Mentorship: More Than Financial Aid

Our Program

Each Charlottesville Scholarship Program award recipient is paired with a Navigator, an adult volunteer who offers students help, support, and guidance. Many recipients are often the first in their families to attend college, and their families may not always be able to provide help in navigating the college experience.

Navigators are trusted, dependable mentors who develop supportive relationships with their scholars to encourage them along their post-secondary journey and to help ensure they are successful in their chosen course of study.

Being a Navigator is an extremely rewarding experience and is a great way to enhance one’s resume while also increasing confidence through volunteer experience.

Scholar Testamonials

"My Navigator has been an important source of support throughout my college journey. Having someone who genuinely cared about my success gave me confidence during challenging moments and helped me stay focused on my long-term goals. Whether it was answering questions, providing guidance, or simply checking in on my progress, their encouragement made college feel much less overwhelming. It was nice to have someone who believed in my goals."

- Justin Jackson, CSP Graduate

"The support I have received, both financially and through the Navigator program, has alleviated so much of the stress that often comes with college. It’s an honor to be a Charlottesville Promise Scholar and I am forever grateful for the CSP.

- CSP 2026 Renewing Scholar

Our Commitment

A Trusted Mentorship Journey

Purposeful Selection

Training & Resources

Dedicated Support

Prospective mentors undergo thorough interviews and reference/background checks, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for every scholar.

Each year, CSP holds a training session for new and continuing Navigators where mentors receive a training manual full of resources and guidance for navigating common college challenges.

Our program staff works in tandem with the Chair of our Navigator Program to provide resources and check-ins for mentors, fostering a strong network of support.

From Our Navigators

"As a parent of 3 CHS graduates and through my work, I was well aware of CSP and the opportunities it affords for those who might not have a chance to pursue secondary education. It was ultimately a call to action that felt meant to be.”

                                                                                          - Cathy von Storch, CSP Nagivator Committee Chair

"The Navigator role is a pleasure and a privilege. I've definitely gotten at least as much out of the experience as the young people I'm "navigating.”

                                                                       - George Michie, CSP Navigator

Invest in your community's future by guiding a CSP Scholar through their post-secondary journey.