Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholarships

Viewing Scholarship Offers

Students selected for Academic Scholarships will see the scholarship offer in their MyCarolina portal. Academic Scholarship offers will be extended at the same time as admission to Carolina, as will some University Scholarship offers. Students will receive the official name of their academic scholarship offer by late May.

Academic Scholarships

The University offers academic scholarships based on a detailed and holistic review of the student’s application for admission. There is no minimum GPA or test score required for consideration, nor is there any GPA or test score that guarantees a scholarship offer. Criteria include academic achievement, leadership qualities, commitment to service and potential for success at the University. If you are an academic scholarship recipient, you will receive automatic consideration for the University’s Honors Program.

The Blue Sky Scholarship is awarded to exceptionally qualified students from middle-income North Carolina families who qualify for financial aid but do not meet the requirements for the Carolina Covenant that demonstrate extraordinary hard work and character. In addition to their scholarship, recipients also receive a $2,500 Carolina Works work-study offer and a one-time $2,500 enrichment opportunity grant to use for study abroad, internships or research. Students who apply and submit a FAFSA along with their application to UNC (by the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline) will be considered for this renewable award.

Blue Sky Scholars are automatically invited to join the UNC Scholars Program. Blue Sky Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Carolina.

Carolina Scholarships are awarded to students who show outstanding academic achievement in high school and strong potential for continued leadership and engagement at Carolina. To be considered for the Carolina Scholarship, simply apply for admission by either the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline. For fullest consideration we recommend applying by the Early Action deadline.

Carolina Scholars are automatically invited to join the UNC Scholars Program. Carolina Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Carolina.

College Fellows and Tar Heel Merit Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving students from North Carolina. Recipients demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in high school as well as supplementary extra-curricular achievements. To be considered for this opportunity, apply for admission by either the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline.

College Fellows and Tar Heel Merit Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Carolina.

Colonel Robinson Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving students from North Carolina. Recipients demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in high school and strong potential for continued scholarship and engagement at Carolina. To be considered for the Colonel Robinson Scholarship, simply apply for admission by either the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline. For fullest consideration we recommend applying by the Early Action deadline.

Colonel Robinson Scholars are automatically invited to join the UNC Scholars Program. Colonel Robinson Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Carolina.

These scholarship awards are supported by the General Alumni Association and its members. These scholarships include the GAA/Dibbert Scholarship, Carolina Club Scholarship, and J. Maryon “Spike” Saunders Scholarship. There is no separate application, and you will be notified by our office if you receive one of these scholarship awards.

The Carolina Innovation Scholarship Program helps launch the careers of scholars who are ready to start new ventures or investigate an issue they’re passionate about, providing them with the resources and skills to turn their ideas into reality.

Scholars receive:

  • Guaranteed acceptance into the minor in entrepreneurship and other key courses in entrepreneurship
  • Guidance with placement into internship
  • A wide and growing network of entrepreneurs and support organizations
  • Award that covers the full cost of tuition, fees, room and board that is renewable for four years

One of Carolina’s oldest scholarships, the James M. Johnston Scholarship is awarded based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Students who apply and submit a FAFSA along with their application to UNC (by the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline) will be considered for this renewable award. Johnston Scholars are automatically invited to join the UNC Scholars Program.

Old Well and Founders Scholarships are awarded to students from North Carolina who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement as well as extraordinary strengths in one or more areas. Additional criteria for these awards may include county of residence and high school attended. To be considered for these opportunities, apply for admission by either the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline.

Old Well and Founders Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Carolina.

The Pogue Scholarship is awarded to students who show outstanding academic achievement in high school as well as commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their communities. The Pogue Scholarship has a long and proud history at Carolina, and recipients are selected based on a holistic review of their admissions application. To be considered for the Pogue Scholarship apply for admission by the Early Action deadline.

Pogue Scholars are automatically invited to join the UNC Scholars Program. Pogue Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Carolina.

The Wood Family Scholars Program supports the leadership potential of select high-achieving students and is awarded based on a combination of extraordinary strength in one or more areas and demonstrated financial need. In the past, we have seen these strengths take many shapes, including entrepreneurship, a keen business sense, or a willingness to lead. Currently 10 new first-year students each year receive the renewable scholarship.

Other Academic Scholarships offered at Carolina include the Alston-Pleasants, Cameron Morrison, Columbus Morrison, Copland, Fred Morrison, George and Alice Welsh, Margerison Family, Meisenheimer,  Peachtree, Rollins-Blackwell, Royster, and Williamson Distinguished scholarships.

Recipients of these scholarships are selected on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and strong potential for continued engagement at Carolina! For more information about your specific scholarship, please review your Financial Aid Offer in your ConnectCarolina Student Services Center, consult the Terms & Conditions of UNC Academic Scholarships or reach out to our Academic Scholarships team.

Learn More About Terms and Conditions

Please click the button to review the terms and conditions of receiving an academic scholarship.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Our office administers athletic scholarships awarded by the Athletic Department. For more information about athletic scholarships, please call the Administrative Office of the Athletics Department at 919-962-6000 or write to the head coach of the sport of your interest.

Athletics Department
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
P.O. Box 2126
Chapel Hill, N.C.  27515-2126

Established in 1955 with a trust endowed by the late Aubrey Lee Brooks, these scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate financial need and permanently reside and attend high school in one of the following counties: Alamance, Bertie, Caswell, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Swain, or Warren.

On March 23, 2018 the President authorized the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act for students eligible for Pell grant whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty as a public safety officer. For more specific eligibility criteria and information you can read the announcement here.  If you feel you may be eligible please email us for next steps.

This scholarship provides support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented students. Applicants may be high-school seniors or recent high-school graduates. Preference is given to high-school graduates from states that require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition.

The Cooke Foundation is a private organization that supports exceptional students from elementary school to graduate school through scholarships, grants, and direct service. This scholarship recognizes success in incoming low-income students and supports them through graduation.

These scholarships are awarded to four incoming students each year. This generous scholarship offers the opportunity to combine musical studies with coursework (or a second major) and a four-year, full-tuition scholarship (including student fees, room, and board). Interested students must submit a scholarship audition request directly to the Department of Music to be considered for this opportunity.

Outside scholarships include any funding from sources other than UNC-Chapel Hill or the state or federal government. Awards from companies, foundations, civic and religious organizations and employer tuition benefits are common examples of outside scholarships. You can learn more about outside scholarships, and how to report them here.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships are available at UNC through the United States Army ROTC and the United States Air Force ROTC. These scholarships may cover the cost of tuition and provide additional stipends for books and living expenses. High school and college students interested in these programs should reach out to those programs directly.

Current members of the US Army Reserves or Army National Guard can also contact the Army ROTC program at Carolina for more information about funding available.

Scholarship Support

Many of these awards are supported by our generous donors. If you would like to establish a University scholarship or contribute to an existing fund please click the button to contact the Office of University Development.