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The Jefferson Scholarship

Leaders. Scholars. Citizens.

Jefferson Scholars are passionate about the roles they play in their communities and the world.  Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia is a place where producing leaders for a self-governing people has always been a primary goal.  This goal of nurturing future leaders is at the heart of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation’s mission: to attract to the University the most promising leaders, scholars, and citizens in the world and to give them sufficient financial support so that they are free to develop their talents and to use them for the good of the University community.

The undergraduate scholarship program began at the inception of Jefferson Scholars Foundation and has been attracting and cultivating undergraduate leaders since 1980.  The program currently supports 117 Jefferson Scholars in residence at the University of Virginia.

Intended to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at the University of Virginia, the Jefferson Scholars’ stipend includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board, and personal expenses.  In 2010-11, Jefferson Scholars from the Commonwealth of Virginia will receive $23,073 each year, and out-of-state or international Jefferson Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $46,019.

In addition to the financial component of the Scholarship is an extensive enrichment program which aims to support and nurture these students throughout their four years at U.Va.  Also an important part of the program is the community that develops between Scholars, Graduate Fellows, Staff, and Alumni.

Jefferson Scholars Class of 2014:

  • 27 individuals
  • from 13 states and three foreign countries (England, Scotland, and South Korea)
  • 100% rank in the top 10% of high school class
  • Average SAT Score: 2260
  • Perfect scores of 800 on at least one section of  SAT: 24
  • Perfect scores of 800 on SAT II Subject Tests: 9
  • Scores of 5 on AP exams: 75 (not including scores earned during senior year)
  • Varsity Athletes: 15
  • Varsity Sport Captains: 11
  • Conducting Independent Science Research : 5
  • Founder of a club or organization: 7
  • Involved in Theater/Music :  6
  • Other Significant Accomplishments:
    • Winner in the Tomorrow25 International Leadership Competition (sponsored by TIME magazine and Bentley University)
    • Winner of the nationwide Prudential Spirit of Community Award for his work founding a charity walk that has raised over $160,000 for celiac disease research in three years
    • Co-founder of the independent nonprofit, “100 Pounds of Hope,” which provides relief to impoverished Cambodians
    • Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award winner
    • Two individuals who served as class presidents for all four years at their high schools
    • Captain of the Scotland International Under-16 field hockey team
    • All-Ireland Irish dancing champion
    • Former governor of Girls State
    • Author of a Girls State bill that was subsequently introduced into the state legislature
    • First-place classification winner in the individual World Open Chess Championships
    • Student entrepreneur
    • State champion swimmer
    • National Capital Area “Cappie” recipient for Best Featured Actress in a Musical