First-year scholarships consist of merit-based and need-based opportunities and provide varying awards ranging from partial to full institutional costs.

ACCESS Scholarship Program
The Appalachian Commitment to a College Education for Student Success (ACCESS) Scholarship Program ensures 50 students from low-income families in North Carolina can attend Appalachian debt-free.
(To be automatically considered for the ACCESS program, complete all required and recommended steps for admission to Appalachian by 11:59 p.m. eastern time, November 15. The Signature Scholarships and Selective Academic Programs Application is not required to be considered for the ACCESS program or the Appalachian Excellence Scholarship.)

Appalachian Excellence Scholarship (AES)
Appalachian Excellence Scholarships (AES) are awarded to top first-year students with a strong academic record.
- November 1, Submit the application for admission
- November 15, Submit all application materials
(To be automatically considered for an Appalachian Excellence Scholarship, complete all required and recommended steps for admission to Appalachian by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on November 15. The Signature Scholarships and Selective Academic Programs Application is not required to be considered for the ACCESS program or the Appalachian Excellence Scholarship.)

Signature Scholarships
Appalachian's Signature Scholarships consist of merit-based and need-based opportunities and provide varying awards ranging from partial to full institutional costs. Our scholarship opportunities are highly competitive, requiring at least three essays, two letters of recommendation, and in some cases, the finalists will be asked to participate in an interview with the Scholarship Committee.

Selective Academic Programs
These opportunities offer enriched academic, social and leadership experiences for high-achieving and high-potential students.

College & Departmental Scholarships
Each academic college offers scholarships for incoming students who have identified their major or future career path. Scholarships often include opportunities for mentorship, research, and experiential learning.

Apply for Appalachian's Signature Scholarships:
How to apply, important deadlines, and tips.
- November 1, Submit the application for admission
- November 15, Submit the Application for Signature Scholarships and Selective Academic Programs through your MyMountaineer Portal as well as all admission application materials

Outside Scholarships
On average, App State students receive $4.9 million in scholarships from outside organizations each year.