Scholarship Information
VAFR Scholarship Program for 2026
The Virginia Association of First Responders offers multiple scholarships each year to support the educational goals of our members and their families. Many awards are open to the children and grandchildren of VAFR members, and they’re not limited to first-year college students — returning students are encouraged to apply. If you’ve previously received one of our scholarships, you’re welcome to apply for others this year. All completed applications must be submitted to the VAFR office by June 15, 2026.
Links to scholoarship applications are located at the bottom of this page.
Key Information:
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Application deadline: June 15, 2026
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Multiple scholarships available each year
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Many awards are open to children or grandchildren of VAFR members
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Scholarships are not limited to first-year students
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Previous recipients are encouraged to apply for other scholarships
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All applications must be submitted to the VAFR office
Application Tips:
- When filling out applications answer ALL questions. If the question does not apply to you, put N/A. To leave a question unanswered makes the judges wonder if you even read the question.
- Read carefully, there are differences in eligibility and due dates.
- Applications that arrive late will NOT be judged.
- If you did not win this year apply again next year.
To be eligible for the Julian Stanley Wise Scholarship:
- You must have been a member of the VAFR, AVAVRS, the VAJVRS for at least 2 years, or be a child or grandchild of a person who has been a member for 5 years.
- You must be accepted at a fully accredited college or University or waiting acceptance at an institution that meets these criteria. (The scholarship will not be awarded until you have been accepted.)
- You may not have received this scholarship before.
- Two JSW scholarships may be awarded each year, for $1,000 each.
To be eligible for the Sylvia & Garry Clatterbuck Scholarship:
- You must have been a member of the VAFR, AVAVRS, the VAJVRS for at least 2 years, or be a child or grandchild of a person who has been a member for 5 years.
- One of the judging criteria is the amount of volunteer Rescue Squad work or qualifications attained.
- You must be accepted at a fully accredited college or University or awaiting acceptance at an institution that meets these criteria. (The scholarship will not be awarded until you have been accepted.)
- You may not have received this scholarship before.
- One Clatterbuck scholarship is awarded each year in the amount of $1,000.
To be eligible for the Anne J. Gwaltney Scholarship:
- You or your parent must have been a member of the VAFR, AVAVRS, or VAJVRS for at least 2 years.
- You must be accepted at a fully accredited college or university or waiting acceptance at an institution that meets the criteria.
- You must be less than 35 years old during the calendar year in which you are receiving the award.
- You cannot have received this award before.
- One AJG Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000
To be eligible for the Kelly G. Southard Scholarship:
- You or your parent must have been a member of the VAFR, AVAVRS, or VAJVRS for at least 2 years
- You must be accepted at a fully accredited college or university or waiting acceptance at an institution; in the field of the Medical field which is the criteria for this scholarship
- You must be less than 65 years old during the calendar year in which you are receiving the award
- You cannot have received this award before
To be eligible for The Kevin Dillard Leadership of Tomorrow Scholarship
- You must have been a member of the VAFR, AVAVRS, the VAJVRS for at least 2 years, or be a child or grandchild of a person who has been a member for 5 years.
- You must be accepted at a fully accredited college or University or waiting acceptance at an institution that meets these criteria. (The scholarship will not be awarded until you have been accepted.)
- You may not have received this scholarship before.
- Essay – Describe an event in which you took on a leadership roal and what you learned about yourself during the duration of that role.
To be eligible for the Kimball L. Glass Scholarship:
Deadline is April 29, 2026
- You must have been a member of the VAFR, AVAVRS, or the VAJVRS for at least 2 years, or be a dependent of a person who has been a member for at least 5 years.
- You must be entering an EMS field. (Paramedic, Nurse, Medical Doctor, etc.)
- You must be accepted at a fully accredited college or University or waiting acceptance at an institution that meets these criteria. (The scholarship will not be awarded until you have been accepted.)
All of these have a deadline of June 15 except Kimball L. Glass Scholarship which has a deadline of April 29!
If you have any questions about the scholarships listed above call the VAVRS office.
Click Here for the Application for Kimball L. Glass Scholarship
