College Scholarships

Dear Scholarship Applicant:
Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links Incorporated is an organization of women from Prince William and other Northern Virginia counties. We are committed to educational, cultural, and civic activities. We seek to provide programs of various enrichment experiences for those who are educationally disadvantaged and culturally deprived as well as provide support and encouragement for talented individuals. To accomplish the latter, we are committed to providing support to the youth of Prince William County through educational scholarships.

This year, Old Dominion (VA) Chapter will be awarding scholarships to deserving students who need financial aid to attend college and who demonstrate a clear commitment to completing their degree while maintaining good academic standing. Only one application is necessary from each applicant. The scholarship and amount to be awarded will be based on Chapter funding and criteria set by the Scholarship Committee. The scholarships are as follows:

  • The Ethel L. Reaves Community Service Leadership Award ($2,500)
  • The Willa and George Dumas College Scholarship ($1,500 + $500 Sustaining Scholarship)
  • DyAnne Horner Little S.T.E.M. Excellence Scholarship, Powered by Google ($2,000)
  • The Fannie W. Fitzgerald Educational Leadership Academic Scholarship Award ($1,250)
  • The Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke Distinguished Educator Academic Scholarship Award ($1,250)
  • The Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU) Scholarship ($1,250)
Recipients must attend an accredited four-year college or university.
Apply for our Scholarship using the QR Code below.

Eligible applicants are students who:
  • Are graduating seniors from a Prince William County high school;;
  • Have applied to or have been accepted to an accredited four-year college or university;
  • Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0;
  • Demonstrate potential for continued academic achievement and leadership;
  • Exhibit good character; and
  • Show a record of volunteerism and community service.

Of note, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of members of the Links, Incorporated are ineligible to apply for our scholarships. Additionally, students are ineligible if they have been awarded a full scholarship/full ride, or if there is any expectation to receive full cost-of-attendance coverage, including academic, athletic, ROTC, or military academy appointments.

Your completed application and supportive documents should be submitted by March 1, 2026. Members of the scholarship committee will interview scholarship finalists in April via zoom or a location to be determined in Prince William County. Scholarship recipients will be notified in April 2026.

If you have questions, you may email me at odcscholarships@outlook.com.

Sincerely,
Johnnetta Davis-Joyce and Shivon Kershaw
Old Dominion Links Scholarship Chairs


Scholarship Fillable QR Code Image

Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated - Scholarship Photo
The Ethel L. Reaves Community Service Leadership Award

In memory of Ethel L. Reaves, a registered nurse, who was a charter member of Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, we are honored to be able to offer a college scholarship in the amount of $2,500 in her name. Exemplary community service is required for this scholarship. The recipient has the choice of attending any accredited four-year college or university.


The Willa and George Dumas College Scholarship

In memory of Willa and George Dumas, who were instrumental in organizing Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, we are privileged to offer the only sustaining college scholarship in the amount of $1,500 this year. In addition, a $500 scholarship will be awarded to the same recipient for each of the remaining three years of enrollment at an accredited four-year college or university of choice provided that he/she continues to maintain a 3.0 GPA and demonstrates evidence of leadership and community service.


The Fannie W. Fitzgerald Educational Leadership Academic Scholarship Award

In memory and honor of Link Fannie W. Fitzgerald who was a charter member of Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, we are honored to be able to offer a college scholarship in the amount of $1,250. Link Fannie was a trailblazer in her community due to all of the accomplishments that she made in helping to desegregate the school system in Prince William County. She was one of the five African American teachers who was called to integrate certain elementary schools before the county fully integrated. Link Fannie served in an administrative position but returned to her love of teaching children until she retired. An elementary school is named in her honor in the County and located on the street named Benita Fitzgerald Drive which is named after her daughter—1984 Olympiad Link Benita Fitzgerald Mosley. Recipients must attend an accredited four-year college or university.


The Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke Distinguished Educator Academic Scholarship Award

In memory and honor of Link Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke who was a member of Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links Incorporated, we are honored to be able to offer a college scholarship in the amount of $1,250. In 1963 Link Wilhelmina was one of five African American students who desegregated Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Until 1963, the university was a whiteonly school for both students and faculty alike. Known as the “First Five”, these Black undergraduate students peacefully broke segregated barriers and entered classrooms that were previously closed to Black students. Link Wilhelmina graduated in 1967 and went on to serve on the Board at Duke and also became a distinguished lawyer. In 2020 the Duke Board of Trustees announced that it would be naming its iconic west campus building after a Black pioneer for the first time in the history of the university—Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to proceed with the new name. As the current president at Duke stated, “From this day forward, anyone who passes through its doors will carry on the legacy of accomplishment, engagement, and lasting impact of Wilhelmina Ruben-Cooke.” Recipients must attend an accredited four-year college or university.


Historically Black Colleges/Universities Scholarship (HBCUs)

In recognition, respect, and love for our HBCUs, we are offering a $1,250 scholarship to an applicant who will be attending an accredited four-year HBCU. The selected applicant must meet the qualifications established by Chapter.



New Scholarship Award
The DyAnne Horner Little S.T.E.M. Excellence Scholarship, Powered by Google

In keeping with our Foundation’s longstanding commitment to honor the vision and service of our organizers, we are proud to establish an enduring scholarship that recognizes Organizer DyAnne Horner Little’s impact and legacy. For more than 35 years, the Foundation has pursued our organizers’ vision with dedication, hard work, and excellence—investing more than $260,000 in scholarships, initiatives, and programs that uplift under-served persons within Prince William County. Yet, while we have maintained an annual scholarship awarded in Organizer Willa’s memory, we have not previously had a parallel award recognizing our organizer, DyAnne Horner Little

With generous funding secured from Google, we are honored to introduce the DyAnne Horner-Little S.T.E.M. Excellence Scholarship, Powered by Google—a five-year scholarship created to expand our investment in the next generation of scholars and celebrate Organizer DyAnne’s enduring contributions

This scholarship will provide an award in the amount of $2,000 annually for five years (CY 2026–2030) to support graduating high school seniors in Prince William County, Virginia, who are matriculating to an accredited four-year college or university and who plan to pursue a degree in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) related fields.