University of Richmond Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on May 31, 2026
What This Page Covers:- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~22%
- Middle 50% ACT: 34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1485
- Average GPA: 3.91
🧭 Quick Admissions Strategy (based on where your student falls)
- Below the typical ranges: This is a high-reach school. Focus on building a balanced list and treat Richmond as a “lottery ticket” unless your student brings something exceptional (major leadership, unique story, etc.).
- In the typical ranges: You’re competitive, but not safe. Essays, course rigor, and demonstrated impact matter just as much as stats here—this is a holistic review school.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in the conversation for top merit, but nothing is guaranteed. The biggest awards (like Richmond Scholars) are extremely selective, so don’t assume strong stats = big money.
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📌 University of Richmond at a Glance
🏆 Full tuition available (Richmond's Promise to Virginia & Richmond Scholars Program)
Average Net Price
$33,417/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
Check college site
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
10 opportunities
3 automatic · 3 competitive · 4 hidden gem
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 1 • FAFSA: Dec 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Richmond's Promise to Virginia & Richmond Scholars Program
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA & CSS Profile
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at University of Richmond (Read This First)
- The biggest scholarship (Richmond Scholars = full tuition + housing) is extremely competitive—only a small group (~25 students) receive it.
- There is some automatic merit (Presidential), but it’s limited (~⅓ tuition) and awarded to a relatively small percentage of students—most families will not see major merit here.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Richmond is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 34; SAT: 1485.
Average net price? About $33,417/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No — private school; same rate for all.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Richmond 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$68,230 |
$68,230 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$17,975 |
$17,975 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$86,205 |
$86,205 |
Average Federal Net Price: $33,417 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Reciprocity or Regional Discounts: Not applicable. As a private university, Richmond does not participate in state reciprocity or regional tuition programs (such as WUE or MSEP).
Quick FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state rates?
Everyone pays the same — Richmond has one tuition rate for all undergraduates.
How much do most families actually pay?
The federal average net price is about $33,417 after scholarships and grants, though high-need families often pay substantially less.
Do I need the CSS Profile?
Yes. Richmond requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for institutional aid. See our CSS Profile guide for a step-by-step breakdown.
Sources:
University Cost of Attendance: https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/cost.html
Tuition & Fees breakdown: https://bursar.richmond.edu/tuition/index.html
Housing & Dining Rates: https://housing.richmond.edu/living/assignments/housing-rates.html
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233374-University-of-Richmond=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
The University of Richmond offers limited admission-based merit aid. Most scholarships are awarded automatically during the admission review, without a separate application.
Automatic
Additional Merit Scholarships
📅 Deadline: December 1 for consideration for the full range of merit programs
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Limited number, varies by year and funding winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
For students receiving need-based aid, institutional merit is coordinated with grants and self-help so total aid does not exceed demonstrated need.
💡
Strategic Detail
Represents a variety of named and endowed merit scholarships beyond the Richmond Scholars and Presidential awards. Exact criteria and amounts are not published and vary by fund and year; internal award ranges may span from a few thousand dollars to significant partial-tuition support.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted students with notable academic strength and accomplishments in leadership, arts, service, or community impact whose profiles align with specific endowed funds.
Automatic
Oliver Hill Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: January 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Limited; selection is competitive among Presidential and Richmond Scholar recipients winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
The Oliver Hill award is additive to the Presidential Scholarship, bringing the combined merit value to 50% of tuition. For Presidential Scholars selected as Oliver Hill Scholars, this is the combined total — not two separate stacked awards. Richmond Scholars selected for Oliver Hill also receive the program benefits on top of their full-ride.
💡
Strategic Detail
Named after civil rights icon Oliver White Hill, Sr., who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999. Scholars receive a combined merit award of 50% tuition (inclusive of the 1/3 tuition Presidential Scholarship) plus a one-time $4,000 enrichment grant for an approved academic experience. Program includes bi-weekly scholar seminars on social justice and civil rights, mandatory community service each semester, a Heritage Speaker Series, an optional mentor network pairing scholars with UR alumni, and an optional fall travel trip. Renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Academically accomplished, intellectually curious students who are genuinely passionate about social justice, transformational leadership, and building community in a diverse environment. Selection is competitive and only open to students already eligible for a Presidential or Richmond merit scholarship.
Automatic
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Approximately 10% of the incoming first-year class winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
For students receiving need-based aid, the scholarship is applied first to the self-help (loans and work-study) portion of the package. Any amount beyond self-help reduces institutional grants so total aid does not exceed demonstrated need. Students who are also selected as Oliver Hill Scholars receive an additional award bringing the combined scholarship to 50% of tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Award is always equal to one-third of tuition; the dollar amount adjusts automatically if tuition changes. Renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment. Presidential Scholars may also be considered for the Oliver Hill Scholars Program, which adds an additional merit layer bringing the combined award to 50% of tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Approximately 10% of the incoming first-year class — students who have built outstanding high school records in the most rigorous available curriculum and demonstrated strong standardized test performance.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Award ranges depend on GPA, curriculum strength, and (if submitted) test scores. Richmond does not publish exact GPA/test cutoffs for merit awards.
Richmond participates in the National Merit Scholarship program; finalists listing Richmond as first choice are considered for sponsored awards. The university is also a QuestBridge National College Match partner.
FAQ on Automatic Merit
Do I need a separate application? No. All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships during admission review.
Does Richmond superscore the SAT or ACT? Yes. Richmond will combine highest section scores across test dates for applicants who submit scores.
Can these scholarships stack with need-based aid? Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Merit awards are applied first to self-help (loan/work) portion, then may reduce need-based grant amounts if awards exceed self-help.
Sources:
Merit-Based Aid & Scholarships – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships.html
Richmond Scholars Program – https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective/
Admissions FAQ – https://admission.richmond.edu/apply/first-year/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
Richmond’s flagship scholarships are the most selective awards on campus—highly competitive, limited in number, and requiring more than just strong grades. These are the kinds of competitive scholarships that can cover full tuition or more, but only a small group of students actually receive them each year.
App Required
Bonner Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: January 1 for admission application
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Up to 25 students per entering class winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Bonner funding is structured as a service-based stipend within the financial aid package. For need-based aid recipients, Bonner stipends are coordinated within the self-help component. Federal Work-Study eligible Bonners can earn additional bi-weekly income on top of the stipend. The program also commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the UR admission application by January 1. The separate Bonner Scholars Program application opens in January and must be submitted no later than May 8. Students must also complete the FAFSA or international equivalent to be considered.
Selection criteria: Holistic review weighting community service history, work experience, and civic commitment alongside standard academic qualifications.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Part of the national Bonner Foundation network — one of the largest Bonner programs in the country with 100 total scholars at UR. Scholars earn a $3,600 annual stipend ($14,400 total over four years) paid bi-weekly in exchange for 10 hours per week of community engagement at a nonprofit, school, or government agency. Additional funding includes up to two $4,500 summer internship stipends (for 280-hour summer placements) and a $500 professional development award for students who complete their academic integration requirement and at least one summer internship prior to their senior year. FAFSA or international equivalent required.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Up to 25 students per entering class who combine solid academic credentials with a genuine, documented history of community service or significant work and family responsibilities — and who are ready to commit 10 hours per week to nonprofit or government internship work throughout their four years.
Automatic
Davis United World College Scholars
📅 Deadline: January 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Need-based award coordinated within Richmond's broader financial aid package. Because Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated need, this grant is applied alongside other institutional aid up to the cost of attendance without over-award.
💡
Strategic Detail
Part of the national Davis UWC Scholars Program, which supports UWC graduates at participating universities across the United States. Award amounts are need-based and range up to $30,000 per year, renewable for eight semesters of full-time enrollment. Eligibility is restricted to graduates of the United World Colleges system — a global network of international schools sharing a mission of education for peace and global understanding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Graduates of any United World College (UWC) campus worldwide who demonstrate financial need. Non-U.S. citizen UWC graduates with additional demonstrated need may also access limited international student funds.
Full RideAutomatic
Richmond Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: December 1 · 📢 Results: Finalist notifications by February 1; final selection by March 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
tuition, housing, meals, and enrichment grant
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Approximately 25 students per entering class winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers full tuition, housing, and meals. Because Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, this flagship award replaces other institutional merit and need-based aid up to the full cost of attendance, with no over-award. The $5,500 enrichment grant is layered on top and does not affect the base award calculation.
💡
Strategic Detail
Richmond's most prestigious academic award. Covers full tuition plus housing and meals, renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment including study abroad. Also includes a one-time $5,500 enrichment grant for approved academic experiences (research, internships, study abroad), plus priority registration, guaranteed on-campus housing, faculty mentoring, and dedicated programming.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Approximately 25 incoming first-year students who have built exceptional academic records in the most rigorous coursework available to them, paired with a genuine track record of leadership, service, and impact — not just participation.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
FAQ on Flagship Scholarships
Why are they called “flagship” scholarships? These are Richmond’s most prestigious awards, created to recruit top scholars with national impact. They include finalist interviews and an academic/leadership review.
Is a separate application required? No—just submit the admission application by December 1; all eligible admits are automatically considered.
Do test scores matter? Richmond is test-optional and superscores when available. Strong scores may help, but GPA, rigor, service, and leadership matter most.
Can flagship scholarships stack with other awards? Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. If you win the flagship award, it replaces other merit/need in your package up to the full cost (no over-award).
Sources:
Richmond Scholars Program – https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective/
Scholarships for First-Year Students – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships.html
Academic Merit Scholarships – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships.html
PDF: Merit Scholarships – https://admission.richmond.edu/merit-scholarship.pdf
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
Beyond the flagship awards, Richmond has a handful of hidden gems—program-based, identity-driven, or experiential scholarships that can meaningfully reduce costs or fund opportunities outside the classroom.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Army ROTC (Spider Battalion)
📅 Deadline: Rolling; typical high school deadlines in the fall, with campus-based opportunities through May
✓ Renews
Full Tuition
tuition and fees plus books and stipend
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Scholarships can cover full tuition and fees plus a book allowance and monthly stipend; institutional tuition scholarships may be reduced or replaced to comply with ROTC and federal aid policies.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the national Army ROTC scholarship application or campus-based ROTC application through the Spider Battalion and meet academic, fitness, and medical qualifications.
Selection criteria: Selection weighs academic performance, physical fitness, leadership potential, and suitability for commissioning as an Army officer.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Typical Army ROTC benefits include about $1,200 per year for books and a stipend that increases by class year (approximately $300–$500 per month).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Leadership-oriented U.S. citizens who are academically strong, physically fit, and committed to military service after graduation.
Automatic
Oliver Hill Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Apply for admission by December 1 for strongest consideration
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Award equals 50% of tuition and incorporates the Presidential Scholarship portion; may stack with need-based aid subject to Richmond’s policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated need.
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes up to $4,000 of additional funding for approved enrichment opportunities such as research, internships, or study away.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students at or near the Presidential Scholarship level who show deep engagement in diversity, inclusion, social justice, and community leadership.
Full RideAutomaticgeographicneed_based
Richmond's Promise to Virginia
📅 Deadline: January 1 for aid forms
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
tuition, housing, and meals
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Virginia Residents only. Family income must be $75,000 or less.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Structured to meet full tuition, housing, and meals for qualifying Virginia residents; other institutional grants and scholarships are coordinated within Richmond’s meet-need policy.
💡
Strategic Detail
For 2025–26, the stated income threshold is around $75,000 per year; continued eligibility depends on income and satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-time, first-year Virginia residents whose family income falls at or below the published threshold and who are admitted and meet filing deadlines.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
The Richmond Guarantee (Summer Fellowship)
📅 Deadline: Spring term deadlines prior to the funded summer; dates vary by fellowship cycle
Non-Renewable
👥 ~More than 500 fellowships per year across programs winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time summer funding that can be combined with merit and need-based aid; typically does not reduce academic-year scholarships.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a UR Summer Fellowship / Richmond Guarantee application describing an approved summer research, internship, or experiential project and secure faculty or staff endorsement as required.
Selection criteria: Evaluated on clarity and quality of the proposed experience, learning goals, and feasibility.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Every traditional undergraduate is guaranteed eligibility for at least one funded summer experience, subject to approval of a qualifying proposal.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time undergraduates with well-developed internship or research proposals; more than 500 students are funded each year across disciplines.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Study Abroad Awards (Don Quijote, Weinstein, Gilman)
📅 Deadline: Varies by award; generally spring and fall cycles tied to study abroad terms
Non-Renewable
$5,000–$16,000
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Awards are intended to defray study abroad program costs and can stack with institutional aid; federal awards like Gilman may affect need-based aid depending on total funding.
📄
How to Apply
Submit separate scholarship applications through relevant departments or national portals for Don Quijote, Weinstein, Gilman, and related study abroad awards.
Selection criteria: Selection focuses on academic preparation, strength of language or research goals, and, for federal programs, financial need.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes internal awards such as Don Quijote and Weinstein along with external fellowships like Gilman; exact amounts and criteria differ by program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Language majors or minors, students with strong research or project proposals, and Pell Grant–eligible students planning approved overseas study.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Amounts and criteria are based on university data. Oliver Hill and Richmond’s Promise require specific eligibility; all students may apply for experiential and fellowship awards.
- Departmental scholarships (e.g., Languages and Cultures, Humanities, Sciences) support study abroad and research—apply through your major/advisor.
- Spider Club athletic scholarships assist recruited athletes (coach nomination required).
- Greek life and student club awards offer modest, one-time grants.
Richmond is a QuestBridge National College Match partner, offering full-ride funding for eligible high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds.
FAQ on Hidden Gems
Can these awards stack? Most hidden gem scholarships can combine with merit or need-based aid, unless you already have a flagship award that covers full cost.
Who qualifies for Oliver Hill? Students who win merit awards and demonstrate diversity/service leadership automatically enter review for Oliver Hill.
Is the Richmond Guarantee automatic? Yes—every student is guaranteed one funded summer experience, but must submit a qualified fellowship application and plan.
Are study abroad funds reliable? Yes—dozens of UR students win department, national, or federal awards (like Gilman) every year for overseas study.
Sources:
Oliver Hill Scholars Program – https://scholars.richmond.edu/oliver-hill/
Richmond’s Promise to Virginia – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/promise-to-virginia.html
UR Summer Fellowships / Richmond Guarantee – https://ursf.richmond.edu/summer-fellowships/
Study Abroad Awards – https://global.richmond.edu/abroad/finances/scholarships.html
Army ROTC Scholarships – https://military.richmond.edu/scholarships/index.html
🎖️ Honors College
Unlike large state schools, Richmond doesn’t run a separate Honors College. Instead, it builds honors-style experiences into signature programs like the Richmond Scholars, Oliver Hill Scholars, and departmental honors tracks. For families, that means your student can still access small, seminar-style classes, faculty mentoring, and research funding without applying to a separate “college within a college.”
What a Typical Richmond Honors Student Looks Like:
Near-perfect grades in the most rigorous courses offered (AP/IB/dual enrollment), strong writing and leadership experience, and a clear interest in service or community impact.
Perks That Matter:
Priority registration, small discussion-based seminars, close faculty mentoring, access to funded research through the Richmond Guarantee, and special housing or cohort programming via Scholar communities.
- Departmental Honors — available in many majors (e.g., Biology, English, Political Science, Music); requires thesis or substantial capstone research/project.
- Honors Seminars — writing-intensive, seminar-style courses open to high-achieving students across disciplines.
- Scholar Cohorts — Richmond and Oliver Hill Scholars join living-learning and mentoring programs that mirror honors college experiences.
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
FAQ on Honors at Richmond
Is admission automatic? No. Richmond Scholars and Oliver Hill Scholars are selected during admissions review (application by Dec 1 required), while departmental honors are open to qualified, enrolled students (usually junior or senior year).
Does participating in honors add time to the degree? No. Departmental and Scholar honors are built into the four-year plan, and do not require extra semesters or delayed graduation.
Are there extra scholarships tied to honors? Yes. Richmond Scholars earn full tuition, housing, and meals (plus $5,500 for enrichment); Oliver Hill Scholars receive half tuition plus a $4,000 enrichment grant. Departmental honors do not have a separate scholarship, but program perks (advising, research funding, thesis support) are included.
What deadlines matter? For Richmond or Oliver Hill Scholars, submit your admission application by Dec 1 of senior year to be considered in the automatic review. Departmental honors have major-specific deadlines, usually junior spring or senior fall.
Sources:
Richmond Scholars – https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective/
Oliver Hill Scholars – https://scholars.richmond.edu/oliver-hill/
Richmond Guarantee – https://ursf.richmond.edu/summer-fellowships/
Departmental Honors Guide – https://english.richmond.edu/honors/
Honors Program (Arts & Sciences) – https://rhetoric.richmond.edu/honors/
⭐ College Specialty
The University of Richmond is a private liberal arts university with a national reputation that reaches beyond its small size. Parents often notice two standout features: the Jepson School of Leadership Studies—the first of its kind in the nation—and the university’s deep promise that every student will have a funded summer experience. Combined with a strong business school and global focus, Richmond graduates leave with a portfolio that blends academics, leadership, and practical experience.
Signature Program:
Jepson School of Leadership Studies — the nation’s first undergraduate school dedicated to leadership, offering a distinctive interdisciplinary degree that is recognized nationally for innovation in teaching and civic engagement.
- Robins School of Business — consistently ranked among the top 25 undergraduate business programs nationally by Bloomberg Businessweek (2023).
- Political Science & International Studies — strong ties to policy internships in Washington, D.C. and global study programs, highly regarded regionally for government and diplomacy pipelines.
- The Richmond Guarantee — every student receives up to $5,000 (rising to $5,300 in 2026) for a research or internship experience, a national model for funded experiential learning.
- Law and Pre-Law Pathways — supported by the University of Richmond School of Law, providing early exposure and advising; the university is known in Virginia for feeding strong candidates into law school and public service.
Final Thoughts
The University of Richmond may not be a huge campus, but it plays big when it comes to opportunity. With flagship scholarships that can erase nearly all costs, hidden gems like the Richmond Guarantee, and a promise to meet full financial need, families have more paths to affordability than you might expect from a private university. If your student has the grades, leadership, and drive, Richmond can deliver a powerful degree and funded experiences that open real doors after graduation.
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