The CFNRV opened it scholarship applications in October 1, 2019. High school students, college students, and adults returning to college in the New River Valley (NRV) are eligible to apply. Those interested can review over 40 available scholarship opportunities and apply on our scholarship page. Applications are due by February 3, 2020, and recipients will be announced in April of 2020.
Supporting educational aspirations
Established in 2002, the program aims to support the educational aspirations of students so that they can achieve their full potential, to nurture a skilled workforce in the region, and to cultivate future community leaders. It has grown steadily over the past 17 years. Since 2002, the program has awarded almost $621,000 to 619 students from over 40 endowed scholarship funds. Individuals, families, and NRV businesses establish the funds, which the CFNRV invests for long-term growth. The CFNRV also manages the application process. Each scholarship fund has its own unique criteria, meeting the unique interests of the donor and ensuring that there is an opportunity for students of all kinds to earn a scholarship.
Last year, the Foundation celebrated the largest year of the program to date. The CFNRV awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships to 67 students from across the NRV. The 2019 group of scholarship winners was also one of the most diverse yet. Nearly a quarter of the cohort was comprised of first generation college students. Recipients are attending a wide range of colleges, some local and some ranging as far abroad as Rome, Italy. Virginia Tech (22 recipients) and Radford University (9 recipients) were the most popular destinations in the 2019 cohort.
Scholarships are vital to many students’ success
Scholarships can make the difference between a student’s choice of college. In some cases, it can determine whether they attend college at all. Scholarship recipient Jessica Sun shared that the scholarship she received were vital. Sun said, “I would never have come to Virginia Tech and relaunched Active Minds and even the women’s Table Tennis team. I would never have continued my work with Kids Are Scientists Too. I would never have been on track to complete my degree in computer science and work as a software engineer to support my parents. I have so much gratitude for scholarships and the donors that fund them. I have them to thank for my successes. Behind every successful person is a network of supporters, and I am proud to have the Community Foundation be part of that group.”
Laura Pynn, Administration and Programs Manager at the CFNRV, said, “Overseeing this program is my favorite part of my role at the Foundation. I believe so completely in the transformative power of these scholarships for the students and for the region. Our community grows stronger with every dollar we can use to support the dreams that higher education affords. We have a wide and diverse array of scholarship funds. Whether you are a child of a law enforcement officer, or a veteran of our armed forces, or a parent who wants to return to school, we have a scholarship fund for you. Please apply early. I can’t wait to meet our 2020 recipients, and I encourage all eligible NRV students to apply now.”