Navigating the Scholarship Universe at Arizona State University: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing funding for higher education is a crucial step for many students. Arizona State University (ASU) offers a diverse range of scholarship opportunities, both internally and externally, to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarship landscape at ASU, including how to search for, apply for, and maximize your chances of receiving financial aid.

Understanding the Scholarship Universe

The "Scholarship Universe" at ASU encompasses a wide array of funding sources designed to support students from various backgrounds and academic disciplines. These scholarships can be broadly categorized as:

ASU Scholarships: These are scholarships directly offered by ASU, including merit-based awards like the New American University (NAU) Scholarship and program-specific scholarships offered by individual colleges and departments.
Non-ASU Scholarships: These are external scholarships offered by private organizations, foundations, and other institutions. ASU provides resources to help students search for and apply for these external opportunities.

ASU's scholarship search allows you to search for ASU and non-ASU scholarships.

Leveraging ASU's Scholarship Search Tools

ASU provides several tools to help students navigate the scholarship universe:

Scholarship Search: ASU's scholarship search allows you to search for ASU and non-ASU scholarships. Students can search for scholarships by area of study, ethnicity, religion, disability, and more.
Scholarship Universe: Scholarship Universe is a state-of-the-art matching system that maximizes scholarship opportunities for students. Complete one application to be automatically matched with available scholarships, based on qualifications.

Merit-Based Scholarships: The New American University (NAU) Scholarship

Arizona State University awards merit scholarships, called New American University scholarships, to incoming first-year students with outstanding academic abilities. Many outstanding incoming undergraduate students are selected as New American University Scholars - which offers a monetary award to help finance your education, in a challenging, research-oriented learning environment. These scholarships are often renewable and encourage you to make a difference while earning your degree.

Read also: Navigating Pima Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

ASU merit scholarships are only available to first-time, first-year students entering ASU the semester directly after high school graduation. New American University scholarships are available to full-time, on-campus students registered for iCourses and ASU Sync.

New American University scholarships are awarded based on information submitted in your application for admission. We do not recalculate academic information (e.g. ASU merit scholarships are awarded based on a combination of your high school GPA in core competencies, the number of those competencies you have completed or have in progress, and the degree program, residency and campus that you're admitted to. Your ACT or SAT scores are not required for award eligibility. ACT or SAT scores are not required for scholarship eligibility but providing them may lead to increased scholarship awards. If you are offered a New American University scholarship, any funds you have earned through RaiseMe micro-scholarships will be included in the total ASU New American University scholarship you are offered. citizen enrolling at ASU the semester immediately after high school graduation. Admitted and enrolled full time in an undergraduate, on-campus program, including iCourses and ASU Sync.

The scholarship estimator now reflects fall 2026 scholarship amounts, and ASU is automatically reviewing and awarding New American University Scholarships to admitted students. Use this tool to get an estimate of how much New American University scholarship money you may be eligible to receive.

Renewal Requirements

The ASU Commitment Scholarship has the same renewal requirements as the New American University Scholarship.

W. P. Carey School of Business Scholarships

The W. P. Carey School of Business awards over $1.3 million in scholarships directly to undergraduate business students each year. More than 80% of ASU and W. P. Carey School of Business students receive some form of financial aid to pay for their program. All W. P. Carey undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for multiple business scholarships and can do so simply by submitting one application each year. You can apply for business scholarships after being admitted to ASU and the W. P. Carey School, whether you are an incoming first-year student or transfer student.

The W. P. Carey School offers general scholarships to any business student meeting the stated scholarship criteria, as well as departmental scholarships to students majoring in particular disciplines. Admitted students can complete a single W. P. Carey scholarship application online to determine award eligibility for both general and departmental scholarships.

External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to ASU-specific scholarships, numerous external scholarships can help finance your education. These scholarships are offered by various organizations, foundations, and corporations. Here are some examples:

Arizona Western College Foundation Scholarships: Since 1963, the Arizona Western College Foundation has been dedicated to empowering people to reach their educational and career aspirations by enhancing access to learning opportunities. As part of this mission, the AWC Foundation provides scholarships to students attending Arizona Western College. Review the criteria for the available scholarships and apply only to those in which you meet all the criteria.
Fine Arts Division Scholarships at Arizona Western College: Scholarships are available through the Fine Arts Division for up to two years. Funds awarded come in the form of tuition, a tuition waiver. Contact the Lead Professor of Art, Instrumental Music, or Theatre for more information, requirements, and application process. Please note the deadline for this scholarship may vary from other institutional scholarships. Scholarships are based on academic achievement. Scholarships are available through the Fine Arts Division.
Career & Technical Education Division Scholarships at Arizona Western College: Scholarships are available to student completing a credential through the Career & Technical Education Division for up to two years. Funds awarded are based on academic achievement and come in the form of tuition, a tuition waiver. Contact the Lead Professor of their particular Field of Study (Nursing, Rad Tech, Automotive, etc.) for more information, requirements, and application process. Please note the deadline for this scholarship may vary from other institutional scholarships.
Honors Program Scholarships at Arizona Western College: Scholarships are available to full-time Honors Program students for up to two years. Funds awarded are based on academic achievement and come in the form of tuition, fee, room/board and/or book waivers. See the AWC Honors Program Department Chair for more information, requirements and application. Please note the deadline for this scholarship may vary from other institutional scholarships.
Scholarships for Yuma and La Paz County High School Seniors
Scholarships for Hispanic Nursing Students: Scholarships available for Hispanic students enrolled in an accredited nursing program.
Caballeros de Yuma Scholarships: Caballeros de Yuma offer scholarships to deserving students in and around the Yuma area. Scholarships will be available to students not considered to be in the top 10% of their class.
Other Scholarship Opportunities:
- Up to $1,000 scholarship for the academic school year to three promising students. Available to high school seniors entering an accredited college or university as a freshman.
- Awarded to undergraduate students pursuing a 4-year degree in welding engineering or welding technology. Priority given to students residing or attending school in Arizona.
- Applicants must be a resident of the Greater Phoenix Mensa area (central and northern Arizona) and enrolled in an accredited US institution of post-secondary education.
- Scholarships available to African American students planning on earning a baccalaureate degree.
- $450 scholarship available to Yuma, AZ high school graduates.
- Scholarships available to high school seniors of Asian, African American, Hispanic or Native American descent who is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Searching for External Scholarships

Search over 1.5 million scholarships.
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Search over 3.7 million scholarships and grants.

Lists of scholarships available.

Financial Aid Beyond Scholarships

More than 80% of ASU students receive some form of financial aid. ASU provides many forms of financial assistance to help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Scholarships are financial aid awards that do not have to be repaid.

Earn to Learn: Earn to Learn is a collaborative effort between the Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. Eligible students who save $500 and are admitted to one of these schools are eligible for a university match of $4,000.
RaiseMe: RaiseMe allows community college students to earn scholarships. Students earn scholarships directly from 4-year colleges and universities while completing an Associates’ degree by tracking achievements, courses, work experience and other profile details.

Transfer Student Scholarships

Arizona State University Financial Aid and Scholarship Services provide relevant scholarships for transfer students. Planning to transfer to UofA? Search over 100 scholarships from Arizona’s largest private provider of college scholarships.

Read also: Scholarship Opportunities at NAU

Important Considerations

Deadlines: Please note that the deadline for scholarships may vary from other institutional scholarships.
Summer Sessions: Please note that scholarships are only applied to fall and spring semesters and may not be used toward summer sessions, so you will need to find other options to pay for summer courses.
Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR): If you're an Arizona high school graduate but do not qualify as an Arizona resident, you may be eligible for a reduced nonresident tuition rate. Eligible students who participate in the Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR) program should review details about how QTR impacts their institution merit award.

Additional Resources and Support

ASU offers a range of resources to support students' academic and personal success:

Advising: Your advisor will help you review your progress and discuss possible summer enrollment options that can help you meet the enrollment criteria. View your advisor information, eAdvisorTM tracking status, academic status reports and progress reports.
Counseling and Mental Health Services: Counseling and mental health services are available to you at each ASU campus. Counseling staff have training and experience in issues facing university students and are committed to helping you adjust to campus life and meet your academic goals.
Student Success Center: The Student Success Center offers free academic support resources for all students including tutoring, writing support, structured study groups, coaching, success courses or a place to study on your own.

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