University of Nevada Las Vegas Scholarships (2025–2026)

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For families looking at UNLV, the good news is Nevada offers solid in-state pricing and regional breaks through WUE that make it more affordable than many big universities. This guide walks you through what UNLV really costs, where the automatic and competitive scholarships come in, and how first-generation and Honors students can find extra opportunities. If you’re in Nevada, don’t miss the Nevada State Aid Guide.

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

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Nevada Las Vegas (2025–2026)

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees	$10,196	$28,828
Housing & Meals	$13,194	$13,194
Total (Estimated)	$23,390	$42,022

Average federal net price (2022–23 NCES): $12,860. This is what families actually paid after grants & scholarships — no loans included.

Regional Savings — WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange):

WUE charges 150% of in-state tuition for eligible nonresidents.

Example: In-state tuition $10,196 → WUE tuition ≈ $15,294. Compared with nonresident $28,828, families save about $13,500/year on tuition alone.

Who qualifies? Residents of WUE states; eligibility depends on program capacity.
How much? 150% of the Nevada resident tuition rate.
Automatic? No separate application; WUE is granted through admissions review if space is available.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

UNLV keeps its admission-based merit awards straightforward. A couple of scholarships are guaranteed if you meet the criteria, with no separate application beyond your admission file and FAFSA. They’re not as large as some flagship universities, but they can still trim a meaningful amount from your bill.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Valedictorian Scholarship	$1,000/year	Nevada high school valedictorians who enroll full-time	No	Yes — 2.0 GPA, up to 135 attempted credits	Valedictorians who keep GPA above 2.0 and maintain full-time status
President’s Scholarship (National Merit)	$10,000/year	National Merit Finalists who list UNLV as first-choice school	No	Yes — 2.0 GPA, up to 135 attempted credits	National Merit Finalists; UNLV confirms first-choice designation with National Merit

Note: UNLV’s automatic awards are modest compared to some regional peers. Larger merit funding at UNLV comes through competitive or donor-based programs, especially in the Honors College.

Automatic Merit FAQs

Do I need to apply separately?
No. If you qualify as a valedictorian or National Merit Finalist and complete your FAFSA, you’ll be considered automatically.

Does UNLV superscore the ACT or SAT?
Yes, but test scores are optional. Superscores are considered if submitted, mainly for competitive and Honors awards.

Can these awards stack with WUE or state aid?
Yes. Both automatic awards can combine with the Millennium Scholarship, Pell Grants, and WUE tuition savings, but aid can’t exceed the total Cost of Attendance.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

Note for parents: UNLV does not offer large university-wide competitive scholarships (like some flagships with Presidential or Trustee awards). Instead, its biggest merit funding comes through the Honors College or donor/departmental funds listed in the Hidden Gems section below.

Competitive Scholarship FAQs

So does UNLV have any “big” selective scholarships?
Not outside of the Honors College. Unlike some universities, UNLV does not advertise a flagship full-ride or Trustee-style program.

Where should my student look instead?
The largest awards are in the Honors College or in Nevada’s state programs like the Millennium Scholarship. Departmental and donor awards are listed in the Hidden Gems section.

Does this mean less opportunity?
No. It just means that UNLV packages aid differently. Instead of one or two headline competitive scholarships, there are many smaller awards that can stack together to bring down costs.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

UNLV’s best “extra” money usually comes from state programs, donor/department awards, ROTC, music/ensembles, study abroad, and research stipends. These aren’t automatic—you’ll typically file the UNLV Scholarship Portal application and, for need-informed funds, keep the FAFSA (or ANF) on file.

Scholarship / Program	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship (Nevada)	$80 per credit (up to 15/term); lifetime max $10,000	Nevada HS grads who meet state GPA/units requirements; enrolled at UNLV full-time	State-administered; activate per instructions	Yes — while eligible	Nevada residents with solid academics who enroll full-time and keep eligibility current; stacks with institutional aid up to COA.
Army ROTC National/Campus Scholarships	Up to full tuition & fees + monthly stipend + book allowance	Academic merit, fitness, leadership; service commitment after graduation	Yes — Army ROTC boards/department	Yes — maintain standards	Students serious about commissioning who meet medical/fitness and GPA standards; strong leadership helps.
UNLV Army ROTC — Leadership Excellence Award (LEA)	Departmental aid (varies) to enrolled cadets	Enroll in MIL courses & leadership lab; FAFSA/ANF on file; active participation	Considered via ROTC unit	Year-to-year	New and continuing cadets who show strong engagement and keep paperwork current.
School of Music — Marching Band Award	Typically $500–$1,500/year*	Participation in UNLV marching band; minimum GPA (often 2.75+); audition/placement where required	Yes — School of Music process	Often — if ensemble & GPA maintained	Committed performers who rehearse and perform each term; awards can pair with other aid.
Runnin’ Rebel Pep Band Scholarships	$500–$1,500/season*	Selected for basketball pep band; attendance & performance standards	Audition/selection	Seasonal	Reliable musicians with game-day availability; pairs well with Music or state aid.
School of Music — Ensemble/Grant‑in‑Aid Awards	$250–$2,000/year*	Participation in approved ensembles; music majors/minors and qualified non‑majors	Yes — School/Department	Varies by fund	Auditioned students who commit to rehearsals/performances; coach/ensemble director nominations help.
UNLV International Programs — Study Abroad Scholarships	$500–$2,000 (typical)	2.75+ GPA; enrolled in UNLV‑sponsored programs (USAC, faculty‑led)	Yes — International Programs app (term deadlines)	No — one‑time	Students with clear academic goals abroad and a concise essay; earlier apps fare better.
Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) — Project Awards	$500–$1,500 (mini‑grants)	Continuing undergrads with faculty‑mentored projects; proposal & timeline required	Yes — OUR application cycles	No — one‑time (reapply possible)	Students who secure a mentor and submit a focused, doable project plan.
Nevada INBRE Undergraduate Research (Sciences)	Summer research stipend (competitive slots)	STEM undergrads selected for mentored lab research; summer availability required	Yes — program application	No — summer term	STEM majors with lab interest and solid GPA/references; great for pre‑med/biomed tracks.
UNLV Scholarship Portal — College/Department Awards	$250–$3,000 (typical)	Declared majors; criteria set by the college/department (GPA, need, activities)	Yes — Portal application (essays/resume)	Varies by fund	Students who actually complete essays and upload a resume; department involvement helps.
CSUN Student Government Scholarships	$250–$1,500 (varies by cycle)	Current UNLV undergrads; criteria differ by scholarship (research, leadership, non‑WUE, etc.)	Yes — CSUN application (cycle‑based)	No — one‑time	Students who watch opening windows and submit short apps on time; good for gap‑filling.
Academic Success Center — Dean’s Award (Exploring Majors)	“Varies” (typically a few hundred dollars)	Continuing frosh/soph in Exploring major; 2.0+ GPA; good standing	Yes — ASC application/contact	No — one‑time	Exploring‑major students who keep grades steady and respond to advising emails.

Stacking notes: Most of these can stack with Pell/SEOG, Millennium, and donor awards up to your total Cost of Attendance. ROTC scholarships have service commitments. Music/ensemble awards generally expect consistent participation and good academic standing.

Hidden Gems FAQs

Do these require the FAFSA?
State awards and many donor funds expect a FAFSA (or ANF for non‑filers) to verify eligibility and package aid correctly.

Can WUE be stacked here?
WUE is a tuition rate (not a scholarship) and lives in the Cost section, but these funds can reduce remaining costs on top of the WUE rate.

Are band awards only for music majors?
No. Non‑majors can earn ensemble and pep‑band awards if selected and in good standing.

What’s the best first step?
Complete the UNLV Scholarship Portal profile early each year, file FAFSA/ANF, and ask your department about college‑specific funds and deadlines.

⭐ College Specialty

UNLV is an R1 research university supercharged by its Las Vegas location. That means unmatched access to real-world labs, internships, and vibrant career pathways. Whether your student is into resort management, courtroom debates, innovation in health care, or law, UNLV has standout programs with national—and sometimes global—acclaim.

Flagship Program:
Hospitality Management (Harrah College of Hospitality) — Ranked #1 in the U.S. and #4 in the world for Hospitality & Leisure Management, per QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)

Law & Legal Writing (Boyd School of Law) — Over a dozen graduate law specialties ranked in the top 100 nationally, including No. 1 for Legal Writing and top-10 for Dispute Resolution (U.S. News, 2025)
Graduate Programs Across UNLV — A record 28 graduate/professional programs placed in the national top 100 for their fields, from nursing to public affairs to engineering specialties
Law School Recognition — Full-time JD ranked among the top 100 in the nation (#89) with the part-time law program in the top 20 (#8)
Business School (Lee Business School) — AACSB-accredited and among the top 5% of global business schools—meaning internationally recognized quality in business and accounting education
Architecture — UNLV’s School of Architecture is the only NAAB-accredited architecture program in the state of Nevada

🎖 Honors College

UNLV’s Honors College offers a “small college within a big university” feel, with selective admission and perks that open extra opportunities. It’s built for curious, motivated students who want more than just lectures—think research, small seminars, and pathways that make a large R1 campus feel personal.

What a Typical UNLV Honors Student Looks Like:
3.7+ GPA in high school*, strong essay responses that show intellectual curiosity, and leadership or service that stands out. Test scores are optional but considered if submitted.
*UNLV does not publish exact GPA/test minimums; profile based on past cohorts and Honors admissions guidance.

Honors Perks That Matter:

Priority registration for classes
Dedicated Honors housing and learning community
Small, discussion-driven seminars
Research and fellowship advising
Pathways to donor-funded Honors scholarships

Honors-Specific Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Honors College Donor Scholarships	$1,000–$5,000/year (varies by donor)	Admitted to UNLV Honors College; FAFSA/ANF on file; additional donor criteria (major, service, identity, etc.)	No — considered with Honors admission & Scholarship Portal	Sometimes — depends on fund	Strong Honors admits with polished essays, high GPAs, and profiles that align with donor intent (service, leadership, academic drive).

Honors College FAQs

Is Honors admission automatic for high achievers?
No. You must apply separately, with essays and recommendations.

Does Honors add time to a degree?
No. Pathways are designed to integrate with majors so students still graduate on time.

When should we apply?
Priority deadline is typically November 15 to be considered for scholarships and timely admission.

Does Honors guarantee extra money?
Not automatically, but many students secure donor-funded awards once admitted.

📎 Official Links

✨ Final Thoughts

UNLV can be a surprisingly affordable option, especially for Nevada families with the Millennium Scholarship or for out-of-state students who secure the WUE rate. While automatic scholarships are limited, stacking state aid, donor awards, and hidden-gem opportunities like ROTC or music can make a big difference. Add in nationally recognized strengths in hospitality, law, and health sciences, and you’ve got a university that blends research power with career-ready programs right in the heart of Las Vegas.

✅ Last updated: August 24, 2025