North Carolina A&T Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
North Carolina A&T is the nation’s largest HBCU and a top producer of Black engineers and leaders. If you’re a first-gen parent trying to sort out what’s affordable, here’s a plain-English look at what A&T really costs, the automatic merit and full-ride programs like Cheatham-White and Dowdy, and how Honors and hidden gems can add even more value. For families comparing options in North Carolina, don’t miss our state aid guide alongside this page.
💰 Cost of Attendance at North Carolina A&T
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (12–18 credits) | $6,748 – $7,545 | $20,345 – $20,408 |
| Housing (average) | $6,770 | $6,770 |
| Meals (average) | $4,218 | $4,218 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Transportation | $2,250 | $3,150 |
| Personal/Misc. | $2,297 | $2,297 |
| Loan Fees (avg.) | $60 | $60 |
| Total (before aid) | ≈ $23,745 | ≈ $38,000 |
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.
✅ 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 to be in the running. Exact award amounts vary year to year, but high-achieving students can receive thousands of dollars that renew each year as long as GPA and credit requirements are met.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Merit Scholarships | Several thousand dollars per year (varies) | Strong GPA and rigor; test scores considered if submitted | No | Yes — typically requires a 3.25 GPA & 15 credits/term | Students with a 3.8+ weighted GPA* and advanced courses; SAT 1160+ or ACT 24+ if scores are submitted* |
*GPA/test score ranges are estimates based on past recipient profiles. Exact cutoffs can shift each year depending on applicant pool and funding.
Do I need a separate application?
No. As long as you apply for admission by the priority deadline (Nov 1), you’ll be considered automatically.
Does NC A&T superscore the ACT or SAT?
Yes. NC A&T considers your highest subscores across test dates if you submit scores, but test scores are optional for admission and scholarships.
Can I stack automatic merit with other scholarships?
You can stack automatic merit with many departmental or outside awards, but if you win a full-ride (like Dowdy or Cheatham-White), those supersede the base merit award.
Is test-optional okay for merit?
Yes. Students admitted test-optional are still considered for merit awards based on GPA, course rigor, and leadership.
🏆 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheatham-White Scholarship (UNC System) | Full cost of attendance for 4 years (tuition, fees, housing, meals; enrichment funding) | Incoming first-year applicants with outstanding academics, leadership, and service | Yes — nomination/application + interview | Yes — good standing each year | Top 1–2% of the pool with near-perfect transcripts, rigorous courses, major leadership/service impact |
| National Alumni Scholarship (A&T Alumni Association) | Typically covers full tuition & fees plus room & board (multi-year; limited number) | High-achieving seniors with leadership and service; must complete A&T admission early | Yes — separate alumni scholarship application; interviews | Yes — maintain published GPA/credit load | Students with ~3.8+ weighted GPA*, strong leadership, and compelling interviews |
*When public GPA/test bands aren’t posted, ranges are based on past recipient profiles and may shift with the year’s applicant pool and funding.
Do these replace my automatic merit?
Usually yes — full-ride or full-COA awards supersede smaller admission-based scholarships. Departmental or outside awards may still stack for books/enrichment if allowed.
What are the key deadlines?
Plan for early fall: submit your A&T admission by the priority date and complete any separate scholarship forms or nominations on time. Some programs include finalist interviews.
Are test scores required?
Most competitive awards are holistic. Strong coursework, leadership, and service matter. If you submit scores, A&T considers your highest subscores across dates (superscoring).
How many are awarded?
Numbers are limited and can vary by year and funding. Check each program’s page for the current cycle’s details.
⭐ 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.
🎖️ 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 a place where motivated students can take seminar-style classes, live in Honors housing, and build close mentoring relationships with faculty while still enjoying all the opportunities of a large research university.
A strong GPA (3.75+ weighted in high school*), rigorous courses, leadership roles in school or community, and a clear commitment to service. Test scores, if submitted, are considered with a superscore policy.
- Priority class registration
- Dedicated Honors housing with a built-in support community
- Faculty mentorship and small seminar-style courses
- Research and study abroad funding opportunities
- Leadership development and intensive fellowship prep
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheatham-White Scholarship | Full cost of attendance for 4 years (tuition, fees, housing, meals, enrichment funding) | Incoming freshmen with top academics, leadership, and service | Yes — apply to Honors College by Nov 15 priority deadline | Yes — good standing and GPA required | Valedictorian/salutatorian-level students with national-caliber leadership and service records |
| Lewis & Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars Program | Full tuition, fees, room, and board plus enrichment funding | Incoming freshmen with exceptional academics, leadership, and service | Yes — apply to Honors College by Nov 15 | Yes — must maintain GPA and active participation | Students with 3.8+ GPAs*, advanced coursework, and significant leadership/service |
| February One Scholars Program | Full tuition, fees, housing, and meals for 4 years | Incoming freshmen showing high academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to service | Yes — apply to Honors College by Nov 15 | Yes — renewable with GPA and program standing | Students with ~3.8+ weighted GPAs* and demonstrated leadership/service impact |
*When GPA/test cutoffs are not published, ranges are based on past awardee profiles and may change with each year’s applicant pool.
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Honors College, with a priority deadline around November 15 for full consideration.
Does being in Honors add time to a degree?
No. Honors courses replace or enhance standard courses, so students graduate on time with additional experiences and recognition.
Are there Honors-specific scholarships?
Yes. Students who apply to the Honors College are also considered for the university’s major full-ride programs — Cheatham-White, Dowdy, and February One. These replace base merit awards if won.
What deadlines should families know?
Apply to the university and Honors College by November 15 for scholarship consideration. Later applications may still be reviewed for Honors admission, but scholarship funding is limited.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
North Carolina A&T combines the resources of a large public university with the tight-knit feel of an HBCU community. From automatic merit to full-ride Honors awards, plus hidden gems like USDA and ROTC funding, there are real ways to bring the price down if your student plans ahead. Families who make the priority deadlines and explore both merit and need-based aid put themselves in the best position to turn an Aggie education into an affordable reality.
✅ Last updated: September 15, 2025