HAMPTON ROADS ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council Announces

2026–2027 Student Membership Scholarship

 

The Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council (HREPC) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for its 2026-2027 Student Membership Scholarship – an honorary one-year membership in the Council for the fiscal year running June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.

 

This scholarship recipient will have full access to the HREPC’s exclusive membership meetings held throughout the year, as well as any additional programming the HREPC may provide, such as its Young Professional Group activities, a joint event with other local professional organizations, and a summer social.

 

The HREPC promotes a multidisciplinary approach to estate planning by fostering collaboration among professionals in accounting, law, financial planning, trust administration, planned giving, insurance, and related fields. The Council meets five times per year—typically on the third Tuesday of every other month (September through May), from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.—for networking, dinner, and a one-hour continuing education seminar.

 

Valued at $300.00, the scholarship is open to students studying accounting, finance, law, or pre-law and who meet additional eligibility criteria.  Its purpose is to raise awareness of estate planning as a potential career path, and to connect recipients with meaningful opportunities for networking, mentorship, and potential employment within the field.

 

Eligible students are encouraged to apply by May 1, 2026.  Questions should be directed to admin@hrepc.com.

 

 

 

                                                                                    Melissa N. Moser, Esq., President

                                                                                    Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

 

• Be studying or have studied accounting, finance, or law/pre-law as a primary major or field of study

 

• Meet one of the following criteria:

 

              Be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree during the scholarship period

 

              Be enrolled in a business or accounting master’s program during the scholarship period

 

              Be attending law school during the scholarship period

 

• Be at least 21 years old as of September 2026

 

• Submit all required application materials, including:

 

              Completed Applicant Information and Certification & Release Form

 

              Official transcript

 

              A brief essay (500 words or less) answering one of the following:

 

                            What interests you about exploring estate planning as a career?

 

                            How does estate planning align with your studies and career goals?

 

• Commit to attending the five scheduled membership meetings (September, November, January, March, and May)

 

Application Details

 

Applications are due by May 1, 2026, and scholarship recipients will be announced shortly thereafter.

 

All application materials must be submitted electronically to: admin@hrepc.org

 

Submission Checklist

 

• Applicant Information and Certification & Release Form

 

• Copy of transcript

 

• Essay

Applicant Information

 

Full Name:                                                                                                                                         

 

Address:                                                                                                                                             

 

City, State, Zip:                                                                                                                                 

 

Contact Phone Number:                                                                                                                    

 

Email Address:                                                                                                                                  

 

Name of School:                                                                                                                                

 

Field of study (Accounting, Finance, Law, Prelaw):                                                                        

 

Anticipated Degree:                                                                                                                           

 

Expected Graduation Date:                                                                                                               

 

Current Cumulative Grade Point Average:                                                                                       

 

Will you be 21 years old on or before September 2026?           ____Yes            ____No

 

Certification & Release

 

By signing this form, I certify that all the information in this application packet is complete, accurate, and my original work.  

 

Furthermore, if awarded the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council Scholarship of Membership, I agree to:

• Give the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council the right to release my name, school, and town in which I live in promotional materials (website, newspapers, etc.).

• Give the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council the right to use my photo in promotional materials.

• Manage my schedule to the best of my ability in order to attend the five dinners/educational events.

 

 

Signature:                                                                                            Date: ________________________                                     

 

 

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients:

W. Tucker Blythe

 

Holden Palmer

 

Alexander Szpytman

 

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipient- Jodi Barder

 

Jodi is attending Regent University's School of Law. She will be graduation in 2026 with her JD.

 

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Scholarship Recipient- William Saville

William is a student of the Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University. He will be graduating in the fall with a dual bachelor's in Accounting and Finance. William is a member of ODU's chapter of the international honor society, Beta Alpha Psi, for which he acted as the social media chair in 2023. A native of Hampton Roads, William has an extensive record of volunteer service within his community, driven by his commitment to preserving the region's distinctive character.

 

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Scholarship Recipient- Daniel Tekleab

Daniel Tekleab is a rising senior at Old Dominion University with a major in Finance. His passion for the industry began during the lockdown and is stronger than it ever was. Daniel has accumulated years of soft skills working in the fast-food industry and is building his hard skills currently interning at Dollar Tree. In his free time, Daniel likes weightlifting and training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai at Element Academy of Jiu-Jitsu. Please join us in welcoming Daniel Tekleab to the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council.

 

Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient- May-Lee Melki Constantine

The Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council is pleased to announce the award of its second annual scholarship to May-Lee Melki Constantine.  May-Lee is a 3L law student at Regent University and the winner of the Regent Cup 2021 Moot Court Championship.  Prior to law school, May-Lee obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, and has extensive work experience in the nonprofit sector, including roles in Development, Fundraising, and Major Donor Relations.  May-Lee has been advocating for displaced persons in her home country of Lebanon since she was a teenager, and is passionate about supporting the proper transfer of wealth to private parties and charitable organizations alike.  Please join us in welcoming May-Lee to the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council.  Congratulations!

 

Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Scholarship Recipient- Morgan Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Thomas, a Virginia Beach resident, is taking an accelerated program at Virginia Wesleyan University.  She is in her third –and FINAL—year of studies for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.  She is interested in financial advising and planning, and seeking an internship prior to graduating.