2023 Scholarship Applications are now open
College Access Fairfax administers several scholarships available to Fairfax County Public School Students. The best source of scholarship information is your school’s College and Career Specialists. Click here for a complete list of the College and Career Specialists.Remember, you should never have to pay to search for a scholarship application.
The mission of College Access Fairfax scholarships is to fill the gap between a student’s financial need and the amount of financial aid offered by the attending institution. Students who are awarded full financial aid (free grants that cover tuition, room and board) will not be awarded a CAF scholarship because their financial need has been met. However, if the student’s tuition, room and board have been partially covered by loans and work study, the student may be able to receive the award if the school is willing to decrease the loan amount (not the institutional award).
Unless otherwise noted, scholarship recipients must have a cumulative GPS of 2.5 or higher at the end of their Junior Year, be a senior in high school and enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credits or equivalent) in an accredited college, career or technical institution. Applicants may be public, private or home-schooled, must be residents of Fairfax County or City and may not hold a non-immigrant visa.
Students may apply for more than one College Access Fairfax scholarship, but may only receive one award.
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FCPS Countywide Scholarships
High School-Specific Scholarships
Scholarships will be awarded to two graduating seniors who attend community college with the intention of completing their post-secondary education through a guaranteed admission agreement with a 4-year institution. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution of between $6000 and$10,000) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. Applicants will be required to pay for their first semester, and upon successful completion of the first term, $2500 scholarships may be awarded for each of the following three semesters (students must take enough courses per semester to be on target for degree completion after four semesters). Recipients must maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.0 in order to remain eligible. An essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is May 31.
One $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has been designated as homeless or unaccompanied (status will be verified by the FCPS Homeless Liaison Office) or has been in the foster care system. Candidates must have a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher and plan to attend a 2- or 4-year post-secondary institution. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. Letters of recommendation are optional, but an essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is May 31.
One $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior with a current GPA of 3.0, who has been accepted to a 4-year college/university, and has done at least one of the following: a) Arabic: Completed at least one year of Arabic in Fairfax County Public Schools or b) Social Service: Maintained a successful track record organizing social service events and activities for those in need, such as domestic violence victims, the homeless, etc. and/or c) Undertaken activities which emphasize public service and civic activism. An essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is February 15.
One $5000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Fairfax County Public Schools who has earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 and who has shown through sustained involvement in family, school, and/or community that (s)he has made an “above and beyond” significant difference. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of less than $2,500) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. An essay and 2 letters of recommendation are required. Finalists will be interviewed. Application deadline is February 15.
One scholarship of between $1000 and $2500 will be awarded to a graduating senior who started Fairfax County Public Schools PreK (formerly known as Head Start or FECEP) and continued the majority/all of his/her education in FCPS (grades 9 through 12 must have been completed in FCPS – this will be verified – any questions regarding eligibility, contact Lisa Pilson at 703-208-7770. Applicants must be continuing their education at any accredited post-secondary 2- or 4-year institution. An essay is required. Application deadline is February 15.
One $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior planning to become a public-school teacher, preferably, although not required to be, in the subject areas of History or Social Studies. An essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is February 15.
One $3000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has completed the majority of his/her high school years in Fairfax County Public Schools. Falls Church High School students are not eligible for this scholarship, but should consider the Falls Church High School Darla Ellis Memorial Scholarship (See School Specific Scholarship listing below). Applicants must be continuing their education at a 4-year college/university. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $6500 or less) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. Participation and/or leadership in church/school/community activities is required. An essay and 2 letters of recommendation are required. This scholarship may be renewable at the discretion of College Access Fairfax. Please note that Falls Church HS students are not eligible for this scholarship but should consider the “Falls Church High School Darla Ellis Memorial Scholarship” listed below. Application deadline is February 15.
One $20,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has realized the importance of education following a slow academic start; turning lower grades (C’s or below) into stronger grades (A’s and B’s) during their junior and senior year and thereby changing his/her future trajectory. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution of $5,000 or less) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. There is no minimum high school GPA requirement. Awards will be paid as follows: $2,000 for freshman year; $4,000 for sophomore year; $6,000 for junior year; $8,000 for senior year. Payouts are dependent on the recipient’s maintaining an average college GPA of 3.0 or higher. Renewal is at the discretion of the donor. An essay and 2 letters of recommendation are required. Finalists will be interviewed. Application deadline is February 15.
Two $2500 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors who are the first in their family to attend college. Students where one or both parents have received either a 2- or 4-year degree are not eligible – this includes students whose parents earned degrees in countries other than the United States. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution of $5000 or less) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. An essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is February 15.
Two $1000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors who have taken ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes during middle or high school in FCPS after immigrating to the United States with their parents. Students must plan to continue their education at any accredited 2- or 4-year post-secondary institution. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution of $5000 or less) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. There is no minimum GPA. Standardized test scores and letters of recommendation are optional. Application deadline is February 15.
At least one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has plans to pursue a degree at a 2- or 4-year school. Candidates must show a demonstrated interest and proficiency in the fields of vocal or instrumental performing arts through participation in school, community or personal activities. Documentation of extracurricular participation may be required (ex. Choir director, music teacher, church director, etc.) While it is hoped that the student would pursue a degree in one of these fields, the intent to pursue these activities at the college level without a degree in those fields will be considered. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,000 or less) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. Please provide a 3–5-minute video recording of either accompanied or unaccompanied solo material that highlights your musicianship as a performer. You can use any platform that you would like (i.e., private, YouTube, dropbox, Google, etc.), as long as you provide a link for the committee to access of your performance. Renewal (for up to a total of three additional years) is at the discretion of the donor. Applicants are not required to submit an essay or letters of recommendation. Application deadline is February 15.
2022-2023: The Vishnu Murthy Memorial Scholarship –
One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded by the Vishnu Murthy Foundation (https://www.vishnumurthyfoundation.org) to a graduating senior from Fairfax County Public Schools who plans to attend a four-year college/university and pursue a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) field in order to make the world a better and brighter place. Candidates must demonstrate strong academic achievement (a minimum 3.0 GPA), be active leaders in their community, have a deep love for learning, and demonstrate interest in academic research and/or entrepreneurship. No financial need is required for eligibility. Letters of recommendation are optional. A scholarship specific essay and personal statement are required.
https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/85871-College-Access-Fairfax
One $500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Falls Church High School who plans to continue his/her education at a 2- or 4-year college/university or vocational/technical school. This scholarship is open to applicants regardless of their intended course of study. There is no financial need requirement and letters of recommendation are optional. A scholarship specific essay and personal statement are required. This award may be renewable at the discretion of the donor (candidates must submit a short essay about their studies and goals). Application deadline is February 15.
One $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Woodson High School who shows a demonstrated interest and proficiency in the fields of vocal or instrumental performing arts. While it is hoped that the student would pursue a degree in Music Education, the intent to pursue these activities at the college level without seeking a music degree will be considered. This scholarship has no financial need requirement; however, two letters of recommendation (one from a music teacher), an essay, and a final interview are required. In addition, students must provide a 3–5-minute audio file of either accompanied or unaccompanied performance from the past two years that highlights their musicianship as a performer. Any platform can be used (i.e., private, YouTube, dropbox, Google, etc.), as long as a link is provided for the committee to access the performance. Recipients will be expected to send a thank you note to the donor. Application deadline is February 15.
One $5000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Falls Church High School who is planning to pursue a degree in a field which gives back to the community (medicine, education, public safety, government, social work, architecture, engineering, non-profit). Applicants may be continuing their education at a 2- or 4-year college/university or technical school. Candidates applying for this scholarship must show demonstrated need (an Expected Family Contribution of $6500 or less) through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. An essay and 2 letters of recommendation are required. This scholarship may be renewable at the discretion of College Access Fairfax. Application deadline is February 15.
Coming Next Academic Year! This scholarship will open October, 2023.
2023-2024: The Pat Groves Memorial Scholarship
One $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) who plans to attend a four-year college/university and who has shown involvement in his/her family, school and/or community. Preference may be given to students who are the first in their family to attend college and are planning to pursue a career in a helping profession (medicine, etc.). Candidates applying for this scholarship are encouraged to provide proof of financial need through the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. A scholarship specific essay is required. Letters of recommendation are optional.
One $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Fairfax High School who has attained a Grade Point Average of up to 2.5 and, by graduation, will have completed math courses no higher than Algebra II. Candidates should plan on pursuing higher education at a 2- or 4-year accredited institution or technical school. An essay is required. Application deadline is February 15.
One $500 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving Hayfield Secondary School Hawk Writing Center tutor who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, personal growth, and involvement within the writing center. Candidates must be 2nd or 3rd year tutors. An essay and personal statement are required. Letters of recommendation are optional. Application deadline is February 15.
One $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Herndon High School senior with documented learning disabilities (student must have a current IEP) who has demonstrated dedication to his/her school (e.g., mentoring other students, participating in extracurricular activities, etc.) and/or service to the local community (e.g., volunteer work). Candidates may be planning to attend a four-year college/university, community college, or vocational/technical school or program. There is no financial need requirement and letters of recommendation are optional. A scholarship specific essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is February 15.
One $5000 scholarship will be awarded to a Hayfield Secondary School graduating senior who has demonstrated participation and involvement in community service opportunities and given back to his/her community. In addition, consideration will be given to a student who has overcome adversity in the pursuit of a post-secondary education. Candidates must have attained a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Although financial need is not a requirement, it is highly suggested that an Expected Family Contribution be included from the FAFSA, VASA, or other acceptable method. An essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is February 15.
Two $1000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors (1 female and 1 male) who have participated in Hayfield Secondary School’s Hawk Student Ambassadors program. Students should be pursuing a degree at a 2- or 4-year accredited institution. An essay and personal statement are required. Application deadline is February 15.
