Lynda Thompson, director of the DSLCC Educational Foundation, shares this press release:

The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation has scholarships available for non-traditional students who wish to pursue an associate degree or other programs of study at DSLCC. Scholarships available include:

• Caperton Book Scholarship
• Elizabeth Cook Scholarships
• Carolyn B. Nettleton Scholarship for Business Scholarships
• First Citizens Bank Entrepreneurial Scholarship,
• Kay Reynolds Ray Memorial Scholarship
• Regional Literacy Adult Learners Scholarship

According to Foundation Director, Lynda Thompson, the scholarships were established to provide financial assistance for adults from the College’s service area who did not pursue post-secondary education immediately after high school graduation, but now desire to enroll in DSLCC to gain marketable job skills, facilitate their career advancement, or successfully change career paths.

“When many people think of candidates for scholarships, they most often think of traditional students who will graduate from high school in the spring and immediately enter college in the fall”, commented Thompson. “While most scholarships are, in fact, awarded to such students, we need to assess the needs of all students served by community colleges.

Each year, DSLCC welcomes a number of new students who, for a wide variety of reasons, did not attend college right after high school but delayed making the decision to further their education at the post-secondary level. In many cases, their need for financial assistance to pay for the cost of attending college equals or exceeds that of traditional students who apply for forms of financial aid. Our mission—to “Build Futures…Build Lives…Build Hope” for residents of the college’s service area compels us to fund programs that will meet the needs of all students, regardless of when they choose to enter college. We are extremely pleased that several scholarships targeting the non-traditional student are now available for qualified applicants.”

Applications for all non-traditional scholarships must be submitted to the Educational Foundation office by Friday, June 1, and are available online at www.dslcc.edu, the DSLCC Educational Foundation Office, room 104, Backels Hall on the Clifton Forge Campus, or the the Rockbridge Regional Center. For more information, call Lynda Thompson at 863-2835 or email lthompson@dslcc.edu.

The scholarships will assist with tuition and book expenses at DSLCC. In addition to being accepted for admission to DSLCC and the submission of two letters of recommendation, an essay explaining the applicant’s career goals, and a signed information release form, the following requirements apply:

CAPERTON BOOK SCHOLARSHIP FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

 be a high school graduate (minimum 2.25 GPA) or possess a GED Certificate
 be a resident of Alleghany County or the City of Covington and eligible for in-state tuition
 have completed at least 25% of the credits required for the certificate or associate degree program in which applicant is enrolled

ELIZABETH COOK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

 Be a resident of the College’s service area
 submit an Official High School Transcript, copy of high school diploma, or copy of a GED Certificate

FIRST CITIZENS BANK ENTREPENEURIAL/SMALL BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP

 Be a graduate of an accredited high school in the State of Virginia and a resident of the College’s service area
 Be seeking small business/entrepreneurial training
 Be already engaged in a business or seeking to start a new business

CAROLYN B. NETTLETON SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BUSINESS

 Official transcript from last educational institution OR copy of high school diploma or GED Certificate
 Be enrolled in a business curriculum at DSLCC

MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES SCHOLARSHIP

 Be an employee of the Town of Clifton Forge or the dependent of a Town employee— please submit documentation
 Be a resident of Alleghany County or the Town of Clifton Forge* (preference given to residents of Town of Clifton Forge)
 If a Town employee, possess a high school diploma or GED Certificate; if a high school student and dependent of a Town employee, have a minimum 2.25 GPA
 Be enrolled in at least one class at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College during the semester the scholarship is in force.

KAY REYNOLDS RAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

 Be a resident of Alleghany County or the City of Covington
 Official transcript from last educational institution OR copy of high school diploma or GED Certif

REGIONAL LITERACY SCHOLARSHIP

 Be a resident of the DSLCC service area
 Submit a GED credential or copy of an adult high school diploma
 Special consideration will be given to adults who have attended a local adult education or literacy program.

A non-profit organization established in 1980, the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. seeks to foster support for Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in the College’s service area and beyond. It strives to strengthen the College by enhancing its image; securing private contributions, bequests, and donations; developing positive associations with College faculty and staff; and promoting goodwill in the community by building relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations.

In addition to the thousands of dollars awarded in scholarships each year, the Educational Foundation also assists the college with the purchase of classroom and other technological equipment and faculty study grants.