Application Packet and Scholarship Policies
Application packet available below beginning January 15. The scholarship policies are available below. Both files are in PDF format. If submitting an application via email, please send to brownscholarship@dls.virginia.gov.
Directly affected individuals applying under the program's original criteria may download an application form here. Applicants for renewal will receive an application by mail and by email.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for a scholarship if you are a current domiciled resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia as defined by § 23.1-502 , and:
1. Between 1954 and 1964, you were:
- A student in the public schools of Arlington, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Prince Edward County, or Warren County when the public schools were closed to avoid desegregation;
- Unable to begin, continue, or complete your public school education during this time;
- Relocated within or outside of the Commonwealth to begin, continue, or complete your public school education during these years due to school closings to avoid desegregation;
- Ineligible to attend a private academy or foundation, in- or out-of-state, established to circumvent desegregation; or
- Unable to pursue postsecondary education opportunities or training because of the inability to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalency; or
2. Are lineal or collateral descendants of persons described in 1. Lineal descendants include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Collateral descendants include nieces and nephews and their lineal descendants.
In evaluating applications of descendants, the Committee will prioritize applicants based on degree of relationship to the directly affected individual.
Award Amounts
Directly affected individuals are eligible to have full tuition or program costs paid under the scholarship in accordance with the policies adopted by the Committee and pursuant to § 30-231.3 of the Code of Virginia, subject to availability of funding.
Descendants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 per academic year (fall, spring, and summer terms), which may be applied toward tuition or program costs, fees, and books as provided in § 30-231.3 of the Code of Virginia.
How scholarship awards can be used
- Transitional education programs and services
- GED Program
- Adult high school diploma
- Career and technical education and training
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Two-year degree program
- Four-year undergraduate degree program
- Certain recognized five-year undergraduate degree program (includes 4-year undergraduate plus 1-year master's degree)
- Masters and doctoral degree
- Professional degrees
Qualifying education programs
- Recognized preparation programs for the General Education Development Certificate (GED) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Adult Basic Education Programs offered by Virginia public schools
- Comprehensive community college programs (i.e. two-year undergraduate degree programs) at Virginia community colleges
- Career and technical education and training at Virginia community colleges, and licensed nonprofit career (postsecondary career and technical education) schools
- Four-year and certain recognized five-year undergraduate degree programs at accredited Virginia public and private four-year institutions of higher education, including summer school and undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered electronically by these institutions
- Graduate masters and doctoral level degree programs
- Professional degree programs, e.g. medicine, law, dentistry, optometry, nursing, veterinary medicine
* For purposes of the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program, "accredited Virginia public or private institution of higher education means a state-supported or private institution of higher education that is formed, chartered, incorporated, or established in Virginia whose main campus is within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the institution is accredited by a national or regional organization or agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education for the purpose of ensuring the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit."
Non-qualifying education programs
- Theological schools and seminaries
- Private, for-profit career and technical education, and vocation schools
- Private for-profit proprietary schools
- Out-of-state schools and institutions, including out-of-state schools and institutions with Virginia campuses, whether or not courses are provided online or through other distance learning programs and technologies
- Correspondence schools
- Unaccredited programs and institutions of higher education
Applying for a scholarship
- Obtain and return a completed application by the specified deadline.
- Submit requested documentation verifying current Virginia domicile and residency.
- Provide all information requested on renewal application form regarding date of birth, social security number, and last grade and school attended.
- Affirm current Virginia domicile and residency.
- Apply for admission to the approved education program or institution of your choice, if you are changing programs or institutions.
- Submit, after admission to the program or institution, a copy of your admission letter.
Application deadline
Applications for the 2024–2025 academic year will be accepted beginning January 15, 2024, and must be submitted no later than April 12, 2024.
Where to request or send your Application
- Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee
- Division of Legislative Services
- General Assembly Building, 4th Floor
- 201 N. 9th Street
- Richmond, VA 23219
- brownscholarship@dls.virginia.gov
Next Application Cycle
Applications for the upcoming academic year are available annually beginning in January and ending in April.