The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va (VR) – Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is pleased to announce that the Educational Foundation scholarship application window is officially open for the 2026-2027 academic year. Students are encouraged to apply between January 1 and February 28, 2026, to be considered for a wide range of financial awards.
The MGCC Educational Foundation utilizes a streamlined process where students complete one single application to be considered for all available scholarships. Once submitted, the Scholarship Committee personally reviews each file to match applicants with the best opportunities based on academic merit, financial need, and individual backgrounds.
How to Apply
Students can access the application portal directly at www.mgcc.edu/scholarships. To complete the process, applicants will need:
-
A Short Essay: A personal statement sharing who you are, your journey so far, and why this scholarship is vital to your education.
-
One Letter of Reference: Applicants simply provide a recommender’s email address, and the system will automatically send a secure link for the letter upload.
-
Recent Transcripts: Your most recent educational records.
-
FAFSA Completion: While not required for every scholarship, a completed FAFSA is necessary to determine financial need and is mandatory for Roadrunner Promise consideration.
The Roadrunner Promise (RRP)
The Foundation also highlights the Roadrunner Promise, a program designed to bridge the gap for students after other scholarships and aid have been applied. To be considered, students must:
-
Check the RRP box on their general scholarship application.
-
Complete the FAFSA (eligibility is based on the Student Aid Index).
-
Commit to eight hours of community service.
Deadline Information
All applications and supporting materials must be submitted no later than February 28, 2026.
For questions regarding the application process or specific scholarship requirements, please contact Jeanette Carey at 540-863-2914 or via email at jcarey@mgcc.edu.
ABOUT MGCC: Founded in 1962 and located in the Alleghany Highlands region of Central Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia. Mountain Gateway Community College operates two educational campuses, the Clifton Forge campus and the Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista. MGCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. The College’s Associate Degree Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Forestry Technology program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters, and the Culinary Arts and Management program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
Mountain Gateway Community College is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Northern Botetourt, and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington. For more information about Mountain Gateway Community College, please visit MGCC.edu
ABOUT THE MGCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION: Established in 1980 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Mountain Gateway Community College Educational Foundation, Inc., exists solely to support and promote Mountain Gateway Community College.
The Educational Foundation’s primary focus is to keep education affordable through the awarding of student scholarships and to provide students the support they need to achieve their goals. The Foundation also supports the college through the purchase of enhanced technology and classroom equipment, and innovative programming.
A volunteer board of community leaders governs the MGCC Educational Foundation. Activities are centered on adding funds for student aid, increasing the endowment, and promoting goodwill in the community.
