Scholarship Opportunities Abound at the University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire offers students from all backgrounds generous scholarship opportunities that can help make a UNH education affordable and attainable. With over $50 million awarded annually in scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and need-based aid, UNH aims to support students in focusing on their studies and campus involvement without worrying as much about tuition costs. This article will explore UNH’s various scholarship options, eligibility requirements, and application processes. Whether you have exceptional academic accomplishments, leadership skills, artistic talents, or financial needs, UNH likely has funding to assist you.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Many scholarships at UNH are merit-based, meaning they are awarded based on a student’s academic track record and achievements in high school. Receiving these scholarships is contingent solely on academic merit rather than financial need. Some noteworthy UNH merit scholarships include:

Presidential Scholarships: These highly competitive awards are granted to incoming first-year students with high academic achievement, leadership qualities, and drive to succeed. Presidential Scholarships are valued at $16,000 per year and are renewable for four years as long as specific GPA requirements are maintained. To be considered, applicants must have a minimum 3.7 GPA and 1320 SAT or 29 ACT scores. The application deadline is April 15.

Engelhardt Honors Scholarships: Valued at $14,000 annually and renewable for four years, Engelhardt Honors Scholarships are among UNH’s largest and most prestigious awards. Criteria for selection are the same as for Presidential Scholarships but typically with a slightly lower academic threshold. The application deadline is also April 15.

Dean’s, Alumni, & Donor Scholarships: Ranging from $10,000-$12,000 per year depending on the specific program, these competitive merit awards are open to high-achieving incoming students. Minimum qualifications are usually a 3.5 GPA and 1230 SAT or 28 ACT. The application deadline is April 15.

Wildcat Scholarship: This $8,000 renewable scholarship requires a minimum 3.25 GPA and 1170 SAT or 25 ACT for incoming first-year students. The Wildcat Scholarship application deadline is also April 15.

For all UNH merit scholarships listed above, applying via the Common Application during the early action or regular decision application cycle automatically enters students into consideration. Each application is optional beyond submitting official transcripts and test scores.

Need-Based Financial Aid

While merit aid rewards academic success, UNH also knows how critical it is to lower tuition costs for college students regardless of financial situation. Through numerous need-based aid programs, UNH assists eligible students and families who prove they seek financial aid due to their FAFSA information.

Among the need-based aid options available are grants, low-interest loans, and part-time on-campus employment through Federal Work-Study. Eligibility is determined after reviewing a family’s income, assets, number of dependents, and other factors according to a standardized methodology established by the U.S. Department of Education. The FAFSA must be submitted annually by June 1 for priority consideration.

Some examples of major need-based aid programs include:

• UNH Grants: These are gifted directly to students based on financial need to help lower the cost of tuition. You do not need to pay anything.
• Pell Grants: Federally-funded awards of up to $6,195 per year in 2023-2024 for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need based on FAFSA data. You need not be repaid.
• Federal Direct Loans: Federal and private student loans allow eligible students to borrow funds at low fixed interest rates. Repayment starts after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment status.
• Federal Work-Study: This program subsidizes part-time jobs, primarily on campus, for eligible students to earn money to pay for educational expenses. Students are paid at least state minimum wage.

Thanks to substantial need-based support, combining grants, loans, work-study, and possible family contributions helps make a UNH education more feasible for families across all income levels. Meeting the March 1 FAFSA priority deadline is essential for maximizing eligibility.

Diversity & Community Scholarships

Recognizing the value of maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment, UNH further bolsters access through special scholarships targeted toward first-generation students, underrepresented minority groups, and local community members.

First Generation Scholarships: For first-generation college applicants who will be the first in their immediate family to earn a 4-year college degree. Awards range from $500-$4,000 per year, depending on need and merit factors.

Multicultural Scholarships: Open to incoming first-year students who self-identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native American, Multiracial, or members of other underrepresented groups. Awards are $3,000 per year for up to 4 years.

Manchester Scholarships are available only to full-time incoming first-year students who graduated from a high school in Manchester, NH, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. These scholarships are valued at $5,000 per year.

Regional Scholarships: These are also available for incoming students from other specific towns/counties near UNH’s Durham and Manchester campuses, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on location.

All diversity and community scholarship applications are completed online each year by the June 1 priority deadline for first-year students. No separate essay is typically required beyond the general application and FAFSA.

Alternative Scholarship Sources

While UNH scholarships offer a substantial boost towards a four-year degree, it is worth investigating additional scholarship opportunities from external sources not affiliated directly with the university. These alternative scholarships can further offset costs or stack on top of UNH awards. Some good places to explore include:

• Department Scholarships: Individual academic departments and programs at UNH often offer their awards based on intended primary, student organization involvement, research interests, etc.
• Outside Scholarship Searches: Websites like Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, and local communities/employers frequently list nationally available private scholarships.
• Talent Scholarships: For students excelling in arts, athletics, debate/speech, and science competitions. Organizations may offer scholarships recognizing achievements.
• Employer/Parent Sponsored: Check with your parents’ employers or organizations they belong to regarding any educational benefits and your state’s scholarship opportunities.

Staying on top of scholarship search engines, Listservs, and regular deadlines can uncover additional funding beyond what is offered directly through UNH. Combining external with university scholarships maximizes your total financial aid package.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

While simply applying and meeting initial eligibility criteria secures UNH scholarship consideration, awardees must continue fulfilling requirements annually to keep receiving their award amounts in subsequent years. The exact criteria depend on the specific scholarship but typically mandate maintaining a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between semesters:

• Presidential Scholarships: 3.2 CGPA
• Engelhardt Honors: 3.0 CGPA
• Dean’s, Alumni, Donor: 2.8 CGPA
• Wildcat Scholarship: 2.5 CGPA

Meeting the CGPA benchmark is crucial but may be one of many factors; students are also expected to make academic progress according to the university’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policies. Living on campus is usually required for the first two years of Presidential and Engelhardt scholarships. Maintaining a full-time enrollment status of at least 12 credits per semester is also standard.

UNH reviews scholarship recipients’ academic records at the end of each spring term to confirm ongoing eligibility for the subsequent year. Scholarships will be renewed as long as all terms are being fulfilled. Should grades fall below the minimum at any point, the scholarship may be placed on probation or revoked, which could impact total aid eligibility. Proactive and regular check-ins with an academic advisor can help maximize your odds of retaining merit scholarships all four years.

Getting Started with Scholarship Applications

With deadlines beginning as early as March 1 for Early Action admission and April 15 for many merit scholarships, planning and giving yourself ample time to complete the application processes is essential. Here are some tips to get a head start:

• Create an account on the UNH Admissions website to track your progress and receive notifications.
• Assemble materials, including transcripts, test scores, activity resumes, essays, and letter of recommendation requests starting senior fall.
• Complete scholarship applications online by specified deadlines – no paper copies or late submissions accepted.
• Prepare drafts of personal statements and essays highlighting your achievements, goals, and fit for UNH.
• You can use your high school guidance counselor as a resource for any help assembling documents or reviews of applications.
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the June 1 priority deadline for need-based aid consideration.
• You can apply for admission as early as possible, automatically entering your scholarship pools, so you do not need extra work.

Through strategic preparation and efficient use of existing means, aspiring Wildcats can maximize their chances of receiving substantial UNH scholarship support to fund their four years on campus.