Navigating UVA Wise Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide to Funding Your Education
The rising cost of college tuition can be a significant barrier for many students and families. At The University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise), various avenues exist to help alleviate this financial burden. UVA Wise awards an average of $20,827.00 to each student. While this is a substantial amount, most families often need to explore additional funding sources to cover the remaining expenses. The good news is that 77% of full-time students receive local or institutional grants, with an average award size of $11,060.00. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships and financial aid options available to UVA Wise students, aiming to make college education more accessible and affordable.
Understanding the Financial Aid Landscape at UVA Wise
UVA Wise combines various financial assistance types to create a comprehensive package for students. These typically include grants and scholarships, loans, and college employment opportunities. Understanding each of these components is crucial for effectively managing college costs.
Federal Grants (Need-Based)
Federal grants are a primary source of financial aid for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
- Federal Pell Grant Program: This is the largest federal grant program for undergraduate students. Awards range from $370 to $7,395 per academic year and can be used for full- or part-time study. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is determined by the FAFSA Submission Summary, with the Office of Financial Aid determining the award amount based on federal guidelines. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible for Pell Grants. Pell Grants do not need to be repaid.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This need-based program is funded by the federal government and administered directly by participating colleges and universities. Award amounts vary by institution and student need. Priority is given to students with the highest financial need who are also eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, as funding is limited.
State Scholarships/Grants (Need-Based)
Virginia residents have access to state-funded scholarships and grants designed to assist students with financial need.
- Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program: This program is designed to assist students demonstrating financial need by providing a portion of their college costs. State statute requires that awards be proportional to need, ensuring that students with the greatest need receive the largest awards. This program is divided into two parts:
- The Commonwealth Grant: Available to Virginia residents with demonstrated financial need, these awards range from $1,000 to annual tuition and a portion of required fees and are renewable.
- Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP): Available to needy students who graduate from a Virginia high school with a GPA of 2.5 or greater. Students must advance a class level (30 hours) upon completion of each year and be classified as dependent students to qualify. The VGAP award ranges from $1,500 to annual tuition and a percentage of required fees and is renewable.
UVA Wise Scholarships
The Office of Student Financial Aid administers a large number of scholarships from funds provided by generous donors interested in supporting UVA Wise students. Many of these scholarships are targeted for quality students who demonstrate financial need. Entering freshmen are automatically considered based on academic information provided by the Office of Admissions. Returning UVA Wise students applying for the first time and incoming transfer students are also considered based on academic information provided by the Admissions and Registrars Offices. Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $6,500 and are automatically renewed if students meet the required renewal criteria.
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Private Scholarships
Students are encouraged to investigate private scholarship sources on their own. Resources include high school counselors, trust departments of banks, reference departments of libraries, employers, business leaders, and local civic organizations.
ScholarshipPoints and Scholarship Owl scholarships are open to UVA Wise transfer students, and the funds can be put toward all types of expenses. While some scholarships may have specific requirements or be restricted to certain majors or geographic criteria, most scholarships are open to all students.
Loan Programs
If scholarships and grants do not cover the entire cost of education, loans are available through the federal government or private lenders. Federal student loans generally include benefits not typically offered with private loans, such as income-driven repayment plans. Private loans are generally more expensive than federal student loans, so it is recommended that students pursue private educational loans only after exhausting all federal loan options.
- Federal Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans: The most popular loan programs used by UVA Wise students. The subsidized loan requires a FAFSA applicant to demonstrate financial need and is only available for undergraduate students. The unsubsidized loan only requires an official FAFSA for eligibility, given a student has not exceeded their aggregate limit, and is available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Federal Parent PLUS Loans: Available to eligible parents of undergraduate students to assist with educational expenses. Credit checks are required during the application process.
- Federal Grad PLUS Loans: Offered to graduate students needing additional funding beyond what is offered in a direct unsubsidized loan.
- Private Student Loans: Available through private banks, credit unions, or lenders. Students may be required to pass a credit check and/or secure a cosigner to be considered eligible.
Loan counseling and master promissory notes (MPN) are required during the federal loan process for first-time borrowers. Exit counseling is strongly encouraged upon stopping attendance, as it contains valuable information regarding the repayment process.
College Employment
- Federal Work-Study Program: This program stimulates and promotes the part-time employment of students with financial need, providing them funds for college and/or living expenses. Work opportunities are available in almost all departments on campus. Eligible students are employed based on qualifications and the availability of openings. Yearly work-study earnings can range from $500 to $2,500 annually.
- Regular Student Employment: For students who do not qualify for the Federal Work-Study program, a limited number of on-campus, part-time employment opportunities are available through the College. Students apply directly to the employing department and are paid from departmental funds. Hourly regular student employment earnings range upwards from minimum wage, depending upon the skills required for the job.
Spotlight on UVA Wise Bicentennial Scholarship Programs
UVA Wise offers several Bicentennial Scholarship Programs, each with specific criteria and goals. These scholarships are designed to support students from various backgrounds and academic interests. Contributions to existing Bicentennial scholarship funds may be matched at 100% or 50%, depending on the scholarship, thanks to the University of Virginia’s Bicentennial Scholars initiative.
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Smith Wise Scholars
The Smith Wise Scholars Program provides financial support to college students primarily from Central and Southwest Virginia, with a priority given to first-generation college students. Awards may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, on-campus housing, on-campus meals, and books and supplies. A limited one-time award may also be made to support experiential learning, such as approved research, internships, or study abroad experiences.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Resident of Virginia and a United States Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States residing in an eligible county/city.
- Admitted to UVA Wise.
- Submit a 250-word essay that demonstrates a commitment to community service.
- Demonstrate a 3.0 high school grade point average or higher.
Renewal Criteria:
- Recipients must earn 24 semester hours in the first year of receipt and 30 hours each year thereafter.
- Recipients must earn at least a 2.75 grade point average in the first year of receipt and at least a 3.0 grade point average each year thereafter.
- Recipients must remain in good academic and social standing.
- Complete at least 20 hours of community service through classroom or residential group experiences annually.
Eligible cities include Bedford, Bristol, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Covington, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Galax, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Norton, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester.
Eligible counties include Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Henry, Highland, King William, Lee, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Sussex, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Wise and Wythe.
Smith Chancellor’s Scholars
The Smith Chancellor’s Scholars Program provides financial support to college students from Virginia who are majoring in a STEM-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Health Science) related field. Students are selected based on merit. Awards may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, on-campus housing, on-campus meals, and books and supplies. A limited one-time award may also be made to support experiential learning.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Resident of Virginia and a United States Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- High school senior or transfer student attending a Virginia Community College - homeschool students and students at a United States Armed services school are eligible.
- Admitted to UVA Wise.
- Submit a 250-word essay regarding leadership and service that demonstrates a commitment to community service.
- Demonstrate a 3.5 high school grade point average or higher.
- Plan to declare a major in a STEM-H field.
Renewal Criteria:
- Recipients must earn 24 semester hours in the first year of receipt and 30 hours each year thereafter.
- Recipients must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average in the first year of receipt and at least a 3.0 grade point average each year thereafter.
- Recipients must remain in good academic and social standing.
- Complete at least 20 hours of community service through classroom or residential group experiences annually.
Matched Bicentennial Scholarships
Several Bicentennial Scholarships at UVA Wise qualify for matching funds, amplifying the impact of donations. These scholarships support students with various interests and backgrounds:
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Scholarships Matched at 100%:
- The Fischer-Elseg-Williams Bicentennial Scholars: Provides need-based scholarships to worthy and deserving undergraduate students at UVA Wise.
- The M & M Gilliam CAVS Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides scholarships for worthy and deserving students with a preference given to students participating in the College's intercollegiate athletic program.
- The Eva and Jim Gott Bicentennial Scholars Fund: Provides scholarships to students who are student-athletes participating on the basketball team and the golf team.
- The Napoleon Hill Foundation Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to undergraduate students who are Napoleon Hill Scholars selected from among all academic disciplines to participate in this prestigious leadership development program.
- The Napoleon Hill Foundation Keys to Success Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to students who have distinguished themselves as leaders, enrolled in Keys to Success or selected for membership in the Napoleon Hills Scholars Program.
- The Scott and Rhonda Perkins Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to students participating in an intercollegiate athletic program or, as a second preference, to students who are residents of coalfield regions.
- The Rapha Foundation Bicentennial Scholars: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students attending UVA Wise with preference given to graduates or those who earned a GED and live in the City of Norton, Wise County, or Dickenson County in Virginia.
- The C. Bascom Slemp Experiential Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students at UVA Wise, with preference given to students who have been selected to participate in experiential learning opportunities.
- The Carl W. Smith Bicentennial Scholars Fund: Awarded to worthy and deserving students eligible for the Wise Scholars Program and the Chancellor’s Scholar Program.
- The Carl W. Smith Bicentennial Scholar-Athlete Scholarship: Awarded to worthy and deserving qualified student-athletes who are in good academic standing and maintain athletic eligibility standards.
Scholarships Matched at 50%:
- The Gary F. Adams Tennis Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to students who meet the need-based criteria with preference given to students participating in the tennis program.
- The 2020 B. F. Foundation Helping Hands Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to male students who are graduates of Buchanan County High Schools or to students from distressed areas of Appalachia.
- The B.F. Foundation Helping Hand Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to students who meet the need-based criteria with preference given to students from Buchanan County and then to students in the designated distressed areas of Appalachia.
- The Martha A. Carter Bicentennial Fund: Awarded to students who are from far Southwest Virginia, especially Wise County, and who have an interest in pursuing a career in the library media area.
- The Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides students who are pursuing careers in the entrepreneurial field with experiential learning activities.
- The Daris M. Clifton-Alloy Bicentennial Scholars: Scholarship awards will be made to worthy and deserving students with a preference to students graduating from a high school within a 70-mile radius of UVA Wise. A second preference is that scholarships be awarded to students participating in the Stem-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Health) Program.
- The James S. Cox & Susan L. Cox and Sheila Cox Combs & Mike Combs Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to students who meet the need-based criteria with preference given to students majoring in software engineering or mathematics.
- The Howard E. Cummins Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to need-based undergraduate students pursuing a career in education with a special interest in secondary education. Preference will be given to education students from Southwest Virginia.
- The Katheryn B. and S. Chris Curtis Bicentennial Scholarship: Assists those who are members of the Women's Volleyball team that demonstrate academic merit.
- The Daniel Bicentennial Scholars: Supports the scholarly research of students participating in the Fellowships in Natural Sciences (FINS) with preference given to students majoring in Chemistry, then students majoring in the Natural Sciences.
- The Daniel-Lamb Natural Science Bicentennial Scholars: Provides scholarships to students majoring in a natural science discipline with preference given to students majoring in Chemistry.
- The Durham-Rogers Bicentennial Scholars: Benefits students from southwest Virginia with preference for students who participated in athletics, the arts, or community service during their high school career.
- The Jerroleen and Lee Elam Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to graduates of Castlewood High School.
- The Lee and Jerroleen Elam Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to worthy and deserving students who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students participating in the men’s and women’s intercollegiate golf programs.
- The Ely Academic Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students enrolled at the College at Wise.
- The Bob & Judy England Golf Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to students who are participating in intercollegiate golf at UVA Wise and reside within a three-hour radius of the College.
- The England Brothers Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to worthy and deserving students with a preference given to students transferring to the College at Wise from Mountain Empire Community College with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
- The England Brothers Golf Bicentennial Scholarship Fund: Awarded to students who participate on the men’s intercollegiate golf team at UVA Wise; a second preference is that scholarships be awarded to students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College.
- The England Family Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to students from southwest Virginia who are majoring in science.
- The Nick England Foundation Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to local high school graduates who exhibit leadership through involvement in the community and through demonstrated commitment to academic pursuit, faith, family, and community service.
- The Nick England Foundation Golf Bicentennial Scholarship Fund: Awarded to students who participate on the men’s intercollegiate golf team at UVA Wise; a second preference is that scholarships be awarded to students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College.
- The Nick England Golf Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students attending UVA Wise with preference given to students participating in the intercollegiate golf program with second preference given to students participating in the intercollegiate golf program who are residents of southwest Virginia.
- The Nick England #LoveDeeper Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students attending UVA Wise with preference given to students majoring in the Social Sciences discipline with a second preference given to students majoring in the Social Sciences discipline and residents of southwest Virginia.
- The Robert and Jennifer England Education Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to worthy and deserving students at UVA Wise with preference given to students in the Education program. Second preference given to students in the Education program who are residents of southwest Virginia.
- The Christopher D. W. Freeman & Patsy F. Robinson Family Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to worthy and deserving students who demonstrate financial need with preference given to students who reside in the footprint of what was the service area of Coeburn High School, now a combined school named Eastside High School.
- The F. Boyd Fowler Helping Hands Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to male students who are graduates of Buchanan County High Schools or to students from distressed areas of Appalachia.
- The Gaynell S. Fowler Helping Hands Bicentennial Scholarship: Awarded to female students who are graduates of Buchanan County High Schools or to students from distressed areas of Appalachia.
- The Bill Gatton Foundation Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students at UVA Wise with a preference to students from Washington County, Virginia, including the towns of Abingdon, Bristol, Glade Springs, and Saltville.
- The Alison Elizabeth Gibson Bicentennial Scholarship Fund: Goes to worthy and deserving students who are residents from Wise County, Virginia.
- The Sarah P. Gibson & George P. Gibson Bicentennial Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students enrolled at the College at Wise who demonstrate financial need. It will support students who are residents of the far Southwest Virginia region or Northeast Tennessee region, with a second preference for students residing within a three-hour radius of the College, which is the College’s primary service area.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
- The Stamps Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is available to entering college freshmen attending a partner school.
- Walter N. The Paige Pre-Medical Scholarship: This scholarship is available to fourth-year African-American students at the University of Virginia.
- The Posse Veterans Program: This program is open to first-time undergraduate students attending the University of Virginia, Vassar College, and Wesleyan University. To be eligible, you must have served at least 90 days of active duty since September 11, 2001, and have or will receive an honorable discharge.
- Significant tuition discounts are offered to students who live within the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) territory.
How to Apply for Financial Aid at UVA Wise
Applying for financial aid at UVA Wise involves a few key steps:
- Apply to the College at Wise: Complete and submit your application for admission.
- File the FAFSA: Ensure that your parents’ and your tax returns are filed as soon as possible, as you’ll need them to fill out the FAFSA. Request for a copy to be sent to UVA Wise using the school code 003747.
- Receive your Financial Aid Offer: Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll receive a financial aid offer letter detailing the forms of financial assistance offered to you.
Understanding College Costs and Statistics
It’s important to understand the overall cost of attending UVA Wise and how it compares to other institutions.
- Sticker Price: The sticker price at Virginia's College at Wise is $27,427 for in-state students in VA and $47,521 for out-of-state students.
- College vs. University: Since Virginia's College at Wise is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. Universities are big schools that offer a diverse range of academic programs, often across different schools. Most universities include both undergraduate and graduate studies. Students can expect large lecture halls, a wide variety of extracurriculars, and access to research opportunities. Colleges in small towns provide a strong sense of community and a classic college experience. College towns are often centered around campus life, with local businesses catering to students. Students will typically spend more time on college-planned activities than at urban colleges.
- Standardized Test Scores: 1058 is the median SAT score and 22 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Virginia's College at Wise. University of Virginia's College at Wise is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores.
- Graduation Rate: 45% of students who start at University of Virginia's College at Wise finish their degree within six years of enrolling.
- Median Income: The median income of students 10 years after starting at University of Virginia's College at Wise is $45,325.
- Median Federal Student Loan Debt: Graduates of Virginia's College at Wise take out a median of $16,750 in federal student loans.
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