64 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 July 2020, 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 women 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, 2020.
Alfred State College (Alfred, NY)
Excellence in Education Scholarship: Offers free tuition and room and board. Applicants must have a 3.7 GPA through their junior year, and at least a 1310 SAT score or 28 composite ACT score. This scholarship is only open to freshman students who live on campus, are U.S. citizens/permanent residents, and provide documentation by March 1. No separate application is required.
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 can apply for Stamps by February 1. The application includes evidence of community service and leadership through documentation, an essay, a video, etc. Prospective Barry Stamps Scholars must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
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, and are intellectually and creatively adventurous. Freshman applicants must submit the Common or Coalition Application and complete the Trustee Scholarship to be considered.
Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
National Scholars Program: Offers tuition, fees, an allowance for room, board, and supplies, and a summer group study abroad experience. Selection is based on standardized test scores, academic record, and an interview. This scholarship is only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
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, an allowance for travel and personal expenses, a laptop, and a special study opportunity fund 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.
Norris Scholarship: Offers full tuition, fees, and room and board to one student athlete with integrity, a strong work ethic, and leadership skills. Students are nominated by their school or the Davidson coach of their sport. This scholarship is next available in the class of 2026.
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 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 2–3% 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 stipends of up to $5,000 for study away, summer internship, or research experiences. 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, 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 by October 15, the Early Action application.
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 3.5 GPA, and a score of 1100 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a one page autobiography.
Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholarship: Offers tuition, related fees, and room and board to incoming freshmen. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.75 GPA, a score of 1270 SAT or 27 ACT, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and show exceptional characteristics of leadership and service to be considered.
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, 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 an adult after applying through the Common Application by January 1 and nominated for Torch Scholars by January 15.
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.
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.
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 at a Scholarship Weekend competition.
Civic Engagement & Service Scholarship: Offers full tuition and a stipend in support of a self-designed internship at the non profit of their choice to two students engaged in community service each year. Applications are through nominations to participate at a Scholarship Weekend competition.
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 3.6 or higher. The application deadline is November 1st.
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. The application deadline for 2020 was January 30.
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.
Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ)
The Ann P. Neupauer Scholarship: Offers a renewable full tuition scholarship for undergraduate students for four years.
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 3.6 GPA and a minimum score of 1100 on the SAT/22 ACT composite score to be considered. The application is due November 1.
Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)
Coronat Scholars: Offers full tuition and additional funding to incoming freshmen pursuing a liberal arts major. Students are invited to apply, and the scholarship is renewable annually.
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 if the recipient remains enrolled full time at Syracuse University and meets academic progress. Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be considered.
Setnor Awards: Offers full tuition based on musical talent, which is renewable for four years. Recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.75 and enroll full-time in the Setnor School of Music.
St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY)
Trustee Scholarship: Awarded to the top male and female freshmen applicants, and covers full tuition for four years. The scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, character, and leadership.
University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)
Millonzi Distinguished Honors Scholarship: Offers up to full tuition and fees. It is available to incoming freshmen in the creative or performing arts majors who have been accepted to University Honors College, and is renewable for up to four years. This scholarship has not been offered for the last few years, but should be available again in the upcoming year or the year after.
University of Delaware (Newark, DE)
Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholars: Offers tuition, room and board, some fees, and a $2,500 enrichment fund. Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholars are part of the Distinguished Scholars community at the University of Delaware.
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 and intent to pursue graduate education. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and they must apply to Early Decision I or Early Action by November 1. Recipients must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study and maintain a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.
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. Recipients must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study and maintain a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.
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 December 1.
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. Recipients must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study and maintain a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.
Marta S. and L. Austin Weeks Endowed Scholarship: Same requirements and deadlines as the Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship.
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 students who take part in scholarship auditions for those who want to major in music 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 $8,000 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, and the 2019 application deadline was November 1.
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 in early September and close mid-October.
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.
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, and $3400 for personal expenses every year 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 later than 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.
