This year, students who graduate from one of Charlottesville–Albemarle’s public or private high schools are eligible to apply for a new locally-funded scholarship.
The Preston Coiner Scholarship—named for the former vice president of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society and historian for the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review—plans to award a scholarship of up to $4,000 annually for a student wishing to pursue an undergraduate education or enroll in a career education or job training program at a certified Virginia college or certificate program.
“It’s a substantial scholarship,” said Charity Haines, a member of the Board of Directors for the Charlottesville Scholarship Program. “It certainly will go a ways to help students attend programs they’ve qualified for, and to engage with their heritage.”
Haines said Coiner’s wife and daughters wanted to honor Preston, who passed away in 2012, and thought that approaching the Charlottesville Scholarship Program to establish the award would achieve that.
The gift will be administered by the Charlottesville Scholarship Program under the umbrella of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, which plans to make its first award in the 2015-16 school year.
Applications for graduating seniors are due Feb. 1, 2016, while adult applications are due Oct. 15.
Those who wish to apply for the scholarship are asked to submit an application that includes a 500-1,000 word essay on some aspect of Charlottesville-Albemarle’s history. The selection committee will consider the students’ academic performance, interest in history, educational aspirations and income, amongst other factors.
“I don’t think they are looking for someone who is a straight ‘A’ student,” Haines said, “but instead someone who has good grades and a plan for the future.”
The distribution of the award is contingent upon a letter of acceptance and proof of enrollment at a college or in a certificate program, and the recipient is expected to maintain satisfactory academic standing.
Coiner, a graduate of Clark Elementary School and Lane High School, was a partner in his family business, Coiners’ Scrap Iron and Metal, until 2008. An avid collector of historic Charlottesville memorabilia, Coiner also bought and restored historic and residential properties.
“He’s what you would call a self-made man,” Haines said. “This award celebrates the life of a man who gave a lot to [the community].”
More information can be found at www.cvillescholarship.com, and questions should be sent to scholars@cvillescholarship.com.
