The Jefferson Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Jefferson Scholarship Board is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the academic year 2022-2023.

The Jefferson Scholarship is a merit-based award that pays for the full cost of tuition for a high school senior with exceptional leadership, academic performance, and commitment to public service.

The Jefferson Scholarship pays for a student’s entire education at the University of Virginia, including tuition, room and board, books, and other fees. It also pays for the cost of books.

Scholars also get a stipend to help pay for school costs and an allowance to pay for personal costs.

Scholars also have access to a wide range of special programs and events that help them improve and grow in their studies.

If you are considering applying for the scholarship and would like further information on whether or not you qualify, the application procedure, and what it takes to be a competitive candidate, continue reading this article.

What is the Jefferson Scholarship?

Building leaders for people who can govern themselves is at the heart of what they do.

Since 1980, the Jefferson Scholarship Program has helped first-year students at the University of Virginia do well in school by giving them the money they need to follow their interests and improve their skills for the good of the university and society as a whole.

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation wants to help the University of Virginia reach its goals by finding, attracting, and developing people with the best leadership, scholarship, and citizenship skills and intellectual breadth and depth.

Students who don’t go to a school that nominates candidates for the Jefferson Scholarship but still want to be considered for a nomination must apply through the Early Action admissions process at the University of Virginia.

Because of the many students who entered the Admissions At-Large competition, the only ones who will be informed of their status are those who received a nomination.

Eligibility

Students entering their first year at the University of Virginia are eligible to apply for the Jefferson Scholarship, a need-based scholarship.

Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide evidence that they are in need of financial assistance to be considered for the scholarship (FAFSA).

In addition, students must have a high school grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 and place in the top 5% of their graduating class to be eligible for admission.

The application process

The Jefferson Scholarship is a prestigious national prize presented to exceptional high school seniors who have distinguished themselves in the areas of leadership, academic achievement, and dedication to community service.

If you would like to submit an application for the Jefferson Scholarship, please follow the steps:

Make sure you meet all of the requirements to be eligible.

You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the Jefferson Scholarship:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
You must be a senior in high school or a freshman, sophomore, or junior in college.
Have a solid track record of success in your academic endeavours.
Put on a show of leadership and become involved in the community.
Exhibit financial need

Get recommendation letters.

To submit a comprehensive application, you will require two letters of recommendation written by people familiar with your personality and your professional skills.

Your referees need to use the online application management system to upload their letters of recommendation in electronic format.

Finish the application process by filling out the online form.

During the application process for the Jefferson Scholarship, you will be asked to supply personal information, educational history, and extracurricular activities, as well as an essay.

You will also be required to hand in your academic transcripts and your test scores (if available).

Ensure that your materials are turned in before the given timeframe.

The deadline to submit an application for the Jefferson Scholarship is normally in the middle of January of each year.

If you want to be considered for the scholarship, you must submit all your materials online before the deadline, which is at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Click on this link to get started.

Scholarship Worth

The Jefferson Scholarship and the Walentas Scholarship are intended to cover the full cost of attendance at the University of Virginia for four years and extra enrichment programs.

The total amount of the Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship is greater than:

$333,000 for non-Virginian students

$177,000 for Virginian students

The stipend in 2022–2023 will exceed the following:

$72,000 for non-Virginian students

$36,000 for Virginian students

The stipend covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, accommodation and board, and personal expenditures.

Selection Criteria for the Jefferson Scholarship

The selection process for the Jefferson Scholarship takes into consideration the student’s academic performance as well as their commitment to extracurricular activities and community service.

Each applicant must send in a full application package, which includes a curriculum vitae (CV), essays, and letters of recommendation.

The applications are then looked over by a group of students, teachers, and staff. This group decides who the finalists are.

The finalists in the competition are interviewed by the scholarship committee and the Board of Trustees of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for making the ultimate determinations regarding who will be awarded the scholarships.

Application Documents needed

School Activities
Work Experience
Volunteer Experience
Two Letters of Recommendation
Transcript Release

Jefferson Scholarship: Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications for the academic year 2022–2023 has passed. Notification will be provided to the winners by June 15th.

The filing of applications will begin on February 15, 2023, for the academic year 2023-2024.

Jefferson Scholarship: FAQ

Q: How do I receive my scholarship funds?

A: The scholarship grant is made in one lump sum to the winner and the school he or she attends. The scholarship will be paid during your first semester of college.

To receive the first installment, the beneficiary must be enrolled in a college, trade, vocational, or technical school on a full-time basis.

Q: What if I can’t use my scholarship right away after graduating from high school?

A: You have three years from the date of your high school graduation to commence your post-secondary studies and spend the scholarship you have been awarded.

If you have a good reason to delay your post-secondary education (military duty, religious mission, etc. ), you MUST submit a request for a 2-3 year scholarship deferral explaining what you will be doing and why you need the delay.

Q: What’s the scholarship’s value?

A: The four-year scholarship is $30,000.

Q: What can I use my scholarship for

A: Your scholarship will be paid to the college or university where you are enrolled. Your funds will be applied to any outstanding fees owed to the institution.

If there are no outstanding fees, you can use your scholarship to pay for housing and board, books, or any other financial obligation you incur while pursuing a post-secondary degree or certificate.

At this point, it’s up to you. The time has come. It’s time for you to start your journey and make your dreams a reality.

Now that you know all there is about what the scholarship entails, it’s time for you, through hard work and dedication, to give yourself every chance possible to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Good luck!

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