| Morehead-Cain Scholarship | |
|---|---|
 Morehead Planetarium and Science Center | |
| Awarded for | Merit-based to high school seniors |
| Description | Full scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Sponsored by | Morehead Cain Foundation |
| Location | Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA |
| Formerly called | Morehead Scholarship |
| Established | 1951 |
| Website | www |
The Morehead-Cain Scholarship (originally the Morehead Scholarship) was the first merit scholarship program established in the United States.[1][2] It was founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1951 and was named for its benefactors, John Motley Morehead III and the Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation.[2] The Morehead-Cain is among the most prestigious undergraduate educational opportunities worldwide, with only 3 percent of candidates gaining admission each year.[3]
In addition to covering all expenses for four years of undergraduate education at UNC, the scholarship also includes fully funded summer enrichment activities and funding for independent research, internships, and international study.[1][4][5] Mary Cain, who donated $100 million to the program in 2007, called it "the gold standard in undergraduate educational opportunities."[6]
- ^ a b Spach, Brooke (November 2, 2021). "Morehead-Cain Scholars Share Their Experiences". Chapel Hill Magazine. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Pini, Amy Curtin (2006). "Morehead Foundation". NCpedia. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ "For Counselors - Canada | Morehead-Cain".
- ^ "UNC's Morehead-Cain Scholars study Smart City innovation in Chattanooga". The Enterprise Center. June 23, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Mary Kate (February 22, 2022). "Students Reach Final Rounds of Elite Morehead, Park Scholarship Programs". The Pilot Newspaper. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ "John Motley Morehead Foundation Receives $100 Million From Cain Foundation". Philanthropy News Digest. February 16, 2007.