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.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Milestone 1
Step 3:
Step 4:
Milestone 2
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Milestone 3
Virginia Ready Scholar Eligibility Requirements
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.
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.
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."
"I would not be helping patients and doing what I love had it not been for Virginia Ready’s support."
"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."
"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."
"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"
"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."
"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."
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."
Newport News
"I was able to go back with the company I was with before, in a much higher position."
Roanoke
"Participating in Virginia Ready is one of the many steps I’ve taken to improve myself, avoid poverty, and provide for my daughter."
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."