Blue Ridge Scholars

Bicentennial-Scholars-Fund

Blue Ridge Scholars

OVERVIEW

John Griffin (McIntire ’85) likes to set the bar as high as possible. In 2014, with his $4 million challenge gift to the University of Virginia, he created the Blue Ridge Scholars program to support undergraduate students with exceptional academic promise and significant financial need, and challenged other donors to match his gift on a one-to-one basis.

A committee within the Office of Admission selects Blue Ridge Scholars based on academic accomplishment and financial need. A Blue Ridge Scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $7,000 per student per year and may replace the loan or work study component of a financial aid package. To date, more than 200 students have received a Blue Ridge Scholarship. The Board of Visitors also committed additional funds that provided 50 more Blue Ridge Scholarships for the class entering fall 2018.

 

Blue Ridge Scholars

  • Keonna Gravely
    (Curry ’20)

    Keonna Gravely, who grew up in Martinsville, Virginia, is a kinesiology major on a pre-med track. She works as a scribe in UVA Hospital’s ER, is a pre-health advising peer, a Digication e-porfolio consultant, and volunteers with the women’s basketball team. Gravely’s interest in medicine and her passion for helping others, along with support from a Blue Ridge Scholarship, are positioning her to become a health professional.

  • Martin Keuchkerian
    (Engr ’20)

    Born in Uruguay and raised in Massachusetts, Martin Keuchkerian has two passions: exploring space and playing rugby. As a major in aerospace engineering, and a first-generation college student, he hopes one day to become an astronaut. And as captain of the UVA rugby team, he was selected to represent the United States in the USA Under 20 national rugby team in an international match against Canada.

  • Taylor Thompson
    (Arch ’20)

    After his mother—an architect—passed away from a long battle with cancer, Taylor Thompson was looking for a way to honor her memory. So he raised $85,000 and built a Habitat for Humanity home for a family in need. When he needed financial assistance to attend UVA, a Blue Ridge Scholarship allowed him to study architecture just as his mom had before him.

Scholarships
Blue Ridge Scholars News
Final Exercises 2018
Update  •  April 30, 2018
Finals Weekend for First Blue Ridge Scholars
On the weekend of May 19-20, the first cohort of Blue Ridge Scholars walked the Lawn at Final Exercises.
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Update  •  September 1, 2014
Challenge Grant Opens New Doors
In February 2014, John Griffin, a 1985 graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce, created a $4 million challenge grant to support both the first year of the Blue Ridge Scholarship program and its long-term endowment. 
Supporting Students

Other Opportunities

Bicentennial Scholars Fund
Magnify your support of outstanding students from all backgrounds when you invest in the Bicentennial Scholars Fund. UVA will double down on your generosity by matching your gift—for a scholarship or a fellowship.
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Rainy Day Fund
The Rainy Day Fund helps students weather unexpected financial hardship. This fund provides support to undergraduates facing unexpected financial circumstances not otherwise relieved by University funding.
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Parents Fund Scholarships
Dedicated to enhancing the student experience, the Parents Fund offers two partial scholarships for rising third-years. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, citizenship, and financial need.
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