Blue Sky Scholars Program
The Blue Sky Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was created with a simple yet powerful conviction: that financial barriers should never stand in the way of exceptional students achieving their full potential.
Carolina Blue Skies Ahead
Since its launch, the Blue Sky Scholars Program has addressed a critical gap in higher education funding by supporting high-achieving students from middle-income families in North Carolina. These are students whose financial needs to attend college exceeds their means, and who may fall outside traditional thresholds for other aid programs.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, these talented students choose Carolina and are empowered to learn, discover and lead. Beyond financial assistance, the program provides mentorship, academic enrichment and opportunities for growth that prepare Blue Sky Scholars to thrive both on campus and in their future careers.
Blue Sky Scholars receive a total of $42,500 over four years, including:
- an annual award of $7,500
- $2,500 per year in work-study employment
- a one-time award of $2,500 to support internships, study abroad or other opportunities
Donor support ensures that these promising students not only attend UNC-Chapel Hill, but also flourish here — becoming graduates who carry excellence and impact into the world. The results are clear: Blue Sky Scholars for the last four graduating classes have graduated with 1/3 the debt of non-Blue Sky Scholars with a similar need profile.
Blue Sky Scholars quick facts
Numbers accurate as of June 30, 2025
76
305
$25.7 million
Blue Sky Scholars Across North Carolina
These cities represent the hometowns of our Blue Sky Scholars.
Cities
- Apex
- Asheville
- Burlington
- Carrboro
- Cary
- Castle Hayne
- Chapel Hill
- Charlotte
- Concord
- Crumpler
- Dunn
- Durham
- Eden
- Elizabethtown
- Four Oaks
- Gastonia
- Greensboro
- Haw River
- High Point
- Holly Springs
- Hope Mills
- Kannapolis
- Kill Devil Hills
- Kings Mountain
- Landis
- Leicester
- Lexington
- Macclesfield
- Marion
- Mars Hill
- McLeansville
- Mebane
- Monroe
- Mooresville
- Morganton
- Morrisville
- Mount Airy
- Murphy
- Nags Head
- New Bern
- Raleigh
- Stokesdale
- Sylva
- Thomasville
- Trenton
- Wake Forest
- Waxhaw
- Wendell
- West Jefferson
- Wilmington
- Winston-Salem
- Youngsville
Blue Sky Scholar loves the law
Tazanna Jones has always wanted to be a lawyer. She now knows Carolina is the right place to work toward that goal.
Thriving at Carolina
Blue Sky Scholarship helps senior embrace a complete college experience.
Turning Carolina dreams into reality
Kevin and Kathryn Griffin give back through the Blue Sky Scholars Program.
Thank you
The Blue Sky Scholars Program stands as a testament to the power of generosity. Thanks to donors, the dream of a Carolina degree is becoming a reality for talented students across North Carolina. Your support ensures that access and excellence go hand in hand at Carolina, and we are deeply grateful for the impact you make.