The Richmond Scholars Program 2027 is the University of Richmond’s most prestigious academic merit scholarship for outstanding first-year undergraduate students.
Located in Richmond, Virginia, USA, the program provides a scholarship covering full tuition, housing, and food, renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment.
The Richmond Scholars Program seeks students who demonstrate academic achievement, engaged leadership, a strong sense of purpose, and an interest in contributing to a diverse and inclusive campus community.
Scholars also receive mentorship, special programming, priority course registration, and guaranteed on-campus housing.
For students entering the University of Richmond in 2027, all first-year admission applicants who submit their application by December 1, 2026, are automatically considered for Richmond Scholars. No separate Richmond Scholars application is required.
Degree Level
The Richmond Scholars Program supports:
- Undergraduate degree programs
- First-year students entering the University of Richmond
- Full-time undergraduate study
The scholarship can be renewed for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment, subject to the program’s requirements.
Available Subjects.
- The University of Richmond offers undergraduate programs across a wide range of academic disciplines.
- Richmond Scholars are not restricted to one specific field of study. Students apply to the University of Richmond as first-year undergraduate applicants and can explore the University’s available majors and minors.
- The University states that students do not need to know their major or minor when applying and generally have time to decide on their academic direction after enrollment.
Benefits.
Richmond Scholars receive a comprehensive merit scholarship that includes:
- Full tuition
- Housing
- Food
- Renewable support for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment
- Priority course registration
- Guaranteed on-campus housing
- Specially selected faculty mentors
- Special ticket vouchers for selected cultural events
- Academic, social, and professional programming
- Support from the Office of Scholars and Fellowships
- Eligibility for a one-time $5,500 enrichment grant for a student-selected activity that enhances the academic experience
Is the Richmond Scholars Program Fully Funded?
- The Richmond Scholars award covers full tuition, housing, and food for selected undergraduate students. The University describes it as its most prestigious academic merit award.
- The scholarship does not automatically cover every possible personal or educational expense.
- Applicants should distinguish the Richmond Scholars award from other forms of financial aid and review the University’s current financial aid information for expenses not included in the scholarship.
Eligible Nationalities
- The Richmond Scholars Program is open to U.S. and international first-year applicants.
- The University of Richmond states that international students and non-U.S. citizens can receive full consideration for merit-based scholarships, including Richmond Scholars. International applicants must meet the University’s admission requirements and submit the required international application and financial documents.
- Richmond Scholars has no separate country-specific list. Eligibility is based on applying for first-year admission to the University of Richmond and meeting the scholarship and admission requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants interested in the Richmond Scholars Program should:
- Be applying for first-year undergraduate admission to the University of Richmond.
- Submit a complete admission application by December 1, 2026 for consideration for the 2027 entering class.
- Demonstrate strong academic achievement.
- Show evidence of engaged leadership.
- Demonstrate a strong sense of purpose.
- Show interest in contributing to a diverse and inclusive campus community.
- Meet the University’s first-year admission requirements.
- Meet applicable English proficiency requirements if English is not their first language.
The Richmond Scholars selection process is holistic. The University considers submitted admission materials and may consider additional academic evidence such as standardized testing, research, and academic distinctions.
Academic Requirements:
- Applicants must meet the University of Richmond’s first-year admission requirements, including holding a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
- The University requires a minimum of 16 units of secondary-school coursework, including four units of English, three units of college-preparatory mathematics, at least two units of history, two units of laboratory science, and two units of a second language.
- There is no published minimum GPA specifically required for the Richmond Scholars Program. Selection is highly competitive and holistic, with academic achievement forming one of the program’s four stated selection criteria.
Leadership and Personal Qualities:
The Richmond Scholars Program considers more than academic performance.
The University identifies four broad criteria for Richmond Scholars:
- Academic Achievement
- Engaged Leadership
- Strong Sense of Purpose
- Interest in a Diverse and Inclusive Community
Applicants should therefore use their admission application to demonstrate how their academic interests, leadership experiences, activities, goals, and contributions reflect these qualities.
SAT and ACT Requirements:
- For students entering the University of Richmond in 2027, admission is test-optional.
- Applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do not submit standardized test scores can still be considered for merit scholarships, including Richmond Scholars, provided they apply by December 1.
- The University states that additional academic assessments, including standardized testing when submitted, published research, and academic accolades, can influence the highly competitive merit scholarship selection process.
English Language Requirement:
International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an approved waiver.
The University of Richmond accepts:
- TOEFL
- IELTS
- Duolingo English Test
The University’s published competitive scores are TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7.5, or Duolingo English Test 135. These are described as competitive scores rather than minimum admission scores. Certain English-medium education and other qualifications may qualify an applicant for a waiver.
Application Procedure
There is no separate application for the Richmond Scholars Program.
Applicants should:
- Prepare their first-year undergraduate application to the University of Richmond.
- Complete the required admission application.
- Submit academic records and required supporting materials.
- Submit English proficiency evidence if required.
- Submit SAT or ACT scores if they choose to include them.
- Complete any optional materials they want considered, such as eligible arts portfolios.
- Submit the complete admission application by December 1, 2026.
- Wait for Richmond Scholars consideration through the University’s selection process.
All first-year admission applications received by December 1 are automatically considered for Richmond Scholars.
Application Deadline:
- The Richmond Scholars consideration deadline for students entering the University of Richmond in 2027 is December 1, 2026
- Applicants do not need to submit a separate Richmond Scholars application. They must submit their University of Richmond admission application by the Richmond Scholars deadline.
- The regular first-year admission deadline is January 1, 2027, but applicants who want Richmond Scholars consideration must apply by December 1.
Selection Process:
- The Richmond Scholars selection process is highly competitive and holistic.
- Applicants who advance to the finalist stage are notified through the Spider Portal by February 1. Finalists are invited to interview with a faculty selection committee by Zoom in mid-February.
- Final Richmond Scholars selections are completed by March 1.
- The University considers academic achievement, leadership, purpose, and engagement with a diverse and inclusive community when selecting scholars.
International Students:
- International students can be considered for Richmond Scholars and other merit-based scholarships.
- The University states that non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent residents receive full consideration for merit-based scholarships, except the Army ROTC scholarship.
- International applicants should submit their admission application by the December 1 Richmond Scholars deadline to receive full scholarship consideration.
- International applicants should also review the University’s separate financial aid requirements, including the Certification of Financial Responsibility and CSS Profile requirements where applicable.
Required Documents:
The Richmond Scholars Program does not require a separate scholarship application or separate scholarship-specific documents.
Applicants submit the materials required for University of Richmond first-year admission. Depending on the applicant, these may include:
- Completed admission application
- Secondary school transcript
- School report and counselor information
- Letters of recommendation
- Required essays
- Senior-year academic information
- English proficiency test results, if required
- SAT or ACT scores, if the applicant chooses to submit them
- Additional optional academic or artistic materials where applicable
Applicants should follow the University’s current first-year application requirements because document requirements can vary by applicant type.
Arts Portfolio:
- Students with significant artistic achievements may submit eligible arts materials for consideration.
- For an arts portfolio to be considered for Richmond Scholars or Presidential Scholarships, the portfolio must be submitted by the December 1 scholarship consideration deadline.
- The University provides specific submission requirements for areas such as music, composition, theatre, dance, and visual arts.
Scholarship Renewal:
- The Richmond Scholars award is renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment.
- Students must remain eligible under the University’s scholarship policies and maintain the conditions required for continued scholarship support.
Enrichment Grant:
- Richmond Scholars are eligible for a one-time $5,500 enrichment grant that can support a student-selected activity designed to enhance their academic experience.
- This additional opportunity is separate from the core scholarship covering tuition, housing, and food.
Important Points:
Applicants should remember:
- The scholarship is for incoming first-year undergraduate students.
- The December 1 deadline is important for Richmond Scholars consideration.
- There is no separate Richmond Scholars application.
- International students are eligible for merit scholarship consideration.
- The scholarship covers full tuition, housing, and food.
- The award can be renewed for up to eight consecutive semesters.
- Admission for 2027 is test-optional for traditional high school applicants.
- English proficiency requirements still apply to international applicants unless they qualify for a waiver.
- Selection considers academic achievement, leadership, purpose, and community engagement.
- Finalists are interviewed by a faculty selection committee.
- Final scholarship selections are completed by March 1.
