Stackable non-resident scholarship awards

For maximum financial aid and scholarship consideration, students must have a completed admissions application, transcripts, test scores (ACT/SAT), FAFSA/Institutional Methodology form, and a general scholarship application (MyNEVADA) on file by February 15th.

The University of Nevada, Reno offers a robust scholarship program tailored for domestic first-year and transfer students — from outside of Nevada and the WICHE region — who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Eligible students can stack up to three scholarships for significant financial support:

  • The Tahoe Award ($5,000/year)
  • The Dean's Pack Award ($5,000/year)
  • The Honors Award ($2,000/year)

Together, these awards can total up to $12,000 annually in scholarships — and they are renewable for up to four consecutive years (freshman) and three consecutive years (transfers), helping make your education more affordable.

More in stackable awards

Out-of-state resident award information

 

General eligibility

  • Open to out-of-state residents (students from Nevada or WICHE states are not eligible)
  • Students must be a new freshman/transfer starting Fall 2026
  • Must be pursuing first bachelor's degree
  • Must be enrolled full-time (15 credits, Fall/Spring semesters)
  • Must be enrolled in-person (online certificates/degree programs not eligible)
  • Must be enrolled in classes by June 15th

Pre-nursing and nursing majors, students receiving out-of-state tuition waivers, student athletes, students participating in study abroad programs, and international students are not eligible.

 

Stackable award eligibility for freshman students

Tahoe Award

Automatic consideration with a completed admissions file by February 15th.

Freshman student initial eligibility:

  • 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA minimum
  • Completed admissions file includes admission application transcripts, and standardized and/or course placement test scores

Dean's Pack Award

Automatic consideration given to students that meet all requirements for Tahoe Award with a completed admissions file by February 15th.

Nominations for this award will be made by the academic college based on their own criteria.

Honors Award

Automatic consideration given to students that meet all requirements for Tahoe Award with a completed admissions file by February 15th.

Freshman student initial eligibility

  • Meet all requirements of Tahoe Award
  • Must apply and attend the University as part of the Honors College

Nominations for this award will be made by the Honors College based on their own criteria.

NOTE: Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) — no minimum score required — or a completed placement test for initial course placement must be submitted and on file to qualify for the Tahoe Award, Dean's Pack Award or Honors Award.

 

Stackable award eligibility for transfer students

Tahoe Award

Automatic consideration with a completed admissions file by February 15th.

Transfer student initial eligibility:

  • 2.5 minimum GPA in all transferable coursework
  • At least 24 transferable, graded credits
  • Completed admissions file includes admission application transcripts, and standardized and/or course placement test scores

Dean's Pack Award

Automatic consideration given to transfer students that meet all requirements for Tahoe Award with a completed admissions file by February 15th.

Nominations for this award will be made by the academic college based on their own criteria.

Honors Award

Automatic consideration given to transfer students that meet all requirements for Tahoe Award with a completed admissions file by February 15th.

Transfer student initial eligibility

  • Meet all requirements of Tahoe Award
  • Must apply and attend the University as part of the Honors College

Nominations for this award will be made by the Honors College based on their own criteria.

 
 
A map of the United States highlighting selected states in shades of blue to represent non-WICHE states eligible for out-of-state financial aid. The highlighted states include: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Residence eligibility

Domestic freshman and transfer undergraduate students from the following states may be eligible for a non-resident stackable scholarship: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

If your residence status changes to Nevada resident, you will not longer be eligible for the Tahoe, Dean's Pack or Honors Award effective on the date of your residency change.

Maintaining eligibility for continuing students

In order to maintain their scholarships, students must do the following:

  • Maintain out-of-state residency for tuition purposes
  • Meet federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements
  • Meet the minimum 15-credit requirement each semester (fall/spring only)

Honors Award

  • Students must also maintain active Honor's College academic plan. Discontinued students will lose eligibility for the Honors Award.

FAQ about The Tahoe Award, Dean's Pack Award, and the Honors Award

Scholarship information is for the 2026-2027 academic year. Additional conditions apply and are subject to change.