The Ridley Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship program whose mission is to uphold and promote the principles of the fund’s namesake: Dr. Walter N. Ridley, the first Black graduate of the University of Virginia. Since its inception in 1987, Ridley has supported more than 300 Black students at UVA, offering numerous scholarships across the course of their UVA careers. While most Ridley Scholarships are for incoming first-year students, there are selected awards reserved for upper-class students who distinguish themselves as exceptional students at the University. Below is an overview of awards offered by the Ridley Scholarship Program:
First-year students:
- Walter N. Ridley Flagship Fund
- Meikel Andrade Memorial Fund
- The Gregory Raven Batipps Memorial Fund
- Bryce Fund
- Holland / Blackburn Fund
- Ridley Reid Endowed Fund
- Richmond Ridley Clarence Cain Endowed Fund
- Michael Russell Engineering Scholarship
Upper-class students:
- The Gregory Ledford Endowed Fund
- The Sylvia V. Terry Scholarship
- Lois E. Kirby Fund
Additional support for current Black students:
- Ravenell “Ricky” Keller III Memorial Fund
- The Dr. Derek E. Brown Scholarship
- The Paige Pre-Medical Fund
There is no Ridley-specific application for a student to complete to be eligible for the first-year awards. Black students coming in as first-years are automatically considered for a Ridley Scholarship when they apply to the University. However, guidance counselors can reach out to the admissions office to submit nominations.
The Outreach Team at the UVA Office of Admission reviews all applicants that have been recommended by their high school guidance counselor or an application reader in the Office of Admission, as well as any applicant who meets the criteria for a Ridley Scholarship that has been offered admission to UVA. Students are evaluated on the strength of their application for admission to UVA.
Did you know that UVA and the UVA Alumni Association have various resources dedicated to Black students, in addition to the Ridley Scholarship Program? Take a look at our article detailing some of those resources!