The Johnson Scholarship

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W&L’s Johnson Scholarship recognizes and rewards students on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and integrity, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and the world at large in years to come.

Scholarships are awarded to up to 44 incoming students each year (roughly 10% of the first-year class).

Johnson Scholarships cover tuition and fees, housing and food, and $10,000 in funding for a summer experience — a grand total of more than $89,000 per year. Students with additional financial need may also see their scholarship amount increased to cover additional costs of attendance, which may include textbooks and supplies, travel expenses, and technology costs.

Finalists for Johnson Scholarships participate in an on-campus competition and are notified in late March of their status. All costs associated with attending the competition will be paid by Washington and Lee University.

Did You Know?

Applying for a Johnson Scholarship ensures that you're considered for other merit scholarships, too.

View 2024-25 Scholarships

Johnson Scholarship FAQs

When is the application deadline?

What does the application entail?

How are applicants for the scholarship evaluated?

When will I know if I am a scholarship finalist or winner?

What does the scholarship competition entail?

How do Johnson Enhancement Funds work?

Admissions & Aid

Office of Admissions

P: 540-458-8710
F: 540-458-8062
E: admissions@wlu.edu

Gilliam House
19 Letcher Avenue
Lexington, Virginia 24450

More than a Scholarship

The Johnson Scholarship is just one aspect of W&L's Johnson Program for Leadership and Integrity, a program that offers opportunities and funding for the entire student body.

Full Scholarship

The Johnson Scholarship

Up to 44 students a year receive awards of at least tuition, room and board as Johnson Scholars. Students are selected on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and 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.

Apply for the Johnson

Money to Explore

Summer Enhancement Funds

Every recipient of the Johnson Scholar receives an additional $10,000 to support summer experiences traveling, volunteering, interning, or conducting research. Enhancement funds are designed to provide invaluable hands-on experiences and can be used for transportation, living expenses, equipment, and more.

Enhancement Fund Experiences

Experience Funding

Opportunity Grants

The Johnson Program provides funds of up to $6,000 to support student projects across the country and around the world. Johnson Opportunity Grants are competitive and open to any rising junior or senior. Recent projects have involved the creation of a documentary about travel on the TransAmerica trail, interning at the British House of Commons, and conducting research at the Children’s National Hospital’s Department of Genetic Medicine.

Opportunity Grant Recipients

Faculty

Endowed Faculty Chairs

In addition to providing scholarships and opportunity funding for students, the Johnson Program supports two full-time faculty positions, one in the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics and one in The College.

500+ Strong

Alumni Network

The first class of Johnson Scholars graduated from W&L in 2012. Over ten years later, more than 500 Johnson Scholars have joined the Washington and Lee alumni network in fields as wide-ranging as their passions, and they are always eager to help fellow scholars navigate their own career paths.

Outcomes

International Recognition

Johnson Scholars go on to do incredible things. Three recent scholars have won Rhodes Scholarships. W&L is the ONLY liberal arts school to have had more than one Rhodes recipient over the past 10 years, and all three of ours have used the opportunities provided by the Johnson Scholarship Program to build resumes worthy of such an honor. A Forbes “40 Under 40” recipient, numerous Fulbright and Goldwater fellows, doctors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and public servants -- a Johnson Scholar can do anything.

About the Scholarship

A premier merit-based scholarship program that covers the full cost of attendance — you can’t afford NOT to apply.

Johnson Scholars in the News

Our scholarship winners tackle challenges and continue to earn accolades as students and alumni.

Johnson Scholar & Davis Projects for Peace Winner

James Ricks

James Ricks ’21 has won a Davis Projects for Peace grant for his work with The Oda Foundation, a nonprofit organization co-founded in 2013 by W&L alumnus John Christopher ’09. While abroad, Ricks will work to photograph the region and present the images to be sold to raise money for The Oda Foundation. Headquartered in the district of Kalikot, Oda’s initiatives in health care, education and community support have become critical, lifesaving services in Nepal.

More About James

Johnson Scholar & Rhodes Scholarship Winner

Tahri Phillips

Tahrington (Tahri) Phillips ’23, a cognitive and behavioral science and English double major, is Washington and Lee University’s 18th Rhodes Scholar. Tahri has also been honored on campus by the Student Affairs Committee for her commitment to personal scholarship and nurturing the intellectual life at W&L. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society and a four-year member of the W&L women’s basketball team.

More About Tahri

Johnson Scholar

Rafay Hassan

Rafay Hassan ’22, from Lahore, Pakistan, was looking for a liberal arts university that would give him individualized attention and put his critical thinking skills to the test. He found that and more at W&L.

More About Rafay

Johnson Scholar & Beineke Scholarship Winner

Kathryn Muensterman

Kathryn Muensterman ’22 has won a $34,000 Beinecke Scholarship to help fund her graduate studies. Each scholar receives $4,000 immediately before graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. Muensterman plans to use the scholarship to aid her interest and research in literature, medieval studies and religion.

More About Kathryn

Johnson Scholar & Goldwater Scholarship Winner

Troy Larsen

Troy Larsen ’22, a math and classics major at Washington and Lee University, has won a highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship, which promotes research careers in science, mathematics and engineering. One of the oldest and most prestigious STEM scholarships in the country, the Goldwater Scholarship aims to identify and support undergraduates who show promise of becoming research leaders in their respective fields and intend to pursue a doctorate degree.