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Metro guide

Virginia Beach-Norfolk scholarships & local foundations

The Virginia Beach-Norfolk metro area covers Virginia Beach County, Norfolk County and Chesapeake County in Virginia and North Carolina, with principal cities including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News and Hampton. We haven’t confirmed a scholarship limited to this metro yet, so this guide leads with local foundations, statewide awards and state aid.

Updated

The IRS lists 2 community foundations with at least $1 million in assets based in the area’s principal cities; the largest is Hampton Roads Community Foundation in Norfolk ($577 million in assets). Community foundations hold hundreds of small donor-funded scholarships, often limited to graduates of specific high schools or residents of one county, and many use a single shared application each winter.

Statewide, 8 more open awards are limited to Virginia and North Carolina residents, and state aid includes Next NC Scholarship and Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). Federal Pell Grants stack on top for students who file the FAFSA. 1 union apprenticeship application window in the area is on our windows tracker.

Where local money hides: ask your school counselor for the local scholarship bulletin (many high schools keep one), check employer and union awards from your parents’ workplaces, and look at service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions) and credit unions near you. These awards rarely appear on national sites, which is why their applicant pools are small.

Scholarships naming the Virginia Beach-Norfolk area (0)

None confirmed right now. See the foundations and statewide awards below.

Community foundations in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk area (2)

Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Norfolk, VA · $577 million in assets (IRS)
Find its scholarships ↗
Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia
Hampton, VA · $18 million in assets (IRS)
Find its scholarships ↗

State aid for Virginia Beach-Norfolk students

Next NC Scholarship
North Carolina · NC State Education Assistance Authority / NC Community College System

At least $3,000/yr at community colleges; $5,000/yr at UNC universities (with Pell)

Official page ↗
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
Virginia · State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Varies — neediest students receive at least tuition

Official page ↗

Statewide awards open to Virginia Beach-Norfolk residents (8)

105 days left

Tarheel Minuteman Foundation (NCNGA) Scholarships

Varies (one-year awards) · North Carolina National Guard Association / Tarheel Minuteman Foundation · High school senior / college student

Members of the North Carolina National Guard Association and their spouses, children, legal dependents and grandchildren.

Opens Dec 1, 2026. Deadline Feb 1, 2027 for college students and high school graduates; March 1, 2027 for high school seniors.
NC
109 days left

Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship

$500 to $6,000 per year · Jimmy Rane Foundation · High school senior

High school seniors no older than 20 on Aug 1, 2027, living in AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC; financial need is a major factor.

Application opens Dec 1, 2026; application and materials due Feb 5, 2027 (recommendations by Feb 10). No late applications.
ALARDEFLGAILINIAKSKYLAMDMSMONENJNYNCOHOKPASCTNTXVAWVDC
118 days left

North Carolina Teaching Fellows

Up to $5,000 per semester in forgivable loans · North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission (UNC System) · High school senior / college student

Students who commit to teach elementary education, special education or a STEM field in a North Carolina public school (one year for each year funded). High school applicants need a 3.0 unweighted GPA; college applicants with 24+ credits need 2.7. Must be admitted to a partner university.

Early action deadline Nov 1, 2026; the 2027–28 application closes Feb 14, 2027.
Education & TeachingNC
119 days left

Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region Scholarships

Varies by fund (50+ scholarship funds) · The Community Foundation (Fredericksburg, VA) · High school senior

Graduating high school seniors attending school in Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George or Caroline County or the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, pursuing college or career, trade, technical or certification programs.

Portal opens Dec 1, 2026; deadline Feb 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
VA
133 days left

Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship

Four-year renewable, up to $50,000 · Akerson Family Foundation · High school senior

First-generation, college-bound seniors graduating spring 2027 from Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church City or Prince William County (VA) public schools or DC Public Schools; FAFSA/VASA eligible with an SAI of $30,000 or less; enrolling fall 2027 at a nonprofit four-year college or community college.

Due March 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET.
VADC
134 days left

NC Community Foundation Universal Scholarship Application

Varies by fund · North Carolina Community Foundation · High school senior / college student

North Carolina students applying for the 2027–28 school year; one application considers you for every NCCF scholarship you're eligible for.

Opens Dec 15, 2026; due 5 p.m. ET March 2, 2027. A few scholarships have separate applications and dates.
NC
137 days left

Foundation For The Carolinas Scholarships

Varies by fund (150+ scholarships) · Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) · High school senior / undergraduate / graduate / adult learner

High school seniors, graduate students and non-traditional students; each of the 150+ funds sets its own criteria (many are for students in the Charlotte region of North and South Carolina).

2027–28 application cycle opens Dec 1, 2026 and runs through March 5, 2027.
NCSC
150 days left

Cumberland Community Foundation Community Scholarships

Varies by fund · Cumberland Community Foundation (Fayetteville, NC) · High school senior / college student

Students in the Cumberland County, North Carolina area applying to the foundation's community scholarship funds.

2027–28 online application available Feb 12, 2027; due 11:59 p.m. March 18, 2027. FAFSA required for need-based funds.
NC

Full Virginia guide → · Full North Carolina guide → · All community foundations

Frequently asked questions

Are there local scholarships in Virginia Beach-Norfolk?

We haven’t confirmed one that’s open right now, but the IRS lists 2 community foundations in the area’s principal cities, and most run local scholarships.

How do community foundation scholarships work?

Donors set up funds with rules such as a specific high school, county, major or need. The foundation advertises them together, usually with one online application each winter or spring, and matches applicants to every fund they qualify for.

What state aid can Virginia Beach-Norfolk students get?

Next NC Scholarship and Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). Most require the FAFSA.