Jefferson Scholarship 2027 | Full-Cost UVA Scholarship

The Jefferson Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded, four-year undergraduate award for study at the University of Virginia (UVA). It covers the full cost of attendance and adds funded enrichment opportunities. Students cannot apply directly: an eligible secondary school must nominate one senior, and all counselor and nominee materials are due December 1, 2026. The Foundation does not state a cutoff time or time zone.

Quick facts

Host: University of Virginia, United States
Level: Undergraduate / bachelor’s degree
Funding: Full cost of attendance for four years plus enrichment
Value: More than US$83,000 per year for non-Virginians; more than US$405,000 total
Deadline: December 1, 2026
Application route: School nomination only
Application fee: No separate scholarship fee stated

What does the Jefferson Scholarship cover?

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation says the award is intended to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at UVA. For students from outside Virginia—including international students—the published value is more than US$83,000 per year and more than US$405,000 in total.

The scholarship also funds enrichment beyond the normal degree costs. Opportunities may include international travel, career development and networking, leadership and citizenship programmes, alumni connections, research collaboration, an exploratory fund and a speaker series.

Who can be nominated?

The scholarship targets exceptional secondary-school seniors with strong records and potential in three areas: leadership, scholarship and citizenship. A student or parent should contact the school counselor to express interest.

There is no open self-application. Eligible schools nominate the senior who best represents these qualities. The Foundation says prior interest in UVA and financial need should not influence the school’s Jefferson Scholarship nomination.

International students may be considered where their school is within an eligible nominating region. Because regional participation varies, students should ask their counselor to check the Foundation’s school-eligibility search. A school that has never nominated before may contact the Foundation directly.

Documents and selection materials

The official process says the nomination is completed jointly by the school and student. The package includes:

A school nomination submitted by the counselor or authorized school official
A scholastic report or academic record
Details of extracurricular and community activities
Two essays from the nominee

The scholarship selection is separate from UVA undergraduate admission. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation does not have access to the Common Application, so nominees must also follow UVA’s admission process and submit any university-required documents separately.

How to apply for the Jefferson Scholarship 2027

Speak to your counselor early. Ask whether your school is eligible and whether its internal nomination process is open.
Secure the school nomination. Students cannot nominate themselves or apply independently.
Complete nominee materials. Prepare the requested academic, extracurricular and essay information in the Foundation portal.
Meet the December 1 deadline. Both counselor and nominee materials must be submitted by the regional deadline. The official page states that all regions use December 1.
Apply separately to UVA. Scholarship nomination does not replace the University of Virginia application.
Prepare for interviews. Regional review and interviews normally take place from mid-December through January. Final virtual interviews are held in late February.

Apply Now / Check Nomination

Important dates

August: Nomination portal opens for eligible schools
December 1, 2026: Counselor and nominee materials due
Mid-December to January: Regional review and interviews
Late February 2027: Final virtual interviews
Mid-April 2027: Scholarship acceptance decision

The Foundation has not published a deadline hour or time zone on the selection page. Applicants should follow any instructions in the nomination portal and submit early.

Is the Jefferson Scholarship open to international students?

The scholarship includes non-Virginian nominees and the Foundation operates international nominating regions. However, eligibility begins with the student’s school: only eligible schools can nominate. International students should therefore confirm their school’s participation with a counselor rather than assuming they can apply directly.

English tests and UVA admission

The Foundation’s scholarship pages do not list a separate English-language test requirement. Nominees must still satisfy UVA’s current undergraduate admission requirements. Check the university’s official international-applicant guidance for any English-proficiency, transcript, testing or financial-document requirements that apply to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply directly?

No. The Foundation explicitly states that no one may apply independently. An eligible secondary school must nominate the student.

Is it fully funded?

Yes. The published award is intended to cover the full cost of attendance for four years, with additional enrichment support.

Is financial need required?

No financial-need requirement is stated for Jefferson Scholarship nomination. The official selection guidance says financial need should not be a factor when a school chooses its nominee.