A local community foundation’s 2026 scholarship cycle includes 11 awards that are now accepting applications from Alexandria students.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia opened applications for more than 30 regional scholarships on Monday. At least 11 awards are open to Alexandria students, including those studying medicine, music and the environment.
Scholarships range from $1,200 to $5,000 and are intended for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Some are renewable for up to four years.
During the 2025-2026 school year, the foundation has awarded more than $350,000 to over 100 students in the region. Annually, the organization distributes more than $500,000 to over 150 students in Alexandria as well as Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, and Prince William counties.
The following scholarships are open to Alexandria students.
- AMS Opportunity Scholarship Fund — Open to graduating high school seniors “interested in continuing their education in the STEM fields.”
- Celebrate Cherie Scholarship Fund — Supports students from Northern Virginia “pursuing a postgraduate degree in physical therapy.”
- Dorothy Jean Coates Scholarship Foundation Fund — For “nontraditional students” enrolled in college or university.
- Elizabeth Koury Scholarship Fund — Supports a Northern Virginia graduating high school senior who plans to study medicine and “demonstrates academic excellence [and] financial need.”
- Leslie Richardson Memorial Swan & Sparrow Scholarship Fund — Benefits students “studying musical performance, jazz studies or choral conducting at a historically or predominantly Black college or university.”
- Leslie V. Forte Scholarship Fund — For minority students at Northern Virginia Community College. Applicants will be considered by their “academic achievement and demonstrated loyalty to NVCC through involvement in extra-curricular activities.”
- Northern Virginia First Responders Scholarship Fund — Supports first responders and their dependents.
- NVTC Foundation Kilberg Scholarship Fund — Supports women pursuing careers in STEM.
- Plein Environmental Scholarship Fund — Benefits graduating high schoolers and current NVCC students pursuing associate degrees while “intending to receive admission to a four-year university to pursue a degree in an environmental-related field.”
- Rose Koury Scholarship Fund — Supports a graduating high school senior from Northern Virginia who plans to pursue a career in education while demonstrating “academic excellence [and] financial need.”
- Vance International, Inc. Scholarship Fund — Benefits Northern Virginia residents pursuing “careers in law enforcement or security including the administration of justice.”
The organization employs dozens of volunteers to review applications and collaborates with school administrators and donors to ensure “transparency, fairness, and integrity every step of the way,” according to a press release.
The deadline to apply for funding is March 5.
