Who can apply?
To be eligible, an applicant must be:
Female-identifying
A resident of Montgomery County, MD for at least three years
Enrolled or enrolling for a first undergraduate degree at a Maryland college or university
Note: US citizenship and eligibility for federal grants are not requirements for this scholarship.
Attention is given to financial need and academic and other accomplishments, as indicated by:
Income tax returns and explanation of need
GPA, choice of courses, and recommendations
Your description of extracurricular or volunteer activities
What do we look for?
Strong candidates are:
Academically motivated. They demonstrate a commitment to producing high quality work, pushing themselves to learn new content and skills, which they seek to apply in different settings.
Accountable. They take initiative, ask questions when they are confused or need help, and work with others to meet challenges or solve problems. They listen respectfully to everyone, even people with whom they disagree. They take responsibility for their words, their work, and their actions.
Perseverant. They experience set-backs, accept critical feedback, learn from it, and keep going. They set goals, develop a plan, and follow through, revising the plan as necessary.
Strong Communicators.They express their ideas clearly through speaking and writing. They support their opinions with evidence and specific details.
Self-reflective. They name personal areas of strength and challenge, and set goals for academic, social, emotional, or physical growth. They identify how their words and actions impact others and/or the environment.
Actively involved. They care deeply about their community, and act on that concern. They may take care of siblings or elders, volunteer in religious or community organizations, participate in clubs or sports, or work part-time. Lavinia Scholarship recipients invest in making their part of the world a better place for those around them.
How to apply
Submit the following items by email to laviniascholarships@gmail.com.
The submission deadline is April 15, 2027.
PDF application
Your high school and/or college transcript
Two letters of recommendation. They may be from a teacher, counselor, religious leader, employer or co-worker (but not a relative)
If you are self-supporting, the first two pages of your income tax return. If you are not self-supporting, the first two pages of the current income tax return of the person (or persons) who supports you. You may black out the social security numbers on these.
A one-page written essay about your goals in life or what you hope to achieve through your education
A small photograph of yourself
All information you submit will be seen only by the scholarship selection committee and will be held in strict confidence.