The Jefferson Scholarship 2027 offers an exceptional fully funded undergraduate opportunity at the University of Virginia (UVA) in the United States. The program recognizes outstanding high school students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and meaningful engagement with their communities.
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation provides financial support covering the full cost of attendance for up to four years at the University of Virginia, along with additional enrichment opportunities such as international travel, leadership development, career networking, research collaboration, and access to the Foundation’s extensive Scholar and alumni network.
The Jefferson Scholarship is highly selective and follows a nomination-based process. Students cannot simply submit an individual scholarship application. They must first be selected and nominated by their school and then complete the Foundation’s nomination process.
Degree Level
The Jefferson Scholarship is available for:
- Undergraduate degree
- Four years of undergraduate study at the University of Virginia
Students must be entering their undergraduate education at UVA and must be members of their current graduating high school class at the time of nomination.
Available Subjects
The Jefferson Scholarship is not limited to one academic field.
Selected Scholars can pursue eligible undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia across a wide range of academic disciplines, depending on UVA’s undergraduate admission and program offerings.
Potential areas of study include:
- Arts and humanities
- Social sciences
- Business
- Economics
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Natural sciences
- Environmental studies
- Public policy
- Education
- Interdisciplinary studies
- Other undergraduate fields offered by the University of Virginia
Applicants should review the University of Virginia’s current undergraduate programs for the specific degree they intend to pursue.
Benefits
The Jefferson Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for undergraduate study at the University of Virginia.
Benefits include:
- Full cost of attendance for up to four years
- Tuition and applicable university costs covered as part of the award
- Room and board as part of the cost-of-attendance package
- Coverage of supplemental enrichment experiences
- International travel opportunities
- Career development and networking
- Leadership development through the Institute for Leadership and Citizenship
- Access to Jefferson Scholars Foundation alumni and Scholar networks
- Exploratory Fund opportunities
- Research collaboration with Jefferson Fellows
- Speaker series and other enrichment activities
According to the Foundation, the award is currently valued at more than $42,000 per year for Virginia residents and more than $83,000 per year for non-Virginia residents, with total four-year values of upwards of approximately $230,000 and $405,000, respectively.
Is the Jefferson Scholarship Fully Funded?
- The Jefferson Scholarship is designed to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at the University of Virginia, together with supplemental enrichment opportunities.
- The exact value depends on whether the recipient is a Virginia resident or a non-Virginia resident. The Foundation currently lists more than $42,000 per year for Virginians and more than $83,000 per year for non-Virginians.
- In addition to financial support, Jefferson Scholars receive access to enrichment activities, leadership development, international experiences, and professional networking.
Eligible Nationalities
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation does not use citizenship status as a selection criterion.
The Foundation states that citizenship status is not considered in the Jefferson and Walentas Scholarship selection process. Therefore, international students can be considered if they meet the applicable nomination and program requirements.
However, students must also satisfy the University of Virginia’s separate undergraduate admission requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
To compete for the Jefferson Scholarship, a student must generally:
- Be an enrolled member of the current graduating high school class.
- Not yet have received their high school diploma at the time of nomination.
- Be selected by their school as its Jefferson Scholarship nominee.
- Have not previously been nominated for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Demonstrate leadership capability.
- Show meaningful engagement with their school, community, home, or other areas of responsibility.
- Complete the required nomination materials.
- Apply separately to the University of Virginia.
The Foundation looks for students who demonstrate exceptional qualities in leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship.
Selection Criteria:
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation evaluates nominees based on three central qualities:
Scholarship
- Students should demonstrate a strong record of academic performance and intellectual ability.
Leadership
- Nominees should demonstrate the ability to lead and make a positive contribution at school, in their communities, at home, or in other areas of responsibility.
Engaged Citizenship
- Students should show meaningful involvement in their communities and evidence that their activities have benefited others.
- The Foundation states that competitive nominees demonstrate strength across these areas rather than relying solely on academic achievement.
Is Financial Need Considered?
- No. Financial need is not considered as part of the Jefferson Scholarship selection process.
- The Foundation also states that citizenship status and interest in attending the University of Virginia are not considered in the selection process.
Application Procedure
The Jefferson Scholarship process is different from a typical scholarship application.
Step 1: School Nomination
- Students cannot independently nominate themselves for the Jefferson Scholarship.
- The student must first be selected by their school as its nominee. Participating schools nominate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership, and community engagement.
Step 2: Complete the Nomination
Once selected by the school, the nominee must complete their portion of the nomination process.
The nominee provides information such as:
- Contact information
- Activities
- Awards
- Personal essay
- Leadership essay
School officials separately submit the required school information and supporting materials.
Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents
The school official submits:
- Basic nominee information
- Scholastic information
- One letter of recommendation
- Student transcript
- School profile
The student submits their required essays and activity and award information.
Step 4: Regional Review
Regional Selection Committees review the submitted materials.
The committees consider:
- Academic record
- Extracurricular activities
- Essays
- Recommendations
Selected nominees may then be invited to one or more rounds of interviews.
Step 5: Regional Interviews
- Regional interviews generally take place during January.
- Depending on the region and circumstances, interviews may be conducted virtually or in person.
Step 6: Final Interviews
- Students who advance to the final stage participate in final interviews conducted by UVA alumni and friends.
- The Foundation states that final interviews are conducted virtually.
Step 7: University of Virginia Admission
- The Jefferson Scholarship selection process is separate from UVA undergraduate admission.
- Nominees must apply to the University of Virginia separately and may apply through Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation does not have access to the Common Application.
Required Documents:
The nomination process requires materials from both the school and the student.
School Materials
School officials submit:
- Nominee information
- Scholastic information
- Student transcript
- School profile
- One letter of recommendation
Student Materials
Nominees submit:
- Contact information
- Activities
- Awards
- Personal essay
- Leadership essay
Students must also complete the separate University of Virginia undergraduate admission application.
Application Deadline:
The current Jefferson Scholarship nomination deadline is December 1, 2026.
All required nomination materials from school officials and nominees must be submitted by December 1, 2026.
The Foundation’s selection timeline generally follows this pattern:
- August: Nomination portal opens for eligible schools
- December 1: Counselor and nominee materials due
- Mid-December through January: Regional review and interviews
- Late February: Final virtual interviews
- Mid-April: Scholarship acceptance decision
The Jefferson Scholarship selection timeline is separate from the University of Virginia’s undergraduate admission timeline.
Important Points for International Students:
- International students should understand that the Jefferson Scholarship is not a direct scholarship application.
- A student outside the United States must first determine whether their high school participates in the nomination process or can become involved with the Foundation.
- The Foundation states that citizenship status is not considered in selection. However, nominees still need to apply separately to UVA and satisfy its undergraduate admission requirements.
What Happens After Selection?
Students selected for a Jefferson Scholarship are invited to visit Charlottesville and explore the University of Virginia.
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation covers expenses associated with travel, accommodations, and meals for this visit.
Scholarship recipients must decide whether to accept their scholarship offer by approximately mid-April.
Important Points:
- The Jefferson Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship at the University of Virginia.
- It provides financial support covering the full cost of attendance for four years.
- Additional enrichment opportunities are included.
- Students must be nominated by their school.
- Students cannot directly nominate themselves.
- Nominees must be members of their current graduating high school class.
- Students must not have previously been nominated for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship.
- Academic achievement, leadership, and engaged citizenship are central selection criteria.
- Financial need is not considered in selection.
- Citizenship status is not considered in selection.
- International students can be considered.
- Students must apply separately to the University of Virginia.
- The Jefferson Scholarship selection process is separate from UVA admission.
- The nomination deadline is December 1.
- Final interviews are conducted virtually.
- Selected Scholars receive access to leadership, travel, career, research, and networking opportunities.
- The award is intended to cover the full cost of attendance for four years.
