Scholarship Offerings

SEVACF offers a variety of scholarship opportunities:

Al Taylor Memorial Scholarship

Starting in 2025.  Two $7,500 scholarships available for graduating seniors or college students who graduated with a minimum 2.5 GPA from a high school in Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News and, Isle of Wight County.  Applicants must exhibit qualities of leadership, citizenship and, service and must participate in extra-curricular activities, volunteer in community activities, or be employed.  Applicants must attend an accredited college or university.  Application deadline: May 1.

Click here, Mr. Al Taylor, written by his wife, Fran Taylor, to learn more about the man friends and family adored.

Brantley Memorial Scholarship

One $2,000 scholarship to a graduating Senior from Chesapeake or Portsmouth Public Schools who has been accepted or enrolled at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.  Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.  Application deadline: May 1.

Click here to learn more about the Brantley family.

Calder S. Sherwood Memorial Scholarship

Six $2,000 scholarships will be awarded altogether. Two graduating seniors from each of the three Portsmouth public high schools will be chosen. The scholarship will be renewable for a total of four years as long as the student meets the following criteria: 1) maintain a 2.5 GPA at a Virginia college or university that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities, 2) enroll full time with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, and 3) submit official transcript and fall schedule to the scholarship office by June 30th of each year for renewal consideration. Students will be selected by the scholarship committee at their high school. Each applicant must be of good character, be in the upper 20% of their class, and show financial need on the application. The deadline for this scholarship varies from year-to-year. Please apply for this scholarship through your school’s scholarship counselor. Application deadline: March 29.

C.H. Jordan Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship award(s) available to students who are members of Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia and who are pursuing a college or seminary education. The number of scholarships awarded and their amounts vary from year-to-year. Please apply for this scholarship through the Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth.

Conner McGrevy Memorial Scholarship

One $1,000 scholarship available to a graduating senior of First Colonial High School who will be attending a College or Trade school, pursuing a STEM degree, Arts degree, or Trade.  Application deadline: May 1.

Foskey-VanDyck Scholarship

One $1,000 scholarship available to Portsmouth and Western Branch High School seniors pursuing a degree (in preference order) in music education, music, or at James Madison University with the award being based on financial need. Application deadline: May 1.

Frances V.C. Major Memorial Scholarship

One $1,000 scholarship available to a graduating senior of Smithfield High School with a minimum 2.8 GPA who is first generation of color that desires to pursue studies in education, S.T.E.M, medicine, or music with the award being based on financial need.  Application deadline: May 1.

Gladys Clarke Memorial Scholarship

One $2,000 scholarship available with the goal of rewarding academic achievement.  Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and graduate from a high school in Chesapeake, Norfolk, or Portsmouth.  Applicants must exhibit qualities of leadership and service, through participation in their church, school, or community.  Applicants must attend an accredited 4-year college or university. Application deadline: May 1.

To learn more about Gladys Clarke, click here.

Horace Savage Scholarship

Two $1,000 scholarships available every other year (2023, 2025, 2027 etc.) for I.C. Norcom High School seniors to attend a Virginia ACE-accredited institution of higher learning. Application deadline: May 1.

Jarrod B. Shivers Memorial Scholarship

One $1,500 scholarship for (in order of preference) children of deceased police officers who were not killed in the line of duty, and children of current police officers. Application deadline: May 1.

Josef D. Collins Memorial Scholarship

One $1,000 scholarship available to an I.C. Norcom High School senior pursuing a degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or Arts at an ACE-accredited community college or 4-year college or university. Selection will be based on the following criteria: financial need, academic merit, and community service. Application deadline: May 1.

Karen Mellott Colston Scholarship

Two $2,000.00 scholarships are available to graduating seniors of Great Bridge High School with a minimum 3.0 GPA to attend an accredited college or university. Students must exemplify the “Tradition and Pride” for which Great Bridge High School is so well known. Students must exhibit qualities of leadership, citizenship, and service. Click here to download the applicationApplications are also available at Great Bridge High School.  Application deadline: April 3.

Mason Hackworth Theatre Scholarship

Two $1,000.00 scholarships awarded to graduating students from Grassfield High School, who participated in Theatre, are members in good standing with the International Thespian Society, and will continue their studies in theatre at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.  This award is merit-based; financial need is not a factor. Applicants will complete a Mason Hackworth Scholarship Application Form made available through the Fine Arts Department and Guidance Office at Grassfield High School. Application deadline: May 9. Click here to download the Application

Maylea Brockington Beasley Love & Laughter Scholarship

One $500.00 scholarship awarded to a graduating student from First Colonial High School, who was the recipient of the Girls Volleyball “Coach’s Award”.  Application available through the High School’s application System.

One $500.00 scholarship is available to a graduating Senior who is a member of a recognized Troop of the Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast and has been the recipient of the Girl Scouts “Gold Award” by April 1st of their Senior Year of High School.  Click here to download the Application

Recipients for both scholarships must attend an accredited college or university.  Please submit your Senior photo to info@SEVACF.org.  Application deadline: May 1.

Portsmouth Service League “PSL” Scholarship

Two $1,500 scholarships for women residing in Portsmouth, Virginia who are pursuing a higher education at an ACE-accredited community college, technical school, professional program, or 4-year college or university. Applicants must have a proven record of community service. In addition, applicants must provide (1) a letter of acceptance from an educational institution (2) a reference from someone affiliated with the service organization/project (3) a second reference (4) a one-page statement, special essay (see below). One scholarship requires that an applicant be a high school senior of Portsmouth Public Schools. The other applicant can be any woman living in Portsmouth who is trying to advance her education in any program. Important note:  one of the references must be from a Community Service supervisor.  Additionally please note: Active/sustaining/provisional members of the PSL are not eligible to apply. Application deadline: May 1.

Susan Berry Reitelbach Memorial Scholarship

One $1,500 scholarship available to a graduating senior at any Chesapeake high school with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The student must display a love of libraries and for helping other readers through volunteering in a Chesapeake Public Schools library, Chesapeake Public Library, and/or other media centers. The student must be enrolled in a Virginia college or university. Application deadline: May 1.

Click here to learn more about Mrs. Reitelbach.

W. Clayton Robertson Memorial Scholarship

One $1,250 scholarship available to an applicant who meets the following criteria: 1) Portsmouth, Chesapeake, or Suffolk high school student pursuing an undergraduate degree at any ACE-accredited Virginia College or University in the pre-medical and/or pharmaceutical field with a 3.0 GPA or higher, or 2) Virginia resident attending the Medical College of Virginia for an advanced degree in the medical or pharmaceutical field with a 3.3 GPA or higher. Each applicant must meet GPA requirements or show financial need on the application. Application deadline: May 1.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:

  • Official high school transcript and SAT/Achievement scores
  • Two letters of reference; references can be emailed to info@sevacf.org, please include the student’s name in the subject line.
  • One page essay describing your educational dream, how you plan to impact the future; and any special circumstance or information that may be helpful to the selection committee.
  • Senior photo, digital copy.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED ESSAYS:

  • Portsmouth Service League “PSL” Scholarship How do you live PSL’s vision statement, “To empower innovative women to lead and serve while leaving a positive legacy on the community and each other”? (250-500 words)
  • W. Clayton Robertson Memorial Scholarship Why do you wish to go into the medical or pharmaceutical field?
  • Foskey-VanDyck Scholarship What is your goal and what support system do you have to achieve your goal? Why have you chosen music or music education as your focus?