University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Scholarships (2025–2026)

← Back to the College Scholarships Hub • See North Carolina state aid

What This Page Covers:

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

📊 Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance Rate: ~15%
Middle 50% ACT: 29–34
Middle 50% SAT: 1400–1520
Average GPA (HS): Not reported

Source: UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions (latest class profile). Middle 50% = the range where half of enrolling students fall.

📌

UNC–Chapel Hill at a Glance

🏆 Full-ride opportunity: Morehead–Cain and Robertson Scholars fund full cost of attendance plus enrichment for a small number of top students (separate foundations).

Average Net Price

$11,140

What families actually paid on average

Automatic Merit (OOS)

Limited • most awards are competitive

Admission review may award $3k–full COA

Typical Qualifiers

Top ~10% • ACT 32+ / SAT 1450+

Based on recent recipient patterns*

Superscore Policy

ACT: Yes • SAT: Yes

Used for admission & scholarships

Key Deadlines

EA: Oct 15 • RD: Jan 15 • Need-based scholarship priority: Dec 1 • Test score update: Nov 7 (EA) / Feb 21 (RD) • FAFSA/CSS priority: Dec 1

Use earlier of admission/scholarship

Honors College

Honors Carolina • Competitive • No separate app (invitation)

Perks: priority reg, housing options, research

Full-Tuition / Full-Ride

Automatic: No • Competitive: Yes

Morehead–Cain, Robertson Scholars

Residency & Waivers

ACM/WUE/MSEP: N/A

Strong in-state value; no broad OOS match

* Scholarship GPA/test bands are approximate, based on award text + past recipient data + published student profile statistics. Actual thresholds can shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and funding.

🧠 FAQ: UNC–Chapel Hill Scholarships

Does UNC–Chapel Hill offer automatic merit scholarships for out-of-state students?
Not many. UNC is highly selective and most merit awards are competitive and limited to a small number of exceptional applicants. Out-of-state students are rarely awarded automatic merit, though a few smaller awards (around $2,500–$10,000) may be included with admission offers.

What are the big full-ride scholarships at UNC?
The two most prestigious programs are the Morehead–Cain Scholarship (UNC’s own foundation) and the Robertson Scholars Program (shared with Duke University). Both cover the full cost of attendance plus enrichment experiences, and require separate applications or nominations.

How competitive are these scholarships?
Extremely. Recipients are usually in the top 1–2% of applicants nationally, with near-perfect academic records, demonstrated leadership, and community impact. For every 100 applicants, only a handful are selected for interviews or finalist weekends.

Does UNC use superscoring when reviewing test scores?
Yes. UNC superscores both the SAT and ACT for admission and scholarship consideration. Students can send multiple test sittings, and the university will consider the highest section scores across dates.

When should I apply to maximize scholarship chances?
Apply by the Early Action (October 15) deadline. Most major scholarships, including Morehead–Cain and Robertson, review only applicants who meet this date. Also submit FAFSA and CSS Profile by December 1 for need-based aid priority.

Sources:
https://admissions.unc.edu/apply/types-of-applications/first-year/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199120-University-of-North-Carolina-at-Chapel-Hill=
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/tuition-and-costs

💰 Cost of Attendance at UNC Chapel Hill

Category (2025–26)	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)	$9,096	$45,228
Housing & Meals (typical on-campus)	$8,570	$8,570
Total Direct Costs	$17,666	$53,798

Note: In addition to these direct costs, UNC budgets the following other expenses (books & supplies: $622; travel: $1,050; personal: $1,900) which vary by student.
These are omitted from the table because they aren’t billed by the university and instead depend on each student’s usage and choices.

Average Federal Net Price: $11,140 — what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on federal data.

Reciprocity or Regional Programs: UNC Chapel Hill does not participate in tuition-exchange programs like WUE or MSEP. Out-of-state families pay the full nonresident rate unless awarded a scholarship. Curious how reciprocity works at other schools? Check our Reciprocity Hub.

Who qualifies? Only North Carolina residents automatically get the in-state rate. Out-of-state students must pay full cost unless they earn a major scholarship.

How much could we save? Unlike some regional programs, UNC offers no built-in tuition discounts for nonresidents. Savings come only through scholarships or need-based aid.

Is it automatic? Yes for NC residents. No reciprocity exists for others.

Sources:
https://www.northcarolina.edu/wp-content/uploads/reports-and-documents/finance-documents/undegraduate-tuition-and-fees-fy2025-26.pdf
https://admissions.unc.edu/costs-aid/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/tuition-and-costs
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199120-University-of-North-Carolina-at-Chapel-Hill=

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

At UNC Chapel Hill, there are no GPA/test-score charts that guarantee a scholarship. Instead, every admitted student is automatically reviewed for merit awards through the admissions file. Awards are highly selective and usually go to the very top of the pool.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
General Academic Scholarships	$3,000 up to full cost of attendance	All admitted students automatically considered; strongest academics, leadership, and service matter most	No	Yes — typically 4 years (renewal GPA not published)	Students with near-perfect grades (UW GPA ~3.9–4.0) and very high test scores if submitted (ACT 32+/SAT 1450+). Leadership and service are also key.
College Fellows & Tar Heel Merit	Not publicly listed (significant awards)	NC residents with outstanding academic and extracurricular records	No	Yes — renewal terms not published	Top North Carolina students: usually UW GPA 3.9–4.0*, AP/IB or dual-enrollment rigor, plus major extracurricular or leadership impact.

*Estimated GPA and test score ranges are based on past recipient data and UNC’s admitted student profile. Actual cutoffs shift year to year depending on the applicant pool and funding.

Do I need a separate application? No — all admitted students are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships.

Are test scores required? No. UNC is test-optional, but strong scores (ACT 32+/SAT 1450+*) can strengthen your case if submitted.

Does UNC superscore? Yes. UNC superscores both the ACT and SAT, combining your highest section scores across test dates for admissions and scholarship review.

Can automatic scholarships stack with other aid? Large merit awards usually replace smaller ones. They can combine with need-based aid, but stacking rules vary by program.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships are not automatic. They require nominations, essays, or interviews — and only a small number of students are selected each year. Think of them as UNC’s most prestigious awards, often covering the full cost of attendance.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Morehead-Cain Scholarship	Full ride — tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, summer enrichment, study abroad	Open to NC and out-of-state applicants; nomination required from high school or through Early Action referral	Yes — nomination and multi-stage selection	Yes, for 4 years	Roughly 75 students chosen each year from ~2,000 nominees. Winners typically have near-perfect GPAs, rigorous courses, top scores (ACT 33+/SAT 1480+*), plus major leadership/service impact.
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program	Full tuition + unique cross-enrollment at UNC & Duke, summer programs, and leadership development	UNC and Duke applicants with exceptional leadership, service, and academic distinction	Yes — separate Robertson application due early December	Yes, 4 years	About 18–20 students per campus each year. Recipients stand out nationally with 4.0-level GPAs, top test scores if submitted, and transformative leadership or service projects.

*Estimated GPA/test score bands are based on past recipient data and public finalist profiles. Actual thresholds vary by year.

What makes these scholarships competitive? Limited slots (dozens out of thousands of applicants), multi-round interviews, and a focus on leadership and service — not just grades.

Do I need to apply separately? Yes. Morehead-Cain requires a school nomination or referral; Robertson requires its own online application by December.

Can I apply for both? Yes — some students pursue both, but each has its own process and deadlines.

Are they worth the effort? Absolutely. Both cover full tuition (and more), making them among the most valuable undergraduate awards in the country.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

UNC Chapel Hill has a deep bench of niche, need-based, donor, departmental, ROTC, research, and study-abroad awards that can quietly shave thousands off the bill — especially for first-gen/low-income students, musicians, STEM majors, travelers, and cadets.

Scholarship / Program	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Carolina Covenant	Full demonstrated need (grants + work, no loans)	Families ≤200% of poverty line; must file FAFSA + CSS Profile	No	Yes — 4 yrs	Low-income/first-gen students with timely aid apps
Tar Heel Guarantee	Covers in-state tuition & fees	NC families earning <$80k	No	Yes	NC residents just above Pell but still lower-income
Army ROTC — Tar Heel Battalion	Full tuition + $420/mo stipend + books	U.S. citizens meeting academic/fitness standards; service commitment	Yes	Yes	3.0+ GPA, strong fitness, leadership/service interest
Air Force ROTC (Det 590)	Up to $18k/yr tuition or $10k housing	Cadets in Professional Officer Course; GPA/fitness standards	Yes	Yes — 2 yrs	Juniors/seniors with ~3.0+ GPA & strong PT scores
Kenan Music Scholarship	Full ride (tuition, fees, housing, meals)	Music majors; audition required	Yes	Yes — 4 yrs	Top musicians with standout auditions + academics
Music Dept. Donor Awards	$500–$2,000/yr	Incoming/continuing Music students; auditions	Yes	Usually	Strong performers; marching band/ensembles considered
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)	$4,000 summer stipend	Full-time undergrads with faculty mentor & project proposal	Yes	No	Students with strong proposals; ~60 funded each summer
Burch Fellows	Up to ~$6,000	1–6 semesters completed; self-designed research/fieldwork	Yes	No	Creative, independent students with faculty backing
Phillips Ambassadors (Asia Study Abroad)	$6,000–$7,000	UNC students in approved Asia programs	Yes	No	Students with compelling essays & global interest
Study Abroad Donor Funds	$500–$2,500 typical	Approved study abroad students; many funds have county/need prefs	Yes	No	Need-based students or those matching donor prefs
Kenan-Flagler Global Programs	$500–$1,500 merit; need-based varies	Undergrad business students studying abroad	Yes	No	Business majors with 3.3+ GPA and clear academic fit
Chancellor’s Science Scholars	NC: $10k/yr; OOS: full ride	High-achieving STEM majors; Early Action deadline	Yes	Yes — 4 yrs	STEM students with ~3.8+ GPA, AP/IB math/science, leadership

How do Covenant and Tar Heel Guarantee differ? Covenant makes UNC loan-free for the lowest-income students; Tar Heel Guarantee ensures at least tuition & fees for NC families under $80k. Some qualify for both.

Do ROTC awards stack? Stipends and book allowances usually stack. Full tuition benefits may replace other scholarships, so aid packages adjust.

Do you have to be in Honors for Burch or SURF? No — Burch is run through Honors Carolina but open to all; SURF is campus-wide.

What’s the best study abroad funding strategy? Apply to multiple pools — Phillips, Study Abroad donor funds, and Kenan-Flagler if you’re in Business. Need and donor preferences drive many decisions.

⭐ College Specialty

UNC Chapel Hill is a public powerhouse with national reach—think life‑changing public health, a #1 pharmacy school, award‑winning journalism, and a top public business program. Families who want big‑school resources with real-world pipelines (research, internships, global programs) will find them here.

Public Health (Gillings School of Global Public Health) — #1 public school of public health; #2 overall nationally (U.S. News, 2025). UNC is a Carnegie “Very High Research Activity” (R1) university, so students plug into real research early.

Why it matters: unparalleled access to labs, fieldwork, and paid research—plus pipelines into CDC, NIH, hospitals, and global NGOs.

Pharmacy (Eshelman) — Ranked #1 in the nation (U.S. News graduate rankings; most recent release), with consistent global top‑10 placements. Why it matters: industry partnerships, research funding, and top residency outcomes.
Journalism & Media (Hussman) — Seven straight national championships in the Hearst Awards (“Pulitzers of college journalism”) through 2025. Why it matters: hands‑on newsroom experience and a powerful alumni network.
Business (Kenan‑Flagler, Undergraduate) — Regular top‑tier public business program; placed top‑10 nationally in recent rankings snapshots. Why it matters: recruiting pipelines to consulting, finance, and tech; study‑abroad business programs.

🎖️ Honors Carolina

UNC doesn’t run a separate Honors College—instead, it offers Honors Carolina, an invite-only program that pulls together small seminars, faculty mentorship, and global opportunities. It’s selective, but it’s also designed to make a big school feel more personal for top students.

What a Typical Honors Carolina Student Looks Like

Unweighted GPA close to 4.0*
Top 5–10% of high school class
Rigorous coursework (AP, IB, or dual enrollment)
ACT 32+/SAT 1450+* if submitted
Leadership or service commitment beyond the classroom

Perks of Honors Carolina

Priority registration and smaller class sizes
Dedicated Honors housing option
Access to faculty-mentored research and thesis projects
Special study abroad programs and global fellowships
Networking with distinguished alumni and guest speakers

Is admission automatic? No. Most invitations go to top applicants during the admissions process, though a small number of students may apply after enrollment.

Does Honors add time to my degree? No. Students complete Honors within the normal 4-year track, with added flexibility for research or a thesis.

Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors? Some departmental and fellowship awards are routed through Honors Carolina, but there’s no separate automatic stipend for all members.

What’s the timeline? Invitations are typically sent alongside admission offers in the spring; limited lateral entry is available for enrolled UNC students with strong first-year records.