Rappahannock Scholars Program
Rappahannock Scholar Benefits:
- Guaranteed admission to UMW following high school, provided program criteria are met.
- One qualifying senior from each school will receive a full Rappahannock Scholars Scholarship. All other qualifying students will be offered assistance in meeting their demonstrated financial need to ensure that students and families may afford a high quality college education.
- Support, guidance, and encouragement throughout high school to achieve high academic standards and be fully prepared for success in college.
- Support, guidance, and encouragement throughout college, should they choose to attend UMW.
Who is eligible to apply for the program:
- Students who attend Essex, King and Queen Central, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond County Rappahannock, or Washington and Lee High Schools and exhibit promising academic and leadership characteristics may be nominated by their guidance counselors for the program.
Preference for admission to the program will be given to students who have any of the following characteristics:
- Underrepresented students who would add to the cultural diversity of the UMW student body.
- Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, as defined by eligibility for the federal free or reduced lunch program.
- Students whose parents have not attained a college or university education.
The student nomination process includes:
- Nomination by your School Counselor is the first step.
- Nominees will be interviewed by Rappahannock Scholars’ staff who will make the final selections.
- UMW will announce the selected Rappahannock Scholars.
Students should contact their school counselor if they are interested in being considered for the program.
To receive guaranteed admission to UMW, students must meet the following requirements:
- Nominees will complete the Rappahannock Scholar Application materials.
- Scholars must pursue coursework required for the Virginia Advanced Studies Diploma and successfully complete at least two Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment courses in an academic subject area during high school (or one of each).
- Scholars must achieve a final cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5 to receive guaranteed admission to UMW.
- Scholars must complete the Common Application and FAFSA during their senior year of high school.
- Any Scholar not meeting all criteria for guaranteed admission to UMW may still be competitive and will be encouraged to apply to the University for admission. Alternatively, the student may be advised to attend the local community college and will be encouraged to transfer to the UMW.
Rappahannock Scholars who do not meet all criteria for guaranteed admission to UMW are still encouraged to apply to the University.