The Jefferson Scholarship is the premier undergraduate scholarship at UVA. It is awarded based on merit and covers the entire cost of attendance for four years, which consists of the actual reported cost (including tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses) for students enrolled full time in the University. In addition, the Scholarship provides a number of enrichment opportunities, including a study abroad experience.
What is the Jefferson Scholarship Competition?
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation offers Jefferson Scholarships for undergraduate study at the University of Virginia. The goal of the Foundation is to attract the most outstanding students in the nation and the world to the University, students who are extraordinary leaders, scholars and citizens. Individual merit in these three areas is the sole criterion for selection. Financial need, which the University meets through other resources, is not a consideration in making nominations, recommendations or selections.
General Regulations
Rather than submitting an application, students must be nominated by their high schools based on demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship and citizenship. Nominees participate in a regional selection process and if identified as a regional finalist, the student will be invited to UVA to participate in the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend.
Selection Criteria and Conditions of Eligibility
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation seeks to attract the most promising student leaders in the world, and in granting the awards, the Foundation will have regard for the ideals of excellence exhibited by Thomas Jefferson: leadership ability, scholarship ability and responsible citizenship.
No one may apply directly to compete for Jefferson Scholarships. One or both of the following two conditions must be met by students for eligibility:
- Be a member of the current graduating class of a school eligible to nominate a student AND be selected by his or her school as the nominee from that senior class.
- Be selected through the at-large process by the University of Virginia Admission Office, which requires applying to UVA by the Early Action Deadline (November 1).
Once enrolled in the University of Virginia, a Jefferson Scholar should be a superior citizen of the student body, both in conduct and achievement. A Scholar should contribute to the University community in a positive and constructive fashion and should show promise for so doing as a member of the alumni community.