Merit Scholarships

Institute Scholars Program

High school students with a strong academic and well-balanced high school record may be eligible to become Institute Scholars.

The Institute Scholarship program is merit based and has no affiliation with ROTC scholarships.  As with all scholarships, the total funding received, in any combination of merit, need-based, ROTC, athletic, or other forms of aid, cannot exceed the cost of attendance.  In addition to the financial award, all Institute Scholars are automatically enrolled in the  program. 

Institute Scholars Program

Peay Merit Scholarships

First presented in 2021, the Peay Merit Scholarships are awarded to those cadets who possess the qualities of character associated with the Institute’s 14th Superintendent, General J.H. Binford Peay III: exceptional leadership, academic achievement, athletic commitment, and demonstrated interest in national service.   

These awards are intended to facilitate the training of exemplary citizens, recognizing and rewarding their excellence as they develop into the military, political, business, and civic leaders of America’s next generation. 

Peay Merit Scholarship winner poses in VMI cadet uniform.

To me, education and learning is paramount. VMI has excellent academics, it offers the major I am interested in, I can play in NCAA Division I sports, and there is ROTC. VMI checked all the boxes for me.

 

State-Based Merit Scholarships

Two additional merit scholarship opportunities for residents of Indiana and Wilmington, North Carolina, are available through a separate application. More information about their criteria and application process are below.  

The James C. Sansberry academic scholarship is a merit scholarship awarded on the basis of academic achievement, individual character, and demonstrated leadership potential. This scholarship is for young men and women from the state of Indiana who wish to pursue their college education at VMI.

Scholarships are awarded in various financial amounts depending on the competitiveness of the candidate’s academic and extracurricular qualifications. Scholarships are renewable each year for four years subject to satisfactory academic and military performance by the cadet. Scholars are expected to maintain high academic and personal standards while striving to attain leadership positions in the Corps of Cadets.

The James C. Sansberry fund was established at VMI by the late Thelma C. Sansberry in honor of her late husband, a 1916 graduate of the Institute.

Sansberry Scholarship Application

The Cameron Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for young men and women from the city of Wilmington, N.C., New Hanover County, N.C., and surrounding communities who wish to pursue their college education at VMI. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic achievement, individual character, and demonstrated leadership potential.

The Cameron Scholarship was established at VMI through the generosity of Bruce B. Cameron Jr., VMI Class of 1938, and the late Daniel D. Cameron, VMI Class of 1942.

Cameron Scholarship Application

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders