Jefferson Scholarship

The Jefferson Scholarship is an international merit scholarship established in the United States for students to study at the University of Virginia. It is named for the founder of the university and Founding Father of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Modelled much like the Rhodes Scholarship, the Jefferson Scholarship is a full four-year scholarship, covering tuition, books, room and board, as well as providing finances for personal spending and summer experiences. Each making the Scholarship one of the most generous scholarships in the nation. The Jefferson Scholarship is amongst the most prestigious merit scholarships in the United States.

Jefferson Scholarship
TypeNonprofit
Established1981 (1981)
EndowmentUSD $418.8m (2017)
DeanJimmy Wright
Students139
Location
Charlottesville
,
Virginia
,
United States
CampusUrban
Websitejeffersonscholars.org

History of the Scholarship

The first Jefferson Scholarship was endowed in 1981, named after the benefactor of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson.[1] The programme has grown since with the support of benefactors and endowments. As of 2017, the endowment size was $418.8m, supporting 139 scholars.[2] The scholarship exceeds $293,000 for 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":[4]

  • Leadership
  • Scholarship
  • Citizenship

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 4,500 schools eligible to nominate a student.[7] In 2020, over 2,100 students were nominated, and 34 selected, leaving the programme with a sub 2% admit rate; more selective than Harvard (4.9%) and Stanford (5.19%).[3][8][9][10]

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.[11]

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.[11]

Many Scholars also take the opportunity to study at one of the Scholarship's partners, and the University of Oxford, for a semester.[11]

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.[12]

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. "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. "Harvard College Accepts Record-Low 3.19% of Applicants to Class of 2026 | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
  10. "Stanford admit rate rises to 5.19%, 378 students defer enrollment". The Stanford Daily. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
  11. "Community & Enrichment | Jefferson Scholars Foundation". www.jeffersonscholars.org. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  12. "Fellow alumnus launches new startup with the help of JSF's Exploratory Fund | Jefferson Scholars Foundation". www.jeffersonscholars.org. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
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