Common Questions

Applying for the Morehead-Cain is a journey, and you're likely to encounter questions along the way. Here are a few things candidates ask about most often.

I’m a Morehead-Cain nominee. Do I have to apply Early Action to UNC to be considered for the scholarship?

No. If you’re a school nominee or direct applicant for the Morehead-Cain, you’re not required to apply by UNC’s Early Action deadline.

There’s one exception. If you’re otherwise ineligible to apply for the Morehead-Cain but would like to be considered through our Admissions Referral Program (ARP), you must apply Early Action to UNC.

When can I start my Morehead-Cain application?

The application is available on our website beginning in mid-August. If you attend school in North Carolina, Canada, or the United Kingdom, you may begin your application as soon as it’s available. Students from North Carolina will be able to update their nomination status once they have been notified by their counselor whether they are a school nominee.

If you attend an out-of-state or international nominating school, you may begin your application once your school notifies you that you’re Morehead-Cain nominee.

I’m from out-of-state and don’t attend a nominating school. How can I still be considered for the scholarship?

You may be eligible for nomination through the Admissions Referral Program (ARP). To be eligible, students must apply to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by the October 15, 2023, Early Action (non-binding) deadline.

The UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions notifies Morehead-Cain of exceptional out-of-state applicants to Carolina. That allows us an opportunity to review additional applicants and invite a selected few to apply for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship directly.

The application timeline for ARP is different from others. Please contact us to learn more about this process.

Out-of-state applicants to the University who do not hear from Morehead-Cain by Mid December, have not been selected to advance in the Morehead-Cain selection process.

Can I apply under a binding Early Decision application plan to another institution?

Yes. We ask only that students notify us as soon as possible if they’re admitted Early Decision and, if they are not admitted, that they not apply binding ED II.

Will Morehead-Cain have access to my UNC Common Application?

No one on the Morehead-Cain staff or selection committees will read your UNC Common Application.

Does my college counselor communicate my Morehead-Cain nomination to you?

Yes. Your college counselor will confirm your nomination status on the school report form. Out-of-state college counselors also submit nominees’ names to us before you begin your application.

Who should complete my recommendation form?

Choose the person from your school who knows you best. We generally recommend that your college counselor complete your recommendation form, but we understand that there are cases in which a teacher or administrator is a better choice.

I’m an international student. When do I have to submit my SAT/ACT scores?

Morehead-Cain is following the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s guidance and will therefore be test-optional for scholarship selection in the 2023–2024 cycle. Students who are unable or choose not to submit testing will not be at a disadvantage in our selection process. Our review of your application emphasizes the rigor of academic work in high school, the courses you took, and your overall academic performance.

Do I need to submit official score reports for the ACT, SAT, or AP exams? How do I update my test scores after I have submitted my application?

Morehead-Cain is following the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s guidance and will therefore be test-optional for scholarship selection in the 2023–2024 cycle. Students who are unable or choose not to submit testing will not be at a disadvantage in our selection process. Our review of your application emphasizes the rigor of academic work in high school, the courses you took, and your overall academic performance.

Should you choose to submit your scores, you do not need to submit an official score report. When you submit your application you self-report your test scores and your counselor verifies them. After you have submitted your application, you can log back into your account and add any new or additional test scores on the applicant status page.

When will I be notified if I’m a semifinalist?

You will be notified in mid December. Please visit the prospective scholars page and review your timeline.