Criteria for HRCA Scholarship Applicants
The Hampton Roads Coal Association College Scholarship is awarded to a student who is enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or doctorate program at an on-campus or online college or university in the upcoming academic year. The student can be a Regular Member; or a child, grandchild or dependent of a Regular or Honorary Member who is in good standing and has attended a minimum of one Association event during the previous year.
The Board of Directors has determined this year's award amount to be: $2,000.00.
Application & Essay Process:
1. The student is to…
a. access the HRCA website ( http://www.hrcoal.org/ ) to download the application for completion
and submittal, along with an industry-related essay.
b. provide proof of intent to enroll in an accredited institution of higher learning.
c. apply a “control number”, as the last four digits of his/her Social Security Number, to the top of the
essay. It is to be the only identifying mark. The student’s name is not to appear on the essay.
2. The essay shall be…
a. the determining factor in the award.
b. of a topic examining an aspect of the coal industry (mining, transportation, use, quality, historical, etc.).
c. 500 words or less in length, double-spaced, with footnotes and bibliography.
3. The essay and application are to be submitted via USPS mail or email…
a. prior to the deadline of: midnight November 29, 2024.
b. to the current HRCA Vice President, Bobby Scott, at: bscott@capesshipping.net
4. A student who applied in previous years can re-apply, but only if he/she…
a. did not receive the award previously.
b. submits proof of a continuing college education.
Scholarship Selection Process:
1. The HRCA Vice President submits all anonymous essays to an Evaluation Committee. No other identification
of the student is provided to the Committee.
2. The Committee then notifies the Vice President of the winning essay by its control number. The winner will
be selected this year by: December 6, 2024. The winning and all other essays are returned to the Vice
President for retention for a minimum of one year.
3. The Vice President then notifies the Executive Committee of the results of the Evaluation Committee’s
selection.
4. The winner receives the award in person at the HRCA's annual Holiday Dinner on December 12, 2024.
5. The award is required to be returned in full by the winner to the HRCA if he/she receives a full academic
or athletic scholarship, or if he/she fails to attend a college before the next school term commences.
Best Regards,
HAMPTON ROADS COAL ASSOCIATION
Download the 2024 Scholarship Application HERE.
