First-year scholarships consist of merit-based and need-based opportunities and provide varying awards ranging from partial to full institutional costs.
First-year Dates & Deadlines
All admitted first-year students will automatically be considered for an Appalachian Excellence Scholarship. Other scholarships require additional application materials and deadlines.
November 15
Signature Scholarship & Selective Academic Programs deadline
December 1
Priority filing date for the FAFSA to receive first consideration for all need-based institutional scholarships (including ACCESS)
January
First-year Appalachian Excellence Scholarship recipients announced. Students are selected to interview for Signature Scholarships
February
Signature Scholarships and Selective Academic Program recipients announced
March 31
Signature Scholarship recipients must accept scholarship or request an extension by this date
Hickory First Scholarship
The Hickory First Scholarship is a one-time scholarship that will be given to the first 500 new students enrolled at the Hickory campus in 2023. This $2,000 award can be used to offset the costs of tuition and fees. No scholarship application is required.
ACCESS Scholarship Program
The Murray Family 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.
Appalachian Excellence Scholarship (AES)
The Appalachian Excellence Scholarships (AES) are awarded to top first-year students with a strong academic record. You are automatically considered for this program if you meet the deadlines.
Selective Academic Programs
These opportunities offer enriched academic, social and leadership experiences for high-achieving and high-potential students.
Signature Scholarships
Appalachian's highly competitive Signature Scholarships consist of merit-based and need-based opportunities and provide varying awards ranging from partial to full institutional costs.
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.
Outside Scholarships
Each year students bring about $4.9 million in scholarships from outside organizations with them to Appalachian. These outside scholarships can make a big difference to a student's educational budget as they pay for college. All students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Plemmons Leadership Scholarship
Plemmons Leadership Scholars is a cohort based, four-year scholarship program offered through Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL).
Through opportunities in and out of the classroom, Plemmons Leadership Scholars are empowered to develop personally and professionally, embrace continuous reflection and learning, critically examine leadership systems and structures, take action on issues and causes that matter to them, serve as advocates alongside peers and community members, and contribute to lasting change in groups and organizations they are a part of.