Merit-Based Scholarships

Richmond Scholars Program
Presidential Scholarships
National Merit
National Achievement and National Hispanic Recognition
Bonner Scholars Program
Davis United World College Scholars
Army ROTC
Music and Theatre/Dance

Richmond Scholars Program

One out of every 15 incoming first-year students at the University of Richmond will receive a full-tuition, merit-based scholarship.

Through the generous Richmond Scholars program, the University awards these scholarships to 50 members of every incoming class (each consisting of approximately 750 students). Recipients have demonstrated extraordinary academic achievement, exceptional personal qualities and potential for ongoing contributions to society.

All domestic and international first-year admission applicants are eligible for consideration.

Richmond Scholars Program Benefits

Full-tuition scholarship, renewable annually, valued at approximately $140,000 over four years
Eligibility for a one-time $3,000 grant to support a student-selected activity that enhances the academic experience
Priority course registration
Special faculty mentors to guide students and help them fulfill their potential
Complimentary tickets to selected cultural events in the Modlin Center for the Arts

Distinctive Designations within the Richmond Scholars Program

Some students are selected for the following distinctive scholar designations that exist within this program and may afford additional benefits:

Oldham Scholar
Up to seven Richmond Scholars will be designated as Oldham Scholars, and their award will equal the value of full tuition plus room and board. Over four years, the value of the scholarship for a student designated as an Oldham Scholar will exceed $162,000. Since 1983, the generosity of alumnus Mr. W. Dortch Oldham and his wife, Sis, has enabled the University to award such scholarships to those incoming students who exemplify the highest scholarship, personal integrity and potential for leadership.

Science Scholar
Up to 12 Richmond Scholars demonstrating passion and excellence in scientific discovery in the sciences, mathematics and computer science will be designated as Science Scholars. Up to four of these will receive tuition, room and board. The remainder will receive full tuition. All Science Scholars must exhibit a strong potential for the successful pursuit of a career in a science, math or computer science field.

Artist Scholar
Up to six Richmond Scholars with extraordinary talent and who will major or minor in the visual or performing arts are paired with arts faculty mentors to maximize opportunities to develop students’ talents. By December 15 (postmark), in addition to the complete admission application, all interested students must submit:

A one-page résumé focusing specifically on your experience and training in the arts (Please include information on arts training outside your primary arts discipline and be certain to include any special arts recognition.)
A one-page artist’s statement (an expression of your artistic point of view, inspiration, and motivation). Your one-page artist’s statement should be a written reflection on why the arts are important in your life and what role you expect the arts to have during your college experience.

Additionally, depending upon area of interest, students must submit one of the following by December 15 (postmark):

An audio audition tape or CD for musicians, or a video audition tape or DVD for actors and dancers. Tapes for both disciplines should contain two contrasting solo pieces, approximately two minutes in length
For composers, an audio audition tape or CD containing two to five personal compositions
For theatre designers, a portfolio containing up to 12 photographs of theatrical design work (preferably in an electronic format) that includes at least one photo of a realized design or portion thereof
For studio artists, a portfolio containing up to12 slides, or CD with 12 JPEG images, or a DVD (all-region, NTSC) or VHS videotape (NTSC) under 10 minutes

For further details about the required Artist Scholar submissions, please contact the appropriate academic department (Art and Art History, Music, Theatre and Dance).

Boatwright Scholar
Up to 25 Richmond Scholars will be designated as Boatwright Scholars and receive full tuition. This award is open to students interested in any field of study and is based on a combination of academic achievement and personal qualities.

Minnie Roth Weinstein Memorial Scholar

One Richmond Scholar from Virginia is designated as the Minnie Roth Weinstein Memorial Scholar.

Additional materials are not required for consideration in the competition prior to Dec. 15 for any of the above designations other than that of Artist Scholar.

Special Program for Richmond Scholars

Oliver Hill Scholar

The Oliver Hill Scholars is a subgroup of the Richmond Scholars Program that offers a sense of community for motivated students who are academically accomplished and serious about their college careers. The program is designed for African-American students, but students of any background who share a commitment to multiculturalism are welcome. Participants meet bi-weekly for seminars and field trips that are intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking, and fun. A mentoring program and one-on-one meetings with the director of this program provide individual support for each student. Up to 15 new participants are selected each year. They receive $1,000 per academic year toward total college costs in addition to the full tuition award granted through the Richmond Scholars program.

Richmond Scholar finalists who wish to be considered for the Oliver Hill program will participate in an on-campus interview during their campus visit in March and be notified of their selection in April.

The program honors civil rights legend and Richmond native Oliver Hill, Sr., a key member of the legal team that argued the Brown v. Board of Education case before the Supreme Court.

To Be Considered for the Richmond Scholars Program

The University considers all first-year students for the Richmond Scholars Program provided that they:

1. Submit a complete application by December 15 (postmark).

The components of a complete application are:

Completed Common Application or Richmond Web Application
$50 application fee or an approved fee waiver
A recommendation from a guidance counselor or other school official
A transcript that is complete through the end of the 11th grade (or its equivalent)
Official results of either the SAT or ACT. TOEFL is also required for non-native speakers of English.
For Common Application users: the completed University of Richmond Supplement to the Common Application and a response to the Richmond’s essay prompt.

2. Complete all standardized testing by December 31.

3. See additional submissions required for those seeking the Artist Scholar designation.

Richmond Scholars Selection Process

First-year admission applicants who apply by December 15 of the senior year compete for 50 Richmond Scholar awards. As is the case with consideration for admission, the evaluation process is highly personalized and holistic. The writing sample is crucial because it is the medium through which the potential for special contributions to the University community can be assessed. While grade point averages and test scores are critical, they do not represent the whole student and are not used for either automatic inclusion or exclusion.

Students who are selected to advance to the semifinalist round will be notified by e-mail and postal mail. Semifinalists may be asked to submit additional information by the Scholars selection committee in order to advance to the finalist round. Those students whose applications do not advance to the semifinalist round will not be notified.

Finalists will be notified by e-mail and postal mail in order to make arrangements for an expense-paid campus visit for the required scholarship interview. The dates for the interview visit for 2009 are March 17-19.

Richmond Scholar Qualities

Successful candidates demonstrate one or more from the following list of accomplishments and qualities:

Outstanding and engaged scholarship
Desire to be at the forefront in the creation and discovery of new knowledge
Leadership skills
Desire to be a leader in service to society
Broad worldview
Excitement about learning from people who are different from themselves in a diverse community of scholars
Recognition of the importance of personal integrity and ethical decision making
Enthusiastic pursuit of self-improvement
Desire to make the most of opportunities presented
Exceptional talent in artistic expression

In addition to the Richmond Scholars Program, there are other merit award opportunities for first-year admission applicants. The University’s merit-based awards may be combined for a value not to exceed the sum of tuition, room and board. Therefore, students who are interested in any of the following awards are encouraged to apply by December 15 to also be considered for a Richmond Scholar award.

Presidential Scholarships

The University awards merit-based Presidential Scholarships of up to $15,000 to up to 25 students who have achieved outstanding high school records in a highly rigorous curriculum and superior standardized test scores. The scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters of full-time enrollment. All admission applicants are considered; therefore, no separate application is required. For more information, contact the Office of Admission.

National Merit Scholarships

National Merit Finalists who are admitted and identify the University of Richmond as their first-choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation are eligible for this award. If they are not selected for a National Merit Scholarship from another sponsor, they may be selected for Richmond’s annual awards that range from $750 to $2,000 and are renewable for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study. Students must apply for admission by January 15 of the senior year. All eligible admission applicants are considered; therefore, no separate application is required. National Merit Finalists are strongly considered for the Presidential Scholarships as well. For more information, e-mail the Financial Aid Office or reach them at (800) 700-1662 or (804) 289-8438.

National Achievement and National Hispanic Scholarships

National Achievement Finalists who are admitted and not selected for another National Achievement award as well as National Hispanic Scholars who are admitted may be selected for annual awards ranging from $750 to $2,000, which are renewable for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study. Students must apply for admission by January 15 of the senior year. All eligible admission applicants are considered; therefore, no separate application is required. National Achievement Finalists and National Hispanic Scholars are strongly considered for the Presidential Scholarships as well. For more information, ontact the Office of Admission.

Bonner Scholars Program

The Award: Twenty-five first-year students with a history of community engagement are named Bonner Scholars. Ten hours of weekly community engagement activities, including direct service and educationally-grounded programs, are exchanged for a monetary award of up to $5,000 (including $1,000 for a summer living stipend, for which some students might not use depending on where their service is located) that is renewable for eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study. This award includes tuition assistance, funds to support service initiatives during the academic year and compensation for community involvement during the summer months. The Bonner Scholars Program is funded by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation.

Criteria for selection: The academic profiles of successful candidates are consistent with all the admitted students to the University. Above and beyond scholastic qualities, Bonner Scholars must demonstrate a commitment to service at home, in school, religious or in a community organization. Because the majority of these awards are need-sensitive, students must also apply for financial aid and demonstrate financial need; however, some scholarships may be awarded based on merit alone. Contact the Bonner Scholars Office at (804) 484-1630 or email bonner@richmond.edu for additional information.

To Apply:

By January 15, the University Of Richmond Office of Admission must receive:

The completed Common Application and the University of Richmond Supplement to the Common Application OR the Richmond Web Application
The $50 application fee or approved fee waiver
High school transcript and counselor recommendation letter
Official results of the SAT or ACT (and TOEFL for non-native English speaking applicants)

By February 15:

Mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor to ensure receipt by February 25. See page 16 of the admission booklet for further instructions about applying for need-based financial aid.
Mail the completed Bonner Scholars Program Application and supporting materials to the Bonner Scholas Office.

Davis United World College Scholars

All graduates of one of the United World Colleges (UWC) are eligible to receive a Davis UWC Scholars grant of up to $20,000 (renewable for four years and based on need) to further their education at the University of Richmond. UWC graduates are strongly encouraged to apply for the Richmond Scholars Program and the Bonner Scholars Program, where they could combine funds with the Davis UWC Scholarship up to the total cost of attendance. UWC graduates who are non-U.S. citizens and who demonstrate eligibility for additional need-based aid are also considered for the limited need-based aid available to international students. Contact the Office of Admission for further information.

Army ROTC Scholarships

Seven students who are awarded Army ROTC scholarships are selected by the University of Richmond to receive full tuition per year plus an annual $900 book allowance for four years of full-time undergraduate study. Contact the Department of Military Science at (804) 287-6066 for additional details.

Music and Theatre/Dance Scholarships

Scholarships of varying amounts are available to students who demonstrate outstanding promise in the study of music or theatre/dance. Music auditions are required. For more information, see the Department of Music website, the Department of Theatre and Dance website or contact the Department of Music at (804) 289-8277 or the Department of Theatre and Dance at (804) 289-8592.

For additional information about merit-based scholarship opportunities at the University of Richmond, contact:

Office of Admission
28 Westhampton Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
(804) 289-8640; (800) 700-1662; Fax: (804) 287-6003
admissions@richmond.edu