Scholarships & Awards

The College Counseling Office works carefully with students who are applying for need-based financial aid and/or competitive, merit-based scholarships. In addition to receiving several million dollars of need-based aid, our students regularly qualify for the nation’s most prestigious awards, including the samples listed below.

Jefferson Scholars (University of Virginia)

The Jefferson Scholarship is awarded by the University of Virginia to undergraduate students who have “demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.” It is a four year scholarship that “is awarded to up to thirty-five persons annually after a rigorous nomination and selection process.” In the last eight years, we have had seven finalists, two of which won the Jefferson Scholarship and attended the University of Virginia. Please visit www.jeffersonscholars.org for more information about the Jefferson Scholars Program.

Morehead-Cain Scholars (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill awards the Morehead-Cain Scholarship to students who have demonstrated “outstanding achievement in the following four criteria: Leadership, scholarship, moral force of character, and physical vigor.” This is a four-year undergraduate scholarship. In the last eight years, we have had five finalists, three of which became Morehead-Cain Scholars. Please visit www.moreheadfoundation.org for more information about the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program.

National Achievement Semifinalists

“The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students.” High school students must take the PSAT in order to be considered for the National Achievement Scholarship Program. We have had fourteen National Achievement Semi-Finalists in the last three years (2006-2008). Please visit www.nationalmerit.org/nasp.php for more information about the National Achievement Program.

National Merit Semifinalists

“The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955.” High school students must take the PSAT in order to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program. We have had 75 National Merit Semi-Finalists in the last three years (2006-2008). Please visit www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php for more information about the National Merit Program.
 

Presidential Scholars

The Presidential Scholars Program “is not a scholarship program, but it is one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. The 141 students named annually as Presidential Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.” On average, about six students a year are identified as Presidential Scholar Semi-Finalists. In the last eight years, five of our students were recognized as Presidential Scholars. Please visit www.presidentialscholars.org for more information about the Presidential Scholars Program.

Robertson Scholars (Duke and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)

The Robertson Scholars Program was founded in 2000 and selects scholars on the basis of six criteria: “Behavior that is grounded in strong ethical principles, superior academic achievement and intellectual curiosity, strong leadership potential, active commitment to helping others and to community service, courage, and collaborative spirit.” In addition to covering tuition, room, and board, the Robertson also includes a laptop and “three summers of generous funding for domestic and international service, learning and research.” Thirty-six scholars (18 at Duke and 18 at UNC) are selected each year. Phillips Academy had its first Robertson Scholar winner in 2007. Please visit www.robertsonscholars.org for more information about the Robertson Scholars Program.