Best Colleges in Virginia for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Virginia

Cost of Virginia College Education & Salaries

Education is an investment. It's an investment in personal growth, career development, and your long-term well-being in our society. That's why you should take great care when deciding which college to attend, which major to study, and how you intend to finance the whole four-year adventure.

Most students in the United States must take on some sort of debt to complete their studies. In order to mitigate this outcome, there are a few things you can do. You can attend an in-state, public college or university, apply for scholarships and grants, and take courses at a lower-cost community or online institution. Since you are in Virginia, it's easy to stay in-state. After all, you have some of the nation's top public universities available for the in-state tuition rate. Consider that an equivalent education in North Carolina might cost as much as three times the tuition.

When you find the in-state school for you, apply for as many scholarships and grants as you possibly can. In fact, make this a habit every term. Take a few days to apply to many different scholarships. Though you might win many smaller scholarships, that money doesn't come with any strings. You'll never pay interest on those $500 scholarships.

Finally, to reduce costs, you can take your core curriculum from a community college. If the school is fully accredited the courses should transfer to your four-year institution. In fact, you might find that the courses are even a bit better than the equivalent at a major university. You'll receive top instruction from experts who have received master's degrees from top universities, and the class sizes will be smaller.

With a little creativity, you can not only reduce your college budget, but you will come out with a top-notch education.

Search Programs Offering Virginia Majors

Scholarships for Virginia College Students

Virginia students use Scholarships and Grants for a dual purpose. First, they help pay tuition, fees, and book bills. Second, they are a great honor that can be added to one's resume. Thus, even if a scholarship will only cover a portion of your books, for instance, when you add the award to your resume your future employers will note your initiative and achievement.

KFLP

KPMG Future Leaders Program

https://womensleadership.kpmg.us/charitable.html
Amount: $10,000 (Renewable for 4 years)
Deadline: January 31
This prestigious scholarship fund offers $10,000 per year for all four years of college, but pays off in other ways, too. Women who become part of this program are paired with an alumnus of the program, a woman who has achieved great things. The program also includes a retreat where awardees learn about leadership from Condoleezza Rice, and even get to learn the game of golf. If you are an up-and-coming high school student with a stellar transcript and extra-curricular activities, you owe it to yourself to apply to this magnificent program.

NFBSP

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program
Amount: $3,000-$12,000
Deadline: March 31
To apply for this prestigious scholarship, you will need to prove that you are legally blind in both eyes, be a citizen or resident of the United States or Puerto Rico, be in pursuit of a four-year degree, and be willing to participate in the NFB's national convention. If you are a finalist, you will receive funds to travel to the conference. There, you and fellow finalists will participate in a variety of activities. Your outcomes will determine whether or not you win a scholarship worth $3,000 to $12,000.

ASEC

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

https://www.aynrand.org/students/essay-contests#overview
Amount: $2,000 (1st Place); $250 (2nd Place); $100 (3rd Place); $25 (Finalists)
Deadline: Varies (Previously April)
This is award is structured more as an essay contest than a scholarship competition, but you can win as much as $2,000 which will certainly help with your education, no matter how you choose to spend it. The Ayn Rand Institute provides a choice of three essay topics that revolve around her novel Atlas Shrugged. You'll need to rely on keen powers of literary analysis to win, but if you love the book it will be a pleasure.

JNKS

James N. Kincanon Scholarship

http://roanokebar.com/for-the-community/roanoke-law-foundation/scholarships/
Amount: Up to $2,500 (Multiple Awards per year)
Deadline: March 31
If you live in the Roanoke area (City of Roanoke, the City of Salem, or the County of Roanoke) or have graduated high school from a school in that area, this is a good scholarship to pursue. You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be in pursuit of a law degree and career.

JSGS

Jane S. Glenn Scholarship

http://roanokebar.com/for-the-community/roanoke-law-foundation/scholarships/
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 31
This scholarship is for undergraduate seniors or degree holders who have been accepted to law school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You should be a resident of the Roanoke Area (City of Roanoke, the City of Salem, or the County of Roanoke) or else you must have graduated from a high school there. Given the high cost of law school, this scholarship is a no-brainer.