The Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation, Inc. recently donated a $10,000 check to provide ten $1000 scholarships for Bluefield College students during the 2018-2019 academic year. Students who are recipients of the scholarships receive $500 during the Fall and Spring semesters each year until they leave the college or graduate.
The Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation, Inc. started a scholarship fund with Bluefield College in 2003 and has supported close to 100 Bluefield College recipients through their scholarships.
When the Credit Bureau of the Virginias, formerly the Bluefield Credit Bureau, was sold, the Foundation was established.
“We are so appreciative of the continual support we receive from the Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation, Inc.,” said Josh Grubb, director of development and alumni affairs.
“They are a faithful supporter of the mission of Bluefield College and the students we serve. Without their support, who knows how many students might not have had the opportunity to receive higher education,” said Ruth Blankenship, Bluefield College’s vice president for advancement.
Over three-quarters of undergraduate students at Bluefield College receive financial aid, largely from the generosity of individuals and businesses.
“Our primary goal is to help the so-called average student, the student who may not get access to a lot of academic scholarships,” said Jimmy Welch, executive director of the Foundation, who presented the check. “Our scholarships are designed to serve post-high school, educational endeavors of the average student from former trade areas of the Credit Bureau of the Virginias.”
The Foundation supports scholarships offered to graduating high school seniors in Tazewell, Bland, and Giles counties in Virginia, as well as Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Greenbrier, Summers, and Monroe counties in West Virginia.
“We get a lot of thank you notes and letters from students and parents of students at Bluefield College,” said Welch, “and many of the students’ notes and letters say, ‘we would not be at Bluefield College without the Credit Bureau scholarship.’”
Welch proudly stated that the Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation, Inc. has donated over $814,000.00 in scholarships and educational grants and they expect the 2019-2020 academic year will be another successful year for the students and the participating schools.