The Scholarship Fund for Northern Virginia
Component of the Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia
The Scholarship Fund for Northern Virginia provides financial assistance for graduating high school seniors from Northern Virginia’s nine public school systems who attend a public university or public community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Fund is a component of the Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia. As such, it constitutes a forever source of educational support for our youth who need it the most.
Awards from the Fund will be needs-based with a preference given to students who face significant barriers to success and have difficulty accessing and/or affording higher education, regardless of the fields of study they choose.
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Why Build a Scholarship Fund for Northern Virginia?
Within our region, a considerable number of young individuals, notably those from under-resourced families and those engaged in English Language Learning, perceive the initial tuition costs of higher education as an overwhelming obstacle to entry, so much so that it discourages them from applying to any post-secondary program.
Recent Data demonstrates this trend:
- 31% of 17- and 18-year-olds in Northern Virginia live in families with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level [Source: ACS, 2017-2021]
- While 81 percent of high school graduates enroll in an institution of higher education within 16 months of graduation, only 58% of those with a “standard diploma” enroll, compared to 94-96% of those with advanced or IB diplomas.
- 89-91% of White and Asian graduates enroll, compared to 68% of Hispanic graduates and 79% of Black graduates.
- 52% of students at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria go onto college, compared to 93% at Langley High School in McLean, so there is considerable variation across our region. [Source: SCHEV, 2018-19]
By addressing the financial challenges associated with the first-year tuition, we can empower our region's youth to pursue their educational goals. Thank you for your support."We are thrilled to serve as the inaugural donors of The Scholarship Fund for Northern Virginia, dedicated to supporting local students in their pursuit of higher education at a Virginia public university or community college. The Community Foundation's mission of 'creating a community that works for everyone' is best served through the pillar of education. Recipients of this scholarship will be selected based on financial challenges in accessing higher education and may apply to any field of study. We strongly believe that investing in the education of deserving students not only transforms their lives, but invests in the future leaders of our region. Join us on this worthy mission to raise $50,000 in Year 1!"
— Meera & Shankar Pillai
Questions?
Questions?
