UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies is thrilled to have awarded over $199,000 in scholarships for the fall 2025 semester to new and returning adult learners to support greater access to education.
The School prioritized offering its first-ever scholarships for financial hardship during the summer semester, when students shared their concerns about being able to continue their education given the challenging economic climate. At the time, many current and future students found themselves with reduced income or without a job due to government restructuring.
With continued economic and labor market challenges (1) on top of the barriers adult learners already face, the School recognized making scholarships available for the fall term would help ensure access to our online degree and certificate programs for those who seek them.
Scholarships are particularly impactful for adult learners to continue their education and achieve their goals because they also typically balance the demands of families and careers.
“Scholarships are the number one reason we raise funds. We feel like we’re making a generational impact when we give to an adult learner,” explained UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies Dean, Melissa M. Lubin.
Scholarships are poignant for adult learners because:
- They are typically responsible for the cost of living, including household bills and education costs for their children
- Many are career changers who can’t use an employer’s education benefits
- Paying for their education often results in a sacrifice in another area such as choosing amongst bills to pay or taking on additional work
- They may have exhausted federal financial aid
- They frequently need to moderate their pace of learning based on their financial situation
Some students, like Starlette Fleming, who is pursuing a procurement and contracts management certificate, shared how much her education means to her. As the caregiver to her husband who is a recent amputee, she feels education is something she can give to herself in the midst of all she gives to her family members. Fleming reflected, “Since enrolling in UVA’s certificate program, I feel empowered not just professionally but personally also…feeling confident in my professional and personal abilities. And because of the knowledge I have gained through this certificate program, my confidence level has increased.”
Whether for personal or career reasons, the struggles students face are varied and significant. When Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree student Randall Crittenden lost his job and his medical and cost of living bills piled up, he was concerned about his ability to continue working toward degree completion. Receiving a scholarship for the fall term was the relief needed to continue with classes. For Crittenden, who currently serves in the reserve component of the U.S. Marine Corps, earning his bachelor’s degree offers greater opportunity in his future. He aims to earn a commission from the Marines and explore a career in politics.
The School’s scholarship recipients are unanimous in their appreciation. One said that the scholarship to continue their certificate program “reaffirms my decision to invest in my future and reminds me that there is a strong community behind me, cheering me on.” A second reflected that the gift “inspires me to give back to the community, just as the University has graciously chosen to support me,” adding, “It is my hope that, one day, I can offer the same level of assistance and encouragement to others who, like me, are striving to reach their full potential.”
If you are interested in partnering with UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies to make education accessible, achievable and affordable, please reach out to Director of Development, Jessica Robertson at: jhl5he@virginia.edu.
- Current data includes:
- Virginia job openings increased 8,000 between May to June 2025, reaching 246,000. (Virginiaworks.com)
- 64,885 Northern Virginia residents reported looking for work in July 2025, up 25% from 51,958 the previous year. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Northern Virginia’s unemployment rate rose from 2.8% to 3.6% between July 2024 and July 2025. (Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement).