Rees-Chancellor's Scholars Program

Leadership, mentorship, and global experience combine for a high-engagement, holistic education.

Awarded and administered by the David C. Frederick Honors College, the Rees-Chancellor's Scholars Program recognizes and supports outstanding incoming undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and leadership potential. The program—recently renamed and expanded from the Chancellor's Scholarship, a longstanding merit-based scholarship at Pitt since the 1970s—will premiere and welcome its first cohort in Fall 2027. 

Benefits
Comprehensive Support

Rees-Chancellor's Scholars receive a package that includes full tuition coverage, room and board, and guaranteed funding for experiential learning, including study abroad, internship, and research opportunities.

Cohort Model

Rees-Chancellor's Scholar join a highly involved community, within both the FHC and the Rees-Chancellor's Scholars network. Each cohort works closely together to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and interpersonal growth. 

Global Learning

Students travel as a cohort to the University of Oxford in England, inspiring a global co-curricular perspective. They also receive funded support for study abroad opportunities and advising support for global internship opportunities. 

Scholarship Development

Scholars benefit from concierge support and guidance from advisors with the highest scholarship success rate in the country in applying for prestigious national awards that match their goals, such as the Boren, Gilman, Goldwater, Fulbright, Rhodes, Truman and Udall scholarships.

Research Mentorship

Scholars are guided toward hands-on research opportunities that align with their academic interests as early as their first semester, and are supported in refining their scientific communication skills for symposium presentations, authorship, graduate school and more.  

Leadership Coaching

Rees-Chancellor's Scholars gain access to tailored leadership coaching designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world impact. They’ll have access to foundational and skill-based workshops taught by esteemed FHC staff and faculty members.  

Admission

Students aspiring for Rees-Chancellor's Scholar consideration must be U.S. residents or DACA recipients and must first apply to the University of Pittsburgh and be accepted into the Frederick Honors College. Factors for review include weighted grade point average, rigor and strength of high school curriculum, SAT/ACT scores (if applicable), class rank (if applicable), extra-curricular activities and quality of the Common Application essay or Pitt personal statement. High school research experience and demonstrated leadership skills are highly recommended for competitive candidates.  

Timeline and Process 

First-year applicants who indicate their interest in the Frederick Honors College and submit all required application materials by December 1 will receive priority consideration for being selected as a Rees-Chancellor's Scholars semifinalist. Rees-Chancellor Semifinalists will be notified in December to schedule their first-round interview. Finalists will be notified in February to schedule their second-round interview. Chosen Rees-Chancellor's Scholarship recipients will be notified in early March.