Thousands of UNH students receive scholarships each year to help make their college education more affordable. You could be one of them.
Undergraduate Admission Merit Scholarships
You will automatically be considered for these scholarships upon admission to the university. There is no additional application necessary for general admission scholarships.
| Scholarship |
Weighted GPA Range* |
NH Resident** | Non-NH Resident** |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Trustee's Scholarship |
4.01 and above |
$9,000 |
$14,000 |
|
Chancellor's Scholarship |
3.90 - 4.00 |
$7,000 |
$12,000 |
|
Presidential Scholarship |
3.70 - 3.89 |
$5,000 |
$9,000 |
|
Dean's Scholarship |
3.50 - 3.69 |
$3,000 |
$7,000 |
|
Director's Scholarship |
3.10 - 3.49 |
$1,000 |
$5,000 |
How to apply:
- No additional application required. Recipients will be selected at the time of application review for admission.
Criteria and restrictions:
- Awarded to our most academically competitive applicants with a weighted recalculated GPA greater than 4.0 in a strong college preparatory curriculum and consistent achievement.
- Renewable for up to 4-years (8 consecutive semesters), provided you meet the GPA and academic progress requirements.
- You must maintain continuous enrollment as a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
- You must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) by the end of your fourth semester and maintain this GPA during the remainder of your undergraduate career at UNH.
- Should your residency change during your time as an enrolled student, your scholarship award is subject to change.
*UNH recalculates each applicant’s GPA using a weighted 4.0 scale using core academic courses in English, math, science, social science and foreign language. Electives that fall within one of the five core academic courses will be included in the UNH recalculated GPA.
**Your award offer is based off of the year you were admitted to UNH. The amounts listed on this webpage are reflective of current first-year admission awards.
Academic achievement in the classroom is the most critical factor in awarding merit scholarships at the University. Scholarships are intended to recognize, and reward behaviors valued by UNH.
Additional scholarships are available for current UNH students, students in specific college divisions, individual programs, and applicants to the Manchester Campus.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Accepted transfer students from both associate degree programs and from four year colleges are eligible for scholarships based on listed criteria. Applications must be submitted by the semester deadlines to be eligible for these scholarships. They are not available to students who have already received a bachelor's degree.
*Please note: All 24 credits must be from the same and your most recent institution to qualify for the following scholarships: Associate Degree Transfer Scholarship, Associate Degree Transfer Achievement Scholarship, Transfer Distinction Scholarship, Transfer Excellence Scholarship.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
$3,000 annually ($1,500 per semester)
This scholarship is awarded to accepted full-time students who are enrolled in an associate degree program and have 24 transferable college credits* and a 3.50 or higher.
College GPA 3.50+
ASSOCIATE DEGREE TRANSFER ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
$5,000 annually ($2,500 per semester)
This scholarship is awarded to accepted full-time students who have completed an associate degree and have 24 transferable college credits* and a 3.50 or higher.
College GPA 3.50+
TRANSFER DISTINCTION SCHOLARSHIP
$3,000 annually ($1,500 per semester)
This scholarship is awarded to accepted full-time students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have 24 transferable college credits* and a 3.50 or higher cumulative GPA.
College GPA 3.50+
TRANSFER EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP
$5,000 annually ($2,500 per semester)
This scholarship is awarded to accepted full-time students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have 24 transferable college credits* and a 3.80 or higher cumulative GPA.
College GPA 3.80+
MERRIMACK VALLEY TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
$1,500 annually ($750 per semester)
This scholarship is awarded to accepted full-time students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have a 3.30 or higher cumulative GPA.
College GPA 3.30+
MILLYARD TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000 annually ($500 per semester)
This scholarship is awarded to accepted full-time students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have a 2.70 or higher cumulative GPA.
College GPA 2.70+
University of New Hampshire Merit Scholarship Terms and Conditions
At the University of New Hampshire (UNH), we are committed to recognizing the academic achievements of our students through merit scholarships. To ensure fairness and clarity, the following terms and conditions apply:
- Merit Scholarship Policy: Each accepted student is eligible to receive only one merit-based scholarship award from the University of New Hampshire per academic year. Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, leadership, and other criteria as determined by the university.
- Duplicate Awards: In the event that a student inadvertently receives multiple merit scholarship awards from the university for the same academic year, UNH reserves the right to review the awards and reconcile the total scholarship amount to align with these Merit Scholarship Terms and Conditions. The student will retain the highest-value merit scholarship for which they are eligible, and any additional awards will be adjusted or rescinded.
- Notification and Adjustment: Students who are identified as receiving duplicate merit scholarships will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid. Adjustments will be made promptly to reflect the correct award amount in the student’s financial aid package.
- Non-Merit-Based Scholarships and Financial Aid: This policy applies exclusively to UNH merit scholarships. Students may still be eligible for other forms of financial aid, including need-based aid, grants, or external scholarships, in accordance with university guidelines and federal/state regulations.
- Appeals: UNH does not negotiate merit awards and all merit awards are considered final. Students who feel an error has been made in their GPA calculation can contact the office of admission.
Awarded to:
- First-Year Applicants from New Hampshire
Amount:
- $2,000 - $10,000
How to apply:
- The Hamel Scholarship provides a yearly award to exceptional in-state students who apply by the early-action deadline.
Criteria and restrictions:
- $2,000-10,000
- NH Residents only
- The Hamel Scholars Program seeks to help exceptional in-state students develop their full potential and graduate from UNH poised to become active, engaged leaders in communities throughout the state. The scholarships are funded through a gift from Dana Hamel, a resident of New Hampshire and a long-time supporter of UNH.
- The scholarship provides substantial financial support in the form of a yearly scholarship plus special opportunities for academic and co-curricular engagement. The Admissions Office will determine the amount of each award, which is a supplement to any merit or need-based financial aid awards.
- Selection is very competitive, is not automatic, and limited to in-state applicants who apply by the early action deadline. A limited number are awarded each year to the highest caliber in-state students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement coupled with notable leadership skills in their school and/or communities. Renewable for all four years of a recipient’s UNH undergraduate career, provided he or she meets the renewal criteria.
- Minimally, candidates will have academic credentials in line with those of students who are invited to the University Honors Program and demonstrate meaningful involvement in school or broader community and a strong interest in and capacity for sustained community engagement.
- We suggest applying by the November 15, early action deadline for preferred consideration. Students who are deemed competitive for the Hamel Scholarship are invited to submit a required supplemental application for the Hamel Scholarship.
Need-based awards granted to incoming first-year students of all backgrounds, life experiences, and viewpoints whose presence will contribute to a diverse student body at UNH. A diverse student body that enhances the UNH educational experience will include students of varied race, age, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and veteran status.
Alumni Scholarships
Complete the general application for Alumni scholarships administered by Student Financial Services.
Awarded to:
- A student whose families have resided in New Hampshire for at least three generations
Amount:
- Variable
How to apply:
- Self-nominate or be nominated by faculty or staff member
Awarded to:
- An incoming freshman who is a direct descendant of a relative who is/was an alumnus/a of UNH and who has served or continues to serve UNH
Amount:
- $3,000/year (provided recipient maintains GPA of at least 3.2 and in good standing); based on need
How to apply:
- Submit application
More Information about Criteria and Restrictions for the UNH alumni association legacy scholarship.
This scholarship is established at UNH through the generosity of Vincent F. Luti ’52 of Westport, Massachusetts. The scholarship is named in memory of his parents, Angelica Rose Basso, the daughter of Italian immigrants, and Vincent (Vincenzo) Luti a native of Tuscany, Italy. Through intelligence and hard work, they created lives rich in values for themselves and their son, Vincent Francis Luti, the donor. The fund was established in deep gratitude to his parents for the care in his upbringing, the support of his interest in music and the arts, and the development of his intellectual humanism through a BA in music and art within a broad humanistic base of studies at UNH. The purpose of this scholarship is that their memory and values live on in helping students in need from New Hampshire achieve their educational goals. Undergraduate students who are studying a major in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture are eligible for this scholarship. Recipients are selected by Financial Aid.
Academic Department Scholarships
Other campus departments, such as your deans office, may have an additional application.
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture Scholarships Website*
*Thompson School of Applied Science scholarships can be found within the larger COLSA site.
Once enrolled at UNH you’ll have exclusive access to the Office of National Fellowships, which will help you apply for and obtain Fulbright fellowships, Gilman International Scholarships and many other funding opportunities.
Military and Veteran Scholarships
The Military and Veteran Services office helps facilitate scholarships for students who are currently or have served our country.
Awarded to:
- Students who enroll in the UNH Army ROTC program
Amount:
- Paid tuition and fees; grant funds toward room and board; annual book benefit of $1,200; monthly tax-free stipend
How to apply:
- Contact the UNH Army ROTC office.
- Winners are chosen based on academic success, SAT/ACT results, teacher evaluations, extracurricular activities, leadership potential, a physical aptitude exam and a personal interview
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CRITERIA AND RESTRICTIONS for the army ROTC scholarship.
Awarded to:
- Students who enroll in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve
Amount:
- Paid tuition and fees; monthly drill pay; monthly cadet stipend
How to apply:
- Find forms on the UNH Army ROTC website
Awarded to:
- Students who enroll in the UNH Air Force ROTC program
Amount:
- Tuition and most lab fees; textbook allowance; monthly cash stipend
How to apply:
- Apply on the U.S. Air Force ROTC website
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CRITERIA AND RESTRICTIONS for the air force ROTC scholarship.
Awarded to:
- Students who enroll in the Army National Guard
Amount:
- Paid tuition and fees; monthly drill pay; monthly cadet stipend
How to apply:
- Find forms on the UNH Army ROTC website
Study Away Scholarships
UNH Global has collected a significant list of scholarship resources for students wishing to study away.
Miscellaneous Scholarships
Please see below for other scholarship opportunities available across campus.
The University of New Hampshire’s commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion is grounded in and enhances our mission as a public, land-grant institution—education, research, and service — in a diverse and increasingly interconnected world. To further this commitment, UNH seeks to recruit, admit, support, and graduate a diverse undergraduate student body.
A diverse student body that enhances the UNH educational experience will include students of varied race, age, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and veteran status. Admitted students of all backgrounds, life experiences, and viewpoints whose presence will contribute to a diverse student body at UNH will be considered.
Awarded to:
- First-year applicants who are student athletes
Amount:
- Variable
How to apply:
- Contact UNH Athletics for details. The director of athletics, in consultation with coaches, distributes financial assistance to student athletes.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CRITERIA AND RESTRICTIONS for athletic scholarships.
Awarded to:
- Students who are enrolled at UNH-Durham and UNH-Manchester undergraduate and incoming students
Amount:
- Variable
How to apply:
- An application is available here for the university community scholarship fund.
Awarded to:
- First-year international student applicants
Amount:
- Variable
How to apply:
- No additional application necessary
- All applicants to UNH are considered for merit-based scholarship at the time of application review. Academic achievement in the classroom is the most critical factor in awarding merit scholarships at the University. Scholarships are intended to recognize, and reward behaviors valued by UNH.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CRITERIA AND RESTRICTIONS for International student scholarships.
Awarded to:
- A first-year full-time student on the UNH Manchester campus who participated on a FIRST Robotics Competition team during high school
Amount:
- $5,000, renewable for four years
How to apply:
- UNH Manchester application for admission, plus FIRST application, letter of recommendation from a FIRST mentor or coach, and an essay describing your FIRST experience. This is awarded on merit. The recipient must maintain continuous full-time enrollment and a GPA of at least 3.0 for renewal.
Awarded to:
- Students from Carroll County that have financial need
Amount:
- Varies
