Virginia Scholarships for Incoming College Freshmen?

I'm a high school junior planning to attend college in Virginia and am curious about scholarships available to first-year students. Any advice on specific scholarships available and how to apply would be greatly appreciated!

There are indeed quite a few scholarships available to students in Virginia, so you're in luck! Here are five notable ones that might apply to you as a first-year student:

1. The Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP): This program provides financial assistance to undergraduate students earning their first degree. The award is based on financial need and academic performance. You'll need to full out the FAFSA to apply.

2. The Lee-Jackson Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is given to high school juniors and seniors writing an essay on either General Robert E. Lee or General Thomas J. Jackson. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage young people to reflect on the leaders of the Civil War era.

3. The Granville P. Meade Scholarship: This scholarship provides financial aid to students who have achieved academically but who are financially unable to attend college. Like the VGAP, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for the Meade scholarship.

4. Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG): Awarded to students enrolled at one of Virginia's private colleges or universities, this grant provides a certain amount of funding per year and does not need to be repaid.

5. The Two-Year College Transfer Grant Program (CTG): If you're planning to transfer from a two-year college to a four-year institution in Virginia, this scholarship could be for you.

Regarding how you apply, typically you'd visit the scholarship's website, where you can find information on how and when to apply. A great starting point is in fact the Virginia Department of Education’s website, where many of these scholarships are listed. Most require you to submit some sort of application, which could include things like the FAFSA, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.

Lastly, keep an eye out for any scholarships offered directly from the university that you end up attending. Many schools have their own scholarships (both merit-based and need-based), so you'll want to make sure you take full advantage of these opportunities. The financial aid office at your school can provide more details on these sorts of scholarships.

Remember, scholarships are a fantastic way to help finance your education, so it's worth the effort to apply to as many as you can. Best of luck to you as you navigate this process!