University of Virginia Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Virginia aid & Grants
Last Updated on March 31, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~19%
- Middle 50% ACT: 33
- Middle 50% SAT: 1470
- Average GPA: 4.2
- Below the typical ranges: UVA is a high reach. Focus on building a balanced list with true safeties that offer guaranteed merit—this is not the place to rely on affordability.
- In the typical ranges: Still a reach for most students. Strong essays, leadership, and course rigor matter just as much as stats. Apply early and make sure the rest of your list includes financial fits.
- Well above the ranges: Even top students are not guaranteed admission or scholarships. Treat UVA as a prestige play, not a financial one—compare it carefully against schools offering automatic or predictable merit.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Virginia at a Glance
- There are no automatic merit scholarships—all major awards (like Jefferson) are highly competitive and require nomination.
- SAT/ACT scores are required again, which can impact both admission chances and competitiveness for top scholarships.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — University of Virginia is test-required.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 33; SAT: 1470.
Average net price? About $17,931/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in none.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Virginia 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $21,803 | $59,512 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $14,800 | $14,800 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $36,603 | $74,312 |
Average Federal Net Price: $17,931 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📄 Important: UVA requires both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA for institutional aid consideration. UVA’s AccessUVA program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.
New to the CSS Profile? Check our Plain-English CSS Profile Guide for step-by-step help.
🌎 Residency & Waivers
UVA does not participate in regional reciprocity programs (WUE, MSEP, or NEBHE). Only verified Virginia residents receive in-state tuition. Out-of-state students pay the standard rate shown above.
Sources: UVA Student Financial Services — Cost of Attendance (2024–25); Niche; College Scorecard/IPEDS.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | UVA does not publish any automatic merit awards. |
Note: Because UVA does not provide GPA- or test score–based automatic scholarships, all merit aid is determined through competitive programs (see next section).
FAQ
Do I need to apply separately for automatic scholarships at UVA?
No. UVA does not offer automatic scholarships tied to GPA/test bands. All merit awards require a separate process.
Are test scores considered for UVA aid?
Test scores are part of competitive scholarship review but not for any automatic merit awards, since UVA does not offer auto-merit.
Can automatic merit be stacked with need-based aid?
Not applicable here, since UVA’s awards are competitive or need-based. Students may receive need-based grants, but merit is not guaranteed.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room & board, enrichment | Any admitted applicant; must be nominated by high school | Yes — school nomination, essays, interviews | Yes — strong academics/service | ~4.0 GPA, SAT 1480–1570 / ACT 33–36 (superscore), extensive leadership, service, and interview success | Nov 15 (nomination) |
| Walentas Scholarship | Full cost of attendance | First-generation college students; strong academic & leadership profile | Yes — apply via Jefferson Scholars Foundation | Yes — remain in good standing | First-gen with ~3.9–4.0 GPA; ACT 30–34 / SAT 1380–1500; consistent leadership and service | Nov 15 (nomination) |
Note: The GPA and test band data are based on profiles from the Jefferson Scholars Foundation and published applicant data. Actual selection is holistic and varies yearly.
FAQ
What makes these scholarships competitive?
Nomination, essays, recommendations, portfolios, and multi-stage interviews—plus national/state leadership and top academics—ensure each selected winner truly stands out.
Does UVA accept superscores for these?
Yes—both ACT and SAT are reviewed with highest section scores for these awards.
How many are awarded?
About 30 Jefferson and 10 Walentas full-ride awards per year, from over 4,000+ national nominees.
Can these awards be stacked with other aid?
No—they replace need-based aid; total award matches cost of attendance.
🎖️ Honors College / Programs
UVA doesn’t have a central “Honors College.” Instead, it invites a select group into high-engagement school-based programs—most notably Echols Scholars (Arts & Sciences) and Rodman Scholars (Engineering). These offer robust academic and career advantages, but do not provide automatic extra scholarships.
What a Typical UVA Honors Student Looks Like
- GPA: ~3.9–4.0 (rigorous coursework is key)*
- Testing (if submitted): ACT ~32–35 / SAT ~1450–1550* (superscore accepted)
- Coursework: Major depth in AP/IB or dual enrollment; intellectual engagement
- Signalers: Notable leadership, research/competition, or creative achievements
*Estimate based on past years; no fixed published cutoff.
Perks that matter day-to-day
- Priority registration and seminar courses
- Dedicated advisors and personal mentorship
- Honors/LLC housing with peer cohort
- Early access to research, faculty networks, and fellowships
Programs at a Glance
| Program | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echols Scholars (Arts & Sciences) | No direct $; academic perks only | Top Arts & Sciences admits; automatic review | No (invite only; no separate app) | Yes (stay in good standing) | ~Top 5% of A&S admits; GPA 3.9+, ACT 32+ / SAT 1450+, excellence beyond grades | Jan 1 (apply to UVA) |
| Rodman Scholars (Engineering) | No direct $; academic perks only | Top Engineering admits; automatic review | No (invite only) | Yes (if active in program) | ~Top 5% of Engineering admits; GPA 3.9+, ACT Math 32+ / SAT Math 720+, research/creativity record | Jan 1 (apply to UVA) |
Note: These are academic perks programs only—there’s no financial award tied directly to Honors, but access to research funding, study abroad, and special advising is strong.
FAQ
Is admission automatic if I’m a top applicant?
No, it’s competitive within each school and varies year by year.
Will Honors delay graduation?
No. All program credits count toward your degree; Honors is integrated, not an add-on.
Are there specific scholarships only for Honors?
No—these programs don’t come with direct scholarships, but often boost chances for major research, travel, or thesis awards down the road.
Do they accept superscores?
Yes—your highest section results count both for regular and Honors review.
⭐ College Specialty
Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA has long branded itself as a “Public Ivy” — a public university with Ivy-level academics and prestige. Today it stands as a top-tier R1 Research University, known nationally for business, law, education, and public policy, while keeping strong roots in the liberal arts tradition.
McIntire School of Commerce — Ranked among the top 5 undergraduate business schools nationally (Poets&Quants, 2023)
Why it matters: McIntire grads land jobs with Big Four firms, Wall Street banks, and tech leaders. Its integrated core and alumni pipeline make it UVA’s most sought-after degree outside of Law.
- School of Law — Consistently ranked Top 5 nationally (U.S. News, 2024); renowned for producing judges, clerks, and policymakers.
- Curry School of Education — Ranked Top 10 nationally in Special Education and Curriculum & Instruction (U.S. News, 2024).
- Darden School of Business — A Top 10 MBA program (U.S. News, 2024), famous for its case-method teaching and global focus.
- Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy — Strong in public affairs, placing grads in think tanks, nonprofits, and federal agencies.
- Engineering & Applied Science — Recognized for biomedical and civil engineering research, with close ties to Mid-Atlantic industry and federal labs.
📎 Official Links
- University of Virginia Homepage
- UVA Echols Scholars Program (Arts & Sciences Honors)
- UVA Scholarships & Financial Aid (Student Financial Services)