| 1. |
How do I get to be considered for an merit-based scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill? |
| 2. |
When do I need to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill to ensure maximum consideration for merit-based scholarships? |
| 3. |
When will I be notified if I will be receiving a merit scholarship from UNC? |
| 4. |
What is the typical academic profile of a scholarship recipient at UNC-Chapel Hill? |
| 5. |
How many merit-based scholarships are available? |
| 6. |
Will I receive special consideration for an merit-based scholarship if I am a National Merit finalist? |
| 7. |
I see that the Pogue Scholarship has placed traditional emphasis on minority applicants. Can I still apply if I am not a minority applicant? |
| 8. |
Will my chances of getting a scholarship improve if I send additional supporting materials to your office? |
| 9. |
If I don’t receive an merit-based scholarship as an incoming freshman, can I be considered for one as a transfer or currently-enrolled student? |
| 10. |
How do I find out about other possible scholarship resources? |
| 11. |
Where can I find more information on the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program and the Robertson Scholars Program? |
| 12. |
I’ve heard that there is a special scholarship for Episcopalians. Is that true? |
| 13. |
What is the minimum grade point average required to keep my merit-based scholarship? Do I need to be enrolled full-time? |
| 14. |
Do I receive a scholarship check from UNC for my merit-based scholarship? |
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| 1. |
How do I get to be considered for a merit-based scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill? |
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Apart from the Pogue Scholarship, there is no separate application process for a merit-based scholarship beyond applying for admission to the University. The Scholarships Committee looks at a variety of factors when making scholarship recommendations. These factors include consistency of grades, the strength of curriculum followed in high school, standardized test scores, examples of leadership, demonstration of intellectual curiosity, and the quality of essay responses submitted as part of the application for admission to the University. We take a holistic approach to each student’s application and do not focus solely on metrics such as class rank and test scores. |
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| 2. |
When do I need to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill to ensure maximum consideration for merit-based scholarships? |
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You must apply to the University by January 15 to be considered not only for admission to UNC, but also for merit scholarships. The Pogue Scholarship is the only scholarship awarded by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid that requires a separate application, and that is by invitation. The deadline for submitting this application form for 2010 has not yet been established. |
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| 3. |
When will I be notified if I will be receiving a merit scholarship from UNC? |
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The University has two admissions deadline. The first is a non-binding “early action” deadline of November 1. The second deadline is January 15, which is the final deadline to apply for admission. If you apply by November 1, you should hear by early-January if you are being considered for a merit scholarship. (This does not include the Morehead and Robertson Scholarships. Please see their respective websites for detailed information about those programs.) If you applied by January 15, you will be notified by early March if you are being considered for a merit scholarship.
Students from each deadline who are considered for merit scholarships will be invited to campus for a "Scholar Day". The first Scholar Day is held in late January and the second is held in late March. Students are then notified following the scholar day of their merit scholarship offer. Provisions can be made for students with special circumstances that otherwise would prevent them from attending Scholar Day. |
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| 4. |
What is the typical academic profile of a scholarship recipient at UNC-Chapel Hill? |
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Since scholarship criteria vary depending on the scholarship, awards are not subject to a minimum SAT score or class rank. However, due to the limited number of scholarship awards, and given the selectivity of the University, competition for scholarships is very stiff, and recipients tend to be at the top of their high school classes and have strong test scores, though these two elements alone do not guarantee a scholarship. |
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| 5. |
How many merit-based scholarships are available? |
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Approximately 180 merit-based scholarships are given annually to qualified incoming freshmen by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. |
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| 6. |
Will I receive special consideration for a merit-based scholarship if I am a National Merit finalist? |
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No. Though some universities use National Merit semi-finalist and finalist status as a means of recruiting scholars, UNC-Chapel Hill does not. We do recognize National Merit finalists with an offer of the renewable College-Sponsored National Merit Awards of $1,000 or $2,000 described on the Merit-Based Scholarships page of this website. |
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| 7. |
I see that the Pogue Scholarship has placed traditional emphasis on minority applicants. Can I still apply if I am not a minority applicant? |
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Yes. The Pogue Scholarship is open to all applicants who have demonstrated commitment to community service and dedication to diversity issues, regardless of ethnicity. |
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| 8. |
Will my chances of getting a scholarship improve if I send additional supporting materials to your office? |
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No. Please do not send additional materials to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. |
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| 9. |
If I don’t receive an merit-based scholarship as an incoming freshman, can I be considered for one as a transfer or currently-enrolled student? |
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Unfortunately, we do not extend merit-based scholarships to currently-enrolled students or transfer students. Students not receiving University-sponsored scholarships or financial assistance should research possible outside sources of funding. |
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| 10. |
How do I find out about other possible scholarship resources? |
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Please check the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid website under "OSSA News" regularly for updates on scholarship opportunities for which you may be eligible. Often, organizations outside the University will ask us to publicize scholarships they sponsor. The criteria for these awards vary greatly. We encourage you to visit our Scholarships Resource Center, which maintains databases and information on a variety of funding sources. You may also check the menu on this website under Aid Links and then Scholarship Resources for some additional suggestions for researching scholarships. |
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| 11. |
Where can I find more information on the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program and the Robertson Scholars Program? |
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The Morehead-Cain Scholars Program and the Robertson Scholars Program are two of the most prestigious and dynamic undergraduate scholarship programs in the United States, and UNC is privileged to have their presence here. For more information, we suggest that you go directly to their websites. |
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| 12. |
I’ve heard that there is a special scholarship for Episcopalians. Is that true? |
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Yes. The Blanchard Scholarship is administered through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. The scholarship is a one-time award of $3,000, though in the event of demonstrated financial need, the scholarship can be renewed on a year-by-year basis. To apply, send a letter of interest, together with documentation showing affiliation with an Episcopal Church (baptism/confirmation certificates and a letter from a church official suffice). Priority consideration is given to applicants with financial need. |
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| 13. |
What is the minimum grade point average required to keep my merit-based scholarship? Do I need to be enrolled full-time? |
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Usually, 3.0 is the minimum cumulative grade point average to keep most merit-based scholarships at UNC; your scholarship award notification will tell you the exact details. If your grades fall below the minimum grade point average, you will be given one semester without penalty to bring your grades up to the minimum. Please notify the Associate Director for Scholarships in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid if you think your grade point average is in danger.
You must be enrolled full-time to receive scholarship awards. However, seniors who are on schedule to graduate on time may take an underload of no fewer than six hours. Please contact the Associate Director for Scholarships in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid should you wish to take an underload. Keep in mind, however, that underloading may have unwanted implications for any outside scholarships and may impact your status with student insurance companies which insist on full time enrollment. Please research the possible implications of underloading before doing so. |
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| 14. |
Do I receive a scholarship check from UNC for my merit-based scholarship? |
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No. With the exception of National Merit awards and "outside scholarships" (scholarships from sources outside of the University), funds are electronically transferred to the Cashier’s Office at the beginning of each semester. If you are receiving a non-University outside scholarship, checks usually arrive at the Cashier’s Office within the first few weeks of each semester. If you do not receive your National Merit award or outside scholarship in a timely manner, please contact the Outside Scholarships Coordinator in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. |
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