QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be U.S. citizen
- Must be resident for minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months at time of application in one or more of the following Virginia and North Carolina counties: Virginia – Halifax, Henry and Pittsylvania, including towns & cities within North Carolina – Caswell and Rockingham, including towns & cities within
- Must be graduating high school senior, high school graduate or have obtained GED
- Must have applied to or be enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution in an undergraduate diploma or certificate, associate, bachelor or postgraduate degree curriculum
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on 4.0 scale if seeking undergraduate diploma or certificate (through the most recent completed semester)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on 4.0 scale if seeking associate or bachelor degree (through the most recent completed semester)
- GPA for Non-Traditional students considered on applicant by applicant basis
- Renewal applicants only: must complete hours and submit Volunteer Record form as required in prior year award letter
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Recipients will be selected based on one or more of the following:
- academic and non-academic achievements
- financial need
Award amounts may vary from year to year.
Recipients may attend any accredited public or private institution of higher learning located within the United States (including institution approved study abroad programs). The institution should be a participant in the Title IV federal student aid program. Payments will be made directly to institution of enrollment.
For award purposes, fall and the following spring semesters are typically considered to be an academic year. Non-Traditional students’ academic year may be different.
Students are encouraged to recognize their responsibilities as citizens; therefore, scholarship recipients will generally be required to perform twenty (20) hours of volunteer services of a civic and/or humanitarian nature for each award.
Scholarships will be awarded on an objective, non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender or disability. Application information will be used for statistical/demographic purposes only.
Selection committee reserves the right to determine residency.
Decisions of the selection committee are final. The selection committee, Trustees or staff will not release justification for recipient selections. Trust reserves the right to reconsider and retract awards if significant or additional scholarships are received by applicant or if applicant’s enrollment status changes. In the event of serious malfeasance, breach of traditional conduct or conduct involving moral turpitude, an award may be terminated at any time within sole discretion of the selection committee, whose decision shall be final and binding.
No person deemed a “Disqualified Person” (Foundation Managers and certain family members) under IRS rules and regulations will be permitted to receive any educational financial assistance from the Trust.
RENEWAL AWARDS
Awards received within last 12 months are generally renewable, provided all requirements of prior year’s award are completed. (Reminder: Submit completed Volunteer Record form as required in prior year award letter.)
Awards do not automatically renew. A new application must be submitted each academic year. Failure to submit a renewal application by deadline cancels student’s renewal status. Any subsequent application will be considered as though from a first time applicant and all supplemental application items will be required.
If student is renewing and cumulative GPA is less than minimum levels below, contact office before proceeding with application.
- 2.0 on 4.0 scale for undergraduate diploma or certificate
- 2.5 on 4.0 scale for associate, bachelor or postgraduate degree
Renewal students must continue to seek same degree level (undergraduate diploma or certificate, associate, bachelor or postgraduate) for which original award was granted. If different degree level is being sought, you are no longer a renewal student. You will be considered as though a first time applicant and all supplemental application items will be required.
If residency status has changed since original application, application will be reviewed on an applicant by applicant basis.
STUDENT TYPES
Trust considers students to be either Traditional or Non-Traditional
DEADLINE DATES
Traditional Student – Applications accepted once a year (2023 application opens January 1, 2023)
| Online Application and Supplemental Paperwork | January 1 to March 31, 2023** |
|---|---|
| Financial Aid Worksheet (FAW) | May 1, 2023 |
| Award or Denial Letter Notification | On or before: June 30, 2023 |
| Volunteer Record Form (Only applicable to renewal students) | June 1, 2023 |
Non-Traditional Student – Applications accepted three times a year (2023 application opens January 1, 2023)
| Online Application and Supplemental Paperwork | February 1st, June 1st, October 1st*** |
|---|---|
| Financial Aid Worksheet (FAW) | February 1st, June 1st, October 1st |
| Award or Denial Letter Notification | On or before: April 1st, August 1st, December 1st |
| Volunteer Record Form (Only applicable to renewal students) | March 1st, July 1st, November 1st |
Apply closest to your program start date (Ex: Apply Feb 1 if program starts June 1)
GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Must have submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with institution applying, attending or transferring to
- Must complete and submit online application
- Must submit following supplemental paperwork (complete instructions within online application)
- Official transcript
- Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA
- Federal Income Tax Return, schedules and W-2’s
- Documentation for non-taxable income
- Financial Aid Worksheet (FAW)
- Letters of recommendation (Non-Traditional students only)
- Copy of discharge papers (Veterans only)
GENERAL APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Online application and all supplemental paperwork are due by stated deadline date. Late or incomplete application and supplemental paperwork will not be considered or renewed.
Faxed/emailed application and supplemental paperwork may be disqualified. Trust does not notify applicant of incomplete or missing application items and reserves the right to request any additional information. Upon receipt, your application and supplemental paperwork becomes Trust property.
Provide a valid email address. Important communications concerning application will be emailed.
Applying is a TWO step process and the online application has changed for 2023:
STEP ONE (ONLINE) –
- To access application site, read and agree to “Deadline Agreement” below then select “Submit to access the GOapply application system
- Register as a new account in the GOapply system as an individual. After registering, sign into your account using your email and your password. You will only need to register as a new account once, just sign into your account to return to account in the future.
- Under “Opportunities” select the “Student Scholarship Application” to start online application, following directions carefully. Once an application is started, in progress applications are located under “In Progress” tab under “Submissions” heading.
- Prior to submitting the application, print and review application checklist. Use the checklist and instructions to carefully go back through the application (the link will be on the last page of application or Submit page)
- Submit application on secure GOapply system by clicking “Submit” button on Submit page (wait to close browser window until instructed. Verify submitted application appears in “Submitted” tab under “Submissions” heading)
STEP TWO (MANUAL) –
- Complete supplemental paperwork using instructions and checklist printed during STEP ONE
- Use printed checklist to ensure you have completed all application steps and gathered all required paperwork
- Deliver or mail* all supplemental paperwork to Trust in single packet (if possible) on or before, but no later than deadline date
*(Post Office doesn’t always automatically postmark mail; Trust recommends that student have postal clerk stamp envelope)