Human Development and Family Science Scholarships
In addition to scholarships offered by the university and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, we offer program-specific scholarships in human development.
For all undergraduate scholarships sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Science:
Application Open Dates: Check back for the spring semester deadline
Rising Junior or Senior, Human Development
Rising junior or senior in Human Development with a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall and a clear commitment to a career related to the education and/or development of children and their families. Recipients must have demonstrated financial need, a passion for family and child development, and a commitment to succeed.
Eligibility and Criteria for Williamson Award
1. Education and/or development of children and their families
2. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
3. Brief statement regarding financial need (student does not need to be eligible for or receive financial aid to be eligible for this award )
4. Must be a continuing student
Rising Senior in Human Development
Rising senior in Human Development with an in-major grade point average of at least 3.5 and a record of extracurricular leadership and community service
Eligibility and Criteria for Giannotti Award
1. Extracurricular leadership and community service
2. Grade point average of at least 3.5 overall
3. Must be a continuing student
Undergraduate, Human Development
Continuing undergraduate students enrolled in Human Development with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall who are 1) pursuing a curriculum that includes a formal internship at Adult Day Services, 2) planning to pursue a career in adult day care, or 3) planning to pursue a career in gerontology. Preference shall be given to students with 1) sensitivity and commitment to supporting Adult Day Services clients, families, and program staff; 2) demonstrated financial need; 3) extracurricular leadership with activities and professional associations related to aging; and 4) volunteer service related to gerontology.
Eligibility and Criteria for Schlenker Award
1. Gerontology interests
2. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
3. Must be a continuing student
Undergraduate, Human Development
Human Development undergraduate students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall who have supported the intergenerational Neighbors Growing Together program through their research, Service-Learning, field study, paid, or volunteer work with the Adult Day Services and/or the Child Development Center for Learning and Research. Additional selection criteria include academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, and financial need.
Eligibility and Criteria for Neighbors Awards
1. Previous service to the Neighbors program
2. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
3. Must be a continuing student
4. Brief statement regarding financial need (student does not need to be eligible for or receive financial aid to be eligible for this award )
Undergraduate, Human Development
The Mildred Tate Scholarship Fund (2015) funds an outstanding student in Human Development Award. This scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in Human Development who exhibits outstanding accomplishments during their years at Virginia Tech. Involvement in research or leadership, evidence of academic excellence, or commitment to women’s professional development further strengthen the application.
Eligibility and Criteria for Tate Awards
1. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
2. Must be a continuing student
Application Document (please single space)
I) Statement of eligibility according to the award criteria (maximum: 1 paragraph)
A. Year (and number of credits completed by May 2018)
B. GPA
C. Financial need (if required for award)
II) Statement of accomplishments (maximum: 1 page)
III) Resume/Curriculum Vitae (maximum: 2 pages)
Submission Procedure
1) Email your Application Document as a PDF to
In the subject line: Human Development Awards
Your PDF named with this format: Award Name; Last Name, First Name Example: Williamson; Doe, Jane
2) After you submit your application, use the following link to verify the date/time when you submitted the application. Someone submitting applications for more than one award would complete a verification link for each award application.
The Department promotes professional development and provides financial assistance through Graduate Assistantships. Assistantships involve:
-helping with teaching/research
-serving as instructor of record for undergraduate courses, for students with a master's degree who complete a teaching apprenticeship
-working in the Child Development Center for Learning and Research, Adult Day Services program, Family Therapy Center, or another research lab
-administrative work in the Department or Dean's offices
Eligibility for an assistantship includes:
-holding "Regular" full-time student status as defined by the Graduate School
-maintaining a quality credit average of 3.0 or higher
-making satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements
-receiving satisfactory assistantship performance evaluations
Although assistantships are normally made for the academic year, the Department may reassign a student to a different responsibility at any time, depending upon Departmental need, the student's performance, or unanticipated circumstances. If the student demonstrates inability to carry out the work required by an assistantship, the position may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Department Head.
Duration of Funding
We normally offer 4 years of assistantship for funded PhD students, and 2 years for MFT students. Contracts are for one year, with renewal depending on progress in the degree program and satisfactory performance of assistantship duties.
Benefits of Assistantships
Assistantships provide these benefits:
-Stipend
-Tuition waiver
-Health insurance program (see the Graduate School benefits page for details)
Applying for Funding
A question on the Graduate School application for graduate admission asks whether you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship. If you check yes, you will respond to additional questions and be added to our list of candidates. All new positions begin in the fall semester.
Please note that you do not need to submit separate application to be considered for Graduate Assistantships.
Application Open Dates: Same as admissions
Deadline: Check back for the spring semester deadline
Contact Person: Erika Grafsky
Continuing graduate students enrolled in Human Development with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall who are 1) pursuing a curriculum that includes a formal internship at Adult Day Services, 2) planning to pursue a career in adult day care, or 3) planning to pursue a career in gerontology. Preference shall be given to students with 1) sensitivity and commitment to supporting Adult Day Services clients, families, and program staff; 2) demonstrated financial need; 3) extracurricular leadership with activities and professional associations related to aging; and 4) volunteer service related to gerontology.
Eligibility and Criteria for Schlenker Award
1. Gerontology interests
2. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
3. Must be a continuing student.
Application Document (please single space)
I) Statement of eligibility according to the award criteria (maximum: 1 paragraph)
A. Year (and number of credits completed by May 2018)
B. GPA
C. Financial need (if required for award)
II) Statement of accomplishments (maximum: 1 page)
III) Resume/Curriculum Vitae (maximum: 2 pages)
Submission Procedure (Due by 5:00pm on Friday, March 2, 2018)
1) Email your Application Document as a PDF to Andrea Green
In the subject line: Human Development Awards
Your PDF named with this format: Award Name; Last Name, First Name Example: Williamson; Doe, Jane
2) After you submit your application, use the following link to verify the date/time when you submitted the application to Andrea Green. Someone submitting applications for more than one award would complete a verification link for each award application.
Deadline
Check back for the spring semester deadline
Application Form(s)
Online Form
Contact Person: Marty Wyatt
Human Development graduate students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall who have supported the intergenerational Neighbors Growing Together program through their research, Service-Learning, field study, paid, or volunteer work with the Adult Day Services and/or the Child Development Center for Learning and Research. Additional selection criteria include academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, and financial need.
Eligibility and Criteria for Neighbors Awards
1. Previous service to the Neighbors program
2. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
3. Must be a continuing student.
4. Brief statement regarding financial need
Application Document (please single space)
I) Statement of eligibility according to the award criteria (maximum: 1 paragraph)
A. Year (and number of credits completed by May 2018)
B. GPA
C. Financial need (if required for award)
II) Statement of accomplishments (maximum: 1 page)
III) Resume/Curriculum Vitae (maximum: 2 pages)
Submission Procedure (Check back for the spring semester deadline)
1) Email your Application Document as a PDF to Marty Wyatt
In the subject line: Human Development Awards
Your PDF named with this format: Award Name; Last Name, First Name Example: Williamson; Doe, Jane
2) After you submit your application, use the following link to verify the date/time when you submitted the application to Andrea Green. Someone submitting applications for more than one award would complete a verification link for each award application.
The Mildred Tate Scholarship Fund (2015) funds an outstanding student in Human Development Award. This scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in Human Development who exhibits outstanding accomplishments during their years at Virginia Tech. Involvement in research or leadership, evidence of academic excellence, or commitment to women’s professional development further strengthen the application.
Eligibility and Criteria for Tate Awards
1. Grade point average of at least 3.0 overall
Application Document (please single space)
I) Statement of eligibility according to the award criteria (maximum: 1 paragraph)
A. Year (and number of credits completed by May 2021)
B. GPA
C. Financial need (if required for award)
II) Statement of accomplishments (maximum: 1 page)
III) Resume/Curriculum Vitae (maximum: 2 pages)
Submission Procedure (Check back for the spring semester deadline)
1) Email your Application Document as a PDF to Marty Wyatt
In the subject line: Human Development Awards
Your PDF named with this format: Award Name; Last Name, First Name Example: Williamson; Doe, Jane
2) After you submit your application, use the following link to verify the date/time when you submitted the application to Andrea Green. Someone submitting applications for more than one award would complete a verification link for each award application.