Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships 2027: UVA Full-Ride Guide

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Full name	Jefferson Scholarship and Walentas Scholarship
Host university	University of Virginia
Level	Undergraduate
Coverage	Full cost of attendance for four years plus supplemental enrichment experiences
Estimated value	Over $42,000 per year for Virginians; over $83,000 per year for non-Virginians; total upwards of $230,000/$405,000
Application route	School nomination only; students cannot self-apply directly
Nomination portal	Opens in August 2026 for eligible schools
Materials deadline	December 1, 2026 for all regions
Official URL	https://www.jeffersonscholars.org/scholarships

The Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships are high-value undergraduate awards at the University of Virginia. The key update for the 2027 cycle is that official selection materials list a December 1, 2026 deadline for counselor and nominee materials.

What Does It Cover?

Benefit	Details
Cost of attendance	Intended to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at UVA
Enrichment	Supplemental enrichment experiences are included
Annual value	Over $42,000 per year for Virginians and over $83,000 per year for non-Virginians
Total value	Upwards of $230,000 for Virginians and $405,000 for non-Virginians
Network	Jefferson Scholars Foundation network of scholars, fellows, alumni, and volunteers
Experiences	International travel, leadership programming, research collaboration, speaker series, exploratory funding

Eligibility

✅ You Must:

• Be nominated by an eligible school; official selection guidance says no one may apply directly.

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.

• Complete nominee materials by the December 1, 2026 deadline.

• Coordinate with your school counselor because nomination credentials and portal access are school-based.

• Apply to the University of Virginia through the separate admissions process.

❌ Not Eligible If:

• You are trying to self-apply without a school nomination.

• Your school is not in an eligible nominating region and does not receive Foundation guidance.

• You miss the December 1 counselor and nominee materials deadline.

• You treat the scholarship as part of the Common Application; the Foundation states it is separate from UVA admissions and does not access the Common Application.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Talk to your counselor in August or September

Eligible schools use a nomination portal that opens in August. Students should contact school counselors to express interest in being nominated.

Step 2: Confirm school eligibility

Jefferson Scholars Foundation says eligible schools nominate students. If your school has never nominated before, school officials are told to contact the Foundation.

Step 3: Prepare nomination materials

Nomination materials include a scholastic report, extracurricular activities, and two essays. Your application should show leadership, citizenship, and scholarship in concrete examples.

Step 4: Submit by December 1

Official selection guidance states all regions have a December 1 deadline and all nomination materials must be submitted by counselors and nominees.

Step 5: Prepare for regional and final selection

Regional review and interviews run mid-December through January. Final virtual interviews occur in late February, with acceptance decisions by mid-April.

Jefferson/Walentas vs. Other Full-Ride Awards

Program	Host	Coverage	Deadline	Application route
Jefferson/Walentas	UVA	Full cost of attendance + enrichment	Dec 1, 2026	School nomination
Morehead-Cain	UNC	Fully funded + four summers	Oct 1, 2026	Nomination/direct pathway
Robertson Scholars	Duke/UNC	Tuition, room, board, fees	Oct 15 / Nov 15	Direct application
Gabelli Presidential	Boston College	Full tuition	Nov 1	Automatic with application

For other U.S. merit scholarships, read Morehead-Cain Scholarship and Robertson Scholars Program.

Insider Tips

1. Start with the counselor, not the portal

Students cannot apply directly. Your first move is to ask whether your school is eligible and whether it plans to nominate.

2. Know the difference between Jefferson and Walentas

Both are UVA undergraduate scholarships. Official selection guidance notes that Walentas nominees must also be first or among the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.

3. Do not rely on UVA admissions alone

The Foundation is separate from UVA admissions and does not have access to the Common Application.

4. Make citizenship visible through evidence

Selection language emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and scholarship. Use specific service or community examples, not broad claims.

5. Prepare for region-specific communication

Deadlines are December 1 for all regions, but the Foundation says deadlines and details are communicated to nominators and nominees by email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jefferson Scholarship fully funded?

Official Foundation materials say the award is intended to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at UVA, plus supplemental enrichment experiences.

What is the Jefferson Scholars deadline for 2027?

Counselor and nominee materials for the Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships are due December 1, 2026 for all regions.

Can I apply directly?

No. Official selection guidance states that no one may apply for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship; eligible schools nominate students.

What is the Walentas Scholarship?

It is a UVA undergraduate scholarship alongside the Jefferson Scholarship. Official guidance says Walentas nominees must also be first or among the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Do I still need to apply to UVA?

Yes. The scholarship process is separate from UVA admissions, so students must handle UVA admission separately.

Timeline Table

Date	Action
August 2026	Nomination portal opens for eligible schools
September-November 2026	School nomination and nominee materials
December 1, 2026	Counselor and nominee materials due for all regions
Mid-Dec 2026-Jan 2027	Regional review and interviews
Late February 2027	Final virtual interviews
Mid-April 2027	Recipients decide whether to accept

Your Action Plan

1. Ask your counselor about Jefferson/Walentas nomination eligibility.

2. Confirm whether your school has nomination portal access.

3. Prepare leadership, citizenship, and scholarship examples.

4. Finish the scholastic report, activities, and two essays before December 1.

5. Track UVA admissions deadlines separately.

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