Jefferson Scholarship
The Rotunda at the University
Awarded forMerit-based to high school seniors
Descriptionfull scholarship to attend the University of Virginia
Sponsored byJefferson Scholars Foundation
LocationCharlottesville, Virginia, USA
Post-nominalsJS
Established1981
Websitejeffersonscholars.org

The Jefferson Scholarship is a full-ride merit scholarship established in the United States. Named for benefactor and Founding Father of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, the scholarship provides four years of fully-funded study at the University of Virginia. It is considered amongst the most prestigious scholarships worldwide.

In addition to covering all tuition, personal expenses, room and board, the scholarship also provides finances for summer travel, independent research and study abroad. Application to the scholarship is by invite only, and around 30 scholars are selected annually from a direct pool of 6,000 nominating schools, each able to nominate one student. Scholars have included 23 Rhodes Scholars and Marshall Scholars, Olympians, Pulitzer Prize winners and others.

History of the Scholarship

Thomas Jefferson; benefactor of the University of Virginia

The first Jefferson Scholarship was endowed in 1981, named for benefactor of the University of Virginia, and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.[1] The program has grown since with the support of benefactors and endowments. As of 2023, the endowment size was $820.9m, supporting 139 scholars.[2] The scholarship exceeds $333,000 for out-of-state scholars.[3]

Selection criteria

The mission of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation is to identify, attract, and nurture "individuals of extraordinary intellectual range and depth who possess the highest concomitant qualities of: Leadership, Scholarship, and Citizenship".[4]

Scholars are nominated as the most accomplished student at their respective school, and then compete through a series of interview rounds from local to regional, national and the finals, which are held in Charlottesville, Virginia.[5][6] There are currently 70 nominating regions, with over 6,000 schools eligible to nominate a student, and a pool of students exceeding 800,000.[7] In 2020, over 2,100 high schools nominated students, and 34 selected, leaving the programme with a sub 2% admit rate from those nominated.[3][8]

Designation Number of candidates Ratio Percent
Graduating seniors at designated schools 840,000 (approx.) eligible to apply 1 in 1 100%
Jefferson Scholar Candidate 2100 (approx.) 1 in 400 0.25%
Jefferson Scholar 30 1 in 28000 0.00357%

Enrichment programmes

Institute for Leadership & Citizenship

The Leadership and Citizenship institute is a two week seminar for all Scholars, taking place at the end of their freshman year. It is held on the grounds of the University of Virginia, and consists of workshops, group discussions and personal exploration, and is designed to foster and develop the characteristics of leadership and citizenship in Scholars.[9]

Travel Studies

Following their sophomore year, Scholars are encouraged to partake in foreign travel and study, and invited to undertake a self-designed exploration into a topic of personal interest.[9]

Many Scholars also take the opportunity to study at one of the university's partners for a semester.[9]

Exploratory Fund

The Exploratory Fund, as an initiative of the Foundation, provides seed funding for projects and concepts Scholars have. Developed as a means to support the innovation of Scholars, the Foundation encourages Scholars to build projects that serve societal and cultural development. New commercial or philanthropic enterprises within or outside the University can also apply for funding consideration.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Times, B. Drummond Ayres Jr Special to The New York (1976-04-14). "U. of Virginia Pays Tribute to 'Mr. Jefferson'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  2. ↑ "JSF Annual Report" (PDF). Jeff Scholars.
  3. 1 2 "The Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships | Jefferson Scholars Foundation". www.jeffersonscholars.org. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  4. ↑ "Jefferson Scholars Foundation Awards Full Scholarships to 38 Outstanding Students Across the Globe". UVA Today. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  5. ↑ CHAMBERS, JESSE (2021-06-25). "MBHS senior wins prestigious scholarship to University of Virginia". villagelivingonline.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  6. ↑ Hunter, Steve (2021-05-14). "Kentlake senior Baeza Lakew wins prestigious Jefferson Scholarship". Kent Reporter. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  7. ↑ "The UVA Jefferson Scholarship: Nomination & Selection Process | AdmitSee". www.admitsee.com. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  8. ↑ "The Foundation has announced the Jefferson Scholars Class of 2020 | Jefferson Scholars Foundation". www.jeffersonscholars.org. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  9. 1 2 3 "Community & Enrichment | Jefferson Scholars Foundation". www.jeffersonscholars.org. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  10. ↑ "Fellow alumnus launches new startup with the help of JSF's Exploratory Fund | Jefferson Scholars Foundation". www.jeffersonscholars.org. Retrieved 2022-04-20.

11."Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for African 2023". www.uskill.com. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.

  1. "Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for African 2023". Uskill. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
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