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Become a Scholar

Who Is A Virginia Ready Scholar?

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to upskill, Virginia Ready welcomes Virginians from diverse backgrounds who are motivated to acquire the skills, credentials, and network needed to thrive in a competitive job market.

Join a Virginia Ready Cohort

Virginia Ready is committed to serving up to 1,200 Virginians annually on a first come, first served basis (July 1 – June 30). Throughout the year, we accept applications in cohorts based on program start dates and have a limited number of spots for each cohort.

Fall

Applications with program 
start date between:

august 1 – December 31

Application period:

 

NOW OPEN

Total spots available:

 

500

Spring

Applications with program 
start date between:

January 1 – April 30

Application period opens:

December 18

Total spots available:

 

400

Summer

Applications with program 
start date between:

may 1 – july 31

Application period opens:

April 17

Total spots available:

 

300

The Journey

Are you up for the challenge?

The Virginia Ready Scholar Journey is designed to help you kickstart your career transformation. Here’s what  you can expect as a Virginia Ready Scholar. We want to see you succeed, and that means there are some things you need to do along the way. We’ll give you all the information and links you need throughout the journey via email, so make sure to check your inbox often! And we’ll be here to answer questions.

After you review what it looks like to be a Virginia Ready Scholar, create an account to move forward.
Step 1:
Create your account to apply
After you review what it looks like to be a Virginia Ready Scholar, create an account to move forward.
The application includes an Eligibility Form and the Virginia Ready Application. Complete both of those forms before or within the first 5 calendar days of your course starting, and we'll let you know if you are approved! Have your class registration on hand when you apply.
Step 2:
Submit your application
Milestone 1
The application includes an Eligibility Form and the Virginia Ready Application. Complete both of those forms before or within the first 5 calendar days of your course starting, and we'll let you know if you are approved! Have your class registration on hand when you apply.
We've partnered with Virginia Talent Opportunity Partnership (VTOP) to provide our scholars with 8 Career Readiness Modules! After being approved, you will receive information on how to set up your account.
Step 3:
Create your account with Virginia Talent Opportunity Partnership
We've partnered with Virginia Talent Opportunity Partnership (VTOP) to provide our scholars with 8 Career Readiness Modules! After being approved, you will receive information on how to set up your account.
Within 30 days of being approved, you must complete Module 1: Career & Self Development in VTOP. This helps you build a personal learning plan and think about some accomplishments you've already made. After completion, submit your career plan to Virginia Ready.
Step 4:
Complete Module 1 in VTOP and your Career Plan
Milestone 2
Within 30 days of being approved, you must complete Module 1: Career & Self Development in VTOP. This helps you build a personal learning plan and think about some accomplishments you've already made. After completion, submit your career plan to Virginia Ready.
Though not required, we highly recommend following our calendar of events to attend workshops that will support your career journey and connect you with other scholars and our Business Partners.
Step 5:
Attend Professional Development Workshops
Though not required, we highly recommend following our calendar of events to attend workshops that will support your career journey and connect you with other scholars and our Business Partners.
At your own pace, you must complete the additional 7 modules with VTOP by the time you are prepared to submit your credential. You will engage with content on communication, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.
Step 6:
Complete Modules 2-8 in VTOP
At your own pace, you must complete the additional 7 modules with VTOP by the time you are prepared to submit your credential. You will engage with content on communication, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.
In Step 4, you will have identified three specific tasks or projects that will enable you to further develop your Career and Self-Development competency. Throughout your journey with us, you need to make sure to engage with those three tasks in a meaningful way.
Step 7:
Engage with your Career Plan
In Step 4, you will have identified three specific tasks or projects that will enable you to further develop your Career and Self-Development competency. Throughout your journey with us, you need to make sure to engage with those three tasks in a meaningful way.
You made it! After your course ends, you have 150 days to take your exam, earn your credential and submit your Certification Form. During this process, you will also be asked to provide an update to your career plan. If you complete the Certification Form correctly, you'll receive your award! Bonus: you'll also get a Virginia Ready badge to show what you've accomplished - it's a big deal!
Step 8:
Upload your Credential & Complete your Journey!
Milestone 3
You made it! After your course ends, you have 150 days to take your exam, earn your credential and submit your Certification Form. During this process, you will also be asked to provide an update to your career plan. If you complete the Certification Form correctly, you'll receive your award! Bonus: you'll also get a Virginia Ready badge to show what you've accomplished - it's a big deal!

Virginia Ready Scholar Eligibility Requirements

01

You must be enrolled in a Virginia Ready approved course.

View the Approved Course List

02

You must be able to submit your application before or within the first 5 calendar days of your course starting.

Keep in mind that the first calendar day is the first day of your class or program.

03

You must be domiciled in Virginia

Domicile means your present, fixed home is located in Virginia and has been for at least 1 year. This home is where you return following temporary absences and where you intend to stay.

Note: You may be asked to provide documentation that confirms you are domiciled in Virginia.

Succeed in your Career. Become a Scholar.

Take the first step towards success in your career by becoming a Virginia Ready Scholar and gain access to valuable resources, training, and support to achieve your professional goals.

Create an Account to Apply

Scholar Testimonials

"I wouldn't even have been able to take the course and get extra income without the Virginia Ready program. Plus the Credential Achievement Award after passing my course was very helpful as well."

Tawaniah Burnham
Medical Assistant Scholar

"I would not be helping patients and doing what I love had it not been for Virginia Ready’s support."

Anna Williams
Phlebotomy Scholar

"Let your passions guide you. If it’s something you want to do, the sacrifices and extra time spent will all be worth it. Virginia Ready has helped me get my foot in the door."

Donald Harlow
CompTIA Security+ Scholar

"The cumulative effect of the program has been life-changing without the least addition of exaggeration. I now have a job that even with all of the daily pressures [of the job still leaves me fulfilled at the end of the day. I think what resonates with me the most is the quality of family time that I have gained."

John Hayden
CompTIA A+ Scholar

"Virginia Ready helped with updating my resume to submit my job applications. They gave me a digital Virginia Ready badge that I got to attach to my resume which made it look really nice, and I was able to talk about Virginia Ready at my interview"

Madison Alvis
CNA Scholar

"Without Virginia Ready, I doubt I would ever have taken the first steps, but today I am reaching higher than I ever expected to be able to."

Rachael McLelland
Medical Assistant Scholar

"I did this in the middle of a pandemic, in the middle of grief, in the middle of being a single parent, and if it wasn’t for Virginia Ready making it so simple, financial-wise, I wouldn’t have been able to keep up."

Rebecca Austin
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Scholar

Richmond

"Virginia Ready gave me hope and a much-needed opportunity to learn a new skill that I know will serve me in my future career endeavors."

Tracey Delagarza
Marine Trade Training: Welding Level 1 Scholar

Newport News

"I was able to go back with the company I was with before, in a much higher position."

Grayson Hopkins
Comp TIA Network+ Scholar

Roanoke

"Participating in Virginia Ready is one of the many steps I’ve taken to improve myself, avoid poverty, and provide for my daughter."

Cierra Jordan
Marine Trade Training Coating Level 1 Scholar

Virginia Beach

"I have a big ambition about this career, and that’s my goal. I want to continue gaining experience traveling the country and welding throughout the United States… I just hope more people can find out about the program and take advantage of it."

Genesis Boros
Welding Scholar

Staunton

Enabling Virginians to succeed in their careers through credentialing.

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