The UVA Alumni Association created the Legacy Scholarship for two primary reasons:
- It gives back to alumni by supporting their children while studying at UVA
- It supports future alumni while they study at UVA
The Legacy Scholarship is open to incoming undergraduate students whose parent, step-parent, or legal guardian earned a degree from UVA. Selection is based on a balance of merit and financial circumstances. Preference may be given to children of Life Members of the Alumni Association. The current value of a Legacy Scholarship is $5,000 annually, $20,000 over a scholar’s four years at UVA.
The Legacy Scholars Program has set an initial goal to award scholarships to five (5) incoming students annually. In order to support a total number of 20 scholars in residence, there needs to be $2,500,000 in endowment. Upon reaching this goal, the Scholarship aims to increase the value of its awards to make a greater impact for its scholars.
Progress to $2.5 million Endowment Goal
$2.02 million
Growing the Scholarship
Since starting in 2009, the Scholarship has grown from one annual award to four in 2021, and a total of twelve scholars in residence. But we’re still only meeting a fraction of the need. We need your help to meet our goal of awarding 5 new scholarships every year and supporting a total 20 scholars in residence.
| Year | Admitted Legacies | Scholarship Applications | Awarded Scholarships | Scholars in Residence | Total Annual Disbursements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 675 | 103 | 1 | 1 | $5,000 |
| 2010 | 726 | 95 | 1 | 2 | $10,000 |
| 2011 | 809 | 166 | 1 | 3 | $15,000 |
| 2012 | 833 | 116 | 2 | 5 | $25,000 |
| 2013 | 927 | 123 | 2 | 6 | $30,000 |
| 2014 | 1,060 | 128 | 2 | 7 | $35,000 |
| 2015 | 1,010 | 109 | 2 | 8 | $40,000 |
| 2016 | 1,102 | 129 | 3 | 9 | $45,000 |
| 2017 | 1,040 | 113 | 3 | 10 | $50,000 |
| 2018 | 1,209 | 130 | 3 | 11 | $55,000 |
| 2019 | 1,013 | 154 | 3 | 11 | $55,000 |
| 2020 | 1,083 | 173 | 3 | 10 | $50,000 |
| 2021 | 1,002 | 117 | 4 | 12 | $60,000 |
| Goal | 5 | 20 | $100,000 |
Legacy Scholarship Endowment
By making a gift to the Legacy Scholarship endowment, donors support the Legacy Scholarship Program. The gifts are invested and the income contributes to the funds available to award as scholarship. As the endowment grows, so does the number of students named Legacy Scholars.
Support the Legacy Scholarship Endowment
Named Endowment Funds
The Legacy Scholars Program also invites donors to endow their own named scholarship. In 2017, the Cynthia Darr Garver Legacy Scholarship was created to honor long time Admission Liaison Program (now known as College Compass) Managing Director Cindy Garver upon her retirement. In 2018, the first Cynthia Darr Garver Legacy Scholar was named. A named endowment creates a perpetual legacy at the University of Virginia.
For more information on named Legacy Scholarships, please contact us at alumni-scholarships@virginia.edu or 434-243-9000.
Support the Cynthia Darr Garver Legacy Scholarship
What Legacy Students Say
“The award is a great way to let students feel wanted at the University and to entice them into coming. I cannot express how thankful I am for the many doors that have been opened for me because of this scholarship.”
—Katherine Thorne, Col. ’16
“This scholarship has afforded me the ability to concentrate on my academics as well as make a difference at UVA, instead of having to seek part-time work to offset expenses,”
—Alexandra Glynn, Col. ’17
“Your generous financial support has allowed me to be much more flexible in how I spend my time at UVA, and I truly feel it is allowing me to flourish.”
—Eric Ott, Engr. ’16