Scholarship Opportunities for Hampton Roads Students

Navigating the landscape of higher education can be financially challenging. Fortunately, for students in the Hampton Roads area, numerous scholarship opportunities exist, offered by various organizations dedicated to supporting academic pursuits. These scholarships cater to a diverse range of students, from those pursuing STEM degrees to those involved in the LGBTQ+ community and its allied members. This article explores several scholarship avenues available to Hampton Roads students, highlighting eligibility criteria and areas of focus.

Scholarships Focused on STEM Disciplines

The Hampton Roads Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, plays a crucial role in providing educational incentives and assistance. It focuses on individuals engaged in information management, communications, and intelligence efforts, while also fostering excellence in education, particularly in the "hard science" disciplines related to C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance).

Hampton Roads Educational Foundation Scholarship

In 2024, the Hampton Roads Chapter plans to award/renew merit-based scholarships, up to $5,000 each, to outstanding students from the Southside Hampton Roads area, encompassing the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. These scholarships are contingent upon the availability of funds.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled as full-time students for the 2024/2025 academic year in a course of study at an accredited four-year college or university. The course should lead to an Associates or a Bachelor’s degree in one of the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. These majors should prepare students for professional careers supporting AFCEA’s focus on military communications, cybersecurity, electronics, information technology, data, and intelligence systems. It is important to note that distance-learning programs are not eligible for this scholarship.

AFCEA Hampton Roads Chapter's Commitment to STEM Education

The AFCEA Hampton Roads Chapter recognizes the importance of encouraging students to study STEM disciplines. These fields support the design, development, manufacture, maintenance, and operation of communications, electronics, information technology, and intelligence systems. The chapter believes that effective STEM education at the middle school and high school levels can capture students' interest and inspire them to pursue STEM majors in college.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

Science, Technology, and Engineering Teacher Awards

For the 2023/2024 school year, the Hampton Roads Chapter has budgeted for STTAs (Science, Technology, and Engineering Teacher Awards). These awards are given on a competitive basis to high school and middle school STEM teachers from public and private schools in the Southside Hampton Roads area, including Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

Newport News Shipbuilding Scholarship

The Newport News Shipbuilding Scholarship is another opportunity for students in South Hampton Roads or Northampton County. It supports graduating seniors majoring in a STEM field.

Steve and Karen Thumb Access Scholarship

The Steve and Karen Thumb Access Scholarship is specifically for graduating seniors from a South Hampton Roads public high school who are majoring in a STEM field.

Scholarships Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

Hampton Roads Pride understands the importance of making a positive impact on the lives of individuals within the community. To this end, they offer scholarships to support the educational pursuits of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.

Hampton Roads Pride Scholarships

These scholarships are merit-based, considering academic achievements and community involvement. Hampton Roads Pride is committed to supporting the educational pursuits of individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning (LGBTQ+), or those affiliated with related communities (including, but not limited to, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Two-spirit, Nonbinary, Agender, and Genderqueer). Additionally, they extend scholarship opportunities to LGBTQ+ allies-individuals who may not identify as LGBTQ+ but wholeheartedly support and ally with the LGBTQ+ community. The scholarships are disbursed directly to each recipient's educational institution in June, and recipients are expected to attend PrideFest to be recognized for their achievements.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

Access College Foundation Scholarships

The Access College Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to students in the Hampton Roads area, each with its own specific criteria and focus. These scholarships aim to provide access to higher education for students with diverse backgrounds and interests.

General Access Scholarships

Access 20th Anniversary Scholarship: For two graduating seniors of any Chesapeake or Suffolk public high schools.
Access Beating the Odds Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads high school or Northampton High School attending a college or university full-time. (Requires cover sheet and essay)
Access Educational Challenge Fund Scholarship: For a graduating senior of any of the (11) Virginia Beach public high schools.
Elizabeth D. and Joshua P. Darden, Jr. Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school.
Greater Access Campaign Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school.
Jane P. and Frank Batten, Sr. Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school.
Ray Schoenbaum Memorial Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior from Chesapeake, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach Public Schools.
Shirley T. Gibson Access Scholarship: For a minority female graduating from Churchland High School attending either Norfolk State University or Old Dominion University.
Steve and Karen Thumb Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior from a South Hampton Roads public high school majoring in a STEM field.
Brown Ministries Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school.

School-Specific Access Scholarships

James Douglas Saunders Memorial Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior from King’s Fork High School or Nansemond River High School in Suffolk who is attending either a one- or two-year vocational education program of study.

Scholarships with Specific Requirements

Alma and Howard Laderberg Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school.
Anne B. Milburn Michael Anderson Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school pursuing a degree in computer science, technology, or communications.
Batten Educational Achievement Fund Scholarship: For graduating seniors of Northampton High School.
Beazley Foundation Scholarship: For three graduating seniors from each of the Portsmouth Public High Schools: Churchland, I.C. Norcom, and Manor.
Bonnie B. Sutton Scholarship: For graduating seniors of a South Hampton Roads public high school majoring in business or non-profit management.
Brian Christopher Plimpton Scholarship: For a male, graduating senior of Landstown High School in Virginia Beach.
Carol Register Kemp Memorial Scholarship: For an African American female graduate of a South Hampton Roads public high school. Student must have at least a 3.0 GPA, major in social work, or enter a career field that will help improve the world. (Requires "Beating the Odds" Essay)
The Charles Barker Family Scholarship: For a graduating senior from An Achievable Dream Academy, Virginia Beach campus.
Cheryl L. Jones Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school or Northampton County attending Old Dominion University, Tidewater Community College, or Virginia Wesleyan University.
Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Scholarship in memory of Robert M. Stanton: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school. (Requires "Beating the Odds" Essay)
Community Action Coalition of Virginia (CACOV) Scholarship: For a graduating senior of any Suffolk public high school.
Cox Communications Virginia Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school attending a college/university to study technology.
Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Beta Upsilon Chapter Scholarship: For a graduating female senior of a Norfolk public high school attending a college or university to study education.
Doug Hartman Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior of South Hampton Roads or Northampton County excelling in or having interest in both math (includes computer science) and performing arts (music).
Dr. John E. Settle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: For a graduating African American senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school.
Eunice Love Memorial Scholarship: For a graduating senior from Green Run High School in Virginia Beach majoring nursing, education, or fashion.
Granby High School C/O 1965 Scholarship: For a graduating senior from Granby High School located in Norfolk.
Horizons Hampton Roads Scholarship: For a graduating senior of South Hampton Roads that participated in the Horizons program for at least two summers or semesters. Students should have completed a minimum of 20 hours of community service, submit a letter of recommendation (from an educator, employer, or other non-family member), and submit an essay detailing your Horizons Hampton Roads experience and commitment to community service.
Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school or Northampton County with preference given to a student attending Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Randolph-Macon College, or Virginia Wesleyan University. (Requires "Beating the Odds" Essay)
Josiah “Woody” Woodington Memorial Scholarship: For a graduating senior with a 2.0 GPA enrolling in a college, an apprentice or trade program resulting in a degree or certificate for a maritime career or marine industry trade.
LaVerne Crown Scholarship: For a graduating senior of any of the (11) Virginia Beach public high schools majoring in the arts - practical, performing, music, or writing. (Essay Required)
Lester L. Cherry Scholarship: For a graduating senior who intends to declare his/her major in healthcare or medical research, to include but not limited to pre-med, biology, chemistry, nursing (R.N.), pharmacy, or nuclear medicine. (Essay Required)
Looking Forward Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school.
Margaret M. “Peggy” and Conrad M. Hall Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school. (Requires "Beating the Odds" Essay)
Marlene “Micky” Jester Scholarship: For a graduating senior attending Virginia Wesleyan University or Old Dominion University.
Merle K. and William A. Copeland, Jr. Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public High School.
Nansemond Charitable Foundation Scholarship: For a graduating senior of King’s Fork, Lakeland, and Nansemond River High Schools in Suffolk.
Richard Bennett Trust Scholarship: For a graduating senior from King’s Fork High School or Nansemond River High School in Suffolk.
Robert M. Stanton Memorial Scholarship: For a graduating senior from a Southampton Roads or Northampton County public high school.
The Robert H. and Janice G. Wells Scholarship: For a graduating senior attending Virginia Tech and the Myers Lawson School of Construction, who is following one of two paths: Building Construction degree awarded by the College of Architecture and Urban Studies or Construction Engineering and Management degree in the College of Engineering.
Sandra and Lem Lewis Scholarship: For a graduating senior of a South Hampton Roads public high school with steady work experience in a business setting throughout his/her junior and senior years. (Essay & Employment Verification Letter Required)
Sentara Scholarship: For a graduating senior from a South Hampton Roads or Northampton County public high school majoring in health care.
Ray Schoenbaum Memorial Access Scholarship: For a graduating senior from Chesapeake, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach Public Schools.

The Peninsula Community Foundation Scholarships

The Peninsula Community Foundation manages over 20 scholarship funds, providing opportunities for deserving students to pursue a college education. These scholarships can be established by individuals, families, organizations, and companies. Donors may define the eligibility guidelines for candidate selection or designate a specific field, study, or college to be attended.

Types of Scholarships Offered

The Peninsula Community Foundation offers scholarships in several categories:

General & Regional Student Awards: These scholarships are open to students from Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, Williamsburg, and James City County schools.
High School Specific Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically for students graduating from certain high schools.
Targeted Support & Unique Paths: These scholarships provide support for students with specific needs or pursuing unique career paths.

Examples of Peninsula Community Foundation Scholarships

Peninsula Scholarship: For students from Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, Williamsburg, and James City County schools.
Thomas W. Doggins Memorial Scholarship: For students from Tabb High School.
Joyce T. Gaines Scholarship: For a high school senior from Tabb or Poquoson.
Arthur Lee Galloway, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: For students from York High School.
Henry Jordan Memorial Scholarship: For students from Warwick High School.
Kellam, Weaver-Fagan & Hastee Educational Scholarship: For students from Bethel, Hampton, Kecoughtan, and Phoebus High Schools.
Joseph H. Levi Memorial Scholarship: For students from Tabb High School.
Trevor J. McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship: For students from Bruton High School.
Susan and Edward Kritzman Scholarship: For college or technical school scholarships to single parents or to couples with children living in the home that are considered lower income.
Julie M. Sager Memorial Scholarship: For any senior Tabb, York, Bruton, and Grafton High School students pursuing a career in the field of education.
James M. Scholarship: A Peninsula couple created a scholarship in honor of their son James to assist students with special needs.

K-12 Educator Grants

The Peninsula Community Foundation also offers grants for K-12 educators, including:

Patricia Barresi Elementary Educational Teacher Grant: For elementary teachers at B.C. Charles, Hilton, Katherine G. Johnson, and Stoney Run Elementary Schools in Newport News, VA.
Langley Teacher Grant: For Hampton Roads educators teaching elementary, middle, and high school students.
Kenneth Leary Taylor Teacher Grant: For teachers of science (excluding Computer Science) teaching students elementary-high school, on the Virginia Peninsula.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

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