Harrisonburg High School has begun accepting applications for the illustrious Jefferson Scholarship. The Jefferson Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship offered by the Jefferson Scholars foundation to students planning to attend the University of Virginia.

The scholarship offers an immense amount of money, covering not only tuition and room and board, but also personal expenses. However, the Jefferson scholarship is more than just financial help.

“[Jefferson Scholars] participate in a comprehensive enrichment program,” HHS guidance counselor Amy Powers said.

“The Jefferson Scholar’s Foundation opens up doors to internships with a whole network of alumni,” said HHS alumna and Jefferson Scholarship winner, Emma DiNapoli. “Being a Jefferson Scholar can make it easier to get into full classes and we get money for international travel and study abroad, too.”

Each school is allowed to nominate just one student for the Jefferson Scholarship. At HHS a student simply needs to submit a resume of activities to guidance so the school’s selection committee can get a big picture look at the student. After that comes an interview. And just what is the committee looking for?

“A good nominee is somebody that shows strong leadership, shows a commitment to community service, and also has had a strong academic background,” said Powers.

Beyond being nominated by the school, an applicant joins a pool of other nominees, which included 1200 students last year, in the regional selection process. That pool is then whittled down to a much smaller group of finalists, which was 101 students last year, who then participate in a four day selection process on the University’s Charlottesville campus to decide who will be the winners.

The scholarship is highly selective as only a small group of students receive Jefferson Scholarships each year. Only 27 received one last year.