Tweet

BLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech women’s soccer student-athlete Ashley Meier has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, as announced this week by the organization. As a recipient of the scholarship, Meier will receive a one-time, non-renewable $7,500 award to be used during the next three academic years.

Meier, a senior from Strongsville, Ohio, was already awarded one of the Weaver-James-Corrigan postgraduate scholarships by the ACC earlier this year. These are awarded to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree following completion of their undergraduate requirements. Each recipient receives $5,000 toward his or her graduate education.

Meier was a four-year starter for the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team. She is the Hokies’ second all-time leading scorer with 73 points and is second in career goals, with 30. She is a three-time NSCAA All-Southeast Region second-team selection. She was a 2015 All-ACC first-team selection, to go along with being a three-time All-ACC second-team selection. She made the 2012 ACC All-Freshman team. Meier is a three-time ACC All-Academic team selection and a two-time ACC Honor Roll selection ('13, '14). She was named to Dean's List in Spring 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2012. She was a second-team 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District 3 selection. She competed with the U.S. Soccer U23 team in the summer of 2015.

She has also completed 144 hours at the Carilion New River Medical Center, shadowing pediatric occupational therapists. Meier is an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Human Development at Virginia Tech. She has worked with Special Olympics in the New River Valley, along with volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Micah’s Backpack organizations. She has also volunteered with Falling Waters Health Care Center, working with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.

Meier will graduate in May with a degree in psychology and will attend graduate school next year. She is still finalizing her plans, but will study occupational therapy.

The NCAA awards postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who are in their final year of college athletics eligibility. Up to 175 scholarships are awarded each year for use toward an accredited graduate program. Awardees are evaluated on their academic and athletics achievement, campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership. The program rewards college athletes whose dedication and effort reflect the characteristics needed to succeed in postgraduate study.

The scholarships are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring). Each sports season; there are 29 scholarships available for men and 29 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program.

Awardees are chosen by the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee, which includes faculty athletics representatives, athletics administrators and a conference representative.

“These scholarships are one of the ways the NCAA provides a pathway to opportunity for student-athletes,” said Dr. Richard Loosbrock, chair of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee and faculty athletics representative at Adams State University. “Ashley’s distinguished college career is highlighted by her outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. These experiences will prepare her for success in graduate study and life.”

For information on past winners, award criteria, and the nomination process and deadlines, visit ncaa.org/scholarshipsandgrants.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WSoccer