Validating Scholarships for Virginia Students for 2021

Wondering how you’re going to balance college studies with extracurriculars? That’s the easy part! The hard part comes first: Figuring out how to assemble financial aid, to affording college. An important part of many student aid packages is scholarships. 

And in particular, don’t forget about local scholarships, which are often less competitive–meaning there’s a higher chance of winning that scholarship award money.

Find local and statewide scholarships on Going Merry. For example, here are just some of the great, scholarships in Virginia:

1. Mildred Ann Rose Johnson Scholarship

Provider: Mildred Ann Rose Johnson Scholarship Fund (Charity Smith)

Amount: Up to $500

The Mildred Ann Rose Johnson Scholarship was established on September 25, 2014, and was an official 501(c)(3) organization on January 1, 2015. This scholarship was created by the family in memory of her. She was a person willing to help anyone; therefore, this scholarship will not only be a representation of her, but also a way to honor her memory. Higher education was very important to her and something she encouraged her family to achieve. The scholarship will be used to award a student in the Roanoke City Public schools that is a graduating senior attending a 4 year College or University as a first time college student or incoming Freshman.

2. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship Program

Amount: Up to $8,000

Provider: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship Program is a vital source of funding for the visual arts and art history in Virginia. VMFA is committed to supporting professional artists as well as art and art history students who demonstrate exceptional creative ability in their chosen discipline and, as such, has awarded nearly $5.8 million in Fellowships to Virginians.

The Fellowship Program was established in 1940 through a generous contribution made by the late John Lee Pratt of Fredericksburg. 2020 will mark the 80th anniversary! Offered through VMFA Statewide, Fellowships are still largely funded through the Pratt endowment, supplemented by gifts from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation and the J. Warwick McClintock Jr. Scholarship Fund.

3. Kevin T. Crofton Graduate Fellowship

Amount: Varies

Provider: Kevin T. Crofton alumnus funding

Thanks to the generous funding from alumnus Kevin T. Crofton in 2016, the Kevin T. Crofton Graduate Fellowships are offered to approximately three students each year. These are multi-year fellowships and are focused on Ph.D. students.

4. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Provider: Jefferson Scholars Foundation

Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia is a place where producing leaders for a self-governing people has always been a primary goal. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation Scholarship program has been attracting and cultivating undergraduate leaders since 1980, providing them sufficient financial support so that they are free to develop their talents and to use them for the good of the University community.



Still need help with financial aid and college scholarships?

We get it. Financing college tuition can be quite the process, and with so many scholarships out there, how do you know which ones to apply to? Start by submitting your FAFSA form as soon as possible since this will help determine what financial aid you might qualify for. This year, the form opens in December 2023.

Check out these Virginia scholarship application options:

Ready for even more college scholarship opportunities? Create a free Going Merry account today for access to our scholarship library, with millions of dollars in award money.

But it’s not just about access– we care about making it easy. Here’s how it works: You’ll answer a few questions to get matched with only scholarships you’re eligible for. You can then further filter or favorite scholarships, and then apply for Going Merry-specific scholarships. We’ll pre-fill information you’ve already provided, so you’ll never have to enter information twice. Now that’s efficient. Sign up here.

Kelly Lamano

Ready to find scholarships that are a match for you?