University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship 2027, USA

The University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded undergraduate award at the University of Virginia in the USA, run by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. It covers full tuition, room and board, books and other educational costs for eight full-time semesters.

It is open to outstanding students worldwide, including international students, who show leadership, scholarship and citizenship. Schools nominate candidates, so there is no direct application. The deadline is 1 December 2026. Read on for eligibility, benefits and how to apply.

The Jefferson Scholarship is intended to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at the University of Virginia.

The scholarship includes:

• Full tuition.
• Room and board.
• Books.
• Miscellaneous educational expenses.
• Financial support based on full-time enrollment for eight semesters.
• International travel opportunities.
• Career development and networking.
• Leadership development through the Institute for Leadership and Citizenship.
• Alumni connections.
• Exploratory funding opportunities.
• Research collaboration with Jefferson Fellows.
• Speaker series and other enrichment activities.

For the 2026–27 award information currently published by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, the scholarship is valued at more than $42,000 per year for Virginia residents and more than $83,000 per year for non-Virginians. The Foundation estimates the total value at upwards of $230,000 for Virginians and $405,000 for non-Virginians over four years.

The Foundation's FAQ confirms that the scholarship covers tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses for eight semesters of full-time enrollment at UVA.

The Jefferson Scholarship is available for undergraduate study at the University of Virginia.

The scholarship provides financial support for up to four years, or eight semesters, of full-time undergraduate enrollment at UVA.

Students may pursue their academic interests across the university. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation does not require Scholars to follow a particular academic field and encourages students to pursue their academic passions.

The Jefferson Scholarship is not restricted to a particular academic discipline.

Scholars can pursue their academic interests at the University of Virginia, with possible fields including:

Arts, Humanities and Languages

• African American and African Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Art History
• Studio Art
• Classics
• English
• French
• German
• German Studies
• Italian
• Japanese Language and Literature
• Chinese Language and Literature
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Religious Studies
• History
• Linguistics
• Medieval Studies
• Music
• Philosophy
• Spanish
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• South Asian Studies
• Women, Gender and Sexuality

Social Sciences and Public Affairs

• Economics
• Government
• Foreign Affairs
• Global Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Political and Social Thought
• Political Philosophy, Policy and Law
• Public Policy and Leadership
• Media Studies
• Cognitive Science
• Youth and Social Innovation
• Global Development Studies
• Security and Justice
• Public Health-related interdisciplinary study

Business and Commerce

• Commerce
• Business-related undergraduate study
• Economics
• Global Culture and Commerce
• Entrepreneurship-related study

Computer Science, Data and Technology

• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Statistics
• Computer Engineering
• Science, Technology and Society
• Science and Technology Policy
• Technology-related interdisciplinary programs

Engineering

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Engineering Science

Natural and Physical Sciences

• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Astronomy
• Astronomy-Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Sciences
• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Human Biology
• Neuroscience

Health and Medicine-Related Fields

• Nursing
• Kinesiology
• Health Sciences Management
• Human Biology
• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Speech Communication Disorders
• Health, Ethics and Society
• Public-health-related programs

Architecture, Design and Planning

• Architecture
• Architectural History
• Urban and Environmental Planning
• Design-related study
• Landscape Architecture
• Historic Preservation

Education

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• English as a Second Language Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Kinesiology
• Speech Communication Disorders
• Youth and Social Innovation

Interdisciplinary Studies

UVA also offers interdisciplinary academic options, allowing students to combine interests across different fields. These include areas such as African-American and African Studies, American Studies, Cognitive Science, Environmental Thought and Practice, Global Studies, Human Biology, Linguistics, Media Studies, Political and Social Thought, Political Philosophy, Policy and Law, and Women, Gender and Sexuality.

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation states that there is no typical academic path for Jefferson Scholars and that the Foundation supports Scholars in pursuing their academic passions.

Applicants must, however, meet the admission requirements of the particular University of Virginia undergraduate program they choose.

The Jefferson Scholarship is open to students from around the world.

U.S. citizenship is not required. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation explicitly states that Jefferson Scholars do not have to be U.S. citizens and that the program has Scholars from around the globe.

International students must still apply to the University of Virginia and gain admission before they can receive the scholarship.

Students outside the United States should therefore consider two separate requirements:

• Eligibility for the Jefferson Scholarship competition.
• Admission to the University of Virginia.

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is separate from UVA's Office of Undergraduate Admission, and scholarship selection does not replace the university admission process.

The Jefferson Scholarship is intended for exceptional high school students who demonstrate excellence or exceptional potential in three principal areas:

• Leadership
• Scholarship
• Engaged citizenship

Applicants should demonstrate outstanding academic ability together with leadership potential and meaningful engagement with their wider community.

The Foundation's current selection information states that successful nominees demonstrate exceptional leadership talents, an understanding of the broader community around them, and uncommon academic abilities.

Important eligibility and selection considerations include:

• Be a student in the senior class of an eligible secondary school.
• Demonstrate exceptional academic ability.
• Demonstrate leadership potential.
• Demonstrate meaningful community engagement or engaged citizenship.
• Be nominated by an eligible school.
• Complete the required nomination materials.
• Apply to the University of Virginia.
• Ultimately gain admission to UVA.
• Meet UVA's undergraduate admission requirements.

The Foundation does not use financial need as a selection criterion for the Jefferson Scholarship. Prior interest in attending UVA is also not a factor in selecting scholarship nominees. International applicants can be considered for the Jefferson Scholarship even if they are not U.S. citizens, provided they meet the applicable nomination and university admission requirements.

Nomination Requirement

One of the most important features of the Jefferson Scholarship is that students cannot apply directly for the scholarship.

Eligible schools nominate students who they believe best exemplify excellence in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.

The Foundation states that no one may directly apply for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship. Eligible schools are asked to nominate a senior-class student who best demonstrates the required qualities.

Students interested in the Jefferson Scholarship should therefore speak with their school counselor or another appropriate school official and express their interest in being nominated.

The nomination materials include information about the student's academic background, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and essays.

Documents Submitted by the School Counselor

The school official/counselor is responsible for submitting:

• Basic nominee information, including name, email address and date of birth
• Scholastic information about the school
• One letter of recommendation
• Official academic transcript
• School profile

Documents and Information Submitted by the Nominee

The nominated student must provide:

• Contact information
• List of extracurricular activities
• List of awards and achievements
• Personal statement/essay
• Leadership essay

The Foundation describes the nomination form as being similar to the Common Application, but the Jefferson Scholars Foundation is separate from the University of Virginia's undergraduate admission process.

Additional Requirement: UVA Application

Being nominated for the Jefferson Scholarship does not replace the University of Virginia admission application. Nominees must apply separately to UVA and ultimately receive admission to the university to receive the scholarship.

Standardized Test Scores

For the current 2026–27 Jefferson Scholarship selection process, SAT, ACT, AP and IB scores are not considered in the scholarship selection process. UVA remains test-optional, but applicants should check the latest UVA undergraduate admission requirements for their intended entry year.

Important Note

Students cannot directly apply for the Jefferson Scholarship. An eligible secondary school must nominate the student, and both the school and nominee complete their respective portions of the nomination materials. The current deadline for counselor and nominee materials is December 1, 2026.

The Jefferson Scholarship selection process is separate from the University of Virginia undergraduate admission process.

The general process is:

• Determine whether your secondary school participates in the Jefferson Scholarship nomination process.
• Contact your school counselor and express your interest in being considered.
• Work with the school to complete the nomination process.
• Submit the required nominee information and materials.
• Participate in regional review and interviews if selected.
• Advance to the final selection process if chosen as a finalist.
• Apply separately to the University of Virginia.
• Gain admission to UVA.
• Accept the Jefferson Scholarship if selected and offered the award.

Nomination materials include academic information, extracurricular activities, and two essays from the nominee. Counselors also submit supporting information, including a recommendation, transcript, and school profile.

The Foundation emphasizes that its scholarship selection process is separate from UVA's Office of Undergraduate Admission. Being nominated for the scholarship does not itself constitute admission to UVA.

Important Dates

For the current 2026–27 selection cycle leading to undergraduate study at UVA, the Foundation lists:

• Nomination portal opens: August 2026
• Nominee and counselor materials deadline: December 1, 2026
• Regional review and interviews: Mid-December 2026 through January 2027
• Final selection interviews: Late February 2027
• Scholarship acceptance: By mid-April 2027

The Foundation notes that the scholarship selection timeline is separate from UVA's undergraduate admission timeline.

Applicants should confirm their school's specific nomination arrangements because the Foundation communicates deadlines and nomination details to participating schools and nominees.

Selection Criteria

The Jefferson Scholarship focuses on three central areas:

Leadership

Candidates should demonstrate leadership ability, initiative, and the potential to make a meaningful contribution in their communities and beyond.

Scholarship

Candidates should demonstrate exceptional academic ability and intellectual potential.

Engaged Citizenship

Candidates should show meaningful involvement with their community and an understanding of the broader society around them.

The Foundation describes the scholarship as being awarded on the basis of demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship.

Financial need and previous interest in attending UVA are not used as selection factors.

Selection Criteria

The Jefferson Scholarship focuses on three central areas:

Leadership

Candidates should demonstrate leadership ability, initiative, and the potential to make a meaningful contribution in their communities and beyond.

Scholarship

Candidates should demonstrate exceptional academic ability and intellectual potential.

Engaged Citizenship

Candidates should show meaningful involvement with their community and an understanding of the broader society around them.

The Foundation describes the scholarship as being awarded on the basis of demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship.

Financial need and previous interest in attending UVA are not used as selection factors.