Phone: (804) 346-3344
Scholarship Foundation
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The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) Education Scholarship Foundation recently awarded $165,000 in 2026 scholarships to 92 high school seniors across the service territories of its 16 member electric cooperatives.
The awards will be communicated to the students
by April 30, 2026.
Scholarship Basics
Each year, the Education Scholarship Foundation awards $1,500 scholarships, in addition to other awards.
The selection process uses a combination of weighted criteria: 40% financial need, 40% academic achievement and 20% personal statement.
Funds can be applied toward tuition, student fees, room and board, or textbooks.
200 1
Program Initiated
1350
More Than 1,350 Students Awarded Across The Tri-state Area
$ 1400000
Dollars In Scholarships Awarded
Eligibility Requirements
- The primary residence of the applicant’s parent or legal guardian must receive its power from one of the 16 electric cooperatives served by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives. For a list of qualifying electric cooperatives, see below, and for their service territories, visit here.
- Applicants applying for a scholarship must be a senior graduating from either high school or home school in 2027.
- Applicant must be entering his or her first semester at a post-secondary or trade school in the fall of 2027.
How You Can Help
This program reflects the cooperative principle of concern for community while supporting future leaders — whether they serve on co-op boards, join our workforce, or pursue skilled trades that help keep the lights on. At a time of rising education costs and financial pressure in many rural communities, these scholarships help students build a strong foundation for the future.
The scholarship program is supported by private donations, and with the launch of the “Keeping the Lights On” commemorative Virginia license plate in 2018.
100% of donations support student scholarships.
Please help students enrich their lives and the community by donating today!
Support Students And Your Powerline Workers!
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Lineworker License Plates Are Available!
The scholarship program received a significant boost in support in 2018 with the launch of the “Keeping the Lights On” commemorative Virginia license plate. Proceeds from the plate, which costs drivers $25 per year ($35 per year for personalized plates) directly fund the scholarships.
Not only will you be showing your support for the men and women who work so hard to keep your lights on, but you will be investing in the futures of students in your cooperative community!
You can order your “Keeping the Lights On” lineworker license plate from DMV today.
Donate Today!
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Donations
Scholarships awarded by the foundation are sustained by your local cooperative and financial contributions from members of the co-op community which may take many forms.
These include tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation and are always welcome!
Your donation can be a gift, done anonymously, or in honor or memory of a specific individual.
100% of your donation will be used for scholarships.
Past Scholarship Recipients
Having awarded scholarships to 1,253 recipients for the past 22 years, there are many success stories of what these students have done in their college careers and beyond.
Here is a sampling of what a few of them had to say.
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For applicant questions, please direct inquiries to scholarship@vmdaec.com.