Three ways scholarships make a difference for students

Being a student at Virginia Tech is not just about academics and obtaining a degree. It’s also about learning experiences and social activities – and drawing lessons from all of these.

Similarly, paying for college is not just about tuition, it’s also about housing and food expenses and handling emergent costs when they arise. Scholarships can go a long way to ease the challenge of college for students looking for a world-class education.

Here are three of the many ways scholarships helped change the experience for students at Virginia Tech.

The make-it-or-break-it factor

For Hudson James, a first-year student majoring in chemistry, his scholarship made all the difference in choosing to attend college.

“Personally, the scholarship means that I can be independent at college and not rely on anyone else for support. And I was able to join the GenerationOne living-learning community for first generation students,” James said. “Overall, my scholarship allows me to attend college, and I am very thankful for it. Otherwise, I would most likely be taking a gap year right now to work, at least.”

James is part of the Presidential Scholarship Initiative, a four-year scholarship program designed to recognize and reward academically talented and dedicated Virginians. The Presidential Scholarship Initiative is just one example of university efforts to remove many of the traditional barriers to higher education through Virginia Tech Advantage.

Kaleena Smith, Virginia Tech’s assistant director of the Student Success Center, knows more than most how important scholarships can be in attracting and retaining students.

“Scholarships play a pivotal role for many students,” she said. “Giving them the ability to attend Virginia Tech without the burden of student loans is instrumental. For some, scholarships are the deciding factor in whether they can pursue higher education at all.”

Space to explore future passions

Scholarships enable students to participate in extracurricular activities, internships, and research opportunities – things that make them more competitive in the job market and enrich their time at the university.

“They gain hands-on experience in their field through internships and undergraduate research, oftentimes helping them decide what they want to do after graduation. And the whole time, they can rest easy, knowing that they have a solid support system behind them,” Smith said.

For Heba Kamal, a junior studying public health, her scholarship was instrumental in reliving financial stress to make other enrichment opportunities possible.

“When I was awarded the scholarship, it was a genuine weight lifted off my shoulders," Kamal said. "It gave me the opportunity to fully engage with campus life in the way I envisioned it during high school. I’ve embraced the chance to grow socially and academically the way they knew I could through the scholarship. Truly, it’s more than financial aid, it’s a support system that’s helped shape my present and future.”

Freedom to lead – and give back

Scholarships enable students to develop the tools they need to serve their communities as leaders and effect broader change. For example, Presidential Scholars are automatically part of a supportive community where they can find networking and mentorship opportunities.  

“When I received notification that Virginia Tech would fund my undergraduate education,” said Savaria Parrish, a senior majoring in geosciences, “I was thrilled and overwhelmed with joy. Now, I can focus my education and give back through mentorship and promoting educational awareness. Being here has also given me the chance to develop my professional and academic skills as a first-generation student. I’ve had opportunities to present at research seminars, attend colloquia, and expand my network, all of which have been invaluable in shaping my future.”