Application Information
- Applications are being accepted between September 1, 2025, and December 1, 2025.
- Successful applicants will be notified by January 1 of awards.
- Names of scholarship awardees will be announced at the Annual Virginia Fire Rescue Conference. Attendance is not mandatory
Selection Criteria
- Complete scholarship application and submit by annual deadline.
- Written Statement
- These statements will serve as a criterion for the selection and should be typewritten using 12-point Arial font, double spaced, and no more than three pages in length.
- Please attach your statement to the application.
- Statements should include your background, educational goals, why you believe this educational opportunity will be useful to you, and why you are applying for financial assistance.
- For organizational applications, please include a description of the organization, how the educational program will benefit the organization, and why financial assistance is necessary.
- Failure to complete this portion of the process and failure to fully address the items listed will result in your application being disqualified.
Eligibility Criteria
Active fire/EMS service personnel in Virginia (Volunteer or Career).
- Spouses or dependents of active fire/EMS service personnel in Virginia (Volunteer or Career).
- VFCA Membership (individual and/or Chief) is required for consideration.
- Must be pursuing a degree that will benefit the Public Safety field.
- Provide proof of enrollment with scholarship application.
- Non-profit organizations (such as fire departments, etc.)
- Programs/Degrees eligible for consideration include the following:
- Virginia Fire Rescue Conference
- Virginia Fire Officers Academy
- Virginia Chief Officer Academy
- Associate
- Bachelor
- Master’s Degree Programs
- Trade School Programs
ABOUT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS
ROBERT E. WHITE SCHOLARSHIP
In the early 1990’s a couple from James City County – Robert and Roxie White made an initial donation to the State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia to provide some seed money to establish a scholarship fund that would assist Fire and EMS providers and/or their immediate family members from across Virginia. A few years later an additional donation was provided and a Scholarship Committee was established to develop criteria and oversee the program. In reviewing the available funds, the committee felt the funds should be invested and grow them a bit further before the first award would be made. In 2002, the first awards were made from the Robert E. White Scholarship Fund that totaled $4575 to five individuals in the Commonwealth.
Over the past 20 years, 422 awards totaling approximately $400K have been awarded to help Fire and EMS providers and/or their immediate family members further their education! In many cases these funds have played a key pivotal role in allowing fire and EMS providers to secure additional training at the annual Virginia Fire Rescue Conference, attend college and/or complete other related training that assisted them in gaining additional knowledge and furthering their career.
Mr. White passed away in 1995 and the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association was recently advised of Mrs. White’s passing and that the VFCA had been chosen to be a benefactor to receive part of the Roxie H. White Trust. Mrs. White graduated from George Washington University and worked as a congressional aide for several congressmen. In the late 1970’s she moved to the Williamsburg area to manage the family-owned Fort Magruder Inn. She married Robert White in 1982 thus giving way to the establishment of the now 20-year fund. The VFCF is extremely grateful for the investment Mr. and Mrs. White made to assist the fire and EMS community in Virginia. Their generosity has and continues to make financial support available to many in the fire and EMS community and/or immediate familymembers in Virginia!
