E. Ray and Alpha W. Nance Memorial Scholarship
Ray and Alpha Nance grew up in the Moneta area of Bedford County, Virginia. Both served in World War II, he in the 29th Infantry Division at Normandy and she in the Army Nurse Corp. They married near war’s end and returned to Bedford to begin a family of three children. Ray and Alpha realized the importance of education early in life from the local public school system and later from family assistance and the GI Bill. From his job as a rural postal carrier and her care for family and part-time nursing, they supported college degrees for each of their children thereby providing a foundation for careers in education, banking, and finance.
The scholarship given in their memory by Susan and James Cobb acknowledges the help Ray and Alpha received and the continuing importance of giving others who value education the opportunity to improve their lives. The scholarship is open to a single parent 25 years of age or older, who is seeking a job transition and is ready to begin the first step toward a sustainable and meaningful career. The scholarship is supportive toward two semesters. The scholarship may be applied toward tuition, fees and/or books and will be divided equally between the fall and spring semesters. Satisfactory academic progress of a 2.5 GPA must be maintained in the fall semester in order for the recipient to receive the spring semester award.
The scholarship will be awarded to students who meet the following criteria:
- Must complete a scholarship application and the federal aid application (FAFSA)
- Must be a full-time or part-time student (preference is full-time)
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Must be 25 years old or older
- Must be a single parent
- Must demonstrate academic merit by having and maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Preference given to a Warren County resident