Graduate Financial Aid
1. Assistantships
Graduate AssistantshipsAthletics - assistant coaching positions: Contact Dr. Jack M. Toms, director of athletics, at 434.544.8498 for further information.
2. Grants
The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant is a non-need-based state grant available to all Virginia residents who attend a private college full time in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (A full-time course load at the graduate level is nine credit hours per semester.) VTAG is estimated at $1,150 for graduate students in health sciences and clinical mental health counseling for the 2010-11 academic year. The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains a firm July 31 annual application deadline.
Download VTAG application (PDF)
The Virginia Department of Education frequently offers tuition assistance to special education teachers and para-professionals of $600 per course toward graduate tuition for up to three courses per year. These funds are available to special education teachers (and paraprofessionals) under a contract with a local division. Contact your local school division for additional information. The Office of Graduate Studies coordinates several projects in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Virginia and private foundations. Please consult our office for further information.
3. Loans
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) publication, "Financing Graduate Education: Guide for Prospective Students," provides information on various loan options available to graduate students.
Federal Stafford Loans provide up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid for graduate students. Students who demonstrate need through the FAFSA are eligible for subsidized loans. Students who do not demonstrate need based upon FAFSA results are eligible for unsubsidized loans. Students must be carrying at least a half-time course load, six credit hours per semester, in order to be considered for these loans. Loan cancellation options are possible for educators.
Tobacco Funds may be available to students in Southside Virginia (e.g., Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell, Danville, Pittsylvania). One year of service will qualify for one year of loan cancellation. Awarded "first come, first serve." For additional information, go to www.tic.virginia.gov/scholarships.shtmlor contact the Lynchburg College Office of Financial Aid.
4. Post-Master's Tuition Voucher
The College provides a tuition scholarship amounting to 50 percent of one three-credit hour course per academic year (May to May) to individuals who have completed a graduate degree at the College. The process involves issuance of a voucher to individuals who have completed a prior graduate degree. The voucher request must be made in writing, and requests should be sent to gradstudies@lynchburg.edu. Requests must include name, current address and telephone number(s), date of birth, and purpose of enrollment. The opportunity is ongoing so that, for example, you would be able to take one course in a given academic year and additional courses in subsequent years.
5. Scholarships
Interested graduate students should complete and submit an application to the Office of Graduate Studies annually by April 15 to be considered for any of the scholarships listed below. Note: These awards are not automatically renewed. Annual application is required.
Download Graduate Scholarship Application (PDF)
Altavista Scholarship Program: Supported by the Altavista Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Altavista area businesses, this annual award is made available to graduate students currently teaching at Altavista Elementary, or combined Middle and High School, Hurt Elementary School, or Faith Christian Academy.
Donald D. Hammill Scholarship: Funded by the Donald D. Hammill Foundation, this scholarship is awarded annually to students enrolled in the graduate special education program.
P. Buckley Moss Scholarship: Funded by proceeds from the sale of artist P. Buckley Moss’s print of a College dell scene, this scholarship provides assistance to students in the graduate special education program.
George N. Rainsford Scholarship: Supported by the George N. Rainsford Community Partnership Fund, this scholarship is awarded as leadership scholarships to minority graduate students.
Summers-Clopper Scholarship: Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an education program.
Thompson Entrepreneurial Challenge Scholarship Fund: Awarded to students in the M.B.A. program who have demonstrated entrepreneurial interests by work history and self-sufficiency or with free enterprise projects or by participation in projects of the Mason Center at Lynchburg College.
M. Weldon Thompson Scholarship: Annual grants to admitted M.Ed. students (full-time or part-time) who have prior professional experience.
D. L. "Pete" Warren Scholarship: Awarded annually to a student enrolled in an M.Ed. program with preference given to students in counseling.
J. Edward Petty Scholarship: Awarded annually to a full-time student enrolled in our M.Ed. program in educational leadership.
William Randolph Hearst Foundation Minority Teachers Scholarship: Annual scholarships to African-American students (upper level undergraduates, licensure, master’s students) pursuing careers in teaching.
Katherine C. Radford Scholarship: Provides annual support to graduate students in special education.
Lily Hutchison Scholarship: Will be available in the future for graduate students in education.
Evelyn P. Bickham Scholarship: Awarded annually to graduate students in education.
Anne M. Huston Fund: Provides scholarship support to full-time and part-time graduate students in education with a preference for those in the reading program.
Helen A. and Edward J. Polloway Diversity Fund: Provides scholarship and research support to graduate students in special education.
Center for Family Studies and Educational Advancement: Provides scholarship support to graduate students in conjunction with the programs of the Center. Preference is given to students in the community and school counseling programs.
Elizabeth M. Forsyth Fund: Provides scholarship support to current staff members of Elizabeth’s Early Learning Center or teachers in the early childhood special education program.
Martha M. Sheffler Scholarship: Awarded annually to graduate students in education with preference to students pursuing their Master's degree in educational leadership.
Marjorie Ellen Proffitt Howard Scholarship Fund: Will be available in the future for graduate students with preference to individuals in special education.
Presidential Scholarships: Initiated under the auspices of the President of the College to provide support to full-time students who have previously earned a B.A./B.S. degree from Lynchburg College.
Charlotte Evans Lunsford Scholarship: Provides support annually to graduate students in English.
Paul D. and Grace B. Richardson Scholarship: Provides annual support for students who demonstrate academic merit and are pursuing a graduate degree in reading.
Libby Keeton LaPrade Scholarship: Supports annual scholarship for graduate students in English; established in memory of Elizabeth "Libbie" Keeton LaPrade, Class of 1947.
Thomas C. Tiller Scholarship: Awarded to a graduate student who completed his/her undergraduate degree at Lynchburg College.
KOVAR Scholarship: Funded by the Knights of Columbus and awarded annually to a graduate student in special education in the area of mental retardation/intellectual disabilities.
Mary Ann Smith Scholarship: Provides support annually to graduate students in the M.B.A. program.
Katherine S. Kilcher Scholarship: Will provide support to graduate students in the counselor education program.
Powell Foundation Scholarship:Funded by the Powell Foundation of Altavista and awarded to graduate students in special education from Campbell or Pittsylvania counties.
Oreon E. Scott Scholarship:Provides annual support to a graduate student with priority to a student who is a member of the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) and who will work as a graduate assistant supporting LC's service-learning program.
The Walter G. Mason Scholarship Fund: Provides support to M.B.A. students.
Raymond E. and Frances Sutton Oliver Scholarship Fund: Provides support to Lynchburg College graduate students.
Mary Futrell Scholarship: Provides support for future teachers.
Edna Mae Turner Scholarship: Will provide support for female M.B.A. students.
Bernadette Kyle Fund: Will support undergraduate and graduate studies in the sciences, including the M.Ed. in Science Education.
Thomas C. Allen Fund: To be awarded annually to graduate students in English.
Bonnie Davenport Benedict Scholarship Fund: Will support graduate students in Educational Leadership.
W. W. Ferguson Fund: Provides support to graduate students in history.
Belle M. Hill Scholarship: Will support graduate students in English.
R. Kendall North Scholarship Fund: Provides support to graduate and undergraduate students in the School of Business and Economics.
William Sherer Thomasson Scholarship Fund: Provides support to students from Central Virginia pursuing the M.B.A. degree.
Hugh C. and Eunice S. Toler Scholarship Fund: Supports graduate and undergraduate students in Business, Education, and Nursing.
Rona L. Adams and Brian Adams Yates Fund: Provides support to graduate students in English or history and for study abroad.
Ronald H. LaReau Scholarship: Will support graduates of E.C. Glass or Heritage High Schools pursuing a M.Ed. (awarded biennially).
Arthur W. Case, Jr., Gary W. Case, and R. Paul Case Scholarship Fund: Provides support to students in business with preference given to graduates of Central Virginia high schools.
Justine F. Lerch Scholarship: Provides support to students in the School of Education and Human Development who are or plan to become teachers/administrators.
Beth and Stuart Fauber Scholarship: Provides support to graduate students in business with preference given to military veterans.
Robert Lee Flowers and Joy Fowler Flowers Scholarship Fund: Will support graduate students preparing for careers in educational administration and/or higher education.
NOTE: All information is subject to ongoing review and changes.
6. NAFSFAA Recommendations (PDF)
For more financial assistance information, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
