University of Richmond 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
If you’re looking at the University of Richmond, you’ll want to understand how scholarships and true costs actually work at a private school that promises to meet full financial need. This guide breaks down Richmond’s merit awards, competitive full rides, and hidden funding opportunities so families—especially first-gen parents—can see the real picture. You can also pair this page with our Virginia state aid guide for local programs that may stack with Richmond’s own awards.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Richmond
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $67,840 | $67,840 |
| Housing | $8,290 | $8,290 |
| Meal Plan | $9,720 | $9,720 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Personal | $1,540 | $1,540 |
| Loan Fee Allowance | $70 | $70 |
| Total (before aid) | $88,460 | $88,460 |
Note: Some more recent university sources project a higher average net price (around $39,478 for 2025–26). Numbers change each year based on aid funding and family income mix, so always double-check with Richmond’s financial aid office for the latest estimate.
FAQ on Costs
Who qualifies for in-state rates? Everyone pays the same since Richmond is a private university.
How much do most families actually pay? The federal average net price is about $33,417 after scholarships and grants, though high-need families often pay far less.
Do I need the CSS Profile? Yes—Richmond requires both the FAFSA and CSS Profile for institutional aid. See our CSS Profile guide for a step-by-step breakdown.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
The University of Richmond offers limited admission-based merit aid. Most scholarships are awarded automatically during the admission review, without a separate application.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | ≈ one-third tuition | Strong GPA and rigor; about 10% of admitted first-year students | No | Yes, up to 8 semesters (maintain good standing) | Students with top grades and the most rigorous courses; often paired with leadership or service signals |
| Additional Merit Awards | Varies (smaller amounts) | Selected during admission review; criteria vary | No | Yes (conditions vary) | Admitted students with strong academics and extracurricular impact |
Award ranges depend on a student’s GPA, curriculum strength, and (if submitted) test scores. Exact GPA/test cutoffs are not published by the university.
Richmond also participates in the National Merit Scholarship program. Finalists who list Richmond as their first-choice school may be considered for sponsored awards.
The University of Richmond is also a QuestBridge National College Match partner.
FAQ on Automatic Merit
Do I need a separate application? No. All first-year applicants are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships during the admission process.
Does Richmond superscore the SAT or ACT? Yes. Richmond will combine the highest subsection scores across multiple test dates when evaluating applicants who submit scores.
Can these scholarships stack with need-based aid? Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. If you qualify for both merit and need-based aid, the university adjusts your package so that the total still meets full need, but the merit portion may reduce the need-based component.
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
Richmond’s flagship scholarships are the most selective awards on campus—highly competitive, limited in number, and requiring more than just strong grades. These are the kinds of competitive scholarships that can cover full tuition or more, but only a small group of students actually receive them each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Scholars Program | Full tuition, housing, and meals (up to 8 semesters) | All first-year applicants who apply by Dec 1 are automatically considered; finalists interview in early spring | No (automatic with admission application by Dec 1) | Yes, maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing | Students who are at the very top of the admitted pool—think near-perfect GPAs in the most challenging classes offered (AP/IB/dual enrollment), plus clear leadership or service impact. Only about 25 students earn this award each year. |
FAQ on Flagship Scholarships
Why are they called “flagship” scholarships? These are Richmond’s most prestigious awards, designed to attract top scholars nationally. They’re also the most competitive scholarships, with limited spots and extra steps like finalist interviews.
Is a separate application required? No separate application—just submit your admission application by the December 1 deadline to be automatically considered.
Do test scores matter? Richmond is test-optional, but for students who submit scores, the admissions team superscores the SAT or ACT. Strong scores can help, but rigor, GPA, leadership, and impact are equally important.
Can flagship scholarships stack with other awards? Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. If you receive a flagship scholarship, it usually replaces other aid in your package so that your costs are fully covered, but not exceeded.
⭐ College Specialty
The University of Richmond is a private liberal arts university with a national reputation that reaches beyond its small size. Parents often notice two standout features: the Jepson School of Leadership Studies—the first of its kind in the nation—and the university’s deep promise that every student will have a funded summer experience. Combined with a strong business school and global focus, Richmond graduates leave with a portfolio that blends academics, leadership, and practical experience.
Jepson School of Leadership Studies — the nation’s first undergraduate school dedicated to leadership, offering a distinctive interdisciplinary degree that is recognized nationally for innovation in teaching and civic engagement.
- Robins School of Business — consistently ranked among the top 25 undergraduate business programs nationally by Bloomberg Businessweek (2023).
- Political Science & International Studies — strong ties to policy internships in Washington, D.C. and global study programs, highly regarded regionally for government and diplomacy pipelines.
- The Richmond Guarantee — every student receives up to $5,000 (rising to $5,300 in 2026) for a research or internship experience, a national model for funded experiential learning.
- Law and Pre-Law Pathways — supported by the University of Richmond School of Law, providing early exposure and advising; the university is known in Virginia for feeding strong candidates into law school and public service.
🎖️ Honors College
Unlike large state schools, Richmond doesn’t run a separate Honors College. Instead, it builds honors-style experiences into signature programs like the Richmond Scholars, Oliver Hill Scholars, and departmental honors tracks. For families, that means your student can still access small, seminar-style classes, faculty mentoring, and research funding without applying to a separate “college within a college.”
Near-perfect grades in the most rigorous courses available (AP/IB/dual enrollment), strong writing and leadership experience, and a clear interest in service or community impact.
Priority registration, small discussion-based seminars, close faculty mentoring, access to funded research through the Richmond Guarantee, and special housing or cohort programming through Scholar communities.
- Departmental Honors — available in many majors (e.g., Biology, English, Political Science) and usually require a senior thesis or capstone project.
- Honors Seminars — small, writing-intensive courses designed for high-achieving students across disciplines.
- Scholar Cohorts — Richmond and Oliver Hill Scholars join living-learning and mentoring communities that function much like an honors college cohort.
FAQ on Honors at Richmond
Is admission automatic? No. Students are either invited to Richmond Scholars or Oliver Hill Scholars during the admission review, or they apply for departmental honors once enrolled.
Does participating in honors add time to the degree? No. Departmental honors are structured to fit within the four-year degree plan, and Scholar programs are integrated into normal coursework.
Are there extra scholarships tied to honors? Yes. The Richmond Scholars award covers full tuition, housing, and meals, while Oliver Hill Scholars receive half tuition. These are merit-based but highly selective.
What deadlines matter? Students must apply for admission by December 1 to be considered for the Richmond Scholars or Oliver Hill Scholars programs.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
The University of Richmond may not be a huge campus, but it plays big when it comes to opportunity. With flagship scholarships that can erase nearly all costs, hidden gems like the Richmond Guarantee, and a promise to meet full financial need, families have more paths to affordability than you might expect from a private university. If your student has the grades, leadership, and drive, Richmond can deliver a powerful degree and funded experiences that open real doors after graduation.
✅ Last updated: September 21, 2025