Jefferson Scholarship in USA 2026 – Full Cost of Attendance at the University of Virginia

Scholarship Description

The Jefferson Scholarship is the University of Virginia's premier merit-based undergraduate scholarship, awarded by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. It is one of the most prestigious and generous undergraduate scholarships in the United States, designed to attract the most promising student leaders in the world to the University of Virginia (UVA) .

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation cultivates outstanding undergraduate students through two scholarship programs — the Jefferson Scholars Program and the Walentas Scholars Program. Both programs provide generous financial packages, enrichment opportunities, and access to the JSF network of Scholars, Fellows, alumni, and volunteers . The Foundation's mission is to develop leaders, scholars, and citizens for the benefit of the University and the world at large .

The Jefferson Scholarship is a nomination-only program. No one may apply directly for the scholarship. Eligible high schools are asked to nominate a student in the senior class who best exemplifies excellence in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship . Recipients are selected through a rigorous, multi-stage process that includes nomination, regional review, and final selection .

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is exclusively for students who enroll at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships cannot be used at any other college or university .

Scholarship Deadline

The deadline for both counselor and nominee materials for the Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship is December 1, 2026. All regions have a deadline of December 1 .

Host Institution

The University of Virginia (UVA) — a public research university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. UVA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States and is renowned for its historic campus, academic excellence, and vibrant student community. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is an independent organization that supports the University through scholarships, fellowships, and faculty support .

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor's degree) — four years of full-time enrollment at the University of Virginia.

Fields: There is no typical academic path for Jefferson or Walentas Scholars at UVA. The Foundation supports and encourages Scholars to pursue their academic passions across all disciplines offered by the University of Virginia .

Target Group

The Jefferson Scholarship targets outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship. To be eligible to compete, a nominee must :

• Be an enrolled member of the current graduating class who has not yet received a diploma.
• Be selected by their school as the nominee.
• Not have been previously nominated for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship.

The Foundation seeks to attract to the University of Virginia the most promising student leaders in the world — individuals who demonstrate superior potential for providing exceptional contributions to the University as students and to the world at large as alumni .

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: Four years (eight semesters) of full-time enrollment at the University of Virginia .

Award Value (2026-27 estimated):

• Virginians: Over $42,000 per year or upwards of $230,000 total
• Non-Virginians: Over $83,000 per year or upwards of $405,000 total

The scholarship is intended to cover the entire cost of attendance, including tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses based on full-time enrollment for eight semesters at UVA . It also includes coverage of supplemental enrichment experiences .

Enrichment opportunities include :

• International Travel — funding for study abroad and global experiences
• Career Development and Networking — connections with alumni and professionals
• Institute for Leadership and Citizenship — leadership development programming
• Alumni Connections — access to the JSF network of Scholars, Fellows, alumni, and volunteers
• Exploratory Fund — support for independent projects and research
• Research Collaboration with Jefferson Fellows — opportunities to work with graduate fellows
• Speaker Series — access to distinguished speakers and events

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria :

• Nomination-only: No one may apply directly for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship. Candidates must be nominated by their high school.
• Enrollment: Must be an enrolled member of the current graduating class who has not yet received a diploma.
• School nomination: Must be selected by their school as the nominee. Eligible schools may nominate one or two students per year from the senior class.
• Previous nomination: Must not have been previously nominated for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship.
• Selection criteria: Nominees must demonstrate excellence or the potential for excellence as leaders, scholars, and engaged citizens .
• Citizenship: Citizenship status is not considered in the selection process. International students attending eligible schools may be nominated .

Not considered in selection :

• Prior interest in UVA
• Financial need
• Citizenship status
• SAT/ACT scores
• Anything except for demonstrated potential for excellence as a leader, scholar, and citizen

Application Procedure

1. Understand the nomination process – The Jefferson Scholarship is nomination-only. No one may apply directly. If you are a student or parent, contact your school counselor to express interest in being nominated .
2. School nomination – Eligible schools are asked to nominate a student in the senior class who best exemplifies excellence in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. Schools may nominate one student per scholarship program, or up to two if absolutely unable to distinguish .
3. Counselor materials – School officials must submit basic nominee information, scholastic information about the school, and supporting documents including one letter of recommendation, a transcript, and a school profile .
4. Nominee materials – Nominees must submit contact information, activities, awards, and two essays (a personal essay and a leadership essay) .
5. Submit by December 1 – All nomination materials for Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships must be submitted by school officials and nominees according to the regional deadline. All regions have a deadline of December 1 .
6. Regional review and interviews – Regional Selection Committees review transcripts, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations before extending invitations to one or more rounds of interviews. Panel interviews occur in January .
7. Final selection – Finalists participate in a final interview in late February. Recipients selected from this stage then have an opportunity to visit Charlottesville and explore the University of Virginia .
8. Accept the offer – All recipients must decide whether to accept the scholarship offer by mid-April .

Important notes: The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is separate from the Office of Undergraduate Admission and does not have access to the Common Application . Prior interest in the University of Virginia and financial need should not be factors in selecting a nominee . The Foundation strongly encourages, but does not require, all participating schools to nominate a candidate who is willing to complete the entire process and apply to UVA .

Official Website & Application Links

Jefferson Scholars Foundation – Undergraduate Scholarships

Selection Process: Jefferson Scholars Foundation – Selection Process

Contact: selection@jeffersonscholars.org

Phone: Available via the official website