45-year reunion in 2016, they decided to create this scholarship in response to the crucial need to help defray the rising cost of tuition for dental students.

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. student entering their 3rd or 4th year
Good academic standing
Interest in practicing dentistry in Virginia after graduation

Hazel Luton Scholarship

Hazel Luton retired from the VCU School of Dentistry in 2017 after 42 years of extending countless kind gestures to many of the school's students, alumni, faculty and staff. In 2015, the D.D.S. Class of 1995 (and others) surprised her by creating an endowed scholarship in her honor during their 20 year reunion.

Required Criteria:

Commitment to community service and proven economic need
Embody Hazel’s personality. Compassionate, great sense of humor, and well liked and admired by their classmates
Second year D.D.S. student with a 3.5 GPA or higher

Dr. Albert L. Payne and Sandra D. Payne Scholarship

This scholarship was created in 2016 by Dr. Albert L. Payne and his wife, Sandra Dillon Payne, of Danville, Virginia. Dr. Albert Payne is a 1972 graduate of the College of William and Mary and a 1976 graduate of the Medical College of VA School of Dentistry.Following graduation, Dr. Payne returned to Danville to establish a general dentistry practice. Sandra (W&M '74) served the practice as an accounting and business administrator until her retirement in 2016. This single practitioner private practice has developed into a multi-doctor practice known as Danville Dental Associates. Dr. & Mrs. Payne's son Chris (W&M '98, VCU-SOD '03) returned to Danville in 2003 to join his father's practice.Danville Dental has established itself in the Danville-Pittsylvania County community as a practice providing exceptional dental care for people of all ages and from all socio-economic backgrounds. The practice is known for its involvement in and willingness to give back to the community as evidenced by the formation of the annual charitable event called "Give Thanks for Smiles" which offers discounted care for the community with all proceeds donated to the local food bank, God's Storehouse.Dr. Payne and Sandra created this scholarship as encouragement for dental students to return to the Western Southside Virginia area to practice after graduation.

Required Criteria:

First preference: D.D.S. students, second preference: D.H. students
Residents of Danville or Pittsylvania, Halifax or Henry Counties who plan to return to practice in the area after graduation. If there are no student applicants from that area, scholarship shall be made available to students who are VA residents west of U.S. Highway 501 and south of I-64 including cities and towns located on 501 and 64 provided these students plan to return to practice in the Western Southside Virginia area following graduation.

D.D.S. Class of 1960 50th Reunion Scholarship Endowment

On the occasion of their 50-year class reunion, the D.D.S. Class of 1960 established an endowed scholarship to support students. As this class journeyed to the end of their careers in dentistry, they came to realize what a gift their education at the School of Dentistry had been. They decided it was time to make a gift and make their shared dream possible for those dental students following in their footsteps.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Virginia resident

Atwood Melville Wash Memorial Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

It goes to a rising 4th year with an interest in pursuing OMFS.

William B. Fitzhugh Scholarship

The scholarship is named for Dr. William B. FitzHugh, a 1950 graduate of the MCV School of Dentistry. FitzHugh was born on Aug. 26, 1917, and died on Nov. 11, 1987. FitzHugh, a Richmond native, attended the University of Richmond where he played center on the school's football team. After he graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry, he practiced dentistry in Richmond and served on the MCV School of Dentistry faculty part-time for more than 30 years.FitzHugh was a past president of the Richmond Dental Society and the Virginia Dental Association. He was a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists and was the first recipient of the Richmond Dental Society's Harry Lyons Award.FitzHugh loved practicing dentistry and had a true passion for teaching.

Required Criteria:

Currently enrolled first-year dental student
Financial need
Preference given to student who showed athletic ability at his or her undergraduate institution

Frank O. Black, Jr. Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Financial need
Student in any of the four years

D.D.S. Class of 1981 Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Demonstrated participation in student activities sponsored by any arm of organized dentistry, including but not limited to local dental study clubs, Richmond Dental Society, Virginia Dental Association (MOM Projects) and the American Dental Association
Dental student in good academic standing

Richmond Dental Study Club Memorial Endowment Fund

The fund was established in 1992 by the Richmond Dental Study Club. A yearly scholarship is given to a dental student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and participation in school and community activities and is ranked in the top 25 percent of the class during the junior year. Preference is given to a student from the Richmond, Va., metropolitan area.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated exceptional leadership and participation in school and/or community extracurricular activities by the end of the sophomore year
Preference is given to a dental student from the Richmond, Va. metropolitan area
Senior dental student with a junior GPA in the top 25 percent of the class

William D. Covington, D.D.S., MAGD Endowed Scholarship

This endowment was established in 2013 to encourage and honor a student with exceptional community service in the field of dentistry. Bill Covington (D.D.S. '62) is a soft-spoken gentleman with a gracious manner, professional ease and charming smile. To his wife Jose, he's amazing. "One of the things that is most extraordinary about Bill is that he's not only given his funds to support the VCU School of Dentistry," she says. "But he's given up his time every single week for years. That's pretty amazing." For more than five decades, Bill came back to the school to mentor students and see patients. "The stimulus that students give you is just so unique. They're always asking about things that you may not have considered, or looking at something with a different slant," he says. "Contact with students gives you continuity. Expansion of your ideas. Expansion of your talents. So I guess we learn probably as much from students as they learn from us." An unexpected career choice Bill's entre into the dental field came as a surprise. Growing up on a small farm in North Carolina, he learned early on that life isn't easy. He and his family moved north to Virginia after tough circumstances led to the loss of the farm. He describes himself as growing up poor with no thought of becoming a professional at all let alone a dentist. But the Air Force changed all that. "At that time, the Korean War was dancing around and people were getting drafted. I knew I didn't want to be in the Army, so I joined the Air Force and after an aptitude test I was put with the medics and became a dental assistant." His time in the medics also included time at MCV Hospital where he worked in the emergency and recovery rooms when Air Force casualties needed to be inspected. His roles were many – from nursing to pharmacy – but his interest and aptitude in dentistry won out. Working his way through He worked his way through dental school at a time when the VCU Dental Building 1 was brand new. Some classes were also held in Hunter Hall and McGuire. His class totaled about 80 students. Memories of his dental school days in the late 50s and early 60s include being choked by a coat, affectionately known as the "Ben Casey" named for the popular television medical drama. The collar was stiff and tight when buttoned up. Casey wore his unbuttoned. Now we know why! "We all had this tunic coat and I started to get a headache. I thought I must have needed glasses, but that didn't help," he says. "Well, I thought I better change the lighting, and that didn't help either. Finally, I bought a new tunic that didn't choke me to death. See what tradition will do?" Planting the seed His motivation to support the school, Bill says, comes from two strong sources. His upbringing. And Harry Lyons, dean of the school of dentistry from 1951 to 1970. "I was poor. I worked all my life. All the way through school like many of my classmates. Dean Lyons suggested that each graduating student give $1,000 to the school at some point in our lives. He asked us to give back if we appreciated our education and the value of our time at the school. He planted the seed." From that seed grew a generous class gift presented by Bill and his classmates at their 50 th Class Reunion in 2012. That reunion set a fundraising record at the school and fulfilled Dean Lyons' wishes for his former students to give back. It also presented Bill with an unexpected honor. The ultimate surprise To celebrate her husband's 50 th reunion, Jose was faced with a dilemma. She couldn't be there and couldn't let such a milestone come and go without fanfare and meaning. If she couldn't be there herself, others could mark the occasion for her. She made arrangements for their sons Paul and Denny and VCU President Michael Rao to attend the festivities in her place. And in the ultimate display of appreciation and caring, she created a scholarship in Bill's name, which was announced by none other than Rodney the Ram. "It was a jaw dropper," Bill remembers. Helping others Bill's service to others spans more than a half century of compassionate care and student mentorship. "I never dreamed I'd be in a professional world. I started out as a farmer and believe me, those people work very hard every day," he says. "When Dad lost the farm, I didn't have a direction in particular except just to graduate from high school. I'll never forget all the people who helped me along the way. And I couldn't have done anything without Jose." {Gallery} Bill and Jose Covington

Required Criteria:

Exceptional community service
Financial need
Preference given to a Va. resident
Second-, third- or fourth-year dental student in good standing
Stated preference for entering the General Practice of Dentistry

D.D.S. Class of 1985 Scholarship Endowment

Because of the high cost and resulting debt burden placed upon today's dental students, the D.D.S. Class of 1985 made the decision to help deserving students with financial assistance. Newly graduating dentists face a different environment than this class did 25 years ago. They feel that any help they can provide to their future colleagues is an investment well made.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Virginia resident

Raymond A. Holcomb, D.D.S. Scholarship

Dr. Richard M. Clary and Mrs. Kathryn H. Clary established the Raymond A. Holcomb, D.D.S. Scholarship in 2013 in memory of Mrs. Clary's father.Dr. Raymond Holcomb was born poor in Richwood, W. Va., but early in life showed the tenacity that led to his successful career. In 1933, he was the W. Va. Golden Gloves Champion, boxing in the 160-pound class. He went on to be the first in his family to go to college, then came to MCV School of Dentistry, graduating in 1940 and staying on as a dental intern.He then set up his practice in Fredericksburg but in March of 1942 returned to MCV to join the 45th General Hospital for World War II. He served with the MCV unit in North Africa and Italy then transferred to the Army Air Corps where he met and married an Air Corps nurse. After the war, he brought her back to Fredericksburg where he practiced general dentistry and oral surgery for 40 years and raised two daughters. He built a wonderful practice based on hard work, surgical skills and the ability to let his patients know they were special to him.He remained a loyal alumnus of MCV, and his family is proud to honor his memory with this scholarship. May many more young dentists learn here to serve their communities as he did.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student
Preference to students who reside in Fredericksburg, Va. or surrounding counties or who reside in W. Va.

Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund for Dentistry

The D.D.S. Class of 1965 banded together at their class reunion in 2010 and chose to make a commitment to support the future of dentistry. The group established the Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund for Dentistry, and, since its inception, members of the Class of 1965 have contributed generously to support the effort. The scholarship is awarded annually to a D2, D3 or D4 student in good academic standing with demonstrated financial need.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Enrolled in second, third or fourth year of the dental program

Preston D. Miller Award

In 1930, Dr. Preston D. Miller was a high school dropout working at a lumber company. One day a man handed him a college catalog and told him to go back to school. Miller followed the man's advice. After finishing high school, he entered Emory and Henry College for his pre-dental education. Miller graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1936.Miller began his practice, specializing in restorative dentistry. He also served his community and his alma mater as a lifelong member of the Virginia State Board of Dentistry and president-elect of the MCV Alumni Association.Miller's family established the fund in his honor in the mid-1980s. His son, Dr. Preston D. Miller Jr., graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1963, specializing in periodontics. The fund brings together the passions of father and son, rewarding a junior dental student who excels in restorative dentistry and who understands the relationship between restorative dentistry and periodontal health.

Required Criteria:

Excels in restorative dentistry
Junior dental student
Understands the relationship between restorative dentistry and periodontal health

D.D.S. Class of 1984 Scholarship

The Class of 1984 was a unique class. From the first day of class in August 1980 when we watched the clip of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman until our final graduation at River Road Baptist Church, we all knew this class was distinct. Camaraderie and friendship were the glue throughout our four years. In the summer of 1980, there were 113 of us that started a brave new adventure together. That summer was so hot in Richmond, Va. Many of us lived in the dorms near the campus, and there was no air conditioning. We started to develop friendships and bonding through mutual sufferings with the intense heat and with the rigors of Gross Anatomy. Someone organized a party that first week, and that cemented our desire to study hard and play even harder. We all got thoroughly initiated in the baptism of dental school when Gross Anatomy ended, and the full brunt of dental school hit: over 35-40 credit hours taken each semester. How did we cope with this? By going out and enjoying each other's company, playing many intramural sports together, having retreats at Hal Snyder's parent's lake home in Varina and hanging out with each other in dorm rooms, apartments and homes. As our dental school years wound down and the real world grew closer, there was a deep sense of sadness among the 105 of us that survived, that this special time was ending. A large part of our class went into the military because jobs were scarce; others specialized, and still others braved private practice immediately. There were many weddings and celebrations that first summer. Life was calling, and our new profession was now a reality. As we look back and reminisce, for a lot of us in the class of 1984, we could not have made it without each other, without helping each other in labs, in school work and in the clinic. Surviving through shared suffering and hard work was only made possible through the fellowship and bonding of our class with each other.

Required Criteria:

Enrolled in the VCU School of Dentistry
Financial need
Virginia resident

Rural Dental Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for students with demonstrated financial need with preference given to a student from rural Southwest Va. Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by the VCU School of Dentistry scholarship committee. Dr. Ronald J. Hunt, former dean, initiated the scholarship with a personal commitment.

Required Criteria:

Need-based
Preference given to a student from rural Southwest Va.

J. Marvin Reynolds Prosthodontic Scholarship Fund

Dr. J. Marvin Reynolds graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1951. Throughout his dental career, Reynolds gave more than 300 presentations to dental groups and associations, and received numerous honors. He established this fund in 2007 because "dentistry was good to this farm boy from Southwest Va.," and he wanted to do something in return.The fund will support a scholarship for a rising senior dental student who has shown outstanding promise in all areas of fixed and removable prosthodontics. The Department of Prosthodontics will select the recipient based on the student's credentials, as well as performance in didactic, laboratory and clinical areas.

Required Criteria:

Rising senior dental student
Shows outstanding promise in areas of fixed and removable prosthodontics
Succeeded in clinical, didactic and laboratory areas

Dr. William Descovich Memorial Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Preference given to a New York state resident (or one who originates from New York state) who has maintained a 3.0 GPA or better and who is passionate about pursuing a career in pediatric dentistry
Rising fourth-year dental student who demonstrates financial need

Dr. Matthew Dollar Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Matt Dollar graduated from the VCU School of Dentistry in 1998. Tragically, he passed away in 2007 from complications following a motorcycle accident. During their 15 year class reunion in 2013, the DDS Class of 1998 created a scholarship in Dollar's memory.

Required Criteria:

Academically in good standing
D.D.S. student who demonstrates financial need
Embodies the characteristics of the late Dr. Matt Dollar: outgoing, charismatic, devotion to community service

CITA Scholarship for Excellence in Dental Care

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Rising D4 student with excellent clinical skills who exhibits a desire to truly care for their patients as observed through their clinical practices.
Rising DH4 student with excellent clinical skills who exhibits a desire to truly care for their patients as observed through their clinical practices.

Dentistry Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund

The D.D.S. Class of 1966 created this scholarship as they celebrated their 50 year reunion in the spring of 2016. The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize and reward a member of the D4 class who has greatly improved their grades and their skills by moving from the lower half of their class and rising to the upper half of their class.

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. student entering their fourth year
Demonstrated financial need
Has shown a strong personal effort to be self-sustaining
Recipient should have demonstrated significant improvement in his/her dental education

Oliver Wendell Clough Memorial Fund

This endowment was established in 1981 by the family of Oliver Wendell Clough. When asked why she started this fund, Clough's wife, Marion Handy Clough, explained that "the dental school was and is so much a part of our family's life."The endowment provides a yearly scholarship to a senior who shows great promise for outstanding contribution as a general dentist in the field of restorative dentistry.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrates outstanding contribution as a general dentist in the field of restorative dentistry
Graduating dental student

Ronald L. Tankersley, D.D.S. Leadership Scholarship

Dr. Ron Tankersley did not always know he wanted to be a dentist. In fact he started out as a pre-med and psychology major. But, with some help from mentors Dr. Harry Lyons (D.D.S. '23) and Dr. S. Elmer Bear, Tankersley found his niche in dentistry as a student at the MCV School of Dentistry.Tankersley made an extraordinary commitment to the dental profession and served as the president of the American Dental Association from 2009 to 2010. During his tenure, he educated members of the ADA and others in the dental field about health care reform and pushed for dentistry for the underserved while focusing on collaboration between the various organizations within the field of dentistry.To recognize Tankersley's outstanding leadership within the ADA and the dental profession, the Virginia Dental Association and other close supporters established a scholarship in his honor.The Ronald L. Tankersley, D.D.S. Leadership Scholarship will be awarded to a dental student (or students) who demonstrates innovative, motivational leadership that influences his/her academic, professional or community environments. The recipient, chosen by the dean or a designee, will have exhibited excellent leadership skills while in dental school to include fostering a sense of teamwork and building enthusiasm for group projects and assignments, setting a good example through positive work habits, contributing creative ideas and suggestions to help people solve problems and exhibiting a high ethical standard of conduct.

Required Criteria:

Exhibited excellent leadership skills while in dental school
Rising senior dental student

Dr. Marshall and Diana England Endowed Scholarship

Content to come.....

Required Criteria:

D2, D3 or D4
Demonstrated financial need
Good academic standing

Margaret S. and Jack F. Thompson Jr. Scholarship

Dr. Jack Thompson, Jr. developed a desire to become a dentist because of his grandfather (who was a dentist). He always enjoyed working with his hands so after graduating from the University of Richmond, he enrolled in the MCV School of Dentistry. After completing a residency program in the U.S. Air Force, he decided to set up a solo practice in the rural community of Gordonsville. He enjoyed providing "a little bit of every type" of dentistry to this community. His son (Jack "Jay" Thompson III, D.D.S. '97) grew up watching his father practice rural dentistry and decided to follow in his footsteps by also serving in the military (in his case, the Army) and also joining his father's practice. He decided not to specialize and took over his father's practice in 2007. Thompson, Jr. retired from chair side dentistry in 2018 after practicing for 50 years. This scholarship was created in 2018 as a way to help perpetuate future dentists who have the desire to practice in a rural setting.Mrs. Margaret Thompson had already earned a B.S. in chemistry and did not work in that field until after their youngest of their three children was in school. Jack had a hard time finding a hygienist for his practice so Margaret decided (at the age of 40) to enroll in the VCU Dental hygiene program. She enjoyed being her husband's dental hygienist for 32 years.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Preference shall be given to students who are interested in practicing general dentistry in a rural Virginia area and who have participated in the Missions of Mercy (MOM) program.
Rising D2 or D3 dentistry students eligible to pay in-state Virginia tuition

George A. Levicki, D.D.S. Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship will recognize the qualities in a dental student that Dr. Levicki brought to Delta Dental of Virginia over his long career there and at the Foundation. It will be given to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year dental student who is a resident of Virginia who demonstrates leadership qualities both in the school and outside and is a person of high integrity and has a strong interest in persons with limited access to dental care.

Required Criteria:

2nd, 3rd, or 4th year dental student
a person of high integrity
demonstrates leadership qualities both in the school and outside
has a strong interest in persons with limited access to dental care
resident of Virginia

D.D.S. Class of 1968 Memorial Scholarship Endowment

On the occasion of their 45th reunion, the D.D.S. Class of 1968 established a scholarship in memory of 12 departed classmates. These friends and colleagues are sorely missed.

Required Criteria:

Dental student in good standing
Exhibits financial need

Job O. and Harriet Belcher Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Available to dental students (not DH)
Preference given to dental students from Virginia or West Virginia
Students in the School of Dentistry

Eastern Dentists Insurance Company Endowed Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Dental student in good standing
Exhibits financial need

Alexander Kaufman Award for Dentistry

Dr. Alexander Kaufman was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Jan. 18, 1912. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1930. He continued his education at the MCV School of Dentistry, graduating in 1934. He met and married his wife, Alexandra David, while studying at MCV.When World War II broke out, Kaufman served with the U.S. Army Dental Corps. After the war, he joined the Army Reserves and served for 30 years, retiring with the rank of colonel. At the same time, he set up his dental practice in Richmond, Va., where he remained for the next 26 years. He and his wife raised four daughters, all of whom, coincidentally, married VCU School of Dentistry graduates.Kaufman later relocated to Fla., where he set up a new practice with one of his sons-in-law and worked for 20 more years. He practiced dentistry for a total of 46 years.In 1992, four years before his death at the age of 84, Kaufman's daughters and their husbands created this scholarship to honor his dedication to excellence in dentistry and to applaud a conscientious, hard-working and gifted dentist.

Required Criteria:

Dental student with financial need

Dentistry Class of 1975 Scholarship Fund

The DDS Class of 1975 created this scholarship in 2015 while celebrating their 40-year class reunion. Class members recognized the need to assist future students with rising tuition costs.

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. student
Proven need for economic assistance
Virginia resident (defined as students eligible to pay in-state tuition)

Paul and Marley Casagrande Dental Scholarship Fund

To honor his parents for their unwavering support of him throughout this life, and most particularly during dental school and his orthodontics residency, Dr. Zachary Casagrande (D.D.S. '04, M.S. '06) created the Paul and Marley Casagrande Dental Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded to a first or second year dental student in good standing who is a Virginia resident.

Required Criteria:

Currently enrolled first or second year dental student
Good academic standing
Virginia resident

Dentistry Class of 1978 Scholarship

The D.D.S. Class of 1978 established this scholarship in honor of its 35-year reunion. With the rising cost of dental education, it is their hope that this scholarship will help offset the financial burden for a deserving student who also has demonstrated a commitment to community service.

Required Criteria:

Current dental student
Demonstrated commitment to community service
Economic need
GPA of 3.2 or higher
Virginia resident

D70 Memorial Scholarship Fund

On the occasion of their 45 year reunion, the D.D.S. Class of 1970 established a scholarship in memory of seven departed classmates. These friends and colleagues are deeply missed.

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. Student
GPA of 3.0 or higher
Member of the A.S.D.A.
Preference: A student who has experienced life changes while in school which created economic hardship (ie death of a parent, spouse, child or loss of other financial support).
Preference: U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident with high ethics, outstanding character and integrity and a proven economic need.
Rising 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year

Dentistry Class of 1990 Scholarship Fund

The D.D.S. Class of 1990 created this fund during their 25-year reunion to help assist current and future students with the rising costs of dental school tuition.

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. students entering their 3rd year
GPA of at least 3.4
Preference: Virginia residents (those eligible to pay in-state Virginia tuition)
Proven commitment to community service

Mark D. Barban, D.D.S. Scholarship Fund

Dr. Mark Barban was born Nov. 16, 1953, in Cape Charles, Va. He died on Sept. 30, 2002, after a courageous battle with cancer. Barban graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1977, the VCU School of Pharmacy in 1979 and the VCU School of Dentistry in 1985.In addition to his dental practice, which he maintained from graduation until his death, Barban was active with the Richmond Dental Society, serving on numerous committees as well as the board of directors. He was a founding member of the Midlothian Study Club and a member of the Appolonia Dental Study Club.Barban was active as a clinical instructor at the VCU School of Dentistry and provided charitable dental services through Missions of Mercy, Donated Dental Services, CARITAS and other organizations. Despite various professional commitments, Barban found time to hunt and fish as well as participate in Indian Guides, sponsor and coach Chesterfield Little League and earn his black belt in taekwondo. Those who knew him remember his quick wit, depth of character, strong intellect and dedication to his friends.The fund was created after Barban's dental classmates, family friends and others responded to an initial anonymous challenge gift. The original donation sought to honor a good friend and dentist. In order to memorialize Barban's strength of character and uncompromising ethics, the school awards this scholarship to dental students who display these attributes, who are in good academic standing and who are on a proven path of success.

Required Criteria:

A dental student who may be considered a person of outstanding character
A dental student who possesses high ethical standards
Good standing and on the proven path of success
Preference first given to a dental student from the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Secondary preference given to dental students with a background in pharmacy

D.D.S. Class of 1995 Scholarship Endowment

After learning of the increasing costs of dental school and the average debt students face upon graduating, the D.D.S. Class of 1995 wanted to do their part to support the next generation of dentists. On their 15-year anniversary of graduation, members of the class thought this was an appropriate time to make personal, multi-year commitments to establish a scholarship.

Required Criteria:

Dental student in good academic standing
Enrolled in the second or third year of the dental program
Virginia resident

Harry Lyons Merit Scholarship Award Fund

Dr. Harry Lyons, dean emeritus of the VCU School of Dentistry, established a scholarship in his name in 1988. The award goes to the graduating dental student with the highest GPA.

Required Criteria:

Graduating dental student
Highest GPA in graduating class

Hughes Dental Legacy Scholarship

As a young child, Dr. Herb M. Hughes, remembers visiting his grandfather's home/dental office and exploring the dental equipment. He was intrigued with the old fashion foot pedal drill and the barber/dental chair. Fast forward to high school he worked at his father's orthodontic office pouring up models, cleaning instruments and developing x-rays. It was then that he decided that he wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. They say that life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away. The day he received his acceptance letter from MCV/VCU school of dentistry was one of those moments. Dental school was demanding and required most of his time, but after catching the eye of a cute dental hygiene student by the name of Tammy, he quickly reprioritized his time in order to pursue his new love. One might say this is when the magic began! Immediately after they graduated from dental and dental hygiene school the wedding bells rang and the newlywed couple headed to Boston where Dr. Hughes would attend his orthodontic residency. The day he joined his father in practice was another one of those magical moments because another dream had come true. Several years into his practice, Dr. Hughes was inspired to acquire another unique skill: the art of magic! He became a self-taught magician and he would display his newly found talent with his patients. As his illusions got bigger and better he would showcase them at elementary schools and charitable events. When asked if he would present his orthodontic cases to his fellow colleagues, he gladly accepted knowing full well that he was going to secretly incorporate his illusions into his presentations. Just like his father had given him the opportunity to observe him in practice, Dr. Hughes employed his son, Justin, to pour models, take x-rays and sterilize instruments. He vividly remembers driving Justin back to Wake Forest after their Christmas break in his junior year and during a casual conversation he asked Justin what he planned to do after he graduated from college and to his surprise he said, "I want to go to dental school." Yes, that was another moment that took his breath away. Dr. Justin attended MCV/VCU dental school and became the fourth-generation dentist in our family! After completing his orthodontic residency, he joined Hughes Orthodontics and now he has taken ownership of the business. The baton has been pasted to the next generation. Stay tuned for the rest of the story… Establishing a legacy scholarship fund is our way to help ensure that our profession will be led by caring individuals who are passionate about preserving our great profession. Passing it forward so that the next generation will thrive!

Required Criteria:

3rd or 4th year dental student
High moral/ethical values
Membership in organized dentistry/volunteer MOM projects
Possesses balanced lifestyle--mind/body/spirit
Preference to a legacy: child/grandchild of dentist, dental specialist/hygienist

Dr. Nick Wang Memorial Scholarship Fund

Dr. Nick H. Wang was born on March 15, 1976. He earned a D.M.D. degree from the University of Connecticut, a M.D. degree from the University of Texas (San Antonio) and finally completed his oral maxillofacial surgery residency from the VCU School of Dentistry in 2012. After a courageous battle with cancer, he passed away on February 10, 2017. Dr. Wang was known in the community for his generosity, kindness, and dedication to his patients. He put others before himself, and was a strong believer in "giving back". In that spirit, this fund was created by his widow, Dr. Alice Wang to help defray the cost of tuition for future D.D.S. students who are interested in pursuing a career in oral surgery.

Required Criteria:

Has demonstrated an interest in oral surgery
Preference shall be given to a student who exhibits great leadership skills and has a commitment to community service
Rising 4th year D.D.S. student

Dr. Jeffrey Levin, Barbara Levin, Dr. Jay K. Levin and Mark A. Levin Family Scholarship in Dentistry

Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Levin established this scholarship in honor of their sons, Mark and Jay, and their families in order that a worthy student will become a dentist in the fine traditions of the dental profession.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrates financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Enrolled in the second, third or fourth year of the dental program
Resident of Virginia

Jeremiah J. Kelliher Sr., D.D.S. Scholarship

The term "family affair" is no understatement when it comes to the Kellihers from Fairfax, Va., where six of seven children followed their father, Jeremiah, into the dental profession. Three are alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Dentistry.Drs. Dan Kelliher (D.D.S. '84), Jerry Kelliher Jr. (D.D.S. '85) and Sean Kelliher (D.D.S. '02) practice alongside sisters Karen and Kathleen, dental hygienists, at Kelliher Family Dentists in Springfield, Va. Mother Rita is the practice manager. Another sister, Coleen, is a dental hygienist in Fredericksburg, Va., and their brother Jimmy opted for a career in insurance.Honoring their father's inspiration, Dan, Jerry and Sean decided to create a scholarship in his name. They turned to the VCU School of Dentistry because their dad became an alumnus without a home after the closure of Georgetown University's dental school in 1990. The brothers established the Jeremiah J. Kelliher Sr., D.D.S. Scholarship in 2011 with a pledge of $25,000 and presented their father with a framed letter announcing the scholarship at a family gathering during the Christmas holidays.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Enrolled in the second, third or fourth year of the dental program
Resident of Virginia

Richard and Linda Taliaferro Endowed Scholarship

Richard and Linda Taliaferro of Winchester, Va. created this scholarship in 2017.Richard earned his D.D.S. degree from the VCU School of Dentistry in 1983. Linda is a former elementary school teacher and a current "English as a Second Language" teacher. Both Taliaferros recognize the importance of educators in the academic arena. They created this scholarship to help fund education for a future dental school educator and/or researcher.

Required Criteria:

DDS student or DH student
Demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in either academic dentistry or research in the dental field
Financial need

William G. Hawkins, D.D.S. Fund

Bill grew up in Keysville, Virginia in a family of all boys-3 brothers and 2 cousins. He attended school there, and was active in sports, playing tennis and high school varsity football, baseball and basketball. He graduated from William and Mary with a B.A. in History. After graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, went through Basic Training and Officer Candidate School and was sent to Korea as a platoon leader. Bill was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and bravery in action. Upon his discharge from the Marines, he decided to go to Dental School. He enrolled in Longwood College to take the science classes he would need to be accepted in Dental School. As a History major at William and Mary, he was not required to take many science classes, Trying to fit in all the prerequisites required for admission to MCV in as short a span as possible, he ended up taking Organic chemistry before General Chemistry. He was successful and gained admission in the Dental College at MCV and graduated in the class of 1959. Bill opened his dental office in Chincoteague, Virginia, the first step in following his lifelong love for the sea and boating. One particularly embarrassing moment for him was being rescued by the Coast Guard after going aground and spending the night in full view of the whole town. There were many laughs over the Coast Guard's rescue of the "new Doc"! Bill felt he greatly expanded his dental education in Chincoteague as he was the only dentist with no specialists! After taking a winter vacation to the Bahamas, he decided to move his practice to the Bahamas where he could enjoy boating and summer weather all year. He wrote to Nassau and was quickly granted a license to practice on Freeport, Grand Bahama and we were off to the Bahamas. After 6+ years and many changes in the Bahamas, he decided that it was time to come home to the US again. He took the Florida Boards and we began looking at the east coast of Florida. We ended up in Stuart for the final stop in his dental career. He loved his many patients and it was mutual. Many followed him from Virginia and Bahamas to Florida, even consulting him after he retired. Bill remained an active boater going from power boats (or stink pots as he called them) to sailboats. We spent many vacations cruising the Bahamas, especially the Abacos. He filled his leisure time in Stuart with tennis and golf. He suffered a serious bout with Melanoma, which started on the top of his head. His advice to all-"wear hats instead of visors when out in the sun!" After beating the Melanoma, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and as that progressed he had to retire from his dental practice, followed by boating and tennis. He continued playing golf with his 2 sons and a grandson. In spite of his medical problems, he kept his sense of humor and quick wit-he could always surprise you with a one line zinger! Bill celebrated his 86th birthday in January 2016 with all of his family and many friends with him. He led a full and happy life due to his profession, its flexibility, and his family, his wife of 62 years, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The Memorial Fund was established in his honor by his brother/cousin W.E. Singleton to aid future young men and women in following their dreams as he did.

Required Criteria:

Student(s) in the VCU School of Dentistry

D.D.S. Class of 1979 Scholarship

The D.D.S. Class of 1979 created this scholarship during its 35 year reunion celebration in 2014. Their goal is to help offset the cost of tuition for an exceptional dental student.

Required Criteria:

Dental student in any of the four years
Financial need
Understanding the importance of community and the gift of philanthropy in giving back to those in need of assistance with dental education. The individual should have a commitment to the furthering of the dental profession in community service as well as to supporting the education of future dental professionals.

Frank H. Walker Memorial Scholarship

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Required Criteria:

Dental student in any of the four years
Financial need
Preference given to North Carolina students

Dr. Francis J. Robertello Scholarship Endowment

The D.D.S. Class of 2007 established a student scholarship in honor of Francis J. Robertello, D.M.D., M.S., M.Ed. They wished to recognize him for his outstanding teaching of operative dentistry in the laboratory, classroom and clinic.Robertello taught their class and many others the foundations of the practice of excellent and predictable restorative dentistry, and he taught these things with compassion and without ego. While dental school is always a challenge, his students always knew where they stood with Robertello, and they knew they could have fun with him while working towards an excellent result either in the lab or in the clinic. He genuinely enjoyed his interactions with the students, and they genuinely enjoyed their interactions with him. He always inspired his students to be better.Robertello is truly beloved in the D.D.S. Class of 2007's memories of dental school, and he remains with them in the fundamental skills he taught them as they practice dentistry every day.The student who is awarded the Dr. Francis J. Robertello Scholarship Endowment will have shown excellent skills in the clinical practice of operative dentistry.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in good academic standing
Excellent skill in operative dentistry

Pham-Dang Family Scholarship

Dr. Thang Pham and his wife Dr. Nu Dang left war-torn Vietnam in 1979 by crossing into Cambodia and then into Thailand. It was a journey made on foot, through forests and across battlefields, through a foreign land fraught with danger. There was no easy escape from Vietnam and many who tried did not make it. This included Pham's younger sister, Phạm thị Minh-Tuyền. She was 22 years old. It was in Cambodia that Pham and Dang befriended Dr. Kyle Coble, who was a volunteer dentist with the American Refugee Committee working in refugee camps near the border of Thailand. Pham and Dang created this scholarship in 2017 in honor of Dr. Coble, whose friendship helped them reach freedom, and in memory of Phạm thị Minh-Tuyền, whose sacrifice reminds them of its cost.Pham and Dang were the first of 10 family members to graduate from VCU (most from the School of Dentistry).

Required Criteria:

D.D.S. student who demonstrates extreme financial need
Good academic standing
Preference given to a student with dependents

Dr. and Mrs. Harold P. Heafner Jr. Scholarship Fund

Dr. Harold P. Heafner Jr. (D.D.S. Class of 1957) and his wife Beverly established this scholarship in 2019.Heafner was born and raised in Portsmouth, Va. where he practiced for 38 years. Heafner was influenced to create this scholarship by two of his classmates. Dr. Calvin Belkov created a scholarship at the dental school in memory of his parents, and Dr. Joe Adair has also been very generous with the school. Heafner is proud to follow their examples by creating this fund to help future students of their beloved dental school alma mater.Following their 60-year class reunion in 2017, Heafner, Adair and their other classmates decided not to wait for five years for their next reunion. They have started a new tradition of gathering annually at every reunion.

Required Criteria:

A worthy student in need of financial help.
D.D.S. candidate during their 3rd or 4th year.
Preference should be given to a resident of Virginia.

Dr. Alden S. Anderson Jr. Endowed Scholarship in the School of Dentistry

Dr. Alden S. Anderson Jr. demonstrated an unselfish and giving spirit throughout his lifetime – an example of which was his desire to aid dental students with financial need.A graduate of Washington and Lee University, Anderson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II for almost four years prior to his enrollment in the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. After graduating from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1954, he entered private practice in Staunton, Va.A respected member of the community, Anderson practiced dentistry in Staunton for almost 40 years. He provided dental care for children at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind in Staunton on a weekly basis for 19 years.Anderson and his wife, Sara, modeled a lifetime of benevolence and gave of their time and money to support many worthy causes and ministries, including their church (First Presbyterian in Staunton), the Haitian Children's School Fund, the Isaac Walton League and the Civic Club to name a few.During his dental school years, Anderson and his wife both worked tirelessly at jobs to meet their educational costs while also attending classes and starting a family. Anderson hoped that his financial gift would benefit married dental students and lessen the burden of their educational expenses.

Required Criteria:

Dental student in any of the four years
Students with one or more dependents.

Karen and Warren Sachs Scholarship Fund

Dr. Warren Sachs and his wife, Karen, established this fund in honor of their friend, Dr. Sanford Lefcoe.Sachs, a 1971 graduate of the VCU School of Dentistry, and his wife created this scholarship to honor the significant career of Lefcoe, an active and important member of the school and the dentistry profession.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in any class year

F.B. Wiebusch Award for Excellence in Periodontics

Dr. F.B. Wiebusch taught for 30 years at the VCU School of Dentistry, where he was chair of the Department of Periodontics and assistant dean for continuing education and alumni affairs.Dr. Llewellyn Flippen, a 1958 graduate of the MCV School of Dentistry, established the fund in 2000 to honor Wiebusch, who retired from the school faculty in the early 1990s.The periodontics faculty chooses the recipient of this annual award based on the student's successful completion of all degree requirements, the demonstration of strong academic achievement and concern for patients. In addition, the scholarship winner must possess high moral and ethical standards.

Required Criteria:

Completed all degree requirements
Demonstrated concern for the best interest of patients
Demonstrated strong academic achievement
Deserving, graduating dental student from the school’s undergraduate program in periodontics
High moral and ethical standards

David C. Sarrett, D.M.D., M.S., and Elizabeth G. Sarrett, M.Ed. Endowed Scholarship

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Required Criteria:

Dental student in any of the four years
Financial need
Student who has demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in either academic dentistry or research in the dental field

Edwin F. and Marjorie B. Irish Scholarship Fund

This fund was established in 2008 to honor Dr. Edwin F. Irish, a 1953 graduate of the MCV School of Dentistry, and his wife, Marjorie B. Irish. The fund provides support for currently enrolled students at the VCU School of Dentistry who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship recipient or recipients can be in any year of study and will be selected by the school's administration.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in any of the four years

Dr. and Mrs. Albert L. Huband Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor Dr. Albert L. Huband Jr. and his wife, Jean Edmiston Huband. Both were natives of Chesterfield County, Va. Prior to entering dental school, Huband taught math and science in King and Queen County, Va. He graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1956 and served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps and Virginia Department of Health prior to establishing his private practice on the Southside of Richmond, Va. in 1960.Huband had a passion in caring for patients and was especially happy and enthusiastic when educating future dentists and dental auxiliaries. This joy was demonstrated throughout his 28 years of continuous service to the school as an adjunct faculty member in the departments of Restorative Dentistry and General Practice from 1970 until his death in 1998. Huband often recognized that Jean's support allowed him to pursue his love of dentistry.

Required Criteria:

Documented financial need
Good academic standing
Preference given to natives of Chesterfield County
Preference given to persons returning to school for a second career
Preference given to previous teachers
Rising sophomore dental student

D.D.S. Class of 1974 Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Dental or dental hygiene student in any class year
High academic achievement
Potential for future service to dentistry
Strength of character

Adam Abubaker Memorial Scholarship

Content to come...

Required Criteria:

Dental student who is engaged in scholarly research related to addiction, including dental management of patients with substance use disorders, pain management in dentistry, and enhancing the knowledge and understanding of addiction/substance use disorder.
Dental student in any class year

Richard C. Mariani, Sr., D.D.S. Scholarship

This scholarship shall be awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year dental student with demonstrated financial need. Preference shall be given to a student with dependents.

Required Criteria:

2nd, 3rd, or 4th year dental student
demonstrated financial need

Denise T. Nguyen, D.D.S. Endowed Scholarship

When Denise T. Nguyen (D.D.S.'92) and her family left Vietnam after the war ended, their boat landed in Malaysia. It was 1978. Her aunt and uncle sponsored them to Virginia after leaving Saigon in 1975. Though it was a welcome family reunion, she says, the adjustment was difficult. Pizza Hut and french fries helped her and her sisters, who at the time were 15, 13, and 9 years old. She was 11. "It wasn't quite an adventure, but not as horrendous as other boat people endured. We were lucky," she says. "I don't eat pizza anymore." Her journey to dentistry stemmed from a need to be different. "Most of my family were engineers and I wanted to do something different. My peers majored in biology and chemistry. I'm very competitive and didn't think I could beat them, so I majored in music. To be different." But dentistry had always been her passion. "I still play piano," she says. "But I'm glad I followed my passion." Today, she is winding down her career in orthodontics and watching her youngest daughter follow her own interest in dentistry. "I am at the end of my career and wanted to do something special. All good students deserve some type of scholarship to boost their morale. There's not enough to go around. When we came to America we didn't have anything. During my undergraduate days at the University of Virginia, I had a Pell Grant and loans. That's another reason I wanted to create a scholarship, so students won't owe so much once they graduate."

Required Criteria:

Dental student
Grade point average of 3.5 or better
Volunteers or participates in activities related to the profession of dentistry outside of dental school

VCU School of Dentistry Class of 2006 Scholarship

Drs. Bradford Allen and Scott Henson graduated from the VCU School of Dentistry in 2006. The two challenged their fellow classmates to establish a fund to continue to make the school a better place.The fund was established in 2006 and is awarded annually to a rising fourth-year dental student. A committee of fourth-year class officers and four faculty members select the recipient based on demonstrated qualities of initiative, thoughtfulness and kindness toward classmates. The student also must possess motivation to improve student well-being at the school and, ideally, has volunteered for projects or events that have benefited the class as a whole.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated qualities of initiative, thoughfulness and kindness towards classmates
Must possess motivation to improve student well-being at the VCU School of Dentistry
Rising fourth-year dental student
Student should display an exceptional level of commitment to the class, often when not asked by other class members
Student should have volunteered for projects/events that have benefited the class as a whole, such as but not limited to, study groups or clubs, CE certification classes, class fundraisers, skit night, lab representative, the organization of class volunteer projects or intramural recreation and other tasks
Student should show a dedication to the improvement of the VCU School of Dentistry for future students

Dr. Herbert Robert and Lottie Schwartz Kolb Memorial Scholarship in Dentistry

Dr. Millie (Kolb) Tannen established this scholarship in 2013 in loving memory of her parents, Dr. Herbert Robert and Lottie Schwartz Kolb. Kolb was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1921. He earned his bachelor's degree from Long Island University in 1941 and graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1945. He served as a captain in the United States Army and was employed by the Veterans' Administration for 35 years, first as a general dentist and then later as a prosthodontist following his postgraduate training in 1962. Kolb served as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Prosthodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University for 29 years.He was happily married for 64 years to Lottie Schwartz, who was born in Monticello, N.Y. in 1923 and, after graduating two years early from high school, became a legal secretary in Manhattan. They were devoted parents to Tannen and her sister, Claudia K. Zaritsky, and loving grandparents to their four grandchildren.This scholarship is awarded annually to a rising senior dental student who has demonstrated excellence in prosthodontics. Tannen hopes this financial gift will benefit qualifying dental students by supplementing their educational expenses.

Required Criteria:

Exceptional academic merit
Rising fourth-year dental student
Shown interest in or exceptional abilities in prosthodontics

Dr. Thomas Parker Freeman Scholarship Fund

Dr. Thomas Parker Freeman went to Wake Forest University and graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1948. He practiced dentistry for four years in Raleigh, N.C., before joining the U.S. Army and serving his country in Japan, Germany and Korea. While in the Army, Freeman developed a preventive dentistry program that led to his promotion to a full colonel.In honor of Freeman, his family established the fund in 2007. Its purpose is to provide support for VCU School of Dentistry students who have demonstrated financial need. The school administration will choose the recipient, who may be in any year of dental school.

Required Criteria:

Demonstrated financial need
Dental student in any of the four years

School of Nursing

School of Nursing Scholarship Information

Generous donors committed to supporting nursing students have established more than 100 scholarship funds at the VCU School of Nursing.

Many of these funds make multiple awards and most are open to both graduate and undergraduate students.

A.D. Williams Scholarship
Alice Garrenton Steele Scholarship
Anne B. Ergenbright Scholarship
Anne Berry Hamilton Moore Scholarship Fund
Bersoff Nursing Scholarship Fund
Betsy Bampton RN to B.S. Scholarship
Bobbie Jo Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund
Browning Walker Buss Bowlin Scholarship Fund
Carol Crosby Excellence in Nursing Administration Scholarship Fund
Christine J. Woodson Scholarship Fund
David P. Small Foundation Scholarship
Donald J. and Rebecca McGlohon Boyle Scholarship Fund
Dorsye E. Russell Nursing Leadership Fund
Dr. Anne Hufschmidt Boyle Scholarship
Dr. Barbara H. Dunn Nursing Scholarship
Dr. Beauty D. Crummette Nursing Scholarship
Dr. Jane Rollins Ingalls Scholarship Fund
Dr. Janet B. Younger Scholarship Fund
Dr. Margaret R. Spaulding Scholarship Fund
Dr. Mary C. Corley Scholarship
Dr. Robert Richardson Bowen and Rebecca Peebles Bowen Scholarship (NP Scholarship)
Dr. Waverly M. Cole Scholarship Fund
Edna Nesbit and Raymond Cottrell Hooker, Sr. Endowment Scholarship
Eleanor H. Garrett Memorial Scholarship in Nursing
Eleanor Leach Gouldin Scholarship
Fay T. Vaden Scholarship
Flossie Mills Duke Scholarship
Frances Helen Ziegler Tunnell Scholarship Fund
Gayle Gwaltney Memorial Scholarship Fund
Giddens-Corazza Endowment
Gilbert Greentree – Kitty Hirsh Nursing Scholarship
H. Vaughan and Margaret D. Belcher Scholarship
Hayes Endowment
Hazel W. Harris Nursing Scholarship
Helen S. and William J. Birch Scholarship Fund
Helene Fuld Health Trust Scholarship
Honoring Nurses Scholarship Fund
James L. Jenkins and William A. Waldman Scholarship
Jean D. Browning Scholarship
Jean Moye Shepard Endowment Fund
Jeanette A. Jones and Jacquelyn Jones Stone Nursing Honors Scholarship Fund
Jeanette H. Alexander Scholarship Fund
Jennings Reid Hartsell and Marilyn Mueller Koslofski Scholarship Fund
Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship
Judith E. Marsella-Gonzales Memorial Scholarship
Judith Forehand Starkey Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Judy Jones Memorial Scholarship
June Kyle Longerbeam Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Karen E. Simpson Memorial Scholarship
Kristin Filler Nursing Leadership Scholarship
Lauren Goodloe RN to B.S. Scholarship
Lois Parker Henley Merit Scholarship
Lynn Bell Scholarship of Sigma Theta Tau
Marcus and Edria Kaufman Memorial Fund
Margaret B. Stokes Fellowship in Nursing
Margaret Elizabeth Vaden RN to B.S. Scholarship
Marshall Family Scholarship
Martha and Mark Collier Scholarship Fund
Martha W. Moon RN to B.S. Scholarship
Mary Elizabeth Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund
MCVAA Legacy Scholarship
MCV School of Nursing Class of 1960 Scholarship
MCV School of Nursing Class of 1966 Scholarship
MCVF Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Mended Hearts Nursing Scholarship
Mildred A. Mason Memorial Scholarship Fund
Millennium Scholarship
Nursing Annual Scholarship Fund
Patricia Ann Yow, Ph.D., RN Scholarship
Peggy Winall Johnson N'68 Merit Endowed Scholarship
Phyllis Hash Cordle Scholarship Fund
Ruth Battig Memorial Scholarship
Sadie Heath Cabaniss Scholarship Fund
Sara Kathryn Jenkins Scholarship Fund
Sarah Daniel Faber Scholarship
Sarah Hudnall Barksdale Butler Memorial Graduate Scholarship
School of Nursing Class of 1958 Scholarship
Sentara Scholars Fund
Shasta Nurse Practitioner Scholarship
Shirley T. Downs Scholarship Fund
Sybil Maclean School of Nursing Scholarship Fund
Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund
Theresa A. Thomas RN Scholarship Fund
Trish Bernal RN to B.S. Award Fund
Unity Scholarship Fund of the St. Philip and Medical College of Virginia Schools of Nursing Classes of 1954
VCU School of Nursing 125th Anniversary Scholarship
VCU School of Nursing 2005 Accelerated Class of Nursing Scholarship
Vicki and Charlie Tedeschi Memorial Scholarship
Virginia Anderson Call Nursing Scholarship
Virginia Community Healthcare Foundation Scholarship