The Johnson Scholarship
Winners of the Johnson Scholarship receive awards of at least tuition, room and board to attend Washington and Lee University. Students with financial need higher than this amount will have any additional need met by the scholarship. Every year Johnson Scholarships are awarded to approximately ten percent of the incoming class.
In addition, Johnson Scholars receive funding in the amount of $7,000 to support summer experiences during their time at Washington and Lee. Internships, volunteer experiences or research projects are just a few of the ways Johnson Scholars may use these funds to explore the world and their own potential for leadership.
Applying for a Johnson Scholarship ensures consideration for all other available honor scholarships. Visit Other Scholarship Opportunities for a list of regional and departmental awards available this year. While these scholarships are separately named, students must apply for the Johnson Scholarship in order to be considered for them.
Washington and Lee University's need-based financial aid programs are among the nation's strongest and complement the Johnson Scholarship Program. Please visit our Office of Financial Aid for more information. Please keep in mind each admissions application deadline has a separate financial aid deadline. All need-based financial aid forms must be submitted by the relevant deadline: December 1 for Early Decision I, January 15 for Early Decision II and February 15 for Regular Decision.
Apply
Students who wish to be considered for a Johnson Scholarship - or any Washington and Lee merit-based scholarship - must submit a complete Common Application, including the W&L Writing Supplement, no later than December 1st. All Johnson Scholarship application instructions are included in W&L's Writing Supplement to the Common Application.
It is not necessary to apply under W&L's binding Early Decision I plan in order to be considered for the Johnson Scholarship or other merit-based awards.
Finalists for the Johnson Scholarship will be selected on the basis of academic achievement and demonstrated leadership. They will be judged on their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and of the world at large in years to come. Writing samples, teacher recommendations, and records of leadership, citizenship, and involvement in non-academic activities will be weighed.
A complete application consists of:
- A complete Common Application
- W&L's Writing Supplement to the Common Application, including the Johnson Scholarship Application essay
- An official copy of your high school transcript
- Official score reports from the SAT (W&L's code is 5887) or ACT (W&L's code is 4430)
- Two Teacher recommendations
- One Guidance Counselor recommendation and secondary school form
