Meritously
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Morehead-Cain Scholarship

ListedCollege programTuition + housing
Award
Four-year educational program covering tuition, books, room and board and/or a semester stipend, plus a four-year Summer Enrichment Program and discovery opportunities. An optional gap year is offered. Scholars follow Morehead-Cain Community Standards; recipient-specific terms are communicated through the scholar network.
Timeline
  1. Oct 1, 2026Direct scholarship application and all counselor/recommendation materials:, at EST, as stated by the sponsor. Out-of-state school nominations: June 30, 2026. UNC application: October 15, 2026 for Early Action or January 1, 2027 for scholarship candidates using Regular Decision. Semifinalist notification and video interviews December 2026
  2. Jan 20Finalist notification 27
  3. Feb 20FACE January– 27
  4. Feb 26Final selection –March 1, 2027
  5. Mar 5, 2027Recipient notification
  6. Apr 5, 2027Acceptance . Admissions Referral Program uses a separate timeline.
How to apply
Apply separately to Morehead-Cain and UNC. North Carolina residents or North Carolina high school students may self-nominate; other direct applicants need an eligible school or affiliate nomination. Out-of-state schools may nominate two seniors. Enter counselor and recommender details, school information, senior courses, and essay responses; all supporting materials are due with the application. Semifinalists interview by video and finalists attend selection stages.
What you'll need
  • A nomination (check the program's nominator rules)
  • Recommendations
  • An essay
  • An interview
  • A finalist round or selection weekend
Who can apply
On track to graduate high school in spring and competitive for UNC admission. Out-of-state and international direct applicants need a nominating school or affiliate. Eligible applicants attending school outside North Carolina who are not North Carolina residents may instead be referred through UNC Early Action by October 15, 2026; referral is not guaranteed. Test optional for 2026–27. Selection assesses leadership, character, scholarship, and physical vigor.
Good to know
The Admissions Referral Program has a different application timeline; applicants not contacted by mid-December are not advancing. Applying binding ED elsewhere is allowed, but notify the foundation if admitted; unsuccessful ED applicants remaining in the process may not apply binding ED II. The sponsor calls its October deadline time zone EST; confirm the portal time if needed.
Details
Before Early Action