Frequently Asked Questions
New Students
Q: What is the Lenoir-Rhyne Tuition-Free Guarantee?
A: A: The Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee covers 100 percent of undergraduate tuition for new first-year and transfer students who enroll full time in a degree program beginning in fall 2026. Families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less, according to the FAFSA, and who live in North Carolina or South Carolina automatically qualify.
- Full Tuition Covered: Eligible students receive a combination of federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships—no loans required.
- Renewable for Four Years: The guarantee applies for up to four years (eight semesters) of full-time study, providing predictable costs throughout your undergraduate career.
- Affordable and Transformative: This landmark program ensures that an LR education is both accessible and life-changing.
Q: Who is eligible for the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee?
A: The guarantee is available to incoming undergraduate students from North and South Carolina beginning fall 2026 whose family adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less. Students must enroll full time in a traditional undergraduate program. 100 percent of tuition and mandatory student fees are covered as part of the guarantee. The guarantee is a last-dollar program. This means scholarships and grants, including Pell Grants and state aid, are applied first and LR covers the remaining tuition cost.
Q: Do I have to apply separately for the guarantee?
A: No separate application is needed, however the FAFSA must be submitted each year. When you apply to LR and file the FAFSA, we’ll determine eligibility automatically.
Q: How is my Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee scholarship awarded or calculated?
A: The Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee is a last-dollar program, meaning scholarships and grants, including Pell Grants and state aid, are applied first, and LR covers the remaining tuition cost. Your family AGI needs to be $100,000 or less based on a completed FAFSA.
Q:How does it work?
A: Lenoir-Rhyne will use a combination of programs to cover the cost of full tuition. This includes federal and state aid, including Pell Grants; and scholarships awarded by Lenoir-Rhyne.
This program is dependent on current levels of commitment of federal and state aid. If those programs change, this program is subject to change.
Q: Does the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee include student or parent loans?
A: No. The guarantee is fulfilled through scholarships and grants only. Student and parent loans are not packaged as part of the program. While families may choose to use loans to help with housing, meals, books or other expenses, loans are not required to receive tuition and fee coverage under the guarantee.
Q:Does the program cover housing, meals or personal expenses?
A: No. The Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee covers 100 percent of tuition and mandatory student fees. Families should plan for other costs such as housing, meals, required course fees, books, parking and personal expenses, but additional financial aid options are available.
Q: Why does the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee start with fall 2026 students?
A: The Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee begins with new first-year and transfer students entering in fall 2026. By launching with one incoming class, LR ensures the program can be funded responsibly and endure as a promise to future students and families.
Q: I live outside of North and South Carolina. What scholarships could I receive?
A: All students are eligible for merit scholarships of up to $30,000 per year valued up to $120,000 over four years.
Q: I plan to be a commuter student. What does this mean for me?
A: Commuter students who meet the criteria are automatically qualified. To qualify, a commuter must:
- Have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less
- Be a resident of North Carolina within 25 miles of campus
- Pursue an undergraduate degree
If you live outside a 25-mile radius of campus, you must live on campus unless you qualify for an exemption. Read our housing policy.
Q: Where do I find my AGI?
A: Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be found on your tax return. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses the tax return from two years before the fall you are applying for. For students applying for fall 2026, the FAFSA will use the tax return from 2024.
Q: Do I need to complete the FAFSA to qualify?
A: Yes. All applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine eligibility. The guarantee is a last-dollar program, meaning scholarships and grants are applied first, and LR covers the remaining tuition cost.
Q: Is the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee renewable each year?
A: Yes. The guarantee covers tuition for up to four years (eight consecutive semesters) of full-time enrollment as long as students continue to meet eligibility requirements and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Q: What happens if my family income goes above $100,000 after I enroll?
A: Students must continue to file the FAFSA each year. If family income rises above the threshold, the LR Guarantee may no longer apply, but students will continue to be considered for other Lenoir-Rhyne scholarships and financial aid.
Q: What happens if my family income drops below $100,000 after I enroll? Will I now be considered for the LR Guarantee?
A: Students will continue to receive their Merit Scholarship and may be considered for additional financial aid opportunities; however, they will not be eligible for the LR Guarantee.
Q: Does the guarantee affect my eligibility for other scholarships?
A: No. Students may continue to receive outside scholarships and grants. These awards are applied first, and the guarantee covers the remaining tuition cost up to 100 percent.
Q: Will all my costs at Lenoir-Rhyne be covered?
A: No. The guarantee covers the full cost of undergraduate tuition and mandatory student fees only. Students and families are responsible for housing, meals, required course fees, books and personal expenses.
Q: I still have questions. Who do I contact for more information?
A: Our admission and financial aid team is here to help answer any additional questions or discuss your personal circumstances. You can email us at financialaid@lr.edu or call 828.328.7382 to speak with a financial aid or admission counselor.
Current & Returning Students
Q: I’m a current student. Will I be able to apply for the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee?
A: No. The program only applies to new first-year and transfer students starting in fall 2026. Current and returning students will continue to pay approximately the same net tuition costs as they have while a student at LR.
Q: Why am I not eligible if I’m already a student at Lenoir-Rhyne?
A: The Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee applies only to new incoming students beginning fall 2026. Current students already benefit from LR’s strong financial aid commitment. In addition, Lenoir-Rhyne also announced new merit scholarships for all students including a new $30,000 Presidential Scholarship as the top merit award. These new scholarships also reaffirm Lenoir-Rhyne's commitment to college affordability.
Q: Why not include current students?
A: We know it may feel disappointing that the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee begins with fall 2026 incoming students. To offer the program to every student at once would not be financially sustainable. By launching with one incoming class, LR ensures the program can be funded responsibly and endure as a promise to future students and families.
Q: Does this mean my tuition is going up?
A: No. Current students’ tuition rates remain unchanged and locked in for four years. Your aid package — including merit scholarships, need-based awards and half tuition merit scholarship— remains intact.
Q: Are LR Online, High School Scholars Academy or University Christian High School dual-enrolled students eligible?
A: No. LR Online students already receive discounted tuition, and High School Scholars Academy and University Christian High School dual-enrolled students are not eligible. The guarantee applies only to new, full-time first-year and transfer undergraduate students starting at Lenoir-Rhyne in fall 2026.
Q: I still have questions. Who do I contact for more information?
A: Our admission and financial aid team is here to help answer any additional questions or discuss your personal circumstances. You can email us at financialaid@lr.edu or call 828.328.7382 to speak with a financial aid or admission counselor.