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), is cultivating underutilized talent in the five comprehensive high schools in the Richmond Public School district. VCU is deploying 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 will receive a scholarship 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 and award value
Richmond Talent Pathway Scholars will receive up to $10,000 per year and can be used for any expense within the cost of attendance defined as:
- In-state tuition for full-time study, up to 15 credit hours fall and spring semesters
- An allowance for housing and food
- An allowance for books and supplies
The scholarship will not pay for:
- Transportation to and from school or work
- On-campus parking
- Miscellaneous or personal expenses; to include computer/laptop purchase
- Credit hour costs exceeding 15-credits per semester
This is a renewable scholarship program for up to eight semesters or 120 credit hours, whichever is met first. Students must meet all eligibility requirements at the time of renewal consideration.
Initial Eligibility Considered
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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must have accepted VCU admission by May 1, 2025
- Must enroll and complete at least 12 credit hours each semester
- Must participate with the VCU Summer Scholars program prior to starting their 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 their freshman year
- Have enrolled, and successfully, completed at least 24 credit hours to include the fall, spring, and summer semesters
- 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 at least once a semester
- The scholar must be actively engaged and attend activities and programs organized by the RTP staff
Designated Richmond Public School students must:
- Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA by March 1, 2025 to be considered for the priority deadline
- Be advised that the first-year application deadline has been extended to February 15, 2025. Applicants who submitted all materials by the regular decision deadline of January 15, 2025, for fall admissions, will receive a decision by April 1, 2025. Otherwise decisions are sent on a rolling basis until enrollment capacity is met.
- All VCU application materials (Common Application plus an official high school transcript) must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
- 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