About Our Scholarships

Through the generosity of many donors, in 2024, the Foundation will give out more than $100,000 in scholarships to New River Valley students. The CFNRV’s scholarship application is open to high school students planning to pursue a degree or currently in school at 2- or 4-year colleges or universities as well as trade or technical schools. Older adults returning to school are also welcome to apply.

Since issuing its first scholarship in 2002, the foundation has awarded $1,334,454.70 to more than 1,100 students. While there are dozens of CFNRV funds set up to fund scholarships each year, applicants only need to submit a single application to the foundation and indicate the scholarships for which they would like to be considered.

Scholarship recipients Edric Zhang and Sam Woolsey hold their scholarship certificates at the annual scholarship luncheon.
2023 scholarship recipients Edric Zhang (left) and Sam Woolsey (right) are both Blacksburg High School graduates.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

The scholarship application for 2024 will open on October 2, 2023!

If you are a donor interested in establishing a Scholarship Fund, please visit this page.

The steps outlined below will help you select the scholarship that best suits you and allow you to apply in a timely manner. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to contact Laura Pynn, director of our scholarship program at laurapynn@cfnrv.org or 540-381-8999.

STEP 1: Apply early! The 2024 application will open on our website on October 2.
STEP 2: Complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Did you know that the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to complete in the beginning of October of each year? Don’t delay in submitting this important documentation. The FAFSA will generate the Student Aid Report (SAR) which you must upload into our system by the scholarship deadline to be considered for a scholarship. We need the entire SAR report, which is sent to you via email typically about three days after you complete the FAFSA online. Visit www.fafsa.gov to get started!

STEP 3: Read about the available scholarship funds and select the scholarships for which you are eligible to apply:
STEP 4: Read the following requirements and guidelines in their entirety. Reach out to us if you have questions!
STEP 5: Request your academic transcript.

Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for your academic transcript!

STEP 6: Ask for letters of recommendation.

Each applicant must submit two letters of recommendation. One of those letters must be from a teacher or professor. After you input their contact information, the scholarship system will email a unique link to the individuals writing the letters and they will be prompted to upload their letter into the system.

It is your responsibility to ensure that these letters are submitted. Please make sure the people you would like a recommendation from know they will be receiving an email from us about it and follow up with them until you see that it is approved in the system. Your application NOT COMPLETE without these letters!

STEP 7: Complete the Financial Statement and Statement of Parental Refusal (if applicable).

You will need to upload these completed forms to the Online Scholarship Application.

STEP 8: Submit the online scholarship application.

All scholarship applications must be submitted through our online scholarship management system.

STEP 9: Regularly check your email for updates!

You can submit your application before we receive your letters of recommendation, HOWEVER, your application is not complete until we receive those letters. We will email you to let you know whether or not your application is complete, so make sure to regularly check your email for updates from our team. Your application will be removed from the process if it is not fully completed. If you have questions at any time about your application before the deadline, you are welcome to call us, but please do not wait until the last minute to do so.

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