Bridge to Batten is a program supporting promising students with high economic need in their aspiration to join the Batten community and become effective, engaged leaders poised to create meaningful change in their communities and the world at large. It will consist of a Spring 2027 1-credit, CR/NC seminar; dedicated advising and support from Batten faculty and professional staff; and peer mentorship.
The program is open to current First Year students from economically underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in and eligible to begin the Batten Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Leadership in Fall 2028 (graduating in Spring 2030) or Accelerated Master of Public Policy in Fall 2029 (earning your bachelor’s degree in Spring 2030 and MPP in Spring 2031).
Priority consideration will be given to students who apply by November 2, 2026, when undergraduate enrollment for Spring 2027 begins. Applications may be submitted until Tuesday, January 19. The Bridge to Batten seminar will take place on Friday afternoons (12:30-1:45 PM). You must be available during this window to participate in the program.
I am a current First-Year student eligible to begin the Batten BA in Fall 2028 or Accelerated MPP in Fall 2029.
I am from a limited-income background. Examples include but are not limited to having qualified for a waiver of the Common App college application fee; eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant; having received or currently receiving need-based aid (including Access UVA); receiving an income-based scholarship or being selected into an income-restricted academic program (e.g. QuestBridge, Gates Scholarship Program).
