Scholarships

Scholarships

Career Advancement Scholarship (CAS)

The Career Advancement Scholarship Application is the umbrella for three scholarships, each with distinct purposes and eligibility criteria:

•   Buena M. Chesshir Memorial Women’s Educational Scholarship
•   Karen B. Lewis Career Education Scholarship
•   Women in Science and Technology Scholarship

Awards range from $500 to $1,000 for one year, based on financial need and may be used for tuition, fees, books, transportation, living expenses and dependent care. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Virginia and accepted into an accredited program or course of study at a Virginia institution.

Buena M. Chesshir Memorial Women’s Educational Scholarship
This scholarship is named in memory of Buena M. Chesshir, Past President of the Virginia Federation of the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/VA) and founding President of the Virginia BPW Foundation. The Buena M. Chesshir Memorial Women’s Educational Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to increase the skill of mature women who are employed or seeking employment; increase the number of women qualified for higher-level positions; and help women achieve economic self-sufficiency. The scholarship is for juniors and seniors studying toward a baccalaureate or master’s degree (it may not be used for studying at the doctoral level except for law and medicine). Applicants must be women 25 years of age or older.

Karen B. Lewis Career Education Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 2000 in memory of Karen B. Lewis, a Past President of BPW/VA who dedicated her educational leadership to educational alternatives for students. The Karen B. Lewis Career Education Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to girls and women pursuing post-secondary job-oriented career education, that is, training programs in business, trade and industrial occupations or associate’s degrees (AA or AS) (this excludes education leading to bachelors or advanced degrees).

Women in Science and Technology Scholarship
The Women in Science and Technology Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to girls and women who are striving to enter or achieve higher-level positions in scientific and technical fields.

Click on the document type to download the CAS application: (Word) (pdf)

Nettie Tucker Yowell Scholarship
The Nettie Tucker Yowell Scholarship is intended to provide financial aid to Virginia young people pursuing a baccalaureate degree at a Virginia-based college or university. Awards will be in the range of $500 to $1,000 each for one year, based on financial need. Funds are to be used for tuition or fees and are paid directly to the college or university. As part of the application process, applicants must explain their commitment to Virginia BPW Foundation’s Vision (Empowered Workingwomen) and its Mission (Providing information, resources and educational opportunities to current and future workingwomen in Virginia).

Click on the document type to download the Nettie Tucker Yowell Scholarship application: (Word) (pdf)