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Schools That Offer Full-Ride Scholarships Without the FAFSA

  • Writer: Valorie Delp
    Valorie Delp
  • Sep 24
  • 4 min read

Securing a full-ride scholarship can be a game-changer for your college career, and many of these prestigious awards are offered based on academic merit, leadership, and talent—not on financial need as determined by FAFSA. This means that even if you don't qualify for need-based aid, you could still earn a debt-free degree.


This guide provides a breakdown of colleges and universities that offer full-ride scholarships, organized by region to help you with your search.


Northeast Full-Ride Scholarships Without the FAFSA

Boston College 


  • Location: Chestnut Hill, MA

  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: A private Jesuit university, Boston College is renowned for its strong academics, vibrant campus life, and commitment to service and social justice.

  • Scholarship Link: Boston College Scholarships

Modern glass buildings with red accents against a cloudy sky, reflecting a sleek, contemporary design. No visible text or people.

Stevens Institute of Technology 


  • Location: Hoboken, NJ

  • Acceptance Rate: 46%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: Stevens is a premier private research university focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It's a leader in technological innovation and offers a wide array of research opportunities.

  • Scholarship Link: Stevens Institute of Technology Scholarships


Providence College 


  • Location: Providence, RI

  • Acceptance Rate: 49%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: The only college in North America run by Dominican friars, Providence College offers a traditional liberal arts education with a focus on its Development of Western Civilization core curriculum.

  • Scholarship Link: Providence College Merit-Based Scholarships

Group of people, including a professor, walking down steps. Brick building with columns in background. Casual mood, daytime setting.

Fordham University 


  • Location: New York, NY

  • Acceptance Rate: 54%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: Located in New York City, Fordham is a Jesuit university with a strong focus on liberal arts and sciences. It's known for its global outlook and for offering students a unique blend of a traditional campus experience and urban opportunities.

  • Scholarship Link: Fordham University Undergraduate Scholarships and Grants


St. Lawrence University 🏞️


  • Location: Canton, NY

  • Acceptance Rate: 55%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: This private liberal arts college is celebrated for its tight-knit community, emphasis on hands-on learning, and beautiful campus in the Adirondack region.

  • Scholarship Link: St. Lawrence University Financial Aid and Scholarships


Midwest

University of Chicago 💡


  • Location: Chicago, IL

  • Acceptance Rate: 5%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: UChicago is a world-renowned private research university with a rigorous and unconventional core curriculum. It's famous for its strong academic culture and for fostering intellectual curiosity.

  • Scholarship Link: UChicago Scholarships and Financial Aid

Gothic-style cloister garden with geometric hedges and blooming tree. People taking photos, set against ornate arches and stone walls.

University of Notre Dame 🍀


  • Location: Notre Dame, IN

  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: A prestigious Catholic research university, Notre Dame is highly respected for its strong sense of community, emphasis on ethical leadership, and successful athletic programs.

  • Scholarship Link: University of Notre Dame Merit Scholarships


Washington University in St. Louis 🐻


  • Location: St. Louis, MO

  • Acceptance Rate: 12%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: WUSTL is a top-tier private research university with a strong reputation in medicine, engineering, and business. It offers a collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environment.

  • Scholarship Link: Washington University in St. Louis Scholarships


Oberlin College 🎶


  • Location: Oberlin, OH

  • Acceptance Rate: 36%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: As both a liberal arts college and a conservatory of music, Oberlin is known for its dual identity and for being a hub of creativity, activism, and intellectual thought.

  • Scholarship Link: Oberlin College Financial Aid

Large trees line a gravel path leading to a brick house partially visible in the background. Sunlight filters through leaves, creating a serene mood.

Ohio State University 🌰


  • Location: Columbus, OH

  • Acceptance Rate: 53%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: One of the largest universities in the U.S., Ohio State is a public research powerhouse known for its extensive range of academic programs, cutting-edge research, and a deeply-rooted sense of school spirit.

  • Scholarship Link: Ohio State University Merit Scholarships


South

Duke University 🔵


  • Location: Durham, NC

  • Acceptance Rate: 6%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: A world-class private research university, Duke is famous for its academics, top-ranked basketball program, and beautiful Gothic architecture.

  • Scholarship Link: Duke University Merit Scholarships


Vanderbilt University Commodores


  • Location: Nashville, TN

  • Acceptance Rate: 6%

  • Test Optional? Yes

  • What it's known for: Located in the heart of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a highly selective private research university with a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

  • Scholarship Link: Vanderbilt University Scholarships


Wake Forest University 🌲


  • Location: Winston-Salem, NC

  • Acceptance Rate: 9%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: Wake Forest is a private research university with a focus on both liberal arts and professional schools. It is known for its teacher-scholar model, which emphasizes close faculty-student interaction.

  • Scholarship Link: Wake Forest University Scholarships and Financial Aid

Two smiling students with backpacks chat outside an ornate, sunlit building. They hold notebooks and a tablet.

University of Virginia ⚔️


  • Location: Charlottesville, VA

  • Acceptance Rate: 19%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is a public institution known for its commitment to honor, its beautiful, historic campus, and its top-tier academic programs in law, medicine, and business.

  • Scholarship Link: University of Virginia Merit-Based Scholarships


UNC at Chapel Hill 🐑


  • Location: Chapel Hill, NC

  • Acceptance Rate: 17%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: As the nation's first public university, UNC is a leader in public education, offering a strong liberal arts curriculum and a legacy of excellence in a wide array of fields.

  • Scholarship Link: UNC Chapel Hill Scholarships


West

UCLA 🐻‍❄️


  • Location: Los Angeles, CA

  • Acceptance Rate: 9%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: A public research university known for its academic excellence, vibrant campus culture, and world-class programs in film, arts, and sciences.

  • Scholarship Link: UCLA Scholarships


University of Southern California (USC) ✌️


  • Location: Los Angeles, CA

  • Acceptance Rate: 10%

  • Test Optional? No

  • What it's known for: USC is a leading private research university with highly-regarded programs in cinema, business, and engineering, and is deeply integrated into the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.

  • Scholarship Link: USC Merit Scholarships

Disclaimer - Did any of the links not work? Let us know and we'll update accordingly!!

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