The oldest and most prominent merit scholarship program in the country is the Morehead Cain Scholarship. It offers students who exhibit remarkable character, leadership potential, and academic promise a full four-year undergraduate scholarship.
The Morehead-Cain Scholarship has allowed more than 6,000 students to realize their goals of attending college since it was established in 1945. By funding the next generation of leaders, the Morehead-Cain Foundation is dedicated to upholding this legacy of greatness.
The Morehead Cain scholarship application process is competitive, but we are here to support you every step of the way if you are a senior in high school and meet the eligibility standards.
- Host: Morehead-Cain
- Deadline: Currently closed (Incoming)
- Value of Scholarship: $80,000
- University: Universities of North Carolina
- No of Awards: 60

Morehead-Cain Timeline
A merit-based scholarship given to students enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is called the Morehead-Cain Scholarship. John Motley Morehead III founded the scholarship in 1945, and it covers all costs for four years of undergraduate education, including tuition, fees, room & board, books, and supplies. Along with receiving a stipend for summertime activities, scholars also have access to special UNC programming and events.
One of the oldest and most renowned scholarships in the country, the Morehead-Cain Prize has been named the top merit-based scholarship by Forbes magazine. Morehead-Cain Scholars have been named to date, and they come from more than 2,700 different nations and all 50 states.
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Prospective Students
The organization is looking for leaders who can motivate, inspire, and influence people to have an effect. They look for endurance, honesty, courage, and humility. And a genuine desire to learn and inspire others by imparting what you have learned.
Applying for the Morehead-Cain requires that you be:
- Planned graduation from high school in the spring
- An athlete who applied strongly to the University of North Carolina at Chapel hill
- By your high school, an affiliate program, or by directly applying.

Morehead Cain Scholarship Benefits
The Morehead Cain Scholarship offers students access to exceptional programming and activities that enhance their personal, intellectual, and professional growth in addition to a full four-year scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Scholarship is given out on the basis of merit, not financial necessity, and beneficiaries are chosen through a competitive procedure that takes into account their academic success, potential for leadership, and community involvement.
Students can get a full four-year scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill through the Morehead Cain Scholarship. The criteria used to choose recipients are academic excellence, potential for leadership, and community service. The Scholarship gives winners access to special activities and programming that assist their growth on the personal, academic, and professional levels.
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Morehead-Cain Scholarship Eligiblity
A four-year, full-tuition scholarship, the Morehead-Cain Scholarship is given to students based on their academic excellence, exhibited leadership, and community involvement. There are no qualifications for citizenship. The selection of scholars involves a thorough, multi-stage process that includes:
- A preliminary assessment of candidates based on their performance in school, involvement in extracurricular activities, and volunteer work;
- Interviews performed by alumni volunteers with semifinalists;
- Finalists week-long schedule of events, including interviews, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Students who want to be considered for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship must:
- Be a rising high school senior (or the equivalent) at the time of application;
- Be recommended by their high school counselor or another chosen official of their school;
- Attend one of the Morehead-Cain Partner Schools.
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Morehead- Cain Scholarship Essays Prompts
The following are the essay questions for the application:
- What do you hope to gain from your college experience? How do you think a Morehead-Cain Scholarship would help you achieve your goals? (500 words maximum)
- Tell us about a time when you faced a challenge. How did you face it? What could you have done better? (500 words maximum)
- We are interested in learning more about what motivates and drives you. What are some things that are important to you and why? (500 words maximum)
Please feel free to contact them at moreheadcainscholarship@unc.edu if you have any concerns about the Morehead-Cain Scholarship or the application process.

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Tips for Maximizing your Morehead Cain Scholarship
It is expected of Morehead-Cain Scholars to make the most of their opportunities and resources. You can do the following things to maximize your Morehead-Cain Scholarship:
- Participate in campus and neighborhood activities. The Morehead-Cain experience emphasizes developing into a well-rounded person and citizen, not only in the classroom. Find what interests you and get engaged—there are innumerable ways to get active on the UNC campus and in Chapel Hill.
- Utilize all the amenities the Morehead-Cain has to offer. During their stay at UNC, Morehead-Cains will have plenty of options to take advantage of, from leadership development programs to international travel opportunities. Be sure to take advantage of these special chances by learning everything the scholarship has to offer.
- Keep in touch with your Morehead-Cains family. A network of academics known as the Morehead-Cain community exists all around the world. You never know when you might need or be able to help, so stay in touch with your fellow students!
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is it to qualify for the Morehead-Cain scholarship?
There are about 2,000 candidates each year, and only 3% of the nominees are chosen. Character, leadership, physical vigor, and scholarship are required for selection. There are around 200 Morehead scholars on campus at any given time, and 50 to 75 scholarships are issued annually.
What is the value of Morehead-Cain scholarship?
The Morehead-Cain Scholars program at UNC-Chapel Hill selects about 70 students each year. For residents of North Carolina, the renowned scholarship is worth $80,000 and covers all tuition, fees, accommodation, meals, books, and supplies.
Is the Morehead-Cain Scholarship Fully-funded?
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's top students can get a four-year, fully funded education through Morehead-Cain.
What GPA is required to qualify for a full scholarship?
Although having a high GPA increases your chances of receiving a full scholarship, you are not required to have a perfect 4.0 to be eligible. In fact, 3.0 is the most frequent GPA requirement, with a number between 3.5 and 3.8 often being considered to be a "excellent GPA."
Conclusion
A fantastic chance for those who desire to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the Morehead Cain Scholarship. Full tuition, lodging and board, as well as a stipend for books and other expenses are all covered by the scholarship. The scholarship has a four-year duration, and awardees are required to have a 2.0 GPA to keep it.
The Morehead Cain Scholarship has a very high standard of competition. Students must have top grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities to be eligible for the scholarship. Since the scholarship application process is extremely competitive, it’s critical to present yourself in the best possible light.
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