Scholarships at Virginia Tech

The Emerging Leader Scholarship is a merit-based award for high school seniors who enroll in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Out-of-state awardees receive $2,000 the first year, $3,000 each sophomore and junior year, and $4,000 senior year for up to $12,000 total; in-state awardees receive $1,000, $2,000, $2,000, and $3,000 across four years for up to $8,000 total. Applicants must accept admission to Virginia Tech and the Corps, complete the FAFSA listing Virginia Tech, and submit an online Corps application by March 1. ROTC participation is not required.

Pamplin Study Abroad Need-Based Scholarships support business majors participating in Pamplin-originated, faculty-led study abroad programs for the following fall, winter break, spring, or summer terms. Awards of variable amounts up to $6,000 are determined each April by the Pamplin Awards Committee based on need, applicant volume, and donor fund restrictions. Students apply in the spring through the routine Pamplin scholarship application process. Only Pamplin business majors in eligible faculty-led programs may receive these awards.

The Pamplin Leadership Award is a one-year, $5,000 merit scholarship presented annually to up to 40 qualified students from Virginia public high schools who apply to Virginia Tech. Each public high school may nominate one applicant through its guidance office; nominees need at least a 3.8 cumulative GPA and must agree to join the Honors College and pursue an Honors Laureate Diploma. The award is open to any major and has no connection to the Pamplin College of Business. Winners apply through Scholarship Central and are notified by the Honors College.

The Allen Bachelder Trumpet Scholarship supports talented trumpet students at Virginia Tech, including both incoming and returning students in the trumpet studio. Named for Professor Allen Bachelder, who taught trumpet at Virginia Tech from 1977 to 2006, the award helps recruit and retain top musical talent and may free funds for instruments, summer festivals, and audition travel. Scholarships are given each year through the trumpet studio and credited toward tuition and related educational costs for selected musicians.

The Davenport Leadership Scholar program provides renewable merit-based awards to first-year students in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, established by Eleanor Durham Davenport in honor of her father Fred D. Durham. Scholars are selected for superior intellectual promise, academic performance, leadership ability, personal character, and community service. The program encourages recipients to concentrate on studies and service opportunities such as research and international projects. Awards are administered through the College of Engineering scholarship portfolio alongside the Fred D. Durham Scholarship.

The McNamara Scholarship is one of several merit awards available to incoming first-year Virginia Tech Honors College students through the Honors College General Scholarship application in Scholarship Central. The Honors College reviews applications and assigns recipients to individual named funds including McNamara, Calhoun, Alumni Presidential, Townsend-Crews, and Spratley scholarships. The recruitment application window runs from September 15 through January 7. Students should apply Early Action by November 15 for best access, and cannot combine multiple Honors recruitment scholarships.

The Townsend-Crews Scholarship is a named merit fund for incoming first-year Virginia Tech Honors College students. It is awarded through the shared Honors College General Scholarship application in Scholarship Central alongside Calhoun, McNamara, Alumni Presidential, and Spratley scholarships. Applications are accepted from September 15 through January 7, with Early Action admission by November 15 recommended. Supplemental materials must be submitted through Scholarship Central, and application access questions should be directed to the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid.

The Gerald D. McCart Memorial Scholarship assists undergraduates in Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, particularly students from farming backgrounds planning to return to agricultural operations. It is among hundreds of CALS scholarships awarded each year based on academic achievement, activities, career goals, and need. Students apply through Scholarship Central and college processes promoted on the CALS website. Recipients use awards to reduce financial pressure while completing degrees that support Virginia agriculture and environmental sciences.