North Carolina A&T State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit and leadership scholarships for new freshmen
- Competitive awards like the Cheatham-White full ride
- Honors College perks and how to qualify for top funding
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~57%
- Middle 50% ACT: 19 – 24
- Middle 50% SAT: 970 – 1160
- Average HS GPA: 3.7
Source: NC A&T Common Data Set 2024–25 and Admissions Profile. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
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North Carolina A&T at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
North Carolina A&T is one of the nation’s top HBCUs and the largest producer of Black STEM graduates in the U.S. The university awards automatic freshman merit based on GPA and test scores, and its premier Cheatham-White Scholarship offers a full ride for top scholars who combine academic excellence with leadership and service.
Use this guide to explore automatic awards, leadership-based scholarships, and honors opportunities that make A&T one of the most generous public HBCUs in the country for high-achieving students.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — NC A&T is test-optional through Fall 2026 as part of the UNC System.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 19–24; SAT 970–1160 (A&T CDS 2024–25).
What’s the average net price? $10,523 (IPEDS 2024).
Does this school offer reciprocity or nonresident waivers? No formal reciprocity; out-of-state students may receive merit awards that partially offset nonresident tuition.
💰 Cost of Attendance at North Carolina A&T
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12+ credits; annual) | $6,657 | $21,181 |
| Housing & Meals (standard on-campus) | $11,590 | $11,590 |
| Total (billed directly to NC A&T) | $18,247 | $32,771 |
Note: The totals above include only charges billed directly by North Carolina A&T (tuition, fees, housing, and meals). Additional expenses such as books & supplies (~$1,600), transportation (~$1,700), and personal costs (~$1,800) are excluded here because they are not paid to the university and can vary by student.
Reciprocity & Regional Discounts: North Carolina A&T does not participate in NC Promise, WUE, or the Academic Common Market. That means out-of-state families should look to A&T’s own merit or competitive scholarships for big discounts.
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Students who are legal residents of North Carolina, as determined by the Residency Determination Service (RDS).
How much more do out-of-state families pay?
Roughly $14,000–$14,500 more in tuition and fees than NC residents, before any scholarships.
Is there a way for out-of-state students to pay in-state rates?
No state or regional tuition-matching program is offered at NC A&T, so merit scholarships are the main path to lowering costs.
https://www.ncat.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance.php
https://www.ncat.edu/admissions/financial-aid/estimated-costs.php
https://www.ncat.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
https://irep.ncat.edu/common-data-set/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199127-North-Carolina-A-and-T-State-University
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
At NC A&T, students are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission. There’s no separate form, but you’ll want to apply by the priority deadline for the best chance at funding. Award amounts vary by year and profile, but high-achieving students can receive thousands in renewable aid if they keep GPA and credit requirements.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Merit Scholarships | Several thousand dollars per year (varies) | Strong GPA, high school course rigor; test scores optional but may help if submitted | No | Yes — must meet 3.25 GPA & 15 credits/term | Students with a 3.8+ weighted GPA* and honors/AP/IB coursework; SAT 1160+ or ACT 24+ if submitting scores* | Nov. 1 (priority) |
*GPA/test score ranges are estimates based on recent recipient profiles. Cutoffs can shift yearly depending on funding and competition.
Do I need a separate application?
No. Just apply for admission by Nov. 1 and you’re considered automatically for university merit awards.
Does NC A&T superscore the ACT/SAT?
Yes. NC A&T considers your highest subscores from all submitted test dates, but test scores are not required for admission or merit.
Can I stack merit with other awards?
Yes, many departmental or donor scholarships can combine with merit. Full-ride winners (Dowdy, Cheatham-White, etc.) cannot double-dip base merit.
Test-optional okay for merit?
Yes. Students not submitting scores receive holistic review based on GPA, rigor, leadership, and recommendations.
ncat.edu/admissions/scholarships/
ncat.edu/financial-aid-office/scholarships/
ncat.edu/academics/honors/distinguished-scholars/
catalog.ncat.edu/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These are selective, university-level awards with extra steps beyond the admission application (essays, interviews, nominations). They’re limited in number and go to students with exceptional academics, leadership, and service. Note: Honors College and departmental scholarships appear in their own sections on this page and are not listed here.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheatham-White Scholarship | Full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, meals, textbooks, laptop, supplies, travel, personal expenses) for 4 years + summers of funded enrichment | First-year applicants with a minimum 4.0 weighted GPA and 1280 SAT or 28 ACT; US citizen/permanent resident; major impact in academics, leadership, service | Yes — Honors College application & school/self nomination | Yes — maintain 3.5 GPA, 30 credits/year, Honors College membership | Top 1–2% with rigorous academics, leadership, and interview performance | Nov. 15 (priority for Honors/nomination); see Honors College site yearly |
| National Alumni Scholarship | Full tuition and fees, room and board (renewable up to 4 years) | First-time freshmen with demonstrated academics, service, and leadership; usually requires a 3.75+ GPA, minimum 1200 SAT/26 ACT | Yes — separate application & interviews required | Yes — maintain stated GPA/requirements yearly | Students with ~3.8 weighted GPA or above, compelling leadership/involvement, and strong interviews | Dec. 15 (all materials due for following fall cycle) |
| A&T Alumni Chapter Scholarships | Varies by local chapter (generally partial tuition or set dollar amount) | Incoming freshmen and upperclassmen from chapter’s geographic region; minimum 3.0 GPA typically required | Yes — apply directly to local alumni chapter | Varies, most are one year (some renewable) | Regionally engaged students with academic merit and chapter connection | Varies by chapter, spring-summer for fall entry |
*When public GPA/test ranges aren’t published, levels reflect recent recipient averages and can change with funding or applicant pool.
Do these replace my automatic merit?
Yes — full-ride or full-cost-of-attendance awards always supersede smaller merit awards. Some departmental or outside scholarships may stack for other expenses.
What are the key deadlines?
You must submit your A&T admission and any separate scholarship or Honors College materials by the published priority deadlines, often by Nov. 15–Dec. 15 for the following fall. Programs may require interviews or nominations, so plan early.
Are test scores required?
Most awards are holistic, but for Cheatham-White and National Alumni, 1200–1280+ SAT or 26–28+ ACT is typical among recipients. Academic rigor, leadership, and impact are essential.
How many are awarded?
Awards are very limited and can change by year. Visit each scholarship’s official page for the most up-to-date figures per cycle.
https://www.ncat.edu/admissions/scholarships/index.php
https://www.ncat.edu/admissions/scholarships/first-year.php
https://ncat.edu/honors/cheatham-white.php
https://ncat.edu/alumni/scholarships/national-alumni-scholarship.php
https://northcarolina.edu/cheatham-white-merit-scholarship/
https://ncat.edu/alumni/chapters/index.php
https://ncat.edu/admissions/scholarships/dates-deadlines.php
🎖️ Honors College
The Honors College at NC A&T offers high-achieving students a smaller academic community inside the nation’s largest HBCU. It’s designed for motivated students: seminar-style classes, Honors housing, extensive mentoring, and access to exclusive research and enrichment opportunities.
A strong GPA (usually 3.75+ weighted in high school*), rigorous advanced coursework, leadership in school/community, and a clear record of service. Test scores (SAT/ACT) are considered if submitted, using a superscore policy.
- Priority class registration and advising
- Dedicated Honors housing with supportive peer community
- Faculty mentorship plus exclusive seminar-style courses
- Special research grants and study abroad funding
- Leadership development and elite fellowship preparation
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheatham-White Scholarship | Full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, meals, textbooks, laptop, enrichment) for 4 years plus four summers of enrichment | Incoming freshmen with at least 3.75–4.0 GPA, advanced coursework, major leadership and service record, U.S. citizenship/permanent residency | Yes — submit Honors College application by Nov 15 priority | Yes — maintain GPA and Honors standing | Valedictorian/salutatorian-level, exceptional leaders in school and community | Nov 15 |
| Lewis & Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars Program | Full tuition, fees, room, board, and enrichment funding (renewable 4 years) | Incoming freshmen, 3.75+ weighted GPA, competitive SAT/ACT if submitted, leadership, service | Yes — Honors College app by Nov 15 | Yes — GPA, leadership, Honors standing | Scholars average 4.2+ GPA, advanced courses, sustained involvement | Nov 15 |
| February One Scholars Program | Full tuition, fees, housing, meals, Honors activities/enrichment, four years | Incoming freshmen: 3.75+ GPA; big impact in leadership, service, extracurriculars | Yes — Honors College app by Nov 15 | Yes — renewable with GPA, involvement | Scholars average 4.2+ GPA, major campus/community involvement | Nov 15 |
*Published cutoffs are minimums; past winners often exceed them, especially in GPA, rigor, and leadership. Numbers and amounts may change yearly.
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Honors College by November 15 for full scholarship consideration; December 15 final for Honors without major funding.
Does Honors add time to your degree?
No. Honors courses substitute for standard requirements, letting students graduate on schedule with added benefits and global opportunities.
Are there Honors-specific scholarships?
Yes. When you apply to the Honors College, you’re automatically considered for Cheatham-White, Dowdy Scholars, and February One — all major full-ride programs. These replace base merit awards if selected.
What deadlines matter?
Apply to both A&T and the Honors College by November 15 for scholarships; later submissions only reviewed for Honors admission as funds allow.
https://ncat.edu/honors/
https://ncat.edu/honors/cheatham-white.php
https://ncat.edu/honors/dowdy-scholars.php
https://ncat.edu/honors/february-one.php
https://ncat.edu/honors/dates-deadlines.php
https://ncat.edu/news/2025/dowdy-scholars-cohort.php
https://ncat.edu/news/2025/february-one-cohort.php
⭐ College Specialty
North Carolina A&T isn’t just the largest HBCU in the nation — it’s a powerhouse for STEM, agriculture, and leadership programs that draw attention far beyond the state. For first-gen families, that means your student can study at a school that combines national reputation with strong career pipelines. And yes, NC A&T is classified as a public R2 research university, with an emphasis on applied research and workforce impact.
- Agriculture & Environmental Sciences: As an 1890 land-grant HBCU, NC A&T is nationally recognized for research in sustainable farming, food security, and extension programs that serve communities statewide.
- Business: The Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics is AACSB-accredited and ranks among the top producers of African American business graduates nationally.
- Sciences & Technology: Consistently one of the nation’s top HBCUs in STEM degree production, including computer science, biology, and health sciences.
- Largest HBCU: With more than 15,000 students in 2025, A&T has held the title of largest HBCU in the country for 12 straight years, giving students broad academic options and alumni connections nationwide.