Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to UVA Merit Scholarships
The University of Virginia (UVA) offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to attract and support talented students. These scholarships, funded by alumni, friends of the Law School, and general university funds, recognize academic achievements, personal accomplishments, and diverse experiences. This article provides a comprehensive overview of UVA's merit scholarship programs, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and specific scholarship opportunities.
Merit-Based Scholarships at UVA
UVA's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its robust merit scholarship offerings. These scholarships aim to recognize and reward students who have demonstrated outstanding potential and achievement in various areas.
General Information
Most scholarships are based on merit-defined broadly to include academic achievement as well as a range of other personal accomplishments and experiences-although a number of scholarships may also consider an applicant’s financial need.
Consideration for merit-based scholarships takes place during the admissions process once an applicant’s complete application has been submitted. All admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and no separate application is required. Scholarships range from $10,000 per year up to full tuition awards
In addition to merit-based awards, admitted students who would like the Scholarship Committee to consider their financial need must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Parental financial information is required on the CSS Profile for unmarried students who are 28 or younger at the time the application is submitted. Even if your parent(s) will not be contributing financially to your law school education, parental financial information is required on the CSS Profile.
Read also: Applying for Merit Scholarships
Law School Scholarships
The UVA Law School provides scholarships through the generosity of alumni and friends, as well as from general funds allocated by the Law School. Most scholarships are merit-based, considering academic achievement and a range of other personal accomplishments and experiences. Some scholarships may also consider an applicant's financial need.
Application Process
Consideration for merit-based scholarships occurs during the admissions process once a complete application has been submitted. All admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and no separate application is required. Scholarships range from $10,000 per year up to full tuition awards.
Need-Based Aid
Admitted students who want the Scholarship Committee to consider their financial need must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Parental financial information is required on the CSS Profile for unmarried students who are 28 or younger when the application is submitted, even if the parents will not be contributing financially to the law school education.
Scholarship Renewal
Scholarships awarded to entering students are automatically renewed for the second and third years of law school, provided the recipients remain in good academic standing and maintain a standard of behavior characteristic of prospective members of the legal profession.
Dual Degrees
Scholarships awarded to law students pursuing dual degrees are subject to adjustment in accordance with the policies and agreements governing dual-degree programs. School of Law scholarships are only applicable during semesters that the School of Law is the student's school of record and are not portable to semesters in which the combination-degree is the student's school of record (e.g., Darden, Medicine, Batten).
Read also: Learn about UPenn Merit Scholarships
College at Wise Financial Aid
The College at Wise offers competitive financial aid to students with demonstrated financial need, making college more affordable.
How to Apply
- Apply to the College at Wise: Submit your application.
- File the FAFSA: Ensure that your parents’ and your tax returns are filed as soon as possible to complete the FAFSA. Request a copy to be sent to UVA Wise (school code 003747).
- Receive Your Financial Aid Offer: Once accepted, you will receive a financial aid offer letter detailing the forms of financial assistance offered.
Significant tuition discounts are offered to students who live within the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) territory.
School of Education and Human Development Scholarships
The School of Education and Human Development offers various fellowship, scholarship, and award opportunities to students across all degree levels.
Dean's Scholarship Program
This prestigious scholarship award is designed primarily for master’s students and is applied directly to the cost of tuition. All applicants will be considered for merit aid, with no separate application to complete. Award offers will be made during the admission process. Funding is competitive and limited, and students are encouraged to submit their admission application by the early notification deadline to maximize their eligibility.
Additional Funding Opportunities
The School of Education and Human Development offers various financial awards to master’s and doctoral students, recognizing the broad range of talents students represent. Some awards are offered during the admission process, and others are granted directly by academic departments after matriculation. These awards include scholarships, assistantships, endowed and special funds, and vary in amount and renewability.
Read also: Guide to Northeastern Scholarships
Examples of funding opportunities include:
- Foundation Scholarships and Awards
- Teacher Education Funding Opportunities
- Robert Noyce Scholarship for M.T. in Science Education Students
- Virginia Education Science Training (VEST) Fellowships
- UVA Presidential and Provost's Fellowships
- Community Public Service Fellowship
- Graduate Research Assistantship for Ph.D. in Higher Education Students
Funding for Ph.D. Students
Departmental fellowships and assistantships are provided to a select number of applicants each year. A typical funding package includes funding for nine months in a combination of wages and stipends, tuition and all mandatory fees, and funds to cover student health insurance costs. The University also offers a limited number of competitive fellowships for which students enrolled in Ph.D.
Prestigious Merit-Based Scholarships
UVA offers several prestigious and highly competitive merit-based scholarships, including the Jefferson Scholarship and the Walentas Scholarship.
Jefferson Scholarship
The University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship is a merit-based UVA scholarship awarded to exceptional undergraduate UVA students by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, which seeks the most talented students in the world.
Nomination Process
Aspiring Jefferson Scholars must be nominated by a participating school located in one of the over 65 nominating regions. Participating schools can only nominate one student per year for the Jefferson Scholarship. You cannot directly apply to become a Jefferson Scholar without first being nominated.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Jefferson Scholarship, your school must select you for nomination. Confirm your school’s participation by contacting your school counselor.
Scholarship Coverage
Both the University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship and Walentas Scholarship cover the full cost of attendance at UVA for four years. The value of these UVA scholarships amounts to about $72,000 per year for each out-of-state Jefferson Scholarship winner. In addition to covering the full cost of attendance, Jefferson Scholars and Walentas Scholars are given funds for supplemental enrichment experiences, including a foreign travel/study experience between the second and third year of school, provided by the University’s International Studies Office.
Selection Process
Thousands of students from all around the world are nominated every year to become Jefferson Scholars. They pass through multiple selection rounds that include writing several Jefferson Scholarship essays. For the entering class of 2023, approximately 2,600 students were nominated by their high schools.
The process includes regional selection committees comprised of UVA alumni, prior Jefferson Scholarship winners, and other university-selected individuals. Based on this review, the committee will select nominees for one or more rounds of interviews. Finally, the Foundation asks finalists from the regional selection round to participate in another round of Jefferson Scholarship interview questions. Those selected in this round are invited to visit the UVA campus in Charlottesville.
Application Materials
Counselors and nominees for the University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship and Walentas Scholarship must submit a completed Jefferson Scholarship nomination form, including responses to the Jefferson Scholarship essays, by December 1. Schools in the At-Large region have a separate deadline of November 15.
To present the strongest possible application for these UVA scholarships, you should begin preparing your Jefferson Scholarship nomination application early. The application window opens in August. Ask your counselor to work with you to develop a plan for gathering the materials you will need to become a Jefferson Scholar. These will include your academic transcript, a list of extracurricular activities, Jefferson Scholarship essays, and letters of recommendation.
Alumni Community
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation has an alumni community of about 700 Scholars. Jefferson Scholars live and work all over the world in different professions. Once they’ve graduated from UVA, Jefferson Scholars continue to perform as outstanding and impactful leaders in their fields.
Walentas Scholarship
The Walentas Scholarship is a UVA scholarship that provides a full four-year scholarship to students who are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility
Similar to the Jefferson Scholarship, you cannot apply directly to the Walentas Scholarship. You must also be a first-generation college student, meaning that your parents or guardians didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. However, this does not apply to your siblings. The Walentas Scholarship also has geographic eligibility requirements. To qualify, you must be a high school senior from one of the 15 designated nominating regions. Please note that you can only apply to one of these UVA scholarship programs.
Generally, approximately 12-15 undergraduate Walentas Scholarships will be awarded to first-generation college students in each entering class. However, this past year, there were 17 due to a record number of nominations. Nominees must be first-generation college students from Virginia or from the five boroughs of New York City, Rochester, New York, Baltimore, Maryland, or St.
Selection Process
The process is similar to the Jefferson Scholarship. Therefore, we can assume it will include essays like the Jefferson Scholarship essays and interviews that include questions similar to the Jefferson Scholarship interview questions.
Key Steps to Applying for Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships
- Notify Your School Counselor: Express your interest in the Jefferson Scholarship or the Walentas Scholarship to your school counselor.
- Gather Application Materials: Work with your school counselor to gather and submit your application materials.
- Apply to UVA Separately: Note that the Jefferson Scholarship nomination is a separate process from applying to UVA through the Common Application. You will still need to apply to UVA separately.
Citizenship
Jefferson Scholars and Walentas Scholars do not have to be US citizens.
Enrichment Program
The Foundation is developing a comprehensive enrichment program designed to ensure Scholars make the most of the opportunity.
Ridley Scholarship Program
The Ridley Scholarship Program offers scholarships for Black students across their UVA career. Most Ridley Scholarships are for incoming first-year students, but selected awards are reserved for upper-class students who distinguish themselves as exceptional at the University. Selected Ridley Scholars demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership activities, and community service.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are reviewed holistically based on the following criteria:
- Academics
- Leadership activities
- Community service
Finalists selected from eligible applications will be invited to participate in the Ridley Scholarship Selection Weekend, which features tours, special programming, and in-person interviews with the Ridley Scholarship Committee.
Ridley Flagship Scholarship
The Ridley Flagship Scholarship is the original scholarship endowed by black alumni of UVA. Over the past 30 years, it has grown from a small book scholarship to a full tuition-and-fees award for incoming first-year students.
Other Ridley Scholarships
- The Buford Scott Scholarship: Named in honor of business and philanthropic leader S. Buford Scott and Scott & Stringfellow. It is for an incoming student who resides in Virginia and has the same selection criteria as the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship.
- The Savage Fields Scholarship: Established by Professor Barbara D. Savage to honor her parents. It is for an incoming student and uses the same selection criteria as the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship. Preference will be given to scholars that demonstrate need.
- The Meikel Andrade Memorial Fund Scholarship: Established in 1998 to honor the late Meikel Andrade.
- The Gregory Raven Batipps Scholarship: A one-time, $5000 award to a second or third year student in honor of Gregory Raven Batipps.
- The Teresa Bryce Bazemore Scholarship: Established in honor of her mother, a former high school science teacher.
- The Jerome Holland-Jack Blackburn Scholarship: Endowed by Anthony Pilaro and named to honor Jerome Holland and Jack Blackburn. It has a track record of recruiting some of the best Black students in the nation to UVA.
- The Ridley Reid Scholarship: Endowed by Dr. Kenneth Reid. It uses the same selection criteria as the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship.
- The Ridley Club of Richmond, Virginia Scholarship: Sponsored by the Ridley Club of Richmond, Virginia, it provides a full tuition-and-fees award for an exceptional Black student from the Richmond, Virginia area.
- The Michael Russell Scholarship: Established by School of Engineering and Applied Science alum Michael Russell for Black students pursuing a degree in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at UVA.
- The Glynn D. Key Memorial Scholarship Fund: Provides out-of-state students with opportunities to fulfill their dreams of attending the University of Virginia.
- The Gregory Ledford Endowed Scholarship: Established by McIntire School of Commerce graduate Gregory Ledford to benefit a rising third year Black Commerce School student.
- The Sylvia V. Terry Scholarship: Named for legendary OAAA Dean Sylvia Terry, the Terry Scholarship recognizes the scholastic and community achievements of Black students at UVA.
- The Dr. Derek E. Brown Award: Created by Dr. Brown’s family to remember his dream of helping qualified Black male students defray the high cost of applying to medical or dental school.
- The Sophia Paige Scholarship: Designed to help pre-med students defray the high cost of applying to medical school.
- The Annetta Thompson Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving 4th-year Ridley scholar who exemplifies Annetta Thompson’s commitment to education.
- The Keller Study Abroad Scholarship: Supports the global learning and exchange of ideas that lead to a more engaging and meaningful education for Black students at UVA.
Support Beyond Scholarships
Ridley offers more than just scholarship money to its students. Students meet with board members regularly and receive academic and internship support.
General Strategies for Securing Merit Scholarships
Securing merit scholarships requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some key strategies to maximize your chances of success:
- Research Scholarships: Identify scholarships for college and merit-based scholarships that you are eligible for. Search online databases like Fastweb or Scholarship America.
- Meet Academic Requirements: Research and ensure you meet all of the merit scholarship’s academic requirements. Compare your GPA and your test scores to the thresholds available in the application.
- Craft Compelling Essays: Give yourself time to write and edit any required Jefferson Scholarship essays.
- Maximize GPA and Test Scores: Work to maximize your GPA and test scores before applying.
- Develop a Plan: Create a plan that will help you to shine during the application process. What classes will you take to demonstrate your outstanding academic ability? Which projects or activities will you pursue that align with your genuine interests, and that will allow you leadership opportunities?
- Seek Guidance: Your school counselor, teachers, college advisors, and other mentors can provide important support and guidance for you. Let them know early what your interests and goals are and ask if they have the time and resources to help you.
- Start Early: Demonstrating academic and leadership abilities takes time. Impactful results take time. Organizing materials and writing powerful Jefferson Scholarship essays takes time. Therefore, your goal of becoming a successful scholarship applicant, especially for highly selective merit scholarships like the Jefferson Scholarship or Walentas Scholarship, will take time.
- Be Flexible: Your first plan does not need to be set in stone. You will learn things along the way that you don’t know at the beginning, so allow for some flexibility.
Additional Resources
Students and parents regularly inquire about University and non-University scholarship opportunities. Here are some resources to explore:
- Going Merry
- The Big Future search engine at the CollegeBoard
- Tuition Funding Sources
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