Johnson Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Washington and Lee University

Overview

Washington and Lee University’s Johnson Scholarship recognizes incoming students for academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, integrity, and potential to contribute to intellectual and civic life on campus and beyond. The program awards scholarships to up to 44 incoming students each year, approximately 10% of the first-year class. Recipients are expected to be community-minded leaders who will engage across academic and extracurricular contexts. The scholarship is merit-based and intended to attract students who will enrich the university community.

Description: The Johnson Scholarship is a merit award that rewards academic excellence, leadership, and integrity among incoming first-year students.

Eligibility: Open to incoming first-year applicants to Washington and Lee University; up to 44 recipients are selected annually.

• Merit-based scholarship for incoming students
• Awards made to roughly 10% of each first-year class
• Focus on leadership, integrity, and civic contribution

Award Value

The Johnson Scholarship covers tuition and fees, residential housing, and meal plans, and includes a dedicated $10,000 stipend for a summer experience. The combined package is valued at more than $89,000 per year. Students with additional demonstrated financial need may receive increased support to cover other education-related costs such as textbooks, travel, and technology. The award is structured to reduce financial barriers to high-impact academic and enrichment opportunities.

Award Value: Full tuition and fees, housing and meals, plus a $10,000 summer experience fund; additional need-based adjustments possible.

• Comprehensive coverage of tuition, fees, housing, and meals
• $10,000 allocated specifically for summer experiences
• Additional assistance available for demonstrated financial need

Application Timeline

Applicants must submit their Johnson Scholarship application by December, regardless of which admissions decision plan they choose. Washington and Lee offers Early Decision I (Nov. 1), Early Decision II (Jan. 5), and Regular Decision (Jan. 5), and applicants may apply for the scholarship under any of these options provided the scholarship materials are received in December. Finalists are invited to an on-campus selection event and are notified of their status in late March. Washington and Lee covers all expenses related to attending the selection event.

Application Timeline: Scholarship materials due in December; finalist notifications occur in late March with an on-campus selection event.

• Scholarship application deadline: December
• Admissions options: ED I (Nov. 1), ED II (Jan. 5), Regular (Jan. 5)
• Finalists notified in late March; event costs covered by the university

Application Requirements

To apply for the Johnson Scholarship, candidates must submit a complete Common Application and the Washington and Lee Johnson Scholarship supplement. The supplement includes an additional personal essay specific to the Johnson Scholarship. The Common Application should include the applicant’s academic transcript and letters of recommendation, and can include test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. Completing both the Common Application and the Johnson supplement is required for scholarship consideration.

Application Requirements: A complete Common Application plus the W&L Johnson Scholarship supplement, which contains a second personal essay.

• Submit the Common Application
• Complete the W&L Johnson Scholarship supplement essay
• Include transcripts and letters of recommendation via the Common Application

Selection and Evaluation

The Johnson Scholarship selection process evaluates candidates on a broad definition of merit that includes academic record, leadership, integrity, and extracurricular engagement. Reviewers consider the complete Common Application—transcript, letters of recommendation, personal essay, and test scores if supplied—alongside the Johnson supplemental essay. Finalists are invited to a campus selection event where finalists’ potential to lead and contribute to campus life is further assessed. The review aims to identify students who demonstrate sustained commitment to leadership and community.

Selection Criteria: Merit-based assessment emphasizing academics, leadership, integrity, extracurricular impact, and personal statements.

• Comprehensive review of academic and extracurricular records
• Letters of recommendation and personal essays play a central role
• Finalist campus visit used to assess leadership potential

Additional Notes

Applying for the Johnson Scholarship also ensures consideration for other merit-based scholarships at Washington and Lee. The university pays all costs for finalists to attend the on-campus selection event, removing a potential financial barrier to participation. Applicants should ensure their Johnson supplement is submitted by the December deadline to preserve all scholarship opportunities. For details specific to application submission and support, consult Washington and Lee’s admissions resources.

Did You Know: Submitting a Johnson Scholarship application automatically places you in consideration for other merit awards at W&L, and the university covers finalist event expenses.

• Applying increases consideration for other merit scholarships
• University covers travel and attendance costs for finalists
• Meet the December scholarship application deadline to be considered