Granite Guarantee
Offered by University System of New Hampshire · Free to apply
New Hampshire residents who qualify for a federal Pell Grant can attend a University System of New Hampshire campus (UNH, including Manchester, plus Keene State and Plymouth State) tuition free for all four years. There is no scholarship form and no GPA minimum: get admitted, file the FAFSA, and the award is applied automatically. It covers tuition only, so mandatory fees, housing, food, and books still have to be paid. Community college graduates from the CCSNH system who transfer in for a bachelor's degree qualify as well. Timing follows the campus you apply to, and at UNH that means the February 1 regular admission date plus the March 1 FAFSA priority date, so aim to finish both by early winter. Refiling the FAFSA every year, remaining Pell-eligible, and full-time enrollment keep it going.
How hard is the Granite Guarantee to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to New Hampshire residents
- Fewer rivalsRequires a means-tested benefit
- More rivalsA large award draws far more applicants
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Granite Guarantee?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of New Hampshire
- Open to high school seniors and transfer students
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Family receives a means-tested benefit such as SNAP, Medicaid, or free or reduced-price lunch
- Automatic with the FAFSA for admitted Pell-eligible New Hampshire students; no separate application exists
- Transfer students qualify through the Community College System of New Hampshire pathway
- Full-time enrollment is required every semester
- Covers tuition only; mandatory fees, housing, and meals are not included
- Renewal requires remaining Pell-eligible, refiling the FAFSA annually, staying a New Hampshire resident, and making satisfactory academic progress
- Available across University System of New Hampshire campuses (UNH including Manchester, Keene State, Plymouth State)
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is February 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around February 1 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. Ask your USNH campus for its admission and FAFSA priority dates; at UNH they are February 1 and March 1.
- UNH FAFSA priority date
- March 1, 2026
- FAFSA opens
- October 1, 2026
- UNH regular admission date
- February 1, 2027
- Award shows on the aid offer
- Spring of senior year
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Granite Guarantee
How much is the Granite Guarantee worth?
The Granite Guarantee awards full tuition x 4 years and is renewable in later years.
When is the Granite Guarantee deadline?
The current deadline is February 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around February 1 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. Ask your USNH campus for its admission and FAFSA priority dates; at UNH they are February 1 and March 1.
When do Granite Guarantee applications open?
Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1, and close February 1, 2027. Ask your USNH campus for its admission and FAFSA priority dates; at UNH they are February 1 and March 1.
Who is eligible for the Granite Guarantee?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of New Hampshire; Open to high school seniors and transfer students; Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card); Family receives a means-tested benefit such as SNAP, Medicaid, or free or reduced-price lunch.
Does the Granite Guarantee require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the Granite Guarantee?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the Granite Guarantee free to apply?
Yes. The Granite Guarantee is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.