62 Full Ride and Free Tuition Scholarships: East Coast
It is possible to go to college for free, with a merit scholarship! Here’s our full list of East Coast colleges and universities that offer merit-based full ride or free tuition scholarships.
Complete list of merit-based full rides at Mid-Atlantic schools.
Coming soon: Complete list of merit-based full rides at Southern schools.
Complete list of merit-based full rides at West Coast schools.
Go to College on a FULL RIDE or with FREE TUITION! - Full Ride/Full Tuition Scholarships to East Coast Schools
Everyone wants to go to college for free with different forms of full ride scholarships. And guess what - you actually CAN! Seems like a dream come true, right?
There are multiple ways to do this. Some schools have great financial aid policies and guarantee a full ride or full tuition for students from families under a certain income level. However, this list is only 14 schools long.
Good news, though! This is the news we have to share in this blog post - there are also PLENTY of schools that offer merit-based full ride or free tuition scholarships to students that don’t fall into their financial aid income levels.
The schools included in the other post are listed for their need-based aid - this means that the aid described there is given to ALL of their students. At those schools, with so many exceptional students admitted, it’s more difficult to point out star people to give merit-based scholarships to. And for most of those schools, it’s not necessary to give these scholarships because the school’s brand often is enough of a pull to get students to accept the admission offer.
However, there are many, many more lower-profile (and even some higher-profile!) schools that offer very comparable education to more “elite” universities, just without the name brand, that are looking for star students - like YOU - and want to entice you to accept their offer. That’s where these merit scholarships come into play. If the school sees you as someone that would really add to their campus, they’ll offer you a merit scholarship (based on your achievements).
This is the secret to going to college on a full ride or with free tuition - make sure to apply to schools that offer these merit scholarships! Don’t discount lower-profile schools; the more your scores and achievements are outside their typical range, the more likely they are to offer a scholarship to you!
This blog post, current November 2022) , lists ALL the schools on the East Coast of the United States that offer full rides and full tuition scholarships based on merit:
Agnes Scott College (Decatur, GA)
Marvin B. Perry Presidential Scholarships: Offers full tuition and room and board. Selections are based on academics, leadership, character, and personal achievement. Applications are by invitation to the top first-year applicants.
Goizueta Foundation Scholarship: Offers full tuition and room and board to one incoming freshman each year. Strong preference is given to Hispanic/Latinx/Chicana with financial need and have excelled in leadership, character, and personal achievements. This scholarship is available to DACA and non-citizen U.S. residents, and is due by February 1, 2023.
Barry University (Miami Shores, FL)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, room & board, study abroad funds, undergraduate research funds, leadership opportunities, and more. Students that have been accepted to Barry, are first year freshman, (US citizen, resident or international student), have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher and have demonstrated active leadership can apply for Stamps by January 12, 2023. The application includes evidence of community service and leadership through documentation, an essay, a video, etc.
Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)
Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program: Offers full tuition and summer programs to freshmen applicants. Students with outstanding academic records and leadership in their school and community are selected. Students who apply through early decision and regular decision by the November 1 priority deadline are considered, and no separate application is required.
Boston University (Boston, MA)
Trustee Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, and is renewable for four years. Trustee Scholars excel academically, are intellectually and creatively adventurous and are extraordinarily well-rounded individuals. Freshman applicants must submit the Common or Coalition Application and complete the Trustee Scholarship by December 1 to be considered.
Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
National Scholars Program: Offers a cost-of-attendance award; access to academic, personal and professional development opportunities; and an opportunity to join a community of learners committed to making a difference. Selection is based on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership ability and potential to make a difference.
College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, and room and board annually (full scholarship for in-state and partial for out-of-state). Additionally, $5,000 to support independent projects is provided. Freshman applicants are all automatically considered for this scholarship.
William and Mary Scholars: Offers in-state tuition and fees, which is renewable each year as long as good academic standing is maintained. Students who have overcome adversity and/or would contribute to campus diversity are considered for this scholarship. No separate application is necessary.
Davidson College (Davidson, NC)
John M. Belk Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, and two $3,000 special opportunity stipends to up to eight students each year. Selections are based on exceptional achievement and promise in academics, character, leadership, and service. Students must be nominated by a guidance counselor, principal, or the admission staff.
Lowell L. Bryan Scholarship: Offers full tuition and fees to a scholar-athlete freshman of each gender. Students must be nominated by the head of school, counselor, coach, or a Davidson coach.
Charles Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, and an allowance for travel and personal expenses to three freshmen each year. This scholarship is available to graduates of Chicago public high schools, particularly students of color, with strong academic records and personal accomplishment with financial need. Students must be nominated by guidance counselors, principals, a college preparatory program representative, or the admission and financial aid staff.
William Holt Terry Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, and a $3,000 special opportunity stipend to two incoming freshmen. Selections are based on leadership skills and personal qualities through student government, athletics, service, or other activities.
Duke University (Durham, NC)
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program: Offers eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Recipients also receive funding for three summer experiences, conferences, and two semesters of study abroad. The application, including two letters of recommendation, are due November 15th.
Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Emory Scholars Program: Offers partial to full merit based scholarships. Applications must be submitted by November 15.
Fordham University (New York, NY)
Emory Scholars Program: Offers partial to full merit based scholarships. Applications must be submitted by November 15.
Fordham University (New York, NY)
Cunniffe Presidential Scholarship: Offers tuition, room & board and fees all four years on top of a maximum of $20K to use for “academic enrichment experiences.” Cunniffe Presidential Scholars are selected from Fordham applicants (no separate application) with demonstrated outstanding academic achievement (top 1-2% of their class) and personal characteristics. Recipients will be notified April 1.
Semifinalist Scholarship: Offers free tuition for four years. “Recipients are finalists or semifinalists in the National Merit or National Hispanic Recognition Scholarship Programs who possess a solid A average and are in the top 3% of all admitted students.” There is no application necessary for this scholarship - recipients will be notified with their admission letter.
Furman University (Greenville, SC)
James B. Duke Scholarship: Offers full tuition and all fees; as well as, an opportunity to participate in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars four day-residential program. Selections are based on academic achievement, leadership, service, and co-curricular involvement. Select students are invited to attend an interview event that takes place in March.
Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
Stamps President’s Scholars Program: Offers tuition, fees, housing, meal plan, books, supplies, personal expenses, a stipend during the first year for a laptop, a $12,000 enrichment funding, retreats, priority housing and additional benefits. Students who demonstrate academic excellence, strong morals, and have a desire to impact technology and society, are selected. To be considered, incoming freshmen must apply Early Action by October 17 if they are a Georgia resident and by Nov. 1st if they are a Non-Georgia resident.
Macaulay Honors College (New York, NY)
Tuition Scholarship: Offers a four-year undergraduate tuition scholarship to students who meet CUNY’s New York State residency requirements for in-state tuition.
Mercer University (Macon, GA)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers the full cost of attendance and a $16,000 stipend for enrichment activities to five incoming freshmen each year. Students who demonstrate qualities of leadership, perseverance, scholarship, and service to humankind and innovation are considered. Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and submit their admission application components by October 15.
North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, NC)
National Alumni Scholarship: Covers full tuition, fees, and room and board. To be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, have a minimum of a 3.75 GPA. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation.
Dowdy Scholars Enrichment Program: Offers tuition, related fees, and room and board to incoming freshmen. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.75 GPA, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and show exceptional characteristics of leadership and service to be considered. Applications must be submitted by NOv. 15th.
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)
Park Scholarship: Offers tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, personal expenses, grants to fund professional and personal enrichment experiences, a guaranteed invitation to join the University Honors Program, and early course registration to approximately 40 outstanding freshmen each year.
Northeastern University (Boston, MA)
Torch Scholars Program: Offers eight semesters of full aid including tuition, fees, room and board, and a summer immersion program. There is no required GPA; the program looks for students who have persevered despite difficult personal situations and therefore could not reach their academic potential. Students do not apply but are nominated by a non-family member after applying through the Common Application by January 1. All nominations must also be submitted by January 1.
Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA)
James Edward Oglethorpe Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend towards participation in a study-abroad course along with other benefits. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition. Must apply Early Action by November 1.
OU Theatre Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend toward participation in a study-abroad course along with other benefits to two students interested in studying and performing works of theatre each year. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition. Must apply Early Action by November 1.
Hammack Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend towards a study abroad course or a professional internship with one of Atlanta’s top companies, along with other benefits, to one incoming freshman each year interested in a business related field. Applications are through nominations to participate in a Scholarship Weekend competition. Must apply Early Action by November 1.
Civic Engagement & Service Scholarship: Offers full tuition, a stipend in support of an internship at a non-profit, and other benefits to two students engaged in community service each year. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition. Must apply Early Action by November 1.
Providence College (Providence, RI)
Roddy Scholarship: Offers up to full tuition, room, and board based on high school academic achievement. It requires no application, but it is only available to students that aspire to a career in the medical profession.
Rollins College (Winter Park, FL)
Alfond Scholars Program: Offers 10 students with full scholarships including tuition, fees, room, and board, which is renewable annually. To be competitive, students should have SATs of 1450 or higher, ACTs of 32 or higher, and GPAs of 3.8 or higher. The application deadline is November 15th.
Salem College (Winston-Salem, NC)
Dr. John Preston Davis Art Scholarship: Offers full tuition to students interested in majoring in Studio Art, Interior Design, or Art History. All admitted students are eligible for this scholarship. There is no additional application.
Salem Scholars: Offers full tuition, fees and special Health Leadership experiences to students interested in health with a record of leadership. This program requires an additional application which will be provided to all interested candidates after November 1.
Salem College Promise: Through the North Carolina Initiative Grant, incoming first year students who are Pell-eligible and North Carolina residents can receive tuition and fees. Priority will be given to students who have completed the admission application and FAFSA by March 1.
Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ)
The Ann P. Neupauer Scholarship: Offers a renewable full tuition scholarship for undergraduate students for four years. All admitted students are eligible for this scholarship. There is no additional application required.
Stevenson University (Stevenson, MD)
Presidential Fellowship: Offers full-tuition to freshman applicants, which is renewable for four years. Students must have a minimum of a 3.7 GPA to be considered. The application is due November 1.
Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)
Coronat Scholars: Offers full tuition and additional funding for study abroad, summer programs, research and volunteer work to incoming freshmen pursuing a liberal arts major. Students are invited to apply, and the scholarship is renewable annually. All admitted students are considered for this scholarship. There is no separate application.
Junior Achievement Scholarship: Offers full tuition to one first-year student based on academic record and personal achievement, which is renewable for four years.
NFTE Scholarship: Offers full tuition and fees to two students, which is renewable for four years. Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be considered. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs will identify eligible scholars.
St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY)
Trustee Scholarship: Awarded to the top first-year students, and covers full tuition for four years. The scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, character, and leadership.
University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)
Walter E. Schmid Family Foundation Scholarship: Offers up to full tuition and fees to incoming freshmen with academic excellence and entrepreneurial interests pursuing a degree in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)
Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship: Offers full tuition for four years of undergraduate study. This scholarship is awarded to diverse incoming freshmen who have demonstrated academic excellence. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and they must apply to Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1.
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, a meal plan, University health insurance, textbooks, a laptop allowance, and access to a $12,000 enrichment fund. Applicants must Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1, and are automatically considered.
George W. Jenkins Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, on-campus housing, a meal plan, University health insurance, a laptop allowance, and a stipend for books, transportation, and personal expenses. This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen with strong academic credentials, significant financial needs, and a history of overcoming adversity. In addition, the scholarship is only open to U.S. citizens who are residents of qualifying states or are graduating from an accredited high school, have a minimum GPA of 3.75, and have participated in a well-rounded college preparatory curriculum. Guidance counselors must nominate their students by November 1. Nominated students must submit their application by Nov. 7th and the FAFSA by November 15.
Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship: Offers full tuition for four years of undergraduate study to exceptional and academically accomplished incoming freshmen. Applicants must Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1, and are automatically considered.
Marta S. and L. Austin Weeks Endowed Scholarship: Offers full tuition for four years of undergraduate study to exceptional and academically accomplished incoming freshmen. Applicants must Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1, and are automatically considered.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
Morehead-Cain: This scholarship covers full tuition, student fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, and miscellaneous, along with an international gap year, summer enrichment program, discovery fund, and study abroad. Students outside of North Carolina, Canada, or the UK must attend a nominating school or affiliate program to be considered, but other students can still be nominated through the Admissions Referral Program, and all students who apply by the October 15 Early Action deadline are considered.
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program: Offers eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Recipients also receive funding for three summer experiences, conferences, and two semesters of study abroad. The application, including two letters of recommendation, are due November 15th.
Kenan Music Scholars Program: This scholarship offers full tuition, including fees, room and board, additional financial support for musical enrichment activities. Recipients have the opportunity to combine musical studies with coursework or a second major. All applicants who take part in scholarship auditions for music majors at UNC-Chapel Hill are considered for this scholarship.
Chancellor’s Science Scholarship: This scholarship covers tuition, fees, and room and board for out of state students (in state students are awarded $10,000). The scholarships are annual and renewable for four years, and students can apply for additional funding for summer research opportunities, conferences, and other academic enrichment opportunities. The scholarship is directed towards high achieving STEM students from all backgrounds.
Colonel Robinson Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for STEM applicants, and it offers full scholarship for four years. Recipients receive support for a summer science study abroad experience after their first or second year.
Pogue Scholarship Program: Covers tuition, fees, and room and board for out of state students, which is renewable for four years of undergraduate study. Students who show extraordinary talent and a commitment to diversity and are admitted through early action are considered for this scholarship, and for in-state students, a $10,000 scholarship is offered.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
Levine Scholars Program: Offers full tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees, a service grant, and four summer experiences. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, demonstrate a commitment to community service, excel academically, and possess a capacity for ethical leadership. Students must be nominated by their high school counselor, submit the application for admission by November 1 and the scholarship application by November 16.
University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)
Richmond Scholars Program: Offers full tuition, room and board, priority course registration, guaranteed on-campus housing, eligibility for a $3,000 grant for a student-selected academic activity, mentorship, tickets to selected cultural events, and other benefits to 25 incoming students each year. All applicants for admission who apply by December 1 are automatically considered.
University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship: Offers tuition, fees, room and board, books, $5,000 in enrichment funding, mentoring, personal expenses, and transportation to one percent of each incoming class. Selections are based on academic excellence, high financial need, potential to be future leaders, and demonstrated mastery of complex challenges. All first-year applicants are automatically considered, and nominations from high school and independent counselors, teachers, and community-based organization officials are open from September 15 through November 30.
University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
The Jefferson Scholarship: This scholarship covers full tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, personal expenses, and includes an enrichment program. Students are nominated by eligible schools.
Walentas Scholarship: This scholarship covers full tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, personal expenses, and includes an enrichment program. Students are nominated by eligible schools. Candidate must be the first or among the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA)
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, and an enrichment fund for four years. Selections are based on exceptional achievements in academics and leadership. All students who apply to Virginia Tech are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship: Offers tuition, room and board, $3400 for personal expenses every year, and an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 for research, study or travel to students who demonstrate an unusual distinction in the classroom and beyond. This scholarship requires an application and interview.
Stamps Scholarship: Offers full tuition, room, board, and fees along with a $3400 allowance for students who demonstrate leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, and innovation. There is no application, and identified finalists are invited to campus for interviews and notified by March.
Washington and Lee University (Lexington, VA)
The Johnson Scholarship: Offers tuition, room and board, and funding up to $7,000 to support summer experiences to 10% of each year’s incoming class. Selections are based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life on campus and of the world. Applications through the Common Application and a writing supplement are due by December 1, and finalists will participate in an on-campus competition with all expenses paid.
Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
The Richardson Family Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, room and board, a monthly stipend for books and miscellaneous expenses, a laptop, summer internships with one involving opportunity for overseas travel, and a January travel experience. Selections are based on character, family commitment, instincts to lead, inclination to use one’s talents, academic accomplishments, and evidence of courage, sense of duty, and selflessness. Applicants must be nominated as a Wofford Scholar by their guidance counselors.
