Set Students Up for   Success

Opportunity Scholars provides pathways for career success to low and middle income students who wish to pursue a career pathways that will lead to approximately $50K or higher starting salary in Career and Technical Education, 2 year or 4 year education in pathways such as Healthcare, Education, Accounting, Information Technology or Building Trades and Construction. Students must choose one of those career pathways. Students must also be authorized to work in the United States, be low or middle income (we follow G3 funding guidelines), maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and seek local training and education pathways. View Student Eligibility Checklist for complete details.  Student Eligibility Checklist

The program provides three primary areas of support:

• A program coach who is a liason/connection between the student, their family, their school, education, and employment.
• Career readiness training.
• Financial support to fund education expenses.

Parents and guardians are engaged in one-on-one conversations with Opportunity Scholars program staff/coaches as well as periodic group discussions. On occasion, Opportunity Scholars staff may engage coaches, family friends, and school staff. These people may be asked to participate in the family discussions to offer additional support.

Opportunity Scholars works hard to assist students in identifying career pathways which fit their interests and abilities and understands that sometimes students change their minds. We work with each student to determine if the new career pathway aligns with Opportunity Scholars. If it is aligned, we’ll continue to assist them in their new career choice. If it is not a designated Opportunity Scholars pathway, we will refer them to resources that can guide them in their new direction.

Yes. The Opportunity Scholars program works to reduce the cost of post-secondary education through grants, earnings from career-related work, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. If there  are costs not covered through these avenues, students are required to pay back program costs once they complete the program.

Students who join the Opportunity Scholars program agree to obtain their training and subsequent employment in the Shenandoah Valley or Northern Virginia. If the student moves outside of the Shenandoah Valley or Northern Virginia area, in most circumstances, they will have to leave the Opportunity Scholars program. If an Opportunity Scholars partner employer is repaying the student’s financial obligation (now that the student is an employee), the employer will normally cease to pay the student’s repayment obligation once the student ceases to work for them. Students who leave the area during their educational pathway will leave the Opportunity Scholars program and will need to repay Opportunity Scholars.