Merit Scholarships
For Domestic Boarding Students
Bishops Scholarship
The Bishops Scholarship is designed to attract students ready to fulfill the VES mission of striving Toward Full Stature across academic, ethical, spiritual and personal growth. It is our goal to nurture the school's most promising young leaders, and it is our expectation that merit scholarship recipients will contribute significantly to the life of the school.
Who Is Eligible?
Prospective boarding students entering the 9th or 10th grade are eligible. To qualify, students can apply on their own or be nominated for this honor by an individual who is not a family member. We welcome nominations from Alumni, current or past VES parents, family friends, current or past teachers, or any community leader in the student's hometown.
What Are We Looking for?
- Excellence in academics and a passion for learning
- Dedicated commitment outside of the classroom in areas such as athletics, arts, and/or community service
- Leadership potential
- Exceptional character
Scholarship Details
VES awards two Bishops Scholarships each year. The first-place recipient receives an 85% scholarship and the second place recipient receives a 50% scholarship. These scholarships are renewable each year as long as the student remains in good standing with the school. The scholarship will be based on individual merit without regard to financial need. However, if a student’s financial need exceeds the amount of the scholarship, need‐based grants are available. Being awarded the scholarship will in no way influence any need‐based decision.
Important Dates
- January 15 - Submit Bishops Scholarship Interest Form
- February 1 - Scholarship Essay Assignment Due along with admission application materials
Applicants will be contacted individually with scholarship interview details. Scholarship recipients will be announced in early March.
For Day Students
Alton P. Sparkman Scholarships
Each year, VES awards the prestigious Alton P. Sparkman Scholarship—the school’s top merit award for new day students entering 9th grade. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, writing samples and interviews, as well as demonstrating a strong sense of personal integrity and leadership, and promise of success at VES and beyond.
Who Is Eligible?
Prospective day students entering the 9th grade
What Are We Looking for?
- Demonstrated record of academic achievement
- Strong sense of personal integrity and leadership
- Promise of continued success
Scholarship Details
VES awards two Sparkman Scholarships each year to new day students entering ninth grade. The first-place recipient receives a 50% scholarship and the second-place recipient receives a 25% scholarship. These scholarships are renewable each year as long as the student remains in good standing with the school.
The scholarship will be based on individual merit without regard to financial need. However, if a student’s financial need exceeds the amount of the scholarship, need‐based grants are available. Being awarded the scholarship will in no way influence any need‐based decision.
Important Dates
- January 10 - Submit Sparkman Scholarship Interest Form along with admission application materials
- January 31 - Finalists interview with Sparkman Scholarship Committee
Scholarship recipients will be announced in February