Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Arizona State University Scholarships

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a wide array of scholarships to help students finance their education. These scholarships range from merit-based awards for outstanding academic achievements to need-based aid for students with financial constraints. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the various scholarships available at ASU, including the prestigious New American University Scholarships and other specific scholarships tailored to different student profiles.

New American University Scholarships: Recognizing Academic Excellence

Arizona State University automatically reviews and awards New American University Scholarships to admitted students, reflecting fall 2026 scholarship amounts in the scholarship estimator. These merit scholarships are designed for incoming first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic abilities. It's important to note that students are eligible for only one New American University Scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a New American University Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

Be a first-time, first-year student entering ASU directly after high school graduation.
Be a U.S. citizen enrolling at ASU the semester immediately after high school graduation.
Be admitted and enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, on-campus program, including iCourses and ASU Sync.

Award Determination

ASU merit scholarships are awarded based on a combination of factors:

High school GPA in core competencies.
The number of core competencies completed or in progress.
The degree program, residency status, and campus to which the student is admitted.

While ACT or SAT scores are not required for award eligibility, providing them may lead to increased scholarship awards.

RaiseMe Micro-Scholarships

If a student is offered a New American University Scholarship, any funds earned through RaiseMe micro-scholarships will be included in the total ASU New American University scholarship offered.

Renewal Requirements

The ASU Commitment Scholarship shares the same renewal requirements as the New American University Scholarship. Detailed renewal criteria can be found at tuition.asu.edu/scholarship-renewal-guide.

Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR) Program

Arizona high school graduates who do not qualify as Arizona residents may be eligible for a reduced nonresident tuition rate through the Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR) program. Eligible students participating in the QTR program should review details about how QTR impacts their institution merit award.

National Scholar Awards for Merit Finalists and Recognition Program Awardees

ASU provides additional scholarship opportunities for National Merit Finalists and College Board National Recognition Program Awardees.

Arizona National Merit Finalist

If named a National Merit Finalist, students are eligible for ASU's New American University National Scholar award of \$15,000 per year, renewable for an additional three years, totaling \$60,000 over four years. To receive this award, ASU must be selected as the student's first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1.

Arizona National Recognition Awardees

College Board National Recognition Program Awardees are eligible to receive ASU's New American University National Scholar award of \$10,000 per year upon admission, renewable for an additional three years, worth \$40,000 over four years.

Nonresident National Merit Finalist

Nonresident students named National Merit Finalists who select ASU as their first choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1 and are admitted to and enroll in Barrett, The Honors College at ASU are eligible for a \$17,500 national scholar award. This award replaces any previous New American University award and is not stackable with other New American University awards. The total value of this scholarship is \$70,000 over four years.

Nonresident National Recognition Awardees

Nonresident College Board National Recognition Program Awardees who are admitted to and enroll at Barrett, The Honors College at ASU are eligible for ASU’s New American University National Scholar award. This is a \$17,500 per year award, totaling \$70,000 over four years. This award replaces any previous New American University award and is not stackable with other New American University awards.

Additional ASU Scholarships

In addition to the New American University Scholarships, ASU offers a variety of other scholarships with specific eligibility requirements. Here are some notable examples:

The Denny Sanford Arizona State University Scholarship: Open to high school seniors in the United States.
The George Royal Scholarship: Available to full-time undergraduate students at Arizona State University who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are graduates of an Arizona high school.
The Dorothy Bray Educational Fund: Available to freshman students at Arizona State University.
The Dr. Orville Lee and Helen Seeley Buchanan Scholarship: Available to graduate students at Arizona State University who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
The Daisy M. Jones Endowed Scholarship: Available to graduate students at Arizona State University who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are involved in academic projects or research studies.
The Chamberlain-Coffinger Memorial Scholarship: Available to undergraduate students at Arizona State University who attended the Madison Elementary School District (or its successor) and have a minimum 3.5 GPA.
The Eloise and Gene Koonce Excellence in Education Scholarship: Available to undergraduate students at Arizona State University who have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The Rosalyn Lyon Scholarship in Education: Available to undergraduate students at Arizona State University who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
The Vice President Leadership Scholarship: Available to full-time junior and senior students at Arizona State University who are residents of Arizona, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and demonstrate academic achievement and community service.
The Merle Packer Physical Education Memorial Scholarship: Available to full-time undergraduate students at Arizona State University who have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Michelle Brown-Hollin Scholarship: Barrett, The Honors College has played a significant role in the lives of Michelle Brown-Hollin and her husband, Ken who have almost 65 years of service to ASU and Barrett and have spent their careers working with students.

External Scholarship Opportunities

Besides ASU-specific scholarships, students can also explore external scholarship opportunities to help fund their education. These scholarships are offered by various organizations and foundations and often have specific eligibility criteria and application requirements. Here are some examples:

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FAFSA (Federal Student Aid): The FAFSA is federal student aid, once you fill out your part as the student parents then fill out financial information and it gives you a SAI or student aid index number which you can use to apply to other scholarships.
Tempe Diablo Scholarship: The Tempe Diablos provide numerous scholarships each year to students to attend Arizona State University or a Maricopa County Community College who demonstrate involvement in the community. The award is \$2,000/year.
Unigo Annual Scholarship: This scholarship awards \$10,000 annually. For this scholarship, all you have to do is answer a simple question in 250 words or less: “Would you rather be smart, funny, or rich? Why?”
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is available to graduating, minority high school seniors who plan to attend a 4-year college or university and provides up to \$35,000 over four years. Applicants must submit 4 essays and one letter of recommendation to be considered.
McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship: High school seniors who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage and have a minimum 2.8 GPA are eligible to apply for this scholarship, which ranges from \$5,000 to \$100,000. DACA recipients are eligible to apply.
Horatio Alger State Scholarship: This scholarship is available to high school juniors in all 50 states who have critical financial needs. Applicants must “exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States,” and must have a GPA over 2.0. The award is \$10,000.
Women at Microsoft Scholarship: High school seniors who identify as women or non-binary and plan to attend a vocational school or college to pursue a career in STEAM are eligible for this scholarship. Students must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. The award is Up to \$5,000 offered one time or renewable for up to four years.
Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund: The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) offers scholarships to students who demonstrate resilience in the face of hardship and give back to their communities. Scholarship recipients can use the money to cover tuition expenses and related educational expenses, and are also able to re-apply yearly, from admission to graduation! All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by conducting community service and serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars. The award is \$10,000.
Dell Scholars Program: The Dell Scholars program was designed to provide a support system for the challenges many students face while pursuing a degree. 500 winners will be awarded \$20,000 as well as year-round support to help them succeed in college.
Ron Brown Scholar Program: Black high school seniors with plans to attend a 4-year accredited college or university in the fall of 2023 are eligible to apply to this scholarship. Must submit two letters of recommendation and two essays, each 500 words. The award is \$40,000 over four years.
Cooke College Scholarship Program: To be eligible for this scholarship, students must intend to enroll full-time in a college or university, have an unweighted cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or above, and have unmet financial need. The award is Up to \$55,000.
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS): The maximum amount is \$12,500, lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs. The scholarship is based upon demonstrated need; however, the award is not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. At the time of application, the applicant is required to indicate additional financial resources adequate to meet her estimated expenses. Examples of additional resources are personal and family funds, tuition waivers, work scholarships, teaching assistantships, study grants and other scholarships.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: This scholarship is awarded to people of many talents. The winners have access to lots of career, conferences, and support opportunities. To apply you must be of Hispanic heritage, a US citizen, a minimum 3.0 GPA, submit the FAFSA and plan to enroll full time at a four year university. The award is \$500-\$5,000.
Dorrance Scholarship: This scholarship is a need-based award that is awarded too Arizona residents that are currently graduating seniors who will be a first-generation college students. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have a minimum test score of 1110 SAT, 22 ACT, or 72 CLT. They have to plan to attend ASU-Tempe, NAU-Flagstaff, UA-Tucson and agree to live in on-campus housing during freshman and sophomore year. The award is \$12,000 per year.
Snow, Carpio & Weekly, PLC Academic Scholarship: This scholarship is for high school seniors graduating this year who show merit and need. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and plan to attend a university in the fall. The award is \$2,500.
Conrad Carpio Dreamers Scholarship: This scholarship is for immigrants who are high school seniors or recent graduates who are looking to get a degree. Requirements are you must have entered the United States before age 16, be under 25, have lived in the US for five years or more, they must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and plan to attend a university in the fall. The award is \$2,500.
Character Counts Scholarship: The Character Counts Scholarship, offered by Parker & Sons in partnership with Arizona Sports, awards \$10,000 to an Arizona high school student who demonstrates exceptional character, good sportsmanship, and community involvement. Nominations are open until December 31st, with ten finalists being featured on Arizona Sports platforms and honored at an award ceremony where the scholarship winner is announced.
HSF Scholar Program: HSF empowers families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional students as possible. The award is \$500-\$5,000.
Resilient Recovery Scholarship: The Phillips law group is striving to empower the community and uplift those who are in need. This scholarship is for students who are looking to go to a two or four year college and are in good acedemic standing. For this scholarship, you will need to submit a 750-word essay about a hardship you overcame and how you persevered. The award is \$1000.

High Achievement Scholarships

These scholarships will take more time to apply to and are a little more advanced. They have more requirements (like achievements, essays etc.) and need more proof of achievement. However, some of these scholarships also come with computers, all expenses paid trips, and new communities.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship: This scholarship program “is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.” The award is \$20,000.
Elks Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship: Students pursuing a four-year degree can apply to this scholarship by the Elks National Foundation. They will be awarding 500 students scholarships for four years, ranging from \$1,000 to \$12,500. The top 20 scholarship applicants will participate in an all-expenses paid trip to Elks National Foundation’s Leadership Weekend, where they are eligible to win even more money for college.
The Gates Scholarship: High school seniors of color are eligible for this highly competitive scholarship. Ideal candidates have “an outstanding academic record, demonstrated leadership ability, and exceptional personal success skills.” It is a full scholarship.
Footlocker Scholar Athletes: Each year, 20 high school seniors who are leaders on their sports teams, in their classrooms, and in their communities will be awarded up to \$20,000 to go towards their college education.
National Merit Scholarship: Awarded for outstanding PSAT/NMSQT scores and provides a full ride to an in-state university.
Flynn Scholarship: This scholarship is looking for high achieving, articulate, fun-loving, and hard-working students. Applicants should have excelled in their high-school classrooms while maintaining purposeful involvement in extracurricular activities, whether in the arts or athletics, in laboratory research or community service. Students are evaluated based on their academic achievement, leadership, involvement, service to the community, ability to communicate, and personal characteristics. The scholarship is worth more than \$130,000.
National College Match: This scholarship is looking for high-achieving students from low-income families who have excelled academically despite financial challenges. The application emphasizes strong academics, resilience, leadership, and personal stories that showcase determination and potential. It is a full scholarship.

Tips for Finding and Applying to Scholarships

To maximize your chances of securing scholarships, consider the following tips:

Create a Scholarship Spreadsheet: Maintain a spreadsheet or paper to keep track of all the scholarships you plan to apply for.
Explore Easy-to-Apply Scholarships: Look for scholarships with low requirements that can help fund your education.
Pay Attention to Deadlines: Note the deadlines for each scholarship and submit your applications well in advance.
Craft Compelling Essays: Write thoughtful and well-written essays that highlight your achievements, experiences, and goals.
Seek Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or mentors who can speak to your abilities and character.
Review and Proofread: Carefully review and proofread all application materials before submitting them.

Barrett, The Honors College: A Gold Standard in Honors Education

Within ASU, Barrett, The Honors College, is widely considered the gold standard in honors education. It draws the brightest students from around the nation and offers exceptional opportunities for academic and personal growth. As a national scholar, you will be able to thrive in a community of motivated individuals poised to change the world.

Barrett provides a unique honors experience, and a culture of innovation is firmly established throughout ASU and is reflected in our students, faculty and staff and the amazing things they’re doing. This culture of innovation is why we repeatedly rank No. 1 in meaningful areas. Students from around the world choose Barrett, The Honors College for its exceptional opportunities and nationally recognized honors experience.

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