The Chancellor’s Scholarship is Appalachian State’s oldest and most distinguished full scholarship, awarded to exceptional scholars with ambitious academic goals. Each year, 10 first-year Honors College applicants are selected for this prestigious award, which provides support and connection within our Honors community. All first-year Honors applicants are automatically considered—apply to the Honors College to be considered.

The Chancellor's Scholarship provides the following benefits

Financial
  • Full institutional costs for eight semesters; this includes tuition, fees, housing, and a meal plan. This may be used for Study Abroad for any semester after the first.
  • Available support for research and scholarship, both for summer and the academic year, through the Office of Student Research and through Honors College Research Grants for research and scholarship in the student’s target area of study, including travel funds to attend conferences.
Academics
  • Dedicated and personalized, professional mentoring and academic advising from Honors faculty and staff. This specialized advising is provided by doctoral‑degree professionals in fields related to students’ areas of study. Advising extends beyond academics to include planning co‑curricular and summer experiences that support career and post‑baccalaureate goals.
Travel
  • A funded faculty-led study abroad trip in conjunction with the Chancellor’s Scholars Honors First Year Seminar course or an equivalent experience as determined by the Associate Vice Provost for the Honors College.
Community
  • Membership in the Chancellor’s Scholars community with events such as the CS Welcome Event, CS Friendsgiving, and other activities that bring the 40 CS scholars on campus together for vertical mentoring from freshmen to seniors and the chance to network, meet alumni, and plan for research, service, and leadership experiences.
  • A dedicated Chancellor’s Scholars room in the Honors College for studying, special programs, and other CS use.
  • Access to the network of over 500 alumni of the Chancellor’s Scholars program from the last 30 years for mentoring, internship, and professional opportunities.
  • Participation in the Honors College and Appalachian Honors Association (AHA!) activities, including lectures, service opportunities, and social events.
Housing
  • Priority Housing is available in Honors-only floors located in Cone Hall (for first-year students) and Summit Hall (for upper-class students). The housing support may be used off campus or elsewhere on campus after the first year.

Selection of the Chancellor’s Scholars

Chancellor's Scholars must also be admitted to the Honors College, but Chancellor's Scholarships are not tied to any major or college.

Applications are reviewed by a cross-campus faculty selection committee. They evaluate the applications based on academic performance and potential, as well as the essential student essays and activities list. Successful applicants display a background of superior academic ability based on active, involved learning, and a record of leadership, service, and creativity that are the hallmarks of an exceptional scholar. Finalists will be invited to participate in our virtual Interview Day in January

Recipients of the scholarship are required to enroll in at least one honors course each semester for their first four semesters, and demonstrate continued progress towards completing the requirements of the Honors College in order to retain the scholarship and graduate with University Honors. Chancellor's Scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters with a maintained GPA of 3.45.

Heather Smith Brown Endowment for the Chancellor's Scholars

Heather Smith Brown

The Heather Smith Brown Endowment for the Chancellor's Scholars was established by her family in 2021 to honor the academic legacy of their daughter, wife, and sister, Heather Smith Brown, a probation officer for the state of North Carolina. Heather Smith Brown graduated from Appalachian State University in 2005. A Chancellor’s Scholar, Heather also graduated from the Honors College at Appalachian while struggling with a life-threatening cancer that would eventually take her life.

Through it all, she never allowed her illness to define her. Among her many achievements, Heather earned the highest honor in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award, for creating a memorial garden on the grounds of Burke County Hospice, and raised thousands of dollars in support of cancer research through Relay for Life.

Heather Smith Brown valued the experiences and friendships she gained through the Honors College. This endowment and student engagement fund is dedicated to her steadfast commitment to educational and professional achievement in the face of overwhelming odds, and will support and inspire current and future Honors College students.

The Chancellor’s Scholarship

To Apply

By applying to the Honors College, you are automatically considered for the Chancellor’s Scholarship. No additional steps are required. Visit the Honors College First-Year Application for guidance on submitting a strong and competitive application.

Key Dates and Deadlines

  • November 15:  Early action deadline to submit a First-Year application via Common App. You must submit by the early action deadline to apply to the Honors College.
  • November 30:   Deadline to submit Scholarship and Honors Essays through your MyMountaineer Portal
  • January 24:  Scholarship interviews (held virtually)
  • March 31:  Deadline to accept scholarship offers or ask for an extension.