University of North Carolina Asheville Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See North Carolina state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships for new freshmen
- Competitive and donor-funded awards that require an extra step
- Honors College benefits and out-of-state tuition relief
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~84%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22 – 28
- Middle 50% SAT: 1090 – 1300
- Average HS GPA: 3.7 (unweighted)
Source: UNC Asheville Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
UNC Asheville at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
UNC Asheville, the UNC System’s public liberal-arts campus, automatically considers freshmen for merit scholarships at admission. Most awards are renewable and stackable with state and federal aid. While there is no guaranteed full ride, competitive Honors and foundation awards add meaningful value for strong students.
Use this guide to understand merit tiers, deadlines, and how UNC Asheville helps high-achievers combine merit, state aid, and Honors funding to cut costs significantly.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — per UNC System policy, applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher may apply test-optional; applicants with a 2.5–<2.8 weighted GPA must submit ACT/SAT scores.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 22–28; SAT 1090–1300 (UNC Asheville CDS 2024–25).
What’s the average net price? $12,865 (College Scorecard). Varies by family income and aid.
Does this school offer reciprocity or nonresident waivers? No formal reciprocity program; however, select out-of-state merit awards can reduce nonresident tuition.
https://irep.unca.edu/publications/common-data-set/
https://www.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://new.unca.edu/admission/first-year-students-admission/
https://new.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/access-asheville/
https://www.northcarolina.edu/standard-test-requirement-waiver/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199111=
https://www.unca.edu/academics/honors-program/
💰 Cost of Attendance at UNC Asheville
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12+ credits; annual) | $7,501 | $25,849 |
| Housing & Meals (average on-campus) | $12,862 | $12,862 |
| Total (billed directly to UNC Asheville) | $20,363 | $38,711 |
Note: The totals above include only costs billed directly by UNC Asheville—tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans. Other estimated expenses such as books & supplies, transportation, and personal costs are not included here because they are paid to outside vendors and vary by student.
Cost & Reciprocity FAQ
Who qualifies for Access Asheville?
New first-year students from GA, SC, TN, and VA with family AGI at or below $90,000 (plus
NC residents at/under that cap for UNCA’s commitments).
How much can families save?
Out-of-state families typically save five figures across four years versus the regular
nonresident rate; the exact amount varies by the annual set rate and other aid.
Do I need a separate application?
No. Apply for admission and file the FAFSA — UNCA checks eligibility automatically.
https://new.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/access-asheville/
https://new.unca.edu/admission/tuition-and-fees/
https://www.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://www.northcarolina.edu/standard-test-requirement-waiver/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199111=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UNC Asheville awards merit scholarships straight from the admission application—no extra forms to fill out. Awards vary by academic profile, and all admitted students are considered automatically if they apply by the priority deadline.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Merit Award | Varies ($3,000–$5,000/yr typical) | All admitted first-years considered automatically; academics, curriculum rigor, and leadership are factored | No | Yes — maintain 2.5+ GPA, full-time, consecutive semesters | Strong students with heavy course rigor, above-average/unweighted GPA, and some leadership/service; cutoffs are not published | Feb. 1 (priority) |
Note: Most University Merit Awards fall in the $3,000–$5,000 per year range, but amounts vary by applicant pool and annual funding. No separate scholarship app required for this award; admission application by the Feb. 1 priority deadline is sufficient.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to submit a separate application? No. If you apply for admission by the February 1 priority deadline, you are automatically considered for the University Merit Award.
Does UNC Asheville superscore test results? Yes. The university takes your best subscores from multiple sittings of the SAT or ACT to calculate a higher composite.
Can automatic merit stack with other aid? Merit awards generally combine with need-based grants and departmental honors funds, though stacking may be limited for “Access Asheville” and similar tuition-reduction programs. Review your final award letter before making a decision.
unca.edu/admission/scholarships/
go.unca.edu/first-year/
education.unca.edu/financial-aid/
studyabroad.unca.edu/deadlines/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Competitive scholarships at UNC Asheville are limited in number and typically require an additional application, interview, or portfolio. These awards go beyond automatic merit and are reserved for a small group of students each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Asheville does not currently list any competitive university-wide scholarships outside of Honors or departmental programs. | ||||||
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Does UNC Asheville offer flagship competitive scholarships? No. Unlike some larger UNC campuses, Asheville does not have a separate set of named full-ride or flagship merit competitions outside of Honors or departmental awards.
If there are no university-wide competitive scholarships, where should students look instead? Strong applicants should explore the Honors Program, departmental scholarships (most with an April 1 deadline), and hidden gem opportunities like study abroad/research stipends filed through campus offices.
Do outside scholarships stack with UNCA aid? Yes, but the financial aid office may adjust need-based aid to keep the package within federal cost-of-attendance limits.
unca.edu/admission/scholarships/
go.unca.edu/scholarships/
education.unca.edu/financial-aid/
hwp.unca.edu/scholarships/
🎖️ Honors College
UNC Asheville’s Honors Program offers a close-knit academic community where curious students dive deeper into their fields, work side by side with faculty, and gain access to unique opportunities on campus and beyond. Admission is competitive, and only about 50 students join each incoming class.
High school GPA in the A range, rigorous coursework (AP/IB/dual enrollment), strong writing and recommendations, plus evidence of leadership or service engagement.
- Small, discussion-based honors seminars
- Priority registration and Honors housing option
- Dedicated study and seminar spaces
- Enhanced advising and mentoring from faculty
- Opportunity to graduate with “Distinction as a University Honors Scholar”
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selby & Richard McRae Scholars | Approx. $10,000/year + $10,000 enrichment | Incoming first-year students; usually by Honors invitation | By Honors review and nomination | Yes — maintain Honors standing | Students with top academics, essays, and leadership/service | Mar. 31 |
- Robin Woodward ’69 Distinguished Scholars: Application opens Mar. 1 and closes Mar. 31 for rising sophomores in Honors majoring in STEM; interviews in April.
- National Award Advising: Honors staff support applications to Goldwater and Marshall; Goldwater deadline is in January, Marshall in late Sept.; campus deadlines are set each fall.
Honors Program FAQ
Is admission automatic for top students? No. Applicants are reviewed holistically and only a small group is invited based on academics, rigor, and leadership/service.
Does the Honors Program add time to graduation? No. Courses fit within standard requirements, so students graduate in four years.
Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors? Yes. First-years are considered for McRae, continuing Honors for Woodward, and all Honors scholars get award advising.
What are the application deadlines? First-years are considered with their UNC Asheville app for Honors and McRae. Current students apply for Woodward Mar. 1–Mar. 31 each spring.
go.unca.edu/honors-program-scholarships-awards/
unca.edu/honors-program-scholarships/
go.unca.edu/university-honors-program/
stories.unca.edu/selby-and-richard-mcrae-scholarship/
⭐ College Specialty
UNC Asheville has carved out a niche as North Carolina’s only dedicated public liberal arts university, blending small class sizes with big opportunities in research and applied sciences. Parents looking for a balance of affordability and distinctive programs will find that Asheville delivers a mix of hands-on learning, strong faculty mentorship, and nationally recognized partnerships.
- Undergraduate Research: More than 70% of students participate in mentored research, a rate that consistently places UNCA among the top liberal arts colleges for research engagement.
- Environmental Science & Climate Partnerships: Home to the National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) and NOAA’s climate institutes, Asheville is a hub for applied climate research and policy tools.
- Liberal Arts & Sciences Focus: Recognized statewide as North Carolina’s only public liberal arts university, giving students a broad foundation with strong outcomes in graduate and professional school placement.