University of New Orleans Scholarships (2025–2026)

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

Looking at the University of New Orleans can feel exciting but also a little overwhelming if you’re the first in your family to navigate college costs. The good news: Louisiana has strong state aid options, and UNO itself offers automatic merit awards, competitive scholarships, and hidden gems that can make a big difference. This page breaks it all down in plain English so you can see what’s really affordable.

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of New Orleans

Expense	Louisiana Resident	Non-Resident
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credit hours)	$9,454	$14,290
Housing & Meals	$13,270	$13,270
Books & Supplies	$1,300	$1,300
Transportation	$2,200	$2,200
Personal Expenses	$1,700	$1,700
Total (Before Aid)	$30,799	$33,217

Average Net Price: $10,774 (2021–2022). This is what families actually paid on average after scholarships and grants—no loans included. More recent estimates from outside sources suggest the typical net price may now be closer to $11,000–$11,500.

Out-of-State Fee Waiver & Academic Common Market: UNO offers a non-resident fee waiver to students with at least a 2.5 GPA and qualifying ACT/SAT scores, allowing them to pay the in-state rate. For example, instead of $14,290 in tuition, a student would pay $9,454—saving about $4,800 per year. No separate application is required; the waiver is tied to admission and scholarship review (priority deadline: Dec 15).

UNO also participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM), which allows students from select Southern states to pay in-state tuition if their chosen major isn’t offered in their home state.

Cost of Attendance FAQ

Who qualifies for the non-resident waiver?
Students with a 2.5+ GPA and qualifying test scores; many waivers are linked to merit scholarships.

How much does it save?
Roughly $4,800 per year on tuition, lowering the non-resident total to almost Louisiana resident rates.

Do I need to apply separately?
No—the waiver is automatic with admission review. Submit your application and test scores by Dec 15 for best consideration.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

At the University of New Orleans, automatic scholarships are awarded based on a student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores at the time of admission. These awards are tied directly to admission review—no separate application is needed. Non-resident students who qualify often receive the in-state tuition waiver in addition to a merit award.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
First-Time Freshman Merit Award	$2,000–$5,000/yr	High school GPA ≥ 3.0 and ACT 23+ (or SAT equivalent). Louisiana TOPS-eligible students may receive UNO aid stacked on top.	No	Yes — maintain 2.5 GPA, full-time enrollment	Most Louisiana residents with a 3.0 GPA and ACT in the mid-20s range qualify; non-residents often combine this with the out-of-state waiver.
Honors & Excellence Award (higher tier)	$6,000–$8,000/yr	High school GPA ≥ 3.5 and ACT 27+ (or SAT equivalent). Top quartile of graduating class strongly favored.	No	Yes — maintain 3.0 GPA, full-time enrollment	Strong students with 3.5+ GPA and ACT close to 30 are competitive. Many recipients also join the Honors Program.
Privateer Premier Award (top tier)	$9,000–$10,000/yr	High school GPA ≥ 3.7 and ACT 30+ (or SAT equivalent). Limited number awarded.	No	Yes — maintain 3.0 GPA, full-time enrollment	Top Louisiana and out-of-state students with high rigor and strong ACT/SAT scores. Very competitive tier.

Note: GPA and test score cutoffs are approximate when not explicitly listed by the university. These bands are based on a mix of official descriptions, past award levels, and published student profiles. Actual thresholds can shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and funding.

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do I need to submit a separate application?
No, all admitted freshmen are automatically reviewed for UNO’s merit scholarships.

Does UNO superscore the ACT or SAT?
Yes, UNO considers the highest subscores across test dates to maximize your eligibility.

Can I stack these awards with the out-of-state waiver?
Yes. Non-residents who qualify for both can combine the waiver with their automatic merit scholarship.

What’s the deadline?
Students should apply for admission by December 15 for priority scholarship consideration.

🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships

The University of New Orleans offers a top-tier competitive award that goes beyond automatic merit. These flagship scholarships are highly selective, require extra steps like interviews, and are designed to attract the university’s strongest applicants. We include “competitive scholarship” language here so families searching for flagship/competitive awards can find this section easily. Note: Honors-specific awards and departmental donor scholarships appear in their own sections.

Scholarship	Award Amount	What Makes It Competitive	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?
Homer Hitt Scholarship	$75,000 total value (≈ $18,750/yr for 4 years)	Requires interview as part of the finalist process; limited number awarded.	Minimum 3.5 GPA and ACT 32+ / SAT 1420+; open to first-time freshmen.	Yes — separate flagship/competitive application and interview	Yes — must maintain full-time enrollment and strong GPA (3.0+ recommended)

The Homer Hitt Scholarship is UNO’s flagship, competitive award. It is the most prestigious scholarship at the university, offering a four-year package valued at $75,000 and requiring an interview for finalists.

Flagship/Competitive FAQ

How selective is the Homer Hitt Scholarship?
Extremely selective—students need both a 3.5+ GPA and very high test scores (ACT 32+ / SAT 1420+), plus a strong interview.

What does the award actually cover?
It provides about $18,750 per year, which can offset a large portion of tuition, fees, and living costs over four years.

Do I need a separate application?
Yes, students must complete a flagship/competitive scholarship application and participate in an interview if invited as a finalist.

Can this stack with other aid?
Flagship-level awards like the Homer Hitt Scholarship often replace lower-tier automatic merit but may still stack with certain need-based or external scholarships. UNO’s Financial Aid office provides final stacking guidance.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond automatic merit and flagship awards, the University of New Orleans has smaller programs and aid opportunities that can help reduce costs. These hidden gems include need-based state aid, ROTC pathways, and targeted donor awards that many families overlook.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Louisiana TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)	Covers tuition (varies by level)	Louisiana residents meeting GPA, ACT, and core curriculum requirements.	Yes — FAFSA and state TOPS application	Yes — maintain GPA and full-time enrollment	Most Louisiana residents with at least a 2.5 GPA and ACT 20+ qualify at some level.
Army ROTC Scholarships (via Tulane University partnership)	Full tuition + $420/mo stipend + book allowance	UNO students who enroll in Army ROTC through Tulane University.	Yes — apply through ROTC office/board	Yes — must meet physical, academic, and service commitments	Students interested in commissioning as Army officers, often STEM or leadership-focused.
Air Force ROTC Scholarships	Full or partial tuition + stipend + book allowance	UNO students can join Air Force ROTC at Tulane; awards are competitive nationally.	Yes — AFROTC application and board	Yes — must maintain GPA, fitness, and service obligations	Students with strong academics and leadership who commit to Air Force service after graduation.
UNO Music Talent Scholarships	$500–$3,000/yr	Audition required for music majors and ensemble participants (jazz, classical, choral).	Yes — departmental audition	Some renewable with continued participation and GPA	Students with strong performance ability in UNO ensembles; top jazz and classical performers favored.
UNO Scholarship for Women in Computer Science	$1,000–$3,000/yr	Female Computer Science majors with solid academic performance.	Yes — departmental application	Yes — if GPA maintained	Female CS students in good standing; preference often given to upperclassmen with strong involvement.
Frederick Hosch Scholarship (Computer Science)	$1,000–$2,500/yr	Students from underrepresented backgrounds in Computer Science.	Yes — departmental application	Yes — if GPA maintained	CS students who identify as first-gen, minority, or historically excluded groups.
ACERS Scholarship (Computer Science)	$500–$2,000/yr	Computer Science majors with financial need and strong merit.	Yes — departmental application	Some renewable	Students balancing academic excellence and financial need within the CS department.
English Department Scholarships	$500–$2,000/yr	English majors; criteria vary by named award (e.g., memorial scholarships).	Yes — departmental application	Some renewable	English majors in good standing; often juniors/seniors or students with faculty support.
McNair Scholars Program	Up to $2,800 research stipend	First-generation, low-income, or underrepresented students preparing for graduate study.	Yes — federal TRIO program application	Yes — must remain active in program	Ambitious first-gen/low-income students aiming for Ph.D. pathways; research-focused.
UNO Alumni Association Scholarship	$1,000–$2,500	Incoming freshmen who demonstrate leadership and involvement in high school.	Yes — alumni association application	Some renewable	High school leaders with strong service and activity records.
UNO Donor/Privateer Foundation Awards	$500–$3,000	UNO undergraduates; criteria vary (financial need, academic interest, identity-based)	Yes — UNO scholarship portal	Some renewable, some one-time	Students who complete the UNO scholarship portal early; many funds target juniors/seniors or special populations.

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/test requirements are based on the most recent publicly available information. Ranges are provided where exact amounts vary by year or donor funding.

Black Student Union (BSU) or other student-run donor scholarships — check with student organizations directly.
Need-based institutional grants awarded through the FAFSA.
ScholarshipUniverse — UNO’s centralized matching platform that connects students with hundreds of additional niche scholarships once admitted.
No publicly listed Marching Band scholarship found at UNO, though ensemble-based aid may be available via the Music Department.

Hidden Gem FAQ

Does UNO participate in QuestBridge?
No — UNO is not a QuestBridge partner school. See the full list of participating universities at QuestBridge National College Match if you’re seeking those types of partnerships.

Can I stack TOPS with UNO merit or flagship scholarships?
Yes. Louisiana residents can stack TOPS with UNO automatic and flagship awards, though stacking rules with donor awards may vary.

How do ROTC scholarships work at UNO?
UNO students enroll in the Army ROTC program hosted at Tulane University. Those selected can receive full tuition plus monthly stipends in exchange for service commitments after graduation.

When should we apply for UNO donor scholarships?
As early as possible—UNO’s scholarship portal typically opens in the fall, and many awards have priority deadlines before spring.

⭐ College Specialty

The University of New Orleans is a public urban research university with a strong reputation in creative arts, technology, and regional leadership programs. For families looking at UNO, it’s not just about affordability—the school also has programs that open doors to careers in Louisiana’s cultural and economic hubs.

Best-Known Program: Jazz Studies (Department of Music) UNO’s Jazz Studies program is recognized nationally, building on New Orleans’ deep cultural roots. Students study with world-class musicians and often perform at major jazz festivals and venues across the city.

Film & Theatre Arts: UNO’s School of the Arts is known statewide for film and theatre, with alumni working in Hollywood and Louisiana’s fast-growing film industry.
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering: UNO hosts one of the few accredited programs in the U.S. in this field, supporting Louisiana’s vital shipbuilding and maritime sectors.
Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Administration: Recognized across the Gulf South as a leading program preparing students for management careers in Louisiana’s hospitality industry.
Computer Science: Regionally respected for software engineering and cybersecurity research, with ties to Louisiana’s growing tech sector.

🎖️ Honors College

The University of New Orleans Honors Program gives high-achieving students a smaller, more personalized academic experience within a larger urban university. Admission is competitive, but it offers strong perks like priority registration, small seminar-style classes, and faculty mentorship that can make a big difference in your student’s journey.

What a Typical UNO Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA 3.5+, ACT 26+ (or SAT equivalent), rigorous coursework, and involvement in leadership or service.
*Estimates based on UNO admissions guidance and prior cohort profiles.

Honors Perks that Matter:

Priority class registration
Dedicated Honors housing options
Faculty-led seminars and interdisciplinary courses
Research opportunities and senior thesis support
Mentorship and advising tailored to graduate/professional pathways

Honors FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No — students must apply separately to the UNO Honors Program after admission to the university.

Does Honors add time to your degree?
No. Honors students graduate on time; requirements are built into the standard credit load.

When should my student apply?
It’s best to apply early in senior year or immediately after admission to UNO to secure priority housing and advising.

Are there extra scholarships for Honors?
UNO does not advertise separate Honors-only scholarships. Instead, strong Honors applicants are often competitive for flagship and donor-funded awards already covered in other sections.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Navigating the University of New Orleans can feel like a lot—tuition, fee waivers, flagship scholarships, and hidden gems all layered together. The good news: families have multiple paths to real savings, from automatic merit and Louisiana’s TOPS program to UNO’s prestigious Homer Hitt Scholarship and even full tuition through ROTC. If your student is aiming high, stacking these options can make UNO surprisingly affordable while still offering standout programs in music, film, engineering, and more.

✅ Last updated: September 24, 2025