The Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships at the University of Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Virginia (UVA) offers prestigious merit-based scholarships: the Jefferson Scholars Program and the Walentas Scholars Program. These scholarships aim to attract exceptional student leaders who demonstrate outstanding potential for contributing to the University and the world. Unlike need-based aid, these scholarships focus on recognizing and rewarding excellence in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.

Overview of the Jefferson Scholars Program

The Jefferson Scholars Program is a highly selective scholarship program that provides tuition-free schooling at the University of Virginia to outstanding undergraduate students. The scholarship covers the entire cost of attendance for four years, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, and personal expenses.

Key Attributes of Jefferson Scholars

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation seeks individuals who demonstrate superior potential for providing exceptional contributions to the University as students and to the world at large as alumni. The Foundation looks for excellence in:

Leadership ability
Scholarship ability
Responsible citizenship

Nomination and Selection Process

You cannot directly apply for the Jefferson Scholars Program. Instead, eligible high schools are invited to nominate a student in their senior class who exemplifies leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. Participating schools can nominate only one student per year, making the process highly selective.

Nomination: Express your interest to your school counselor, as they are responsible for nominating you. Remember, only one student from each school can be nominated, so reach out to your counselor as soon as possible.
Application Materials: If nominated, work closely with your counselor to complete all application materials. These materials typically include:
- The nominee's contact information, activities, and awards
- Two essays: a personal statement and a leadership essay
- Basic nominee information and scholastic information about your school submitted by counselors
- A letter of recommendation, transcript, and school profile submitted by counselors
University Application: Apply to UVA separately, as admission to the University is a prerequisite for receiving the scholarship.
Regional Selection Committees: Regional selection committees, comprised of UVA alumni, prior Jefferson Scholars, and other UVA-related individuals, review applications and conduct interviews.
Interviews: If selected, you will complete interviews with the regional committee members. Finalists participate in another round of interviews and are invited to visit the UVA campus.
Final Selection: The Jefferson Scholars are selected from a pool of nominated students who demonstrate excellence as leaders, scholars, and citizens.

The Jefferson Scholars selection process differs from the University of Virginia’s admissions process, so there is a different timeline.

Interview Preparation

Should you be extended an interview, the best thing you can do to prepare is to be yourself. The committee is interested in getting to know you as a leader, scholar, and engaged citizen. Regional interviews can take place either in-person or virtually. You will receive specific guidance on the format of your interview in advance. However, the final selection interview will be virtual.

The Walentas Scholars Program

The Walentas Scholars Program shares many similarities with the Jefferson Scholars Program, with a specific focus on first-generation college students.

Key Features of the Walentas Scholars Program

Walentas Scholars enjoy the same enrichment opportunities as the Jefferson Scholars. In addition, Walentas Scholars will participate in a Scholar Summit before their first year at UVA to ease the transition to college and begin community building. Walentas Scholars, like Jefferson Scholars, have access to a dedicated program director and the Foundation staff to support their journey through UVA.

Eligibility for the Walentas Scholarship

In addition to the general eligibility requirements for the Jefferson Scholars Program, Walentas Scholarship nominees must be the first or among the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. Specifically, nominees must be first-generation college-bound, defined as neither parent/primary guardian having earned a bachelor’s degree or the international equivalent by the start of a student’s final year of high school.

Nomination Regions

Currently, there are 19 regions eligible to nominate for the Walentas Scholarship. If your school is not in one of those regions, you cannot nominate for that process.

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General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to compete for either the Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship, 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 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, which could mean foregoing a binding application to another school. Prior interest in the University of Virginia and financial need should not be factors in selecting a nominee for either scholarship.

Please note that not every region is currently able to nominate for both scholarships. Your nomination portal will indicate the scholarship(s) for which you can nominate.

Nomination Process Details

No one may apply for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship. Eligible schools are asked to nominate a student in the senior class who best exemplifies excellence in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. Successful nominees demonstrate exceptional leadership talents, an understanding of the broader community around them, and uncommon academic abilities.

Nominations are completed by both school officials and students and include a scholastic report, extracurricular activities, and two essays. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is separate from the Office of Undergraduate Admission and does not have access to the Common Application. All nomination materials for Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships must be submitted by counselors and nominees according to the regional deadline. Most regions have a deadline of December 1. Schools in the International and Domestic At-Large regions have a separate deadline of November 15. Deadlines are communicated throughout the process.

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Selection Committee Review

Regional Selection Committees-comprised of alumni and friends of the University-review transcripts, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations of all nominees before determining who will participate in regional interviews. The Office of Undergraduate Admission conducts an additional review of Early applicants to the University of Virginia and recommends nominees for the Jefferson Scholarship. In late February, finalists in each competition participate in a final interview. Recipients selected from this stage then have an opportunity to visit Charlottesville and explore the University of Virginia.

Scholarship Coverage and Enrichment Opportunities

The scholarship covers tuition and room and board and also provides money for summer travel, independent research, and study abroad. The Foundation provides a broad spectrum of enrichment opportunities to Scholars. There is no typical academic path for Jefferson or Walentas Scholars at UVA.

Enrichment Programs

Leadership and Citizenship Institute: A two-week seminar for all Scholars, taking place at the end of their freshman year.
Exploratory Fund: An initiative of the Foundation that provides seed funding for Scholars' projects and concepts, encouraging Scholars to build projects that serve societal and cultural development.

Important Considerations for Potential Nominees

Citizenship: While the Jefferson Scholars Program primarily targets U.S. citizens, the program also welcomes international students. However, to be eligible, all students must gain admission to UVA.
Separate Processes: The selection processes for the Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships are separate from the University of Virginia’s admissions process and have a unique timeline. Accepting a school’s nomination simply indicates a willingness to move forward in the competition.

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