# Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships

Full-cost-of-attendance merit scholarships to the University of Virginia for nominated high school seniors, with a pre-college Summit and up to $4,000 in enrichment funding. Nominee materials are due December 1.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Jefferson Scholars Foundation |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Not listed |
| Deadline | 2026-12-01 (verified 2026-07-27) |
| Eligibility | Grade 12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Charlottesville, VA |
| Apply | https://www.jeffersonscholars.org/scholarships/selection |

## About this program

# Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation awards the Jefferson Scholarship and the Walentas Scholarship to high school seniors nominated by their schools, based on leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. Both cover the full cost of attending the University of Virginia - tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses for eight semesters - and both carry the same enrichment benefits. The Walentas Scholarship, endowed by a $100 million gift in 2019, is reserved for first-generation students.

## What You'll Do

- Ask your school counselor about nomination; the nomination portal opens in August for eligible schools in more than 65 Jefferson regions and 20 Walentas regions
- Complete the student portion of the nomination, including a scholastic report, extracurricular activities, and two essays, by the December 1 deadline
- Interview with a Regional Selection Committee of UVA alumni between mid-December and January
- Compete as a finalist in late-February virtual interviews
- As a Scholar, attend a Summit at the Foundation the summer before first year and draw on up to $4,000 for internships, conferences, and travel abroad

## Who Should Apply

Seniors at a school inside a Jefferson or Walentas nominating region. Students cannot apply directly - schools nominate. Prior interest in UVA and financial need are explicitly not factors in selecting a nominee.

## Outcomes

Scholars attend UVA with full financial support for four years and join the Foundation's network of Scholars, Fellows, alumni, and volunteers, with continuing access to career development and enrichment programming.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the application deadline for Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships?

The application deadline is December 1, 2026 (deadline last verified July 27, 2026). Always confirm on the program's official site, as dates can shift between cycles.

### Who is eligible for Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships?

Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships is open to high school seniors. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships online or in person?

Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships is an in-person program based in Charlottesville, VA.

### How do I apply to Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships?

Apply directly through Jefferson Scholars Foundation's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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