Scholarships & Aid
The Honors College offers a variety of merit-based and need-based scholarships to incoming freshmen, transfer and current VCU Honors College students. The VCU Office of Admissions offers a variety of merit-based, renewable four-year scholarships for incoming freshmen.
Honors scholarships are awarded by the academic year, and Honors students may apply each year. The VCU Office of Admissions scholarships are not affiliated with the Honors College. Students seeking financial aid should contact the VCU Financial Aid Office.
A huge resource for Honors students seeking to apply for scholarships is the National Scholarship Office!
The NSO recruits and prepares Honors students (and others) who are applying for (inter)nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. Many of these awards will help Honors students and recent alumni pursue opportunities to study abroad or attend graduate school.
The Honors College Scholarship Program recognizes incoming first-year Honors students who demonstrate strong academic potential and project active involvement in the Honors community. Scholarship recipients are awarded for one academic year, and maintaining the award is contingent on maintaining good standing with the Honors College. Honors College scholarships range from $500-$3,000 per year and are non-renewable, although students may compete for them each year. Please note that these scholarships are separate from the merit-based scholarships offered through the Office of Admissions. Additional information will be included in your Honors acceptance packet.
Only students accepted into the Honors College are eligible to apply for incoming freshman Honors College scholarships. The online application for Honors College scholarships for incoming freshmen opens in early January. Incoming freshmen students accepted into the Honors College may log back into the Honors College application portal to access the incoming freshman scholarship application. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 1, 2024. Notifications of Honors College scholarship decisions will be sent via email by early April. Please contact honors@vcu.edu if you have additional questions.
The merit-based scholarships offered through the Office of Admissions do not require a separate application. Students must only apply to the University by November 1. For more information, please visit the Office of Admissions scholarship page.
All National Merit Scholar finalists who apply to the VCU Honors College and notify of their finalist status are guaranteed admission into the VCU Honors College. Additionally, finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who apply to VCU by November 1 and notify the National Merit Scholarship Corp. by May 31 that VCU is their first choice are eligible for a VCU Presidential Scholarship. Finalists with questions can contact Kittinun Wongsirikul or (804) 828-6528.
The Honors College Scholarship Program recognizes incoming transfer Honors students who demonstrate strong academic achievement from their transfer institution, and show active involvement in the community. Scholarship applications open in the spring, and are awarded for the start of the fall academic semester. Recipients are awarded scholarships for one academic year, and maintaining the award is contingent on maintaining good standing with the Honors College. Honors College scholarships are non-renewable, although students may compete for them each year. Additional information will be included in your acceptance packet.
The Honors College Scholarship Program recognizes current Honors students who demonstrate academic achievement and active involvement in the Honors community. These scholarships are granted to current Honors students who maintain good standing with the Honors College as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and active Honors engagement. Recipients are awarded scholarships for one academic year, and maintaining the award is contingent on maintaining good standing with the Honors College. Honors College scholarships are non-renewable, although students may compete for them each year.
Current students, be sure to check your weekly update emails for announcements regarding scholarship applications. The timeline for scholarship applications is updated each spring. Please contact honors@vcu.edu if you have additional questions.
Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who notify the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 31 that VCU is their first-choice institution, and who apply to VCU by the November 1 scholarship deadline, are eligible for a VCU Presidential Scholarship. If you are a National Merit Scholarship Program participant and have questions about this award, please contact the Office of Admissions at (804) 828-1222. All National Merit Scholarship Finalists who apply to the Honors College are guaranteed admission into the Honors College as well.
National Merit Scholars at Virginia Commonwealth University have the opportunity to create an individualized experience that meets their unique goals and aspirations. The Honors College enhances this experience through:
- Peer mentoring with other National Merit Scholars at VCU.
- Access to university administration to learn about all that VCU offers students and how to use those resources.
- Intentional advising from Honors College academic advisors that maximizes student success.
- Specialized programming to connect students to research and study abroad opportunities.
- Scholarships for conference attendance, research and study abroad opportunities.