University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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
📊 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.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
UNC–Chapel Hill at a Glance
🧠 FAQ: UNC–Chapel Hill Scholarships
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Academic Scholarships | $3,000 up to full cost of attendance | All admitted students are automatically considered; holistic review places emphasis on academics, leadership, strong service, and impact | No | Yes — typically 4 years (renewal GPA varies, not publicly listed) | Students with near-perfect grades (UW GPA ~3.9–4.0*) plus rigorous courses and strong extracurriculars; top scores (ACT 32+/SAT 1450+) if submitted | Apply by Regular or Early Action admissions deadline |
| College Fellows & Tar Heel Merit | Not publicly listed; often substantial | NC residents with outstanding academic, extracurricular, or leadership records | No | Yes — renewal terms not published | Among the top North Carolina students in each pool; very high GPA, AP/IB/dual-enrollment rigor, major extracurricular impact | Apply by admissions deadline |
| Tar Heel Guarantee | Covers full tuition and fees | NC residents; family income below $80,000 (need-based but awarded automatically based on FAFSA/financial aid application) | No (file FAFSA) | Yes, for 4 years (as long as financial eligibility continues) | Admitted in-state students meeting eligibility | FAFSA priority deadline |
*Estimated GPA and test score ranges represent typical past recipients and UNC admitted student profile; actual standards shift yearly.
Do I need a separate application? No — for all scholarships on this table, admitted students are automatically considered based on their admission and/or FAFSA/CSS Profile. No special essays, interviews, or extra steps.
Are test scores required? No — UNC is test-optional, but submitting high scores (ACT 32+/SAT 1450+) can boost competitiveness for merit scholarships.
Does UNC superscore? Yes, superscoring applies to both ACT and SAT for admissions and scholarship review.
Can automatic scholarships stack with other aid? Major merit awards usually replace smaller ones; they may be combined with need-based aid (where eligible), but stacking policies vary by program and year.
https://scholarships360.org/colleges/unc-chapel-hill-scholarships/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/opportunities/scholarships/
https://cfnc.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search/
https://campusreel.org/scholarships/unc-chapel-hill
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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; selection based on leadership, character, scholarship, and physical vigor | Yes — nomination and multi-stage selection | Yes, for 4 years | Roughly 75 students chosen each year from approximately 2,000 nominees. Recipients have near-perfect GPAs and rigorous courses. Competitive applicants often present ACT scores of 33+ or SAT 1480+ (test scores optional), and strong leadership/service portfolios. | Oct 15 (nomination/Early Action) or Jan 1 (Regular Decision)* |
| Robertson Scholars Leadership Program | Full tuition, board, fees, and room at UNC or Duke; summer leadership funding and cross-enrollment privileges | UNC and Duke applicants demonstrating exceptional leadership, service, academic achievement, and a strong vision for impact | Yes — complete the Robertson application by the posted December deadline | Yes, 4 years | About 18–20 students per campus per year. Scholars display 4.0 GPAs or equivalent, rigorous curriculum, and notable leadership/initiative regionally or nationally. | Early December |
*Estimated GPA/test score bands reflect public data on finalists and recipients. Final standards are holistic and change annually. See program sites for the most current details.
What makes these scholarships competitive? Limited slots (dozens out of thousands), multi-phase interviews, and a heavy focus on leadership and service achievement — not just grades or scores.
Do I need to apply separately? Yes. Morehead-Cain requires a school nomination/referral and Robertson requires its application in addition to the UNC or Duke admissions form.
Can I apply for both? Yes — applicants may pursue both as long as they meet eligibility and deadlines become available.
What’s the value? Both are among the most prestigious full-ride scholarships for undergraduates in the U.S., with robust leadership and summer programming.
https://moreheadcain.org/eligibility-application
https://robertsonscholars.org/applying
https://robertsonscholars.org/scholar-handbook-2024-2025-academic-year/
https://moreheadcain.org/eligibility-information-north-carolina/
https://robertsonscholars.org/high-school-students/
https://give.unc.edu/
🎖️ Honors Carolina
UNC doesn’t run a separate Honors College—instead, it offers Honors Carolina, an invite-only program that features small seminars, faculty mentorship, research fellowships, and global opportunities. It is highly selective, designed to make a big campus feel personalized for top undergraduates.
What a Typical Honors Carolina Student Looks Like
- Unweighted GPA close to 4.0*
- Top 3–10% 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 (200+ honors courses)
- Dedicated Honors housing option
- Access to faculty-mentored research, thesis awards, and special fellowships
- Special study abroad programs (Burch, Phillips, Carolina Blue Fellowships)
- Extensive alumni, mentorship, and global networking resources
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Froelich Honors Fellowship | Funding for research, study abroad, internship, or civic engagement | Incoming Honors Carolina students | No (automatic consideration) | No | Top incoming honors admits with creative proposals | Awarded on entry |
| Taylor Faculty-Mentored Research Fellowships | Up to $4,000 summer grant | Honors Carolina students with qualifying faculty research projects | Yes | No | Honors students with strong proposals and faculty support | Spring |
| Senior Honors Thesis Research Awards | Up to $500 | Honors Carolina seniors with a thesis project | Yes | No | Seniors with legitimate thesis expenses | Fall/Spring |
| Carolina Blue Honors Fellowship | Funding for global internship or research | Rising Honors Carolina sophomores, juniors, seniors (3.0+ GPA) | Yes, independent app | No | Preference for those with no prior international travel | Dec/Jan |
| Summey Scholarships | Funding support for Honors Carolina study abroad | Honors Carolina participants in sponsored global programs | Yes | No | Students with strong essays and interest in program theme/culture | Varies by program |
Is admission automatic? No, most invites go to top applicants via holistic review, but some qualified UNC students may apply after enrollment.
Does Honors add time to my degree? No, Honors Carolina fits within a standard 4-year degree; students with interest in research or thesis have scheduling flexibility.
Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors? Yes, Honors Carolina offers distinct research, travel, and thesis funding opportunities—but there’s no blanket automatic stipend for all members.
What’s the timeline? Invitations go out alongside admissions offers each spring; limited lateral entry possible for high-achieving current UNC students.
https://catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/programs-study/honors/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/opportunities/scholarships/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/research/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/fellowships/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/senior-honors-thesis/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/carolina-blue-honors-fellowship-details/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/summey-scholarships/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/prospective-students/
https://honorscarolina.unc.edu/program-requirements/
⭐ 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.