Systemwide Scholarships

Most of the scholarships awarded through the UNC System are issued at the institutional level. However, the UNC System does offer a few scholarship opportunities to help students and employees pay for their education.

The Cheatham-White Merit Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. This unique opportunity is available to incoming freshmen at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and North Carolina Central University. The scholarship fully funds four years of higher education. This includes costs associated with tuition, student fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop, supplies, travel, and personal expenses.

The Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship is for UNC System employees who continue to work while they simultaneously pursue higher education.


Systemwide Funded Learning Opportunities

Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program

The Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program is an eight-week immersive summer program for rising UNC System juniors and seniors. The program gives ambitious students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain a better understanding of key issues facing public higher education. In addition to researching and developing final research projects, the scholars are placed in a state government agency. Through this work, scholars gain exposure to the fields of public service and higher education.

Presidential Scholars Program

Recent graduates of the UNC System can explore the Presidential Scholars Program. Presidential Scholars serve a one-year appointment at the UNC System Office, where they regularly interact with senior leadership and members of the Board of Governors. In this capacity, scholars help to research, write, and implement policy.

North Carolina Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program

The North Carolina Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Internship Program, which began in 2015, was created to connect students matriculating at North Carolina’s HBCUs with major corporations and businesses in the private sector throughout the state. Although this program is funded by the state, the UNC System Office serves as the oversight agency.