June 16, 2026 – This year, the Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF) is distributing over $300,000 in scholarship support through three different programs that invest in local high school seniors, advance educational equity, and improve access to local healthcare. These scholarships are funded by donors to ensure that students — including some who are the first in their family to attend college — can pursue their post-secondary degrees.
“Each of these scholarships reflects the belief in the power of education to change lives,” said Nancy Coté Sullivan, President & CEO of WCF.
For scholarship recipients, the awards represent more than financial support. One recipient from the Class of 2026 shared, “Knowing my community believes in & supports my hard work is incredibly encouraging.”
WJCC Scholarships
At its annual awards ceremony on May 31, Williamsburg Community Foundation awarded 89 scholarships totaling more than $178,000 to graduating students from Jamestown, Lafayette, and Warhill High Schools through the Williamsburg-James City County Scholarship Fund. This year’s recipients include 20 first generation college students.
Scholarships that range from $1,500 to $5,000 are made possible by generous support from local individuals, families, civic groups and businesses. The Foundation oversees a mix of annual and endowed scholarship funds, allowing donors to make both immediate and lasting impact.
A full list of the 2026 WJCC scholars can be found at WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org.
Williamsburg Descendents Scholarships
Now in its second year, the Williamsburg Descendents Scholarships is supporting both new recipients and last year’s scholars. This year’s class of Descendents Scholars are Destinee Matthews, Treasure Butler, Ty Garland Hundley, and Aiyhan Johnson.
The Descendents Scholarship was created by the City of Williamsburg with the advocacy and guidance of the City’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee to address the disparities caused by the generational effects of racism.
The Williamsburg Descendants Scholarship program provides financial assistance for degree or certificate programs to residents of greater Williamsburg with Black ancestors who lived in the Williamsburg area prior to 1964—the year that the Civil Rights Act was enacted.
Perisie Scholarship for Medical School
This scholarship provides significant financial support through medical school, allowing recipients to focus on their studies and their future service to our local community.
The Perisie Scholarship’s second recipient, Stephonda Lewis, is entering her third year at Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University.