The Charlottesville Scholarship Program (CSP) offers eligible local residents an opportunity to apply for Charlottesville Promise, Preston Coiner, and Scarpa Arts &  Design Scholarships each year by March 1st.

Charlottesville Promise Scholarships are renewable awards that can fund up to $13,000 of the cost of a technical certification program, or 2- or 4-year undergraduate education. First-year awards are typically $2,500.  Renewal awards typically increase by $500 each year. 

 CSP typically awards 9 new scholarships each year to seniors attending Charlottesville High School and residing in the City, 1 potential new scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior residing in the City and attending one of the City's alternative or non-traditional learning center listed here, and 1 potential additional new

scholarship each year to an eligible adult currently attending or planning to enroll in a post-secondary undergraduate program or vocational training/professional certification program at an accredited technical school.

Preston Coiner Scholarships are renewable for each year of a student’s 2- or 4-year undergraduate education.  Annual awards are calculated based on a percentage of the funds available in the Preston Coiner scholarship endowment. The Preston Coiner award for 2024 is $6,700.  Only 1 new or renewing Preston Coiner Scholarship is available in any given year.

Scarpa Arts & Design Scholarships are renewable awards that can fund up to $13,000 of the cost of a 2- or 4-year undergraduate degree.  These scholarships are designated for students pursuing degrees in fashion, theater, architecture, design or the arts.  Students planning to pursue vocational school studies may apply only if there is a clear fit with these designated areas of study.  Special preference will be given to applicants from very low-income households.  While adult applicants will be considered for these scholarships, graduating high school senior applicants are preferred.  One new Scarpa Arts & Design Scholarship will be offered every other year, beginning in 2024.

Applicants may use the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation's (CACF's) online scholarship portal to apply for a Charlottesville Promise, Preston Coiner, Scarpa Arts & Design, and/or Grace Tinsley Scholarship, as well as for other local scholarships administered by CACF for which they may be eligible.

CHS seniors requiring assistance completing their application or gathering required supplemental documentation should contact Lois Burke (Lois.Burke@charlottesvilleschools.org, 434.245.2410) at the CHS Counseling Center no later than February 1st.  This extra month is required to give the counseling staff adequate time to help students complete their applications by the March 1st deadline. Please plan accordingly!

Current college student and adult Charlottesville Promise and Scarpa Arts &  Design Scholarship applicants, and Preston Coiner Scholarship applicants from high schools other than Charlottesville High School must submit applications directly through CACF's online scholarship portal by March 1st.   

Equal Opportunity Statement

In accordance with federal law and the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Charlottesville Scholarship Program and Grace Tinsley Memorial Scholarship Program do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, military status or disability.

General Information