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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Richmond
Decision sheet

Virginia · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Top private liberal-arts university whose value lives almost entirely in its competitive named awards: 25 Richmond Scholars get a true full ride (tuition, housing, and food), with a one-third-tuition Presidential tier and a 50%-tuition Oliver Hill track beneath it.

Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.

Awards to discuss

The 3 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

Richmond Scholars

Full tuition, housing, and food (full ride; ~$88,460/yr value for 2025-26) · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Given to 25 incoming students per year. No separate scholarship application, but you must submit a complete admission application by December 1. Finalists notified by February 1, interview with a faculty selection committee via Zoom in mid-February, final selection by March 1.

Renewal: Renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment.

https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/index.html

Oliver Hill Scholars

Combined merit scholarship valued at 50% tuition, plus a one-time enrichment grant of up to $4,000 · Variable or qualified amount

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Only open to students eligible to receive a Presidential or Richmond merit-based scholarship; students selected for Presidential Scholarships or as Richmond Scholars may also be considered. No separate application beyond the standard process.

Renewal: Valued at 50% tuition for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment. The 50% is inclusive of the one-third-tuition Presidential Scholar award plus the additional Oliver Hill award.

https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective-scholars/oliver-hill.html

Presidential Scholarship

One-third tuition (~$22,613/yr for 2025-26) · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: No separate merit scholarship application is required; applicants are considered through their admission application. This is the broadest of Richmond's merit awards and the most realistic target for strong applicants who do not win a full-ride Richmond Scholars seat.

Renewal: Renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment.

https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/scholarships.html

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: For students receiving need-based aid, outside scholarships hit self-help (loans and work-study) first, then reduce need-based grants once they exceed the self-help amount — because Richmond meets 100% of need, outside money cannot grow the total package beyond demonstrated need. For students without a need-based award, outside scholarships can be brought in up to the full cost of attendance.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/university-of-richmond/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.