Duke scholarships, student loans and grants

How much does it cost to go to Duke?

As you can see, Duke’s cost of attendance (COA) includes more than just tuition and fees. It also takes into account expenses like textbooks, supplies and the general cost of living as a college student. And if you don’t live near Durham, your COA could be even higher when you factor in transportation.

Does Duke offer a tuition payment plan?

Yes, Duke offers a monthly payment plan through Nelnet’s Tuition Management Systems (TMS). For a $40 enrollment fee, you can sign up to pay off your fall tuition between July 1st and November 1st and spring tuition between December 1st and April 1st.

Duke University scholarships and grants

There are two types of financial aid at Duke: need-based and merit-based funding.

Duke University grants

All students are considered for Duke’s need-based grants based on your expected parent and student contribution. Duke exempts all families with a total income of $60,000 or less from contributing to their child’s education and covers that portion with a grant.

Students are expected to pay at least $2,600 per year, regardless of income. You can cover this with merit-based scholarships, loans and work-study programs. Duke automatically offers all students at least $2,200 in work-study funding.

Merit scholarships

All students accepted to Duke are automatically considered for most of its merit-based scholarship programs, which are available to both US and international students.

A.B. Duke Scholarship Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition, fees and room and board, as well as summer funding to study abroad or work on a project in the US

• Eligibility requirements

  While there are no hard eligibility requirements for this program, students who have strong academics and leadership skills are more likely to qualify.

The A.B. Duke Scholarship Program offers full funding for tuition, fees and room and board to a handful of students each year. Participants can also take advantage of mentorship from faculty members and an opportunity to apply for the A.B. Duke Research Fellowship (ABRF), which covers research projects or study abroad.

Scholars can also attend a six-week summer program at the University of Oxford with all expenses paid. All incoming students are automatically considered for this scholarship when they apply to Duke.

B.N. Duke Scholarship Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition, fees and room and board, as well as funding for two summers of community engagement projects

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify, you need to be a resident of North or South Carolina.

This merit-based scholarship program funded by The Duke Endowment provides a full ride to high-achieving students from North and South Carolina. In addition, B.N. Duke scholars get funding to cover a community-based summer project in one of the Carolinas and another abroad.

All eligible students are automatically considered when they apply, so there’s no separate application.

Robertson Scholars Leadership Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition, fees and room and board, plus funding for three summer projects

• Eligibility requirements

  While there are no hard eligibility requirements, this scholarship typically goes toward first-year students with strong academics and leadership skills. Students who are selected have demonstrated a strong strength of character, collaborative spirit and intellectual curiosity. Transfer students are ineligible.

This unique program is available to both Duke and University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill students. Scholars can take courses between both campuses and take advantage of its three-part summer program, both in the US and abroad. It also offers access to leadership-building activities like a 10-day wilderness expedition, as well as mentorship from faculty members.

Unlike some other Duke scholarship programs, you typically must apply to be considered. You can fill out the application on the Robertson Scholars Program website. In some cases, Duke might refer you to the program. If this happens, you’ll be contacted with instructions to complete the application.

University Scholars Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition, fees and room and board

• Eligibility requirements

  You must have strong academics to qualify and maintain strong academic performance to remain eligible for this scholarship program.

This scholarship is available to both undergraduate and graduate students at Duke University. It covers most expenses, though it doesn’t come with funding for summer projects or study abroad. Scholars are required to take certain courses, meet with mentors and get involved in both the school and local community.

Karsh International Scholars Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition, fees and room and board, plus funding for summer semester projects and courses

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • International student
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • No previously earned bachelor’s degree

This scholarship program is only available to international students — not including those who have dual US citizenship. It’s both a need- and merit-based program, meaning you need to have strong academics and demonstrate financial need to qualify.

In addition to funding, scholars will receive extra support from faculty mentors, advisers and graduate assistants to strengthen their academic experience. You’re automatically considered for this scholarship when you apply for financial aid.

Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholars Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition and room and board, plus access to funding for summer experiences or research

• Eligibility requirements

  You must be a student of African descent and demonstrate leadership skills, a commitment to social justice and intellectual curiosity to qualify.

Students of African descent are automatically considered for this merit-based scholarship. It offers full tuition and room and board, plus funding to support internships, public service and other enrichment activities. Scholars also receive access to additional mentoring and scholars-only programs, like field trips.

Trinity Scholarship Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition and room and board, plus access to funding for summer experiences or research

• Eligibility requirements

  It varies by scholarship — different programs are available to residents of different areas of North and South Carolina.

  Scholarship	Eligibility requirements
  Susan F. Beischer, George D. Beischer and Frances Hill Fox Trinity Scholarship	Resident of North Carolina Demonstrate financial need
  Herman W. Bernard Trinity Scholarship	Resident of one of the following areas of North Carolina: High Point — including Archdale Jamestown Trinity Unincorporated areas of Guilford, Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth County
  Cassell/Saperstein Trinity Scholarship	Resident of Greensboro, North Carolina
  Clem and Hayes Clement Trinity Scholarship	Resident of North Carolina Demonstrate financial need First-year student of the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
  Four-County Area Trinity Scholarship	Resident of one of the following counties in North Carolina: Davidson County Montgomery County Randolph County Guilford County
  William M. Gregg Trinity Scholarship	Resident of South Carolina — with preference given to the following areas: Marlboro County Dillon County Chesterfield County Florence County Marion County Williamsburg County Georgetown County Horry County
  Robert and Melanie Ketner Trinity Scholarship	Resident of Guilford County, North Carolina
  David L. Maynard Family Trinity Scholarship	Resident of one of the following areas of North Carolina: High Point — including Archdale Jamestown Trinity Unincorporated areas of Guilford, Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth County
  Roy O. Rodwell Trinity Scholarship	Graduated high school in east North Carolina Not participating in intercollegiate football, basketball or baseball
  Doris Stroupe Slane Trinity Scholarship	Resident of North Carolina — specifically the High Point area Demonstrate financial need
  John C. and Martha B. Slane Trinity Scholarship	Resident of one of the following areas of North Carolina: High Point — including Archdale Jamestown Trinity Unincorporated areas of Guilford, Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth County
  A. J. Tannenbaum Trinity Scholarship	Resident of North Carolina — with preference given to Guilford County
  Plato and Dixie Wilson Trinity Scholarship	Resident of one of the following areas of North Carolina: High Point — including Archdale Jamestown Trinity Unincorporated areas of Guilford, Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth County

This scholarship program is actually a group of 13 scholarships available to North and South Carolina students, especially residents of the High Point area. Like other merit-based scholarships, students get access to additional mentorship programs and community-building programs. You’re automatically considered for this scholarship program when you apply to Duke.

David M. Rubenstein Scholars Program

• Amount

  100% of your cost of attendance

• Eligibility requirements

  To qualify, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • First-generation college student from a low-income family
  • Strong academics, leadership skills and community involvement

This scholarship program is a need- and merit-based program for first-generation college students. You need to have strong academics, show a commitment to community service and come from a low-income family to qualify. It covers up to 100% of the cost of attendance. All Duke applicants are automatically considered for this program.

Alumni Endowed Scholarship Program

• Amount

  Eight semesters of full tuition and room and board, plus access to summer funding

• Eligibility requirements

  You must have a strong high school academic record to qualify for this scholarship.

All students are considered for this alumni-funded merit-based scholarship program when they apply to Duke. Scholars are required to take a series of first-year seminars and engage with the Durham community. Like other scholarship programs, students get access to additional mentorship opportunities as well.

Student loans to pay for Duke

When scholarships, grants and work-study programs aren’t enough, you might want to consider applying for a student loan. Duke recommends you apply for federal loans first by filling out the FAFSA — they’re typically less expensive and have more flexible repayment options.

Students who still need funds after receiving federal loans are automatically considered for a Duke Educational Assistance Loan. These don’t gain interest while you’re in school and stay at a fixed 5% rate after you graduate.

If you’re ineligible for a Duke Educational Assistance Loan, you might want to consider a private student loan instead.

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Bottom line

Duke University is expensive, even for a private school. But it offers a generous need- and merit-based financial aid program to help cover the costs. And student loans are available to pick up the slack when scholarships and grants fall short.

You can learn more about how paying for school works with our guide to student loans.

Frequently asked questions

• Are there scholarships available for Duke law school?

  Yes, Duke offers scholarships to law students to cover up to three years of courses. Eligibility is based on both merit and financial need. While there’s no minimum GPA to qualify, you need to stay in good academic standing to remain eligible — meaning you must stay off of academic probation.

• Does Duke offer athletic scholarships?

  Yes, Duke offers Division I athletic scholarships in all sports except men’s wrestling and fencing. Reach out to your coach or the athletics office for details about your eligibility.

• Are Duke Endowment grants for students?

  No, Duke Endowment grants are funding for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North and South Carolina that work in one of the following areas:

  • Child care
  • Health care
  • Higher education
  • Rural church