We offer over 80 scholarships to support students throughout our service area. Each scholarship has its own criteria and purpose. To explore available scholarships and their requirements, view our Scholarship Listing page.
How to Apply
Students only need to complete one universal application, which will automatically match them to all scholarships they’re eligible for. After that, students can provide any additional materials required for specific opportunities.
Application Opens:
November 1, 2025
Application Deadline:
January 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM (no exceptions)
Important:
All applicants must create a new student account, unless you already have one.
Before You Start
Watch the Application Tutorial before registering and beginning your application:
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TUTORIAL
Check Required Documents:
Use the chart below to see which documents you may need to upload.
Accepted File Types:
PDF and Word (.doc, .docx) documents only.
Not Accepted:
.msg, .tex, .zip, .odt, .html, .pages, .exe, .jar, .cmd, and .jpeg
| Documentation | Required for ALL Scholarships | Required for SELECT Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Transcript(s) | YES | All applicants are required to upload copies of any high school and college transcripts applicable. |
| Letters of Recommendation | NO | If you are an applicant from a school in the Roanoke Valley and Wythe and Smyth Counties, you MUST submit TWO letters of recommendation with your application. |
| Personal Essay Questions | YES | All applicants must answer three personal essay questions. These answers help the committee get to know you better and assess your qualifications for available scholarships. |
| Essay of Specified Topic | NO | YES – For the additional essays, please make sure that you answer all the questions asked within the essay prompt. |
| Resume | YES | All applicants must upload a recent resume including information regarding awards, honors, school activities, community & volunteer involvement, and work experience. |
| Report from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | NO | Due to the FAFSA application changes issued by the government in 2023, the Community Foundation no longer requires a copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report to be uploaded for the 2026-2027 Scholarship Application cycle. The application contains a financial aid questionnaire which assesses the financial need of each applicant. |
Applications without the appropriate required documents will not be considered.