Emerging Leader Scholarship

Our best tool in recruiting outstanding cadets is the Emerging Leader Scholarship, made possible by gifts from Corps alumni and friends. These scholarships provide support for cadets enrolled in every college throughout the university. Your help will enable us to offer more ELS to incoming cadets and increase those scholarships to more adequately meet ever-increasing needs.
A minimum of $50,000 is required to endow an ELS. This may be done by individuals, families, or groups of classmates (usually a company or squadron). Pledges payable over 5 years and estate plans may help meet the $50,000 minimum.
Also, each Corps class has a goal to establish an ELS of at least $50,000. See class scholarship giving to see how your class is doing.

ELS Frequently Asked Questions
What are the criteria for award?

• If eligible for admission to Virginia Tech, a cadet is eligible for an ELS
• Admission based on merit; cadet applicants receive additional consideration for demonstrated leadership potential
• Must submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to compete for award of an ELS or retain as an upperclassman
• Financial need is determined by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and ELS may become part of the university aid package (see funding below)
• Award is currently $2,000 per year for in-state students, $3,000 for out-of-state
• Both will be increased as soon as funding is available
• We traditionally make 250 ELS offers to cadet applicants each year in an effort to enroll 200 ELS recipients in each entering freshman class
• We have been able to offer ELS to all freshmen entering in the fall of 2007 and 2008

What are the requirements to retain award once in the Corps?

• Must remain a student/cadet in good standing with the university and the Corps
• Cadets not meeting standards will have their ELS suspended
• Cadets who leave the Corps or incur conduct sanctions during a semester will have their scholarships reduced on a prorated basis (1/3 semester increments)
• Juniors and seniors have additional requirements to keep their ELS
• Must pass a physical fitness test (PFT) each semester
• Must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
• ELS may be reinstated when PFT or GPA standards met

How many cadets receive ELS, and how much does the program cost?

• We have about 600 cadets receiving scholarships at any time
• Numbers are split about equally between in and out-of-state cadets
• Cost fluctuates, but averages approximately $1.3 million per year
• Improved retention increases program cost — a good problem

Where does the money come from to pay the ELS bill?

• Over 60% of the total is paid from the income from our ELS endowment
• VTCC has over $16 million invested in the Virginia Tech Foundation in named and pooled class scholarships (value rises and falls with the market)
• This investment pays out approximately 5% for scholarships on an annual basis, or about $800,000 at today's rates.
• As the endowment grows, we can increase the number and/or amounts of our ELS payments
• The remainder comes from other Virginia Tech resources managed by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Includes need based financial awards or tuition waivers granted to cadets
• Also includes unrestricted scholarships, many of which pre-date Corps or college specific fundraising efforts

For more information please call: Dave Spracher, Director of Development or Sarah Woods, Assistant Director of Development at 1 (800) 553-1144.