Deadline 2026-12-01
Country USA
Level undergraduate
Organization Jefferson Scholars Foundation
Field Any field of study offered at the University of Virginia
Funding fully funded Overview
The Jefferson Scholarship is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for outstanding students pursuing a bachelor's degree at the University of Virginia in the USA. Offered by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, it aims to identify and support students who demonstrate exceptional potential in leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship.
Coverage
This scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at the University of Virginia. It covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses. For Virginians, the award is over $42,000 per year (totaling more than $230,000), while for non-Virginians, it is over $83,000 per year (totaling more than $405,000). Additionally, scholars receive financial support for enrichment activities such as international travel, career development, professional networking, leadership programs, research collaborations with Jefferson Fellows, alumni activities, and speaker series.
Eligibility
The Jefferson Scholarship is open to students from all countries, including international students. Applicants must demonstrate excellence or potential for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship. To receive the scholarship, applicants must ultimately gain admission to the University of Virginia. Financial need is not a factor in the scholarship selection process.
Requirements
Applicants must be outstanding high school students. Key requirements for nomination materials include: basic nominee information (name, email, date of birth), scholastic information about the applicant’s school, academic transcript, school profile, one letter of recommendation, details about extracurricular activities and awards, a personal statement, and a leadership essay. SAT, ACT, AP, and IB scores are not considered for the 2026-2027 selection process, as the University of Virginia remains test-optional.
How to apply
The scholarship selection process is separate from the University of Virginia’s undergraduate admission process. Students must first be nominated by their high school. The school counselor is responsible for submitting the required nomination information and supporting documents. Nominees then need to provide their contact information, details of activities and awards, a personal statement, and a leadership essay. In parallel, applicants must also apply for undergraduate admission to the University of Virginia. Gaining admission to the university is a prerequisite for receiving the scholarship. The scholarship competition does not depend on the admission application method (Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision).
Notes
The selection process is highly competitive and involves three main components: Nomination, Regional Review, and Final Selection. Scholars become part of a network connecting them with other Scholars, Fellows, alumni, and volunteers.