University of Richmond Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on September 18, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~21%
- Middle 50% ACT: 34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1485
- Average GPA: 3.91
Richmond does not hand out money off a GPA chart. It is need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents and promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student, so for a lot of families the real price comes from the CSS Profile, not a merit grid. Merit is the opposite of automatic: about 1 in 10 enrolled students receives a merit scholarship, and every one of them is picked through holistic review.
It is also an Early Decision school. Nearly half of the Class of 2030 (48%) enrolled through ED, and Richmond is a QuestBridge National College Match partner for high-achieving students from lower-income families.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Richmond at a Glance
- No stats guarantee money here. Even the Presidential Scholarship (one-third of tuition) goes to roughly 10% of the class through holistic review. There is no GPA or test score that locks it in.
- December 1 is the real scholarship deadline. Richmond Scholars requires an application on file by Dec 1, and the admission office says Dec 1 for full consideration for all scholarships. Some financial aid pages still say Jan 1 for Presidential. Don’t gamble on the later date, even if your student applies Regular Decision (Jan 1).
- Merit can shrink a need-based grant. If you qualify for need-based aid, Richmond applies merit to the $5,000 first-year self-help piece first, then reduces need-based grants. A Presidential Scholarship may lower your bill less than you’d expect.
- Aid forms run on their own clock. The CSS Profile and FAFSA are due Nov 15 for ED I and Early Action and Feb 1 for ED II and Regular Decision. Richmond cuts need-based grants by 10% for forms that come in late.
- Virginia families need one more form. Richmond’s Promise to Virginia (full tuition, housing, and food for parental income of $75,000 or less) also requires the state VTAG application.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Richmond is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 34; SAT: 1485.
Average net price? About $33,417/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
Richmond Scholars Selection page: https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective-scholars/selection/index.html
Richmond's Promise to Virginia page: https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/virginians/promise.html
Presidential Scholars page: https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective-scholars/presidential-scholars.html
Program for Students from the City of Richmond page: https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/virginians/richmond_city.html
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant page: https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/virginians/grant.html
Oliver Hill Scholars page: https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective-scholars/oliver-hill.html
Bonner Scholars Program page: https://engage.richmond.edu/programs/scholars/index.html
Department of Music Scholarships & Awards page: https://music.richmond.edu/academics/scholarships.html
Department of Theatre & Dance Scholarships & Awards page: https://theatredance.richmond.edu/scholarships/index.html
Scholarships for First-Year Students page: https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/scholarships.html
The Richmond Guarantee page: https://www.richmond.edu/guarantee/
Study Abroad Scholarships page: https://global.richmond.edu/study-abroad/finances/scholarships/index.html
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Richmond 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $70,725 | $70,725 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $18,815 | $18,815 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $89,540 | $89,540 |
Average Federal Net Price: $33,417 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Richmond is private, so every family starts from the same published price. What changes the number is need-based aid. Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated need, and Virginia families have extra paths: the Promise to Virginia covers tuition, housing, and food for parental income of $75,000 or less, graduates of Richmond city public and magnet high schools get full need met with grants, and every full-time Virginia resident can collect the state’s VTAG grant (estimated at $5,250 for 2026-27). Run Richmond’s MyinTuition or Net Price Calculator before you rule it out.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University of Richmond
What does a year at Richmond cost in 2026-27?
Tuition is $70,725, housing averages $8,705, and the Spider Unlimited meal plan estimate is $10,110, for $89,540 in direct costs. Add books, personal expenses, and loan fees and Richmond’s full cost of attendance is $92,320. Students living with their parents have an estimated cost of $79,985.
Is there an in-state discount?
No. Richmond is a private university, so tuition is the same for everyone. Virginia residents get help through separate programs instead: the Promise to Virginia, the Program for Students from the City of Richmond, and the state VTAG grant.
Is Richmond really free for Virginia families earning under $75,000?
For qualifying families, yes. Richmond’s Promise to Virginia provides grant aid equal to tuition, housing, and food for U.S. citizens and permanent residents living in Virginia with total parental income of $75,000 or less and typical assets for that income. Students apply through the normal aid process plus the VTAG form, and they reapply each year. Books and personal expenses are still on the family.
Will applying for financial aid hurt my student’s chance of admission?
Not for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Richmond’s admission is need-blind for those students, and it meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including Early Decision applicants.
Is the average net price really about $33,417?
That’s the federal average after grants and scholarships. It hides a wide spread: families with real need often pay far less, and families with no need and no merit pay close to full price. Richmond’s cost calculators estimate need-based aid only, not merit scholarships.
What happens if we miss the financial aid deadline?
Richmond reduces need-based grant aid by 10% for applications that arrive up to two months late. After two months, students are considered only for limited federal grants and Direct Loans. Deadlines are Nov 15 for ED I and Early Action and Feb 1 for ED II and Regular Decision.
How much does tuition go up each year?
Tuition rose from $67,840 in 2025-26 to $70,725 in 2026-27, a bit over 4%. One upside for Presidential Scholars: their award is set at one-third of tuition, so it grows when tuition grows.
Does financial aid follow students who study abroad?
Yes. Richmond’s financial aid is available for all Richmond semester abroad programs, and Richmond Scholars keep their award while studying abroad.
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/cost.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/virginians/promise.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/virginians/grant.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/prospective/need-based/cost-calculators.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/timeline.html
📅 Richmond Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)
- November 15: CSS Profile and FAFSA due for Early Decision I and Early Action families.
- December 1: Admission application (and any arts portfolio) on file for Richmond Scholars and full merit consideration.
- February 1: Aid forms due for ED II and Regular Decision. Richmond Scholars finalists notified.
- Mid-February to March 1: Finalist interviews, then final Richmond Scholars selections.
- May 8: Bonner Scholars application due.
- September 15 (freshman fall): VTAG application due for Virginia residents.
Parent rule of thumb: if Richmond is anywhere on the list, have the application submitted by December 1, no matter which admission plan you pick.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at the University of Richmond
This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.
Richmond reads merit the same way it reads admission: the whole file. Success in the toughest classes your student’s school offers carries a lot of weight, along with leadership that led somewhere, published research, and state or national awards. Test scores are optional, but if your student submits them, Richmond superscores the SAT and ACT. The awards themselves (Richmond Scholars, Presidential, and Oliver Hill) are covered in the next section.
Automatic Merit FAQs (University of Richmond)
Does Richmond have automatic merit scholarships?
No. All first-year applicants are considered for merit through holistic review, but none of Richmond’s merit awards are guaranteed by a GPA or test score.
What GPA or test score does my student need for a Presidential Scholarship?
There’s no published cutoff. For context, the middle half of students admitted to the Class of 2030 had an unweighted core GPA of 3.84 to 4.00, SAT scores of 1450 to 1520, and ACT scores of 33 to 35. Presidential Scholars come from the top of that group.
Are test scores required for merit?
No. Richmond is test-optional for students entering in 2027 and reviews that policy each April. Scores aren’t required for Richmond Scholars consideration. For Richmond Scholars, the last accepted test dates are the October ACT and November SAT.
Can a Regular Decision applicant still get merit?
Yes, as long as the application is in early. Richmond Scholars requires an application by December 1, and the admission office says December 1 for full consideration for all scholarships. Some financial aid pages still list January 1 for Presidential, so treat December 1 as the safe date.
Does applying Early Decision help or hurt merit?
Early Decision I applicants get full consideration for all merit scholarships. ED II applicants must still have the application in by December 1 to be considered for Richmond Scholars.
My student is an artist or musician. Does a portfolio matter for merit?
It can. Richmond asks students to submit arts portfolios by December 1 to be considered for Richmond Scholars and Presidential Scholarships, and the Department of Music uses portfolios for its own merit awards.
Can international or transfer students get merit?
International students are eligible for all merit scholarships except Army ROTC and should apply by December 1. Transfer students aren’t eligible for first-year merit scholarships but can apply for need-based aid.
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/index.html
https://admission.richmond.edu/process/index.html
https://admission.richmond.edu/process/materials/test-optional.html
https://admission.richmond.edu/studentprofile/index.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/timeline.html
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
✅ How Awards Stack at Richmond
| Aid Type | Stacks? | Richmond Parent Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Scholars | Replaces | It already covers tuition, housing, and food, so other Richmond grants get folded in. The $5,500 enrichment grant is extra. |
| Presidential + Oliver Hill | Combined | Oliver Hill brings a Presidential Scholar to 50% of tuition total. It’s not one-third plus half. |
| Merit + need-based aid | Partly | Merit first replaces the $5,000 first-year self-help (loans and work). Anything beyond that reduces need-based grants. |
| Merit with no demonstrated need | Yes | Every merit dollar comes straight off your bill. Multiple awards can combine up to tuition, housing, and food. |
| Outside scholarships | Same rule | For aided students they replace self-help first, then reduce grants. With no need, they can stack up to the cost of attendance. |
The practical takeaway: if your family qualifies for a lot of need-based aid, Richmond may already be affordable without merit, and a merit award mostly swaps grant money for scholarship money. If your family won’t qualify for need-based aid, merit is where the savings are, and that means an early, polished application.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How does the Richmond Scholars selection process work?
Every first-year applicant with a complete application on file by December 1 is considered. Finalists are notified in the Spider Portal by February 1 and interview with a faculty committee over Zoom in mid-February, and final selections are made by March 1. Students who don’t advance are not notified, so no news by early February usually means your student wasn’t selected as a finalist.
What is the Richmond Scholars committee looking for?
Richmond names four things: academic achievement, engaged leadership, a strong sense of purpose, and interest in a diverse and inclusive community. Top grades alone aren’t enough; the committee wants to see what your student did with them.
How many Presidential Scholarships are there?
About 10% of incoming students receive one. It’s worth one-third of tuition for up to eight semesters, and since it’s tied to tuition, the dollar amount rises when tuition does.
What exactly does Oliver Hill add?
Ten Oliver Hill Scholars are selected each year from students eligible for Presidential or Richmond Scholar awards. Presidential Scholars chosen for Oliver Hill move to a combined 50% of tuition, and scholars can receive an enrichment grant of up to $5,500. The program includes required bi-weekly seminars on social justice and leadership plus community service each semester.
What is the Bonner Scholars Program?
Up to 25 incoming students a year work 10 hours a week at a nonprofit, school, or government agency for a $3,600 annual stipend, plus up to $4,500 in summer internship support. It needs a separate application due May 8, and your student must file the FAFSA.
Who qualifies for the Davis United World College award?
Only graduates of a United World College campus. They’re considered automatically for need-based grants of up to $30,000 a year.
What is the enrichment grant?
Richmond Scholars and Oliver Hill Scholars can apply for up to $5,500 for a faculty-mentored experience such as research, an internship, or study abroad.
https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective-scholars/selection/index.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/scholarships.html
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/index.html
https://scholars.richmond.edu/current-scholars/enrichment-grant.html
https://engage.richmond.edu/programs/scholars/index.html
Honors at the University of Richmond
Quick clarification for families comparing schools: Richmond does not have an Honors College or a first-year honors program your student applies to with the admission application. At a school this size, with small classes across the board, the honors experience works differently.
- Departmental honors: Individual majors run their own honors programs, usually starting in the junior year, with a thesis or major project.
- Typical bar: Many departments look for a GPA of about 3.3 overall and in the major, plus a set number of completed courses in the field.
- For incoming students: The closest thing to an honors cohort is being selected as a Richmond Scholar, Oliver Hill Scholar, or Bonner Scholar.
Honors Scholarships & Fellowships
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
Richmond does not attach separate scholarships to departmental honors. The merit awards that bring honors-style programming, mentoring, and enrichment funding are covered in the Flagship section above.
- Richmond Scholars: A small, multi-disciplinary cohort with faculty mentoring, dedicated programming, and up to $5,500 in enrichment funding.
- Oliver Hill Scholars: Bi-weekly seminars on social justice and leadership, community service, and optional alumni mentoring.
- Summer research: The Richmond Guarantee funds faculty-mentored research, which often feeds straight into an honors thesis.
- National fellowships: The Office of Scholars and Fellowships supports students applying for awards like the Goldwater. Three Richmond students won Goldwater Scholarships in 2026.
Honors FAQs (University of Richmond)
Does Richmond have an Honors College?
No. Richmond offers departmental honors programs within individual majors rather than a separate Honors College.
When does my student apply for honors?
After enrolling, usually in the junior year once they have enough courses in the major. Some departments invite students to apply; others take applications from students who meet the GPA and course requirements.
Does departmental honors come with a scholarship?
No. The benefit is close faculty mentoring, a thesis or major project, and an honors designation. Funding for research usually comes through the Richmond Guarantee or a scholar program’s enrichment grant.
Does honors add time to a degree?
It’s designed to fit within four years. Honors coursework and research count within the major.
Is there anything like an honors cohort for first-year students?
Yes, but it comes through merit selection. Richmond Scholars, Oliver Hill Scholars, and Bonner Scholars each start as a close-knit group from the first year.
https://rhetoric.richmond.edu/academics/honors-program.html
https://chemistry.richmond.edu/academics/honors.html
https://philosophy.richmond.edu/academics/honors.html
https://scholars.richmond.edu/
https://scholars.richmond.edu/current-scholars/enrichment-grant.html
⭐ College Specialty
Richmond is a bit of a hybrid, and that’s its selling point. It feels like a small liberal arts college, with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and students who don’t declare a major until sophomore year. Yet it also has a full business school, a leadership school you won’t find anywhere else, and a law school. Students choose majors from three undergraduate schools, and plenty of them mix and match across all three.
Jepson School of Leadership Studies. Jepson was the nation’s first undergraduate school of leadership studies. Students study leadership through history, philosophy, psychology, and economics rather than as a management buzzword, and leadership studies is one of Richmond’s most popular majors. If your student is drawn to law, public service, or running an organization someday, this is a program worth a close look.
- Robins School of Business: Business administration is Richmond’s most popular major. Students get a real business school inside a liberal arts setting, with economics as a strong companion major.
- Biology and Pre-Health: Biology is one of Richmond’s top majors, and faculty-mentored research is common, including funded summer research through the Richmond Guarantee.
- Psychology, Political Science, and Health Studies: Richmond lists all three among its top majors, and all three benefit from the city location for internships.
- International Studies and Global Experience: Over 70% of Richmond students have a significant international experience before graduating, with more than 75 study abroad options in 60-plus countries.
- Internships: The Princeton Review ranked Richmond No. 6 “Best School for Internships” among private schools (2024), helped by guaranteed summer fellowship funding.
🔗 Official University of Richmond Links
Use Richmond’s official pages below to double-check deadlines, scholarship rules, costs, and admission data. Richmond updates these pages each cycle, so always confirm final dates and award terms here before you submit anything.
-
How to Apply & Admission Deadlines:
https://admission.richmond.edu/process/index.html -
Class Profile (Admitted Student Stats):
https://admission.richmond.edu/studentprofile/index.html -
Merit-Based Aid & Scholarships:
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/index.html -
Richmond Scholars Program:
https://scholars.richmond.edu/ -
Richmond’s Promise to Virginia:
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/virginians/promise.html -
Cost of Attendance:
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/cost.html -
Net Price Calculator & MyinTuition:
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/prospective/need-based/cost-calculators.html -
Financial Aid Deadlines & Timeline:
https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/timeline.html -
The Richmond Guarantee (Summer Fellowships):
https://www.richmond.edu/guarantee/ -
Common Data Set (Institutional Data):
https://ifx.richmond.edu/research/common-data.html
✅ Wrapping It Up
Big picture? Richmond rewards families who understand how it works. This isn’t a school where a 3.9 and a good test score trigger a scholarship. It’s a need-blind school that meets full need, so for many families the most powerful step is simply filing the CSS Profile and FAFSA on time. If you’re a Virginia family earning $75,000 or less, Richmond may cost you less than your state university.
If your family won’t qualify for need-based aid, the savings come from merit, and merit at Richmond is a competition decided early. Get the application in by December 1, make sure it shows leadership that went somewhere, and treat the Richmond Scholars full ride as a real possibility rather than a lottery ticket. Once your student is on campus, the Richmond Guarantee means that unpaid summer internship doesn’t have to stay a dream.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it. After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Written by Leo Dimilo
Leo founded CollegeReadyParent after working through college costs with his own daughter. Every guide is built from official college sources so families can compare real numbers for free. More about Leo →