About the program
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) seeks to recruit, support, train, and retain diverse student populations in high need career fields to include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), healthcare, education, and public service in Central Virginia.The Richmond Talent Pathway (RTP), will cultivate underutilized talent in the five comprehensive high schools in the Richmond Public School district. VCU will deploy wraparound services designed to prepare students in grades 9-12 with the skills, knowledge, and real-world experiences they need to thrive in college and beyond, which will improve access to postsecondary education and success for historically underrepresented populations.
Participating students who attend VCU and declare a major in a high need field will receive scholarships and be immersed in student success programming focused on addressing their specific needs and barriers. This holistic approach will maximize existing resources, leverage the expertise of community partners, and fill talent gaps in the Central Virginia business community. The RTP will maximize participants’ socioeconomic mobility by increasing their employability through transformative educational experiences.
Scholarship information
Richmond Talent Pathway Scholars will receive a minimum scholarship of $10,000 per year and can be used for any expense within the cost of attendance defined as: tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, food, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. This is a renewable scholarship program for up to eight semesters or 120 credit hours. Students must meet all eligibility requirements at the time of renewal consideration.
Initial Criteria Consideration
Applicants must be a graduating senior from either Richmond High School for the Arts, Huguenot High School, John Marshall High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, or Armstrong High School. Applicants must also adhere to the following:
- Must be a Virginia resident
- Must be federal Pell Grant eligible as determined by completing the FAFSA
- Must have accepted VCU admission by May 1, 2024
- Must enroll and complete at least 12 credit hours each semester
- Must be available to participate within the VCU Summer Scholars program prior to the start of Freshman year. VCU will pay for Virginia resident participant costs associated with the Summer Scholars program
- Must enroll in UNIV191 during the fall semester of freshman year
Designated Richmond Public School students must:
- Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA by March 15, 2024
- Have all VCU application materials (Common Application plus an official high school transcript) to the Office of Admissions by March 15, 2024 to receive priority consideration
- Declare an approved major in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Healthcare, Education, or public service
- Click here if you would like more information about this scholarship
Students must:
- Have enrolled and completed at least 12 credit hours fall and spring semesters
- Have a declared major within STEM, Education, Healthcare, or public service
- Have completed the annual FAFSA application by the priority filing deadline
- Meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy
- Continue to remain federal Pell grant eligible as determined by completing the annual FAFSA application
- Must meet with your Academic Advisor once at least once a semester.
- Students are strongly encouraged to live on-campus, when possible
- If desired, a student may request to use this scholarship for full-time summer semester enrollment
- This scholarship assumes a student will remain a federal Pell-grant recipient within future semesters of enrollment. If a student is no longer federal Pell-grant eligible, funding consideration for this program will end
- This program is only for undergraduate students