The Jefferson Scholarship 2027 at the University of Virginia provides non-Virginian students with an award valued at more than $405,000 over four years, covering the full cost of attendance plus enrichment opportunities. Learn about eligibility, nomination, selection, benefits and how the scholarship works for international students.
The Jefferson Scholarship 2027 at the University of Virginia (UVA) is one of the university’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarship opportunities for exceptional students with strong academic records, leadership potential and a demonstrated capacity to make an impact beyond the classroom.
The scholarship is administered by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, which attracts outstanding undergraduate students to UVA through the Jefferson Scholars Program and the Walentas Scholars Program.
For students classified as non-Virginians, the award is valued at more than $83,000 per year and upwards of $405,000 over four years. The package is intended to cover the entire cost of attendance at the University of Virginia and also includes access to enrichment experiences.
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Jefferson Scholarship |
| University | University of Virginia |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Eligible group highlighted by Foundation | Non-Virginians and Virginians |
| Non-Virginian award | Over $83,000 per year |
| Total non-Virginian value | Upwards of $405,000 |
| Duration | Four years |
| Coverage | Entire cost of attendance |
| Additional benefits | Enrichment experiences |
| Selection | Nomination, regional review and final selection |
| Application route | Through the nomination and selection process |
What Is the Jefferson Scholarship?
The Jefferson Scholarship is an undergraduate award offered by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation at the University of Virginia.
The Foundation states that its goal is to develop leaders, scholars and citizens for the benefit of the University and the wider world. Jefferson Scholars therefore receive more than financial assistance: the program combines scholarship support with opportunities designed to expand students’ academic, professional and leadership experiences.
The Foundation’s scholarship package is designed to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at UVA, together with supplemental enrichment opportunities.
How Much Is the Jefferson Scholarship Worth?
The value of the award depends on whether a student is a Virginian or non-Virginian.
According to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation:
- Virginians: receive more than $42,000 per year, with a total value of upwards of $230,000.
- Non-Virginians: receive more than $83,000 per year, with a total value of upwards of $405,000.
The Foundation describes these figures as intended to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years.
For international applicants, the non-Virginian category is the relevant category based on the information supplied by the Foundation. However, the source does not separately state an international-student-specific eligibility rule on the scholarship page.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Jefferson Scholarship is designed to cover the entire cost of attendance at the University of Virginia for four years.
In addition to the financial package, Scholars receive opportunities through the Foundation’s enrichment program.
These experiences include:
International Travel
Scholars may have opportunities to participate in international travel designed to broaden their perspectives and exposure to different cultures and ideas.
Career Development and Networking
The program provides opportunities for career development and networking, helping Scholars build relationships and explore professional paths.
Institute for Leadership and Citizenship
Scholars can participate in programming focused on leadership development and citizenship.
Alumni Connections
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation provides access to its network of Scholars, Fellows, alumni and volunteers.
Exploratory Fund
Scholars have access to an exploratory fund intended to support opportunities that broaden their educational and personal experience.
Research Collaboration
Students may have opportunities to collaborate on research with Jefferson Fellows.
Speaker Series
The Foundation also provides access to speakers and intellectual programming as part of the Scholar experience.
Who Is the Jefferson Scholarship Designed For?
The scholarship is intended for outstanding undergraduate students entering the University of Virginia.
The Foundation emphasizes candidates who demonstrate an exceptional record and the potential for impact inside and outside the classroom.
Academic performance is therefore important, but the selection process looks beyond grades. Leadership, engagement, character and the capacity to contribute to communities are central to the broader purpose of the program.
How Does the Selection Process Work?
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation states that the selection process has three main components:
1. Nomination
Students are first nominated through the Foundation’s nomination process. The Foundation’s 2025–26 selection highlights show that 7,697 secondary schools were invited to nominate students across 85 regions, with 3,289 high school students nominated.
This makes the nomination stage an important part of the process.
2. Regional Review
Nominated candidates proceed through a regional review process in which their qualifications and potential are assessed.
3. Final Selection
Candidates who advance through the earlier stages are considered for final selection by the Foundation.
The scale of the process illustrates how competitive the scholarship is. During the 2025–26 selection cycle, the Foundation reported $14.5 million in undergraduate support.
Can International Students Receive the Jefferson Scholarship?
The source provided identifies the award for non-Virginians and does not provide a separate citizenship restriction on the scholarship overview page.
Therefore, the supplied information supports describing the award as available to non-Virginian students, but it does not provide enough detail to independently establish every admission or citizenship condition specifically for international applicants.
International students should therefore review the Foundation’s current nomination and selection information alongside UVA’s undergraduate admission requirements before relying on the scholarship as an available funding route.
How to Pursue the Jefferson Scholarship
The scholarship page indicates that the process is built around nomination rather than a conventional open scholarship application.
Students interested in competing should therefore focus on understanding the nomination process and ensuring that their secondary school is able to participate where applicable.
A strong candidate should be prepared to demonstrate:
Academic excellence: A strong record of achievement in secondary school.
Leadership potential: Evidence of taking initiative and positively influencing others.
Community involvement: Meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
Potential for impact: A track record suggesting the ability and motivation to contribute to the university and wider society.
Character: The Foundation’s broader mission emphasizes the development of scholars, leaders and citizens.
Why the Jefferson Scholarship Is Highly Competitive
The Jefferson Scholarship combines a substantial financial package with leadership and enrichment opportunities at one of the leading universities in the United States.
The Foundation’s reported numbers demonstrate the scale of competition. For the 2025–26 cycle, thousands of high school students were nominated from thousands of schools across dozens of regions.
Successful Scholars are therefore selected through a rigorous process rather than simply receiving an award based on academic grades alone.
What Makes the Jefferson Scholarship Different?
One of the most notable features is that it combines financial support with structured enrichment.
The Foundation does not present the scholarship simply as assistance with tuition. It aims to create a community of students who can develop as scholars, leaders and engaged citizens.
The combination of four-year financial support, leadership development, networking, research opportunities, international travel and alumni connections makes the program particularly significant for students seeking a comprehensive undergraduate experience.
Final Thoughts
The Jefferson Scholarship 2027 at the University of Virginia offers an exceptionally large undergraduate funding package. For non-Virginians, including students who may be classified outside Virginia for tuition purposes, the Foundation states that the award is worth more than $83,000 per year and upwards of $405,000 over four years.
The award is intended to cover the entire cost of attendance and includes additional enrichment opportunities such as international travel, career development, networking, leadership programming, research collaboration and access to the Jefferson Scholars community.
Selection is rigorous and consists of nomination, regional review and final selection. Students interested in the opportunity should pay close attention to the nomination process rather than assuming that it operates like a standard scholarship application.
Because the information supplied does not separately establish all citizenship or international-admission rules, prospective international students should consult the Jefferson Scholars Foundation and University of Virginia for the current requirements applicable to their circumstances.
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