Carl W. Smith Bicentennial Scholarship Program
Learn more about the scholarship programs for Wise Scholars and Chancellor’s Scholars in the Carl W. Smith Bicentennial Scholarship Programs.
Smith Wise Scholars
The Smith Wise Scholars Program will provide financial support to college students from primarily Central and Southwest Virginia (as hereinafter defined), with a priority to first-generation college students, defined as students whose parents have not earned a four-year degree.
Awards may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, on-campus housing, on-campus meals, and books and supplies.
A limited one-time award may also be made to support experiential learning, such as approved research, internships, or study abroad experiences, typically occurring in the second, third and fourth years. Experiential award amounts may vary by experience and available funds based on the annual distribution from the endowment. The experiential learning opportunity is not a requirement of the scholarship. Students will apply when they are ready to participate in experiential learning.
The following guidelines will be used to evaluate applicants and maintain the scholarship status as Smith Wise Scholars, with the understanding that specific criteria may be adjusted with future changed circumstances.
Students from the following areas of Virginia are eligible for consideration:
The cities of Bedford, Bristol, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Covington, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Galax, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Norton, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester.
The counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, , Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Henry, Highland, King William, Lee, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Sussex, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Wise and Wythe.
Students must:
- Be a resident of Virginia and must be a United States Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and reside in an eligible county/city
- Be admitted to UVA Wise
- Submit a 250-word essay that demonstrates a commitment to community service
- Demonstrate a 3.0 high school grade point average or higher
Awards are renewable if the following criteria are met:
- Recipients must earn 24 semester hours in the first year of receipt and 30 hours each year thereafter
- Recipients must earn at least a 2.75 grade point average in the first year of receipt and at least a 3.0 grade point average each year thereafter
- Recipients must remain in good academic and social standing
- Complete at least 20 hours of community service through classroom or residential group experiences, annually. Staff in academics, student affairs and advancement will work with faculty and students to identify community service opportunities
How do I apply to be a Smith Wise Scholar?
Please submit a 250-word essay (Topic: Commitment to Community Service) to admissions@uvawise.edu with the subject line Carl W. Smith Wise Scholars Applicant.
Smith Chancellor’s Scholars
The Smith Chancellor’s Scholars Program will provide financial support to college students from Virginia, who are majoring in a STEM-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Health Science) related field. Students are selected for the Smith Chancellor’s Scholarship based on merit.
Awards may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, on-campus housing, on-campus meals, and books and supplies.
A limited one-time award may also be made to support experiential learning, such as approved research, internships, or study abroad experiences, typically occurring in the second, third and fourth years. Experiential award amounts may vary by experience and available funds based on the annual distribution from the endowment. The experiential learning opportunity is not a requirement of the scholarship. Students will apply when they are ready to participate in experiential learning.
The following guidelines will be used to evaluate applicants and maintain the scholarship status as Smith Chancellor’s Scholars, with the understanding that specific criteria may be adjusted with future changed circumstances.
For consideration students must:
- Be a resident of Virginia and must be a United States Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States
- Be a high school senior or transfer student attending a Virginia Community College – homeschool students and students at a United States Armed services school are eligible
- Be admitted to UVA Wise
- Submit a 250-word essay regarding leadership and service that demonstrates a commitment to community service
- Demonstrate as 3.5 high school grade point average or higher
- Plan to declare a major in a STEM-H field
Awards are renewable if the following criteria are met:
- Recipients must earn 24 semester hours in the first year of receipt and 30 hours each year thereafter
- Recipients must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average in the first year of receipt and at least a 3.0 grade point average each year thereafter
- Recipients must remain in good academic and social standing
- Complete at least 20 hours of community service through classroom or residential group experiences, annually. Staff in academics, student affairs and advancement will work with faculty and students to identify community service opportunities
- Students must apply to participate in undergraduate research and/or study abroad opportunities
How do I apply to be a Smith's Chancellor’s Scholar (STEM-H Majors)?
Please submit a 250-word essay (Topic: Leadership and Service that Demonstrates a Commitment to Community Service) to admissions@uvawise.edu with the subject line Carl W. Smith Chancellor’s Scholars Applicant.
