VMI has a long history of strong ties to the Commonwealth in service, enrollment, and the work of alumni who go on to hold office and leadership roles at the local and state government level. There are multiple opportunities for residents of Virginia interested in attending VMI to find access to additional funding beyond typical financial aid opportunities. 

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Scholarships

The Granville P. Meade Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who have achieved academically, but who are financially unable to attend college. The Granville P. Meade fund provides scholarship awards to worthy and needy Virginia high school seniors to attend one of Virginia's public or private colleges or universities.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships provide financial assistance to students who have achieved academically and show promise of continued outstanding academic achievement. Graduating seniors of public and private secondary schools, and those who have the equivalent of a high school diploma, are eligible for the Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. The applicants must have demonstrated and shown promise of continued outstanding academic achievement.

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Awards & Programs 

Commonwealth Awards - Assist undergraduate students with financial need to pay part of their college costs. The funds are appropriated directly to each state-supported institution. Funds may be used for need-based grants to Virginia resident undergraduates. The awards may not exceed tuition and required fees. This program does not have a separate application; students must complete the FAFSA to be considered and meet eligibility requirements as determined by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). 

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) - Virginia residents with need who graduate from an accredited Virginia secondary school and who meet and maintain required academic. This program does not have a separate application; students must complete the FAFSA to be considered and meet eligibility requirements as determined by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).  The maximum award is the cost of tuition, required fees, and a book allowance. 

Special Appointment 

VMI Virginia State Cadetship Program - Residents of Virginia who receive special appointments by the Board of Visitors, as specified in the Code of Virginia. State Cadets are exempt from payment of tuition and board, but pay all other charges. State Cadetships, which are limited in number, are restricted to bona fide residents of Virginia, and applicants are required to show, on the basis of need, that it would be impossible to attend VMI without this financial assistance. Applications are made on forms which will be furnished by the Financial Aid Officer on request, and these applications should be submitted before March 1 of the year in which the applicant wishes to enter VMI. 

Upon receiving a State Cadetship, the State Cadet must assume certain obligations to the Commonwealth of Virginia in return for the financial assistance awarded through the Cadetship. The Sections of the Code of Virginia setting forth provisions for State Cadetships and the obligations concerned may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. Applicants for a State Cadetship also need a recommendation from their state senator. 

Locality-Based Funding

The J.T. – Minnie Maude Charitable Trust (“Trust”) was founded to provide financial assistance for the pursuit of higher education to deserving U.S. citizens who currently reside in and who have resided in the Virginia counties of Halifax, Henry, Pittsylvania and the North Carolina counties of Caswell and Rockingham (including all towns or cities located within these 5 counties), for a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months at the time of application. 

Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of academic achievement and promise, financial need, and other related selection criteria. Award amounts will vary, up to and including a possible full scholarship.