Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Full undergraduate scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill for exceptional high school seniors, covering all costs plus four transformative summer enrichment experiences. One of the most prestigious U.S. undergraduate awards.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Undergraduate
Destination
United States
Funding
Full cost of attendance at UNC-Chapel Hill including in-state tuition (out-of-state tuition supplement covered), fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Also includes four summer enrichment experiences (global service, entrepreneurship, outdoor leadership, civic engagement).
Eligible applicants
High school seniors admitted or applying to UNC Chapel Hill; U.S. and international students eligible; nomination or independent endorsement required
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Morehead-Cain Scholarship is offered by Morehead-Cain Foundation / UNC-Chapel Hill for Undergraduate study in United States. Details were checked against the provider’s official page on October 12, 2026.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- Morehead-Cain application (essays, activities list)Required
- Two letters of recommendationRequired
- School nomination or endorsementRequired
What this scholarship covers
Full tuition, fees, room and board
Included
Books and personal expenses
Included
Four summer enrichment experiences
Included
Full cost of attendance at UNC-Chapel Hill including in-state tuition (out-of-state tuition supplement covered), fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Also includes four summer enrichment experiences (global service, entrepreneurship, outdoor leadership, civic engagement). Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 12, 2026
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
Conditional
Scholarship scope
Foundation scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 12, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: Eligible domestic and international nominees/applicants.
- International eligibility
- Open to international applicants.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordCompetitive
- Exceptional academic record; strong intellectual curiosity; leadership in and beyond the classroom; must be a competitive UNC-Chapel Hill applicant
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
- Academic competitivenessCompetitive
- Extremely selective (~3% acceptance rate); looks for outstanding academic achievement combined with leadership, character, and potential for global impact
Experience and personal requirements
- LeadershipCompetitive
- Demonstrated leadership, character, physical vigor and a capacity for thoughtful moral reasoning
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- United States
Official eligibility summary
Open to: High school seniors admitted or applying to UNC Chapel Hill; U.S. and international students eligible; nomination or independent endorsement required. Morehead-Cain Foundation / UNC-Chapel Hill also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
Applicant profile
- High school seniors admitted or applying to UNC Chapel Hill; U.S. and international students eligible; nomination or independent endorsement required
Study route
- Undergraduate study in United States
Current-cycle criteria
- Open to: High school seniors admitted or applying to UNC Chapel Hill; U.S. and international students eligible; nomination or independent endorsement required. Morehead-Cain Foundation / UNC-Chapel Hill also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
The required documents are summarized above. Confirm the final checklist with the official provider before you apply.
How to apply
- 1
Seek nomination from your high school principal or counselor, OR apply as an independent endorsed applicant
- 2
Complete the Morehead-Cain online application by the October deadline
- 3
If advanced to the Regional Selection Weekend, participate in interviews and campus experience
- 4
Apply for admission to UNC-Chapel Hill separately (Morehead-Cain is independent of regular admission)
Application timeline
Application cycle
Annual; for Class of 2027 entry: applications opened August 15, 2026, deadline approximately October 1, 2026.
The listed deadline is October 1, 2026. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Morehead-Cain Foundation / UNC-Chapel Hill
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 12, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is October 1, 2026. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.