STUDENTS
scholarships
Alumni, faculty, emeriti faculty and friends of the School of Education have donated funds to establish eighteen endowed scholarships to support undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in various School of Education degree programs.
With the approval of the VCU Board of Visitors, these scholarships have been established as part of the VCU Foundation and will be awarded on an annual basis. Named endowed scholarship funds are managed and invested in such a way that a percentage of the interest earned during one fiscal year is awarded the following fiscal year as a student scholarship. As endowed funds, these scholarships are considered a permanent part of the financial aid offered at the school level.
In addition to the eighteen endowed scholarships, several non-endowed scholarships that are supported by current fiscal year donations and allocations are also listed in this section. There are also two university-wide scholarship opportunities for which the School of Education forwards application materials for its nominee.
Virginia Arnold Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $2,500
The Arnold Scholarship was established in 1990 by Dr. Virginia A. Arnold for students with financial need and the desire to become elementary or middle-school teachers. Applicants must have been accepted in teacher preparation, have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, demonstrate financial need and plan to be enrolled as fulltime students during the year of the award.
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William C. Bosher, Jr. Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
Established in 1990, the Bosher Scholarship honors Dr. William C. Bosher, Jr. (MEd ‘69) a distinguished Virginia educator. It is awarded to graduate students seeking a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision.
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Pearl Burford Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $700
The Burford Scholarship was established by former students of Pearl Burford, a faculty member of Richmond Professional Institute, to honor her memory. It is awarded to graduate or undergraduate students who plan to become elementary school teachers. Applicants must be full-time students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
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Jack A. Duncan Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $750
The Jack A. Duncan Scholarship was established by friends and colleagues of Dr. Duncan in 1998. The scholarship is awarded to graduate students who have been admitted to the Counselor Education program. Applicants must be full- or part-time students and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
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Patricia H. Duncan Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
The Patricia H. Duncan Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student pursuing a career in READING and LANGUAGE ARTS education. The applicant will have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, been granted full admission into either the M.Ed. in Reading/Language Arts program or the Post-Certification Program for Reading Specialist, or have good standing as a doctoral student in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education's Ph.D. program and has completed an approved Dissertation Prospectus in one of the areas of Language Arts for grades Pre-K thru 12. Interested applicants should submit their applications through the regular School of Education Scholarship process. All completed applications will then be forwarded to the Reading Program Faculty for evaluation and selection. Applicants should focus the essay part of the application on their reasons for choosing to pursue a career in Reading/Language Arts Program. A STUDENT MAY BE AWARDED THE SCHOLARSHIP ONLY ONCE DURING HIS OR HER MATRICULATION AT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY.
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Robert and Gladys Fleming Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $750
The Robert and Gladys Fleming Scholarship honors the memory of two professors emeriti of the School of Education. Funded by faculty, alumni and friends of the Division of Educational Studies, it is awarded to education students who need financial aid to complete their degrees. Applicants must be full- or part-time graduate students enrolled in the Administration and Supervision, Counselor Education, or Adult Education program.
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Arnold P. Fleshood Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $650
The Fleshood Scholarship honors the late Dr. Arnold P. Fleshood, former dean of the School of Education. It is designed to offer financial assistance to a graduate student interested in reading education. Applicants must be students enrolled in a School of Education graduate program in reading/language education or a related field with an interest in reading/language arts.
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Howard G. Garner Scholarship for Developmental Disabilities and Interdisciplinary Studies
Endowed Award Amount: $500
Family and friends have honored Dr. Howard G. Garner, a former faculty member and the first director of the Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities (VIDD), by establishing this scholarship. It will provide financial assistance for a trainee at the graduate or advanced level of education to pursue/continue interdisciplinary study in the field of developmental disabilities.
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April Marie "Sweet" Hart Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount $2,000
The April Marie "Sweet" Hart Scholarship was established by family and friends in memory of Ms. April Marie Hart. April was an accomplished VCU student who planned to be a first grade teacher. She loved children and cheerleading, and especially loved teaching gymnastics to her students at the East Richmond Gymnastics Center in Richmond. April passed away June 25, 2003 at the age of 20. The scholarship is renewable for up to four additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing as determined by the Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences. The scholarship will be awarded to an individual who is a student majoring in a discipline within the College of Humanities and Sciences or School or Education, plans to become a teacher and is on the education track, has or has had a demonstrated interest in gymnastics or cheerleading, and
possesses a minimum GPA of 3.0.
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Health & Physical Education Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: up to $1,000
Endowed in the spring of 1994, the Health and Physical Education Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding education student majoring in a Health or Physical Education subject area. Preference will be given to undergraduate Health and Physical Education majors classified at sophomore, junior or senior level and having a 2.5 overall grade point average. This scholarship is intended to benefit academically talented majors who have also been active in university and community service.
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Jessie Hibbs Scholarship - - NOT OFFERED THIS YEAR
University Award Amount: $1,000
Funded by the VCU-MCV Women’s Club, this scholarship is awarded to a female graduate student with dependent child(ren) enrolled in a graduate program on the Monroe Park Campus. The School of Education Scholarship Committee nominates one candidate for this university wide competition. Applicants must be Virginia residents as determined by University Enrollment Services and be eligible for financial assistance as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
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N. Thelma Jones Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $800
The Jones Scholarship was established by Colonel Eben Jones in memory of his sister, N. Thelma Jones, an alumna of Richmond Professional Institute who taught elementary school in the Richmond City Public School System until her retirement. This merit-based scholarship is designed for a student preparing for secondary teaching (grades 8-12). Applicants must have been accepted into and entering their fifth year of the Master of Teaching program, plan to enroll as full-time students during the year of the award and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
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Ann Elizabeth Marston Endowed Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $3,000
Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Wilson established the Ann Elizabeth Marston Scholarship in the spring of 1996 in memory of Dr. Wilson’s aunt, who helped finance his education. Applicants must be planning a teaching career in elementary or secondary education, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, have been accepted to a teacher preparation program, and be able to demonstrate leadership qualities and a need for financial assistance.
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Claire McCarthy Recreation Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: up to $1,000
Established in 1964, this scholarship was created to honor Claire McCarthy, one of the first graduates of the recreation curriculum. She also served in the Richmond Department of Recreation and Parks for many years. Following her death in 1964, members of the community established this scholarship fund for outstanding recreation majors. This scholarship is now awarded to graduate students seeking a master's degree from the Center for Sport Leadership.
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S. Virginia and Berta M. Newell Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $900
The Newell Scholarship was established in 1989 by Dr. and Mrs. Edward Newell to honor the memory of Dr. Newell’s two sisters, Virginia and Berta Newell, who were graduates of the elementary education program at Richmond Professional Institute. Applicants must have been accepted to a teacher preparation program, plan to be enrolled full-time in either early or middle education during the year of the award, have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and be able to demonstrate financial need.
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Phi Delta Kappa Scholarship Grant for Prospective Educators (VCU Chapter)
Endowed Award Amount: $500
Sponsored by the VCU Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, the PDK Scholarship Grant is awarded to an excellent education student who is interested in teaching or professional education as a career. The primary criteria used to select the recipient will include scholarship, recommendations, written expression, interest in teaching or professional education as a career, and school and community activities.
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Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Scholarships
University Master’s Award Amount: $1,000
University Doctoral Award Amount: $1,000
For this university-wide scholarship, applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 and expect to be enrolled full-time for both semesters of the award year.
• Candidates for the Master’s level scholarship should have completed the equivalent of at least one full-time semester.
• Candidates for the Doctoral level scholarship should have completed the equivalent of one year of full-time study.
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Phi Kappa Phi Undergraduate Scholarship
University Award Amount: $2,000
For this university-wide scholarship, applicants must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5, expect to be full-time seniors during the academic year of the award and be potentially qualified for election to Phi Kappa Phi. The School of Education will nominate a rising senior from the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Students matriculating through the extended degree program should apply with the school or department of their undergraduate major.
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Richard J. Rezba Scholarship in Science Education
Endowed Award Amount: $500
The Rezba Scholarship was established in 2003 to honor Dick Rezba on his retirement. Dr. Rezba is a nationally known science educator who has long been considered to be the outstanding science educator in Virginia. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time science education graduate students in either the M.T. or M.Ed. in C&I programs.
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SCHEV Tuition Scholarships
School Award Amount: Varies
The Office of Doctoral Studies in Education administers funds made available through the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) Tuition Scholarship Program. SCHEV tuition assistance monies are only available to full-time master’s and Ph.D. students who have been admitted to the school with no provisions. The SCHEV program provides funds to be used for tuition and fees. Once the award is made, the funds are transferred directly to the student’s account at VCU. In the event the student has received additional financial aid from other sources, depending on the stipulations placed on such awards and whether tuition has been paid in full, the amount of the graduate tuition assistance may have to be adjusted. The application found in this brochure is to be used when applying for the SCHEV scholarship; however, it should be turned into room 4064B on the 4th floor of Oliver Hall (not turned into the Dean's Office as is the case with applications for other scholarships).
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School of Education Alumni Council Scholarship
School Award Amount: Varies
Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the School of Education. This scholarship will be awarded on both potential academic contributions to the field of education and financial need.
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School of Education Faculty Organization Scholarship
School Award Amount: varies
Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the School of Education, plan to enroll in a minimum of six hours per semester during the year of the award, and demonstrate potential to be competent professionals in their intended field. The applicants must also demonstrate financial need.
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Schumacher Dissertation Fund
Endowed Award Amount: $500
Dr. Sally A. Schumacher, the first full-time faculty member in educational research and evaluation, has created this fund in memory of her parents, Professor F.X. Schumacher and Mrs. M.M. Schumacher. It will provide financial assistance to doctoral students in the School of Education who are undertaking dissertations.
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The Seyfarth Family Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
The Seyfarth Family Scholarship was established in memory of Susanna Seyfarth by her husband, Dr. John T. Seyfarth, and by other surviving family members and close friends. Applicants must be admitted to the Educational Leadership Track of the Ph.D. in Education program, have grade point average of 3.5 or above, and be committed to a career in public education.
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Teacher Education Division Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $1,000
The Division of Teacher Education Scholarship is awarded to a student who is enrolled in the teacher preparation program and plans to pursue a teaching career working with children and youth. Applicants must plan to take a minimum of six credit hours each semester during the period of the award and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
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John A. Van de Walle Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
The late Dr. John A. Van de Walle, one of the most renowned mathematics educators in the country, established this endowed scholarship in 2002. Dr. Van de Walle spent most of his career at the VCU School of Education where he was Professor Emeritus and for 29 years taught mathematics education to pre-service and in-service teachers. This scholarship shall be awarded based on financial need and academic merit to a student in the Elementary Education Master of Teaching Program who demonstrates a strong interest in mathematics education. In addition, students in the K-8 Mathematics Specialist Program, who are not recipients of National Science Foundation funding, are also eligible to apply.
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Rizpah Welch Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
Established in the spring of 1997, the Welch Scholarship honors Dr. Rizpah L. Welch for her many contributions to the School of Education and the field of special education. This scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in a special education program. Applicants must plan to be enrolled full-time during the period of the award and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
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Ann Sarratt Garner Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
This scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in early childhood Special Education in the School of Education.
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Gaynelle Whitlock Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $750
The Whitlock Scholarship honors the late Dr. Gaynelle Whitlock, former associate dean of the School of Education. It was established by Dr. Whitlock’s friends and colleagues in the fall of 2000 to honor her many accomplishments as an educator and her contributions to the VCU community. This award is designed to offer financial assistance to a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Counselor Education who intends to be an elementary school counselor.
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School of Education Merit Scholarships
for incoming freshmen
The following endowed merit scholarships support outstanding incoming freshmen planning to major in School of Education programs. Each merit scholarship is renewable up to four years.
Jo Lynne DeMary Merit Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $700
Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary (M.Ed. ‘71), Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction, was the first School of Education alumna to establish a merit scholarship for VCU students who have indicated an interest in teaching.
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William F. Goggin Merit Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $2,000
Dr. Robert E. Marchant (M.Ed. ‘71) established the William F. Goggin Merit Scholarship in memory of his former colleague. Dr. William Goggin was a professor of Education who taught courses in curriculum theory and development, secondary school curriculum and methods of teaching English for over twenty years in the School of Education. This scholarship will support students who have indicated an interest in teaching.
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LeEtta (Lee) Pratt Merit Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $1,500
The Pratt Merit Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Pratt’s mother, Laura Gooch Pratt, who began teaching in 1926 and was a special education teacher for many years. It will be awarded to an outstanding freshman who has indicated an interest in teaching special education.
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The Schiltz Merit Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $1,000
The Schiltz Merit Scholarship was the first endowed freshman merit scholarship in the School of Education and was funded by long-time faculty member Dr. Jack Shiltz. It will provide financial support to an outstanding incoming freshman planning to enroll in a health or physical education program track.
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Willie W. Whitlock Merit Scholarship
Endowed Award Amount: $500
Mr. Willie W. Whitlock, Esq. (B.S. ‘50) established a merit scholarship in education to honor his sister, Dr. Gaynelle Whitlock, a former faculty member and associate dean in the VCU School of Education. This scholarship will support students who have indicated an interest in education.
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Other Scholarships
The following scholarships are part of the greater aid package offered by the School of Education, but the applications are not made using the form provided in this brochure. Additional information about these scholarships may be obtained on the School of Education website (www.soe.vcu.edu) or the office specified.
Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
Award Amount: Varies
The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program is supported by appropriations from the Virginia General Assembly, and availability of this award is based on that funding. The scholarship loan program is an incentive to students interested in pursuing a teaching career in a public school setting in a critical shortage area in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Most recently, the critical shortage areas that have been identified for this program are: special education, chemistry, physics, earth and space science, world languages, mathematics, technology education, minority students enrolled in any teaching area, and male students enrolled in any elementary or middle school teacher education program.
Upon graduation and contract employment as a certified teacher in a critical shortage area, a portion of the original award will be forgiven for each year a recipient teaches in the public schools of Virginia. In the event a recipient is no longer enrolled full- or part-time, does not complete the teacher education program, or does not teach in a public school in Virginia, the award reverts to a loan status and repayment must be arranged immediately. Students who are nominated to receive this award will be required to sign a promissory note because of the potential for the award to revert to loan status. Additional information will be available on the School of Education website (www.soe.vcu.edu) during the application period each spring.
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Wayne C. Hall Research Award
Award Amount: $1,000
This award is named in honor of a former provost and Vice President of VCU, and is intended to encourage and support trans-campus research at VCU. Persons who will be full-time faculty, residents, fellows, or advanced graduate students (either master’s or doctoral level) at Virginia Commonwealth University are eligible to apply. The award will be given to an individual whose research requires the use of the resources of both the academic and medical campuses.
The Wayne C. Hall Research Award may be used for materials, support services, travel and/or stipend for the researcher. The funds will be made available in the summer or fall semester following the spring application and award process. Interested applicants should contact the School of Education Dean’s Office for more information.
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National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowships
Award Amount: up to $7,000
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi invites applications from outstanding senior students for competitive fellowships worth up to $7,000 for first year graduate or professional study. Approximately 50 of these prestigious fellowships are awarded nationwide each year. Each Phi Kappa Phi chapter may nominate one student. The nominee for VCU will receive the $1,000 Lauren Woods Fellowship. The criteria used in the selection process include scholastic achievement, standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, LSAT, MCAT where applicable), participation in honors and community activities, expression of study plans and career goals, and evaluations by faculty.
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