Scholarships and Financial Aid

VCU offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid to students. Scholarships are typically merit-based, but some also include elements of financial need. Other types of financial aid (grants, loans, etc.) may consider need to a greater extent. For more information about non-scholarship financial aid visit the Student Financial Management Center.

The College of Engineering provides a variety of merit-based scholarship opportunities to entering first year and transfer students.

The Wright Engineering Access Scholarship

VCU Engineering’s Flagship Program

The mission of the Wright Engineering Access Scholarship is simple: Give students a way to earn a high-value engineering degree at a very modest cost.

VCU Engineering’s flagship scholarship program gives need- and merit-based awards to a wide range of students, including non-traditional students and community college transfers. For many Wright Scholars, this award means being able to focus exclusively on academics without having to take on part-time jobs. When combined with internships and co-ops, this program can reduce — and even eliminate — the need for student loans.

The scholarship is available to students in any major in the VCU College of Engineering. Recipients may be in any year of study. The scholarship committee may offer awards of different values, including awards that increase over time. Typical values range from $2,000-$16,000 per year. Students typically receive the award through their fourth year; however, the scholarship committee will notify recipients how many years they may receive the award when initial decisions are announced.

College of Engineering scholarships

The College of Engineering reviews all admitted freshman and transfer applicants for consideration to our general scholarship program. In addition both applicants and current students are encouraged to apply for our other open scholarships listed below. The application process includes a single form from which you may apply to multiple awards. Current VCU Engineering students, freshman applicants, and transfer applicants have a unique set of application instructions.

If you have questions about scholarships, please email the Engineering Scholarship Coordinator.

Scholarship Application Instructions

Last updated: 2023/02/14

Select the appropriate set of instructions below. Please be sure to read the instructions carefully before you proceed.

  • Current VCU Engineering Students - Apply through the VCU Scholarship Hub in Academicworks.
    • Awards for Fall are typically posted in March or April.
    • Awards for Spring are typically posted in November.
    • Each award may have a different deadline.
    • Search for keyword "Engineering" to see all open awards.
  • First Year Applicants
    • All admitted students are automatically reviewed for most of our scholarships. You DO NOT need to submit a separate application to be considered for most awards.
    • There is a very small number of awards that have applications. For these we send a message to eligible students when the application opens, which is usually in mid to late March.
  • Transfer Applicants
    • For Fall 2023 all admitted transfer students are automatically reviewed for our scholarships. You DO NOT need to submit a separate application to be considered for most awards.
    • For Fall 2023 all admitted transfers students will receive a scholarship offer.

All VCU Engineering Scholarship Programs

Last updated: 2023-06-16

The following list shows all awards managed by the College of Engineering. As of the Spring 2023 semester all scholarship applications for continuing VCU students run through the Academicworks RAMS Scholarship Hub. The Scholarship Hub will have the latest available options open for applications. If an award is not showing in the Scholarship Hub, then that award is not available at this time. 

Each listing includes information on restrictions based on major, academic year, or other criteria. Estimated award values are approximate, actual award values will be given to scholarship recipients after the selection process. Any details listed in the Scholarship Hub take precedence over information listed here.

University scholarships

The following university scholarships are available to incoming freshmen:

  • Presidential Scholarship
  • Provost Scholarship
  • Dean’s Scholarship
  • Henrico County Scholarship

VCU National Scholarship Office

The National Scholarship Office offers a range of services to VCU students and alumni who are interested in applying for competitive national and international scholarships and fellowships

VCU Business Services Scholarship

VCU Department of Business Services sponsors scholarships through agreements with business partners to support and enhance scholarship opportunities for all VCU students. Business Services Scholarships include the following options:

  • Specialty Awards
    • VCU Faculty Senate Textbook Scholarship
    • VCU International Student Scholarship
    • VCU Single Parents Scholarship
  • Undergraduate Awards
    • VCU Affinity License Plate Scholarship
    • VCU Out-of-State Scholarship
    • VCU Dining Services Multicultural Scholarship
    • VCU Community Engagement Scholarship
    • VCU Excellence in Community Services Scholarship
    • VCU Advancement of Women Scholarship
    • VCU Sophomore Year Scholarship
    • VCU Upperclassmen Scholarship
  • Graduate Awards
    • VCU Graduate/Professional Student Scholarship
    • VCU Nursing Student Scholarship
    • VCU Health Sciences Leader Scholarship