The New American University Scholar Program: An Overview

The New American University (NAU) Scholar Program at Arizona State University (ASU) is a merit-based scholarship initiative aimed at recognizing and supporting academically talented incoming freshmen. This comprehensive guide provides an overview of the program, its eligibility requirements, application process, scholarship amounts, and other key details.

Introduction

Arizona State University is committed to recognizing and rewarding academic excellence through the New American University Scholar Program. This program provides substantial financial assistance to incoming freshmen who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. By offering various levels of scholarships, ASU aims to attract and support bright minds from across the state and beyond.

Eligibility Criteria

The NAU Scholar Program targets incoming freshmen with a strong academic record. Key factors considered include:

GPA: A high school GPA is a primary factor in determining eligibility. For instance, the Provost Scholarship, a tier within the NAU Scholar Program, typically considers students with a GPA range of 3.8-3.89.
Standardized Test Scores: ACT and SAT scores play a significant role. The Provost Scholarship, for example, often targets students with ACT scores between 31 and 33.
Comprehensive Review: ASU employs a comprehensive review process that considers not only academic metrics but also extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and other achievements.
Arizona High School Graduation: The New American University Scholarship is open to incoming first-year students at Arizona State University who have graduated from an Arizona high school.

Application Process

A significant advantage of the NAU Scholar Program is that there is no separate application required. All incoming freshmen who apply to ASU are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. To ensure consideration, applicants must:

Submit an application for undergraduate admission to ASU.
Provide all required documents, including official transcripts, standardized test scores (ACT/SAT), and the application fee.
Meet the priority application deadline to maximize their chances of selection.

It is important to note that ASU considers students for merit-based scholarships once they have been admitted to ASU.

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Scholarship Levels and Amounts

The NAU Scholar Program offers multiple levels of scholarships, each with varying amounts of financial support. These levels may include:

Dean’s Award
Provost’s Award: The Provost Scholarship at Arizona State University is a merit scholarship granted under the New American University Scholarship program to incoming freshmen attending the university.
President’s Award
National Scholar Award

The exact award amounts vary depending on the scholarship level and can range from covering a portion of tuition to potentially covering the full cost of tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students. Award amounts will remain the same for students continuing into graduate programs.

Scholarship Renewal

NAU scholarships are renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters (four academic years), provided that recipients maintain good academic standing and fulfill specific credit hour requirements. Key renewal criteria include:

Maintaining a minimum cumulative ASU GPA of 3.0.
Enrolling full-time, with a minimum of 9 credits per semester.
Continuous enrollment with no gap in enrollment.

For students pursuing graduate studies, the scholarship can be extended under certain conditions:

The student was awarded a New American University scholarship at the National Scholar, President’s, Provost, or Dean’s award level, AND have terms of eligibility remaining on their 8-term award
Students must be admitted and enroll full time in an ASU immersion graduate degree program (online degree programs not eligible) immediately following their undergraduate degree completion
The student needs to apply and be admitted to an applicable ASU immersion graduate program, and enroll directly into the program upon completion of their ASU undergraduate program.

Competitiveness

The NAU Scholar Program is highly competitive, as all admitted students are automatically considered. Scholarship awards are contingent upon available funding and the number of qualified applicants each year. Academic achievement plays a crucial role in determining the likelihood of receiving a scholarship and the award level.

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Additional Scholarship Opportunities at ASU

While the NAU Scholar Program represents a primary merit-based scholarship opportunity, ASU offers other avenues for financial aid, including need-based aid and specific scholarships through various departments and organizations. Some notable examples include:

American University (AU) District Scholars Award: This scholarship covers full tuition as well as room and board at AU for deserving students from the District of Columbia who demonstrate academic achievement and significant financial need.
AU Sponsored National Merit Scholarship: National Merit Finalists who list AU as their first choice school receive $2,000 annually, renewable for up to eight semesters if they maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Tuition Exchange (TE) Scholarship: A competitive, merit-based scholarship available to families of employees at over 600 member schools. The award is a set amount per year and is not a full tuition scholarship.
Annual and endowed scholarships funded by generous donors.

How to Increase Your Chances

To maximize your chances of receiving an NAU scholarship:

Maintain a strong academic record throughout high school.
Achieve high scores on the ACT or SAT.
Actively participate in extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
Submit your ASU application and all required documents by the priority deadline.
Complete the forms required for need-based aid, even if you believe you may not need it.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding the NAU Scholar Program or the application process, contact Arizona State University at 1-855-278-5080.

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