Best Colleges for 3.25 GPA + 32 ACT Merit Aid

Foundation in Excellence (Alabama residents)

$9,000/year

Alabama residents only. Two qualifying bands: 3.0–3.49 GPA with a 30–36 ACT, or 3.5+ GPA with a 29 ACT. New tier in Alabama's Fall 2026 in-state ladder.

Renewable: Renewable for up to 8 semesters with a cumulative 3.0 UA GPA AND completion of at least 67% of cumulative UA credit hours attempted

Non-Resident Honor Award

$44,000 total ($11,000/year × 4 years)

Mid-tier entry for non-residents who are at the 26 ACT / 1230 SAT band but below the 3.5 GPA threshold. Fills the gap between the higher-GPA Academic Achievement tier and the entry Merit Award.

Renewable: Renewable with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment, and 24 credit hours per academic year

Academic Merit Scholarship (non-residents)

$3,000–$20,160/year based on GPA × ACT grid (see notes for full chart)

Full 2026-2027 non-resident chart by HS GPA band. 3.0–3.49 GPA: $3,000 (no test) / $4,000 (24–25 ACT) / $5,000 (26–27) / $8,000 (28–29) / $10,000 (30–31) / $15,000 (32+). 3.5–3.74 GPA: $5,000 / $7,000 / $8,000 / $10,000 / $15,000 / $20,160. 3.75–4.0 GPA: $8,000 / $9,000 / $10,000 / $12,000 / $18,000 / $20,160. The $20,160 top value equals the 2026-27 non-resident fee, so a 3.75+ GPA / 32+ ACT applicant has the non-resident premium entirely covered by this single scholarship.

Renewable: Renewable for up to 8 consecutive fall/spring semesters. Fee-specific: scholarship amount is tied to the non-resident fee and does not automatically increase with tuition hikes beyond the year-one amount.

Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship (Mississippi residents)

$1,000–$10,500/year based on HS GPA × ACT grid (see notes for full chart)

Full 2025-2026 resident chart by HS GPA × ACT band. 3.0–3.29 GPA: 21–24 ACT = $1,000/yr; 25–29 ACT = $2,000; 30–32 ACT = $3,000; 33–36 ACT = $4,000. 3.30–3.59 GPA: 21–24 ACT = $1,500; 25–29 ACT = $2,500; 30–32 ACT = $5,000; 33–36 ACT = $6,000. 3.6+ GPA: 21–24 ACT = $3,500; 25–29 ACT = $5,000; 30–32 ACT = $8,000; 33–36 ACT = $10,500. Students scoring 34+ ACT (or SAT equivalent) additionally receive a one-year scholarship valued at the cost of their portion of a double-occupancy residence hall room on top of the FAES amount.

Renewable: Renewable for up to 8 semesters with a 3.0 cumulative college GPA and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU)

In-State University Assured Academic Excellence Award

$750/year at the GPA-only floor up to $3,000/year at 3.75+ GPA with 32+ ACT / 1420+ SAT. See notes for the full grid.

Full 2026-27 resident grid by HS GPA × test-score band. 3.75–4.0+ GPA: 24–25 ACT = $2,000/yr; 26–27 ACT = $2,250/yr; 28–29 ACT = $2,500/yr; 30–31 ACT = $2,750/yr; 32–36 ACT = $3,000/yr. 3.5–3.74 GPA: 24–25 ACT = $1,500/yr; 26–27 ACT = $1,750/yr; 28–29 ACT = $2,000/yr; 30–31 ACT = $2,250/yr; 32–36 ACT = $2,500/yr. 3.0–3.49 GPA: 24–25 ACT = $1,000/yr; 26–27 ACT = $1,250/yr; 28–29 ACT = $1,500/yr; 30–31 ACT = $1,750/yr; 32–36 ACT = $2,000/yr. GPA-only alternative: 3.5–4.0+ GPA without a test score = $1,000/yr; 3.25–3.49 GPA without a test score = $750/yr. Students may also receive a $250 or $500/year unmet-need bonus on top of the grid award based on FAFSA need level.

Renewable: 4-year partial tuition waiver. Renewal subject to the published GPA and full-time enrollment terms.

Arizona Tuition Award (non-resident)

$4,000–$20,000 per academic year range. Comprised of the Arizona Excellence Tuition Award and Arizona Distinction Tuition Award subtiers, which are not separately priced cell-by-cell on Arizona's published terms and conditions.

The Arizona Tuition Award is published as a $4,000–$20,000/year range, not a cell-by-cell GPA × test grid. Awards are comprised of Arizona Excellence and Arizona Distinction components that are combined at award time. The November 1 Early Action deadline is the priority window for maximum consideration. 2026-27 program names are confirmed but dollar amounts are not yet published; 2025-26 figures above should be used for modeling until Arizona publishes the new cycle.

Renewable: 8 consecutive semesters (fall + spring only). Initial offers are based on self-reported grades at admission; final awards are finalized after admissions grade verification.

AU Merit-Based Scholarships (President's / Founder's / Provost's / Dean's / AU Grant)

$12,000-$18,000

FAQ confirms: 'Each incoming freshman is automatically awarded the highest level of our merit-based scholarships that he or she qualifies for' and 'you do not need to apply for these.' Only ONE of the five awards may be received.

Renewable: Scholarships for first-time freshmen are renewable for up to 8 consecutive semesters of full-time undergraduate AU enrollment (12 or more credits each semester). Student must meet SAP to renew these awards.

Out Of State Scholarship

Amount not published

Renewable

First-Time Student Academic Scholarship (5-level grid)

$1,000-$12,000/year

Award amounts may be reduced based on funding availability. Levels 4 and 5 require on-campus housing for the FULL amount (off-campus students receive the reduced figure). Only one Academic Scholarship may be received per semester.

Renewable: Renewable for seven consecutive semesters after the first (or until degree completion), provided renewal requirements are met; awarded as funds remain available. Scholarships are for consecutive fall/spring terms only (not summer) and must be used the fall semester following high school graduation.

Outstanding Scholars Award

$10,000 per year ($40,000 over 4 years)

Top tier of the automatic, non-competitive freshman grid. No separate application — awarded automatically on superscore + GPA. Does NOT stack with the other grid tiers; you receive only the single highest award you qualify for.

Renewable: Renewable for up to four years contingent on full-time enrollment and a maintained minimum cumulative institution GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Dean's Scholarship for First-Year Students

$15,000-$17,000 per year

Middle automatic academic tier for a 2.75+ GPA with a 20+ ACT. $5,000 of the award goes toward campus housing.

Renewable: Renewable up to 5 years (or 10 semesters) if the student is full-time and maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Faculty's Scholarship

$10,000 - $12,000 per year

Calvin's published floor — guaranteed for any admitted student at 3.0 GPA or higher.

Renewable: Renewable automatically for up to five years with Satisfactory Academic Progress (Fall 2026 and later).

Trustee's Scholarship

Starts at $20,000/year

Amount from the front-facing freshman tuition-aid grid (the published entry-level automatic award). Affordable-Choice page corroborates the band: 'Accepted first-year students receive between $10,000 to $30,000 in academic scholarships.' Institutional-scholarships policy page lists a Trustee's tier at weighted core GPA 3.0, ACT 22/SAT 1100, 'amounts vary' — conflict noted in Section C.

Renewable: Renewable for three years for full-time students who maintain the cumulative GPA designated for the scholarship.

Excellence Scholarships

$13,000-$19,000

Annual values $13,000-$19,000 ($49,000-$73,000 over four years). Amounts shown are for students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2026 (the 2026-27 grid for Fall 2026-27 entry was not posted at access time; see Section C). Scholarship levels are NOT reevaluated after a comprehensive financial aid package is received.

Renewable: Catalog: merit/performance scholarships may be funded 'for a maximum of eight consecutive semesters or until graduation, whichever comes first, provided the student meets the necessary renewal criteria and Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines.' Institutional scholarships require full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits) and are only available fall and spring semesters.

Dean's Scholarship

$10,000

$10,000 per year. First tier reachable without test scores (3.6+ GPA test-optional). Amounts are yearly disbursements at full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours) and 'reviewed and subject to change annually.'

Renewable: Per-page renewal differs by path: the grid says students admitted without ACT/SAT must 'Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher while enrolled at DU'; the Scholarship/Grant Agreement lists Dean's renewal as 3.00 GPA / 24 hrs.: 'Dean's Scholarship (3.00/24 hrs.)'. Earn at least 24 semester hours per year. Supports up to eight semesters.

New Mexico Freshman Academic Scholarship (In-State grid)

$2,600-$5,400 per academic year

Automatic stat-based grid (no separate scholarship application stated; reviewed from the admission file). Award and renewal length vary by ACT/SAT/GPA tier.

Renewable: May be renewed for a total of two or eight consecutive semesters with 3.0 GPA and 15 credit hours each semester. Top stat tiers renew up to four years; the lowest tiers (3.0-3.49 GPA or 20-21 ACT/1030-1090 SAT) renew the FIRST YEAR only.

Freshman Presidential Scholarship

$1,250-$3,000 per year

Automatic on stats. Award is the higher qualifying band of GPA OR ACT. Amounts shown are per year. Official transcripts must be received by the 20th day of the start semester.

Renewable: Renewable for three years after the first academic year when the student maintains a 3.0 or higher ESU GPA and completes 24 ESU credit hours each year. Spring-entry freshmen get half the award in spring and may renew for seven additional semesters.

Academic Distinction Award (Automatic Minimum)

Minimum $1,000 per year

Awarded automatically to accepted SC resident first-time freshmen who meet all three criteria. Merit-based scholarships are awarded in rounds; higher amounts are given in earlier rounds. Early application is strongly encouraged. The $1,000 is stated as the minimum; actual award may be higher depending on application timing and competition.

Renewable: Competitive academic scholarships are renewable; specific renewal GPA for this tier not published on the page. General university scholarship renewal terms referenced in award letter: limits on total scholarships/grants may apply per a signed Terms & Conditions form.

Merit Scholarships

$4,000-$12,000 per year

Headline on the page reads 'MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS (up to $12,000 annually)'; body states range $4,000-$12,000. A January 2024 FHU news article gives an older range of $3,000-$11,000 — superseded by the current page. Subject to a $15,000/yr institutional cap on total unfunded institutional aid.

Renewable: First-time freshmen and students who transfer fewer than 30 hours must maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA during the first academic year; upperclassmen and students who transfer more than 30 hours must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Reviewed after each semester.

Gamecock Prestige (Test Score + GPA)

$5,000–$10,500/year

GPA 2.00–2.99 = $5,000/yr ($20,000/4yr); GPA 3.00–4.00+ = $10,500/yr ($42,000/4yr). Test scores cannot lower scholarship, only improve it. Out-of-state students receiving this award pay remaining tuition at in-state rate.

Renewable: Renewable for 8 semesters (4 years); must earn 24 institutional credit hours per academic year and maintain the institutional GPA listed in the scholarship contract; must be enrolled full-time (12+ hours) each semester; no summer terms.

Assured Merit Award (first-time students)

$6,000-$13,000 per year

Fully automatic. You may receive only one Assured Merit Award and JBU automatically awards the highest amount for which you qualify. The published grid: 3.8-3.89 GPA / 28 ACT / 1300-1320 SAT / 93-94 CLT = $13,000; 3.7-3.79 / 27 / 1260-1290 / 89-91 = $12,000; 3.6-3.69 / 26 / 1230-1250 / 86-88 = $10,000; 3.4-3.59 / 24-25 / 1160-1220 / 79-85 = $8,000; 3.2-3.39 / 21-23 / 1090-1150 / 67-78 = $7,000; 3.0-3.19 / 20 / 1020-1080 / 63-66 = $6,000. The 3.9+ / 29+ / 1330+ / 95+ row is 'Invited to Scholarship Competition' rather than a dollar amount (see Chancellor's/Presidential tiers).

Renewable: Academic scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters so long as you maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Limestone Award (Kansas resident)

$1,500/year ($6,000 total)

The Limestone Award is the award for Kansas residents with a 3.50+ GPA and no test score (or ACT <=21 / SAT <=1090).

Renewable: Renewable up to three additional years (four years, eight semesters total) with a minimum K-State cumulative 3.0 GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours per year.

Ignite Scholarship (general merit)

Starts at $2,000 per year

This is the entry tier of Lee's general merit scholarship, which the scholarships page describes as ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for beginning freshmen. The page states the award 'starts at $2,000' — actual amount may be higher within the published range. Awarded automatically on GPA + test score; only one general merit scholarship per student.

Renewable: Renewable for a maximum of four years or eight semesters; requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative college GPA and continuous full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours each semester).

Purple And Gold

$2,000

One-time award

Trustee Achievement Scholarships

Up to $17,500

Renewable: Maintain 2.8 GPA

Presidential Scholarship

$3,000

One-time award

Merit Scholarship Program — base tier (in-state)

$1,000 per year

Automatic, earned at admittance; no separate application. The grid only runs down to a 3.00 GPA / ACT 20 — students below those marks are not shown an automatic Merit Scholarship amount on this page.

Renewable: Renewable for all four years of the degree if a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and full-time status are maintained.

SOAR Higher Scholarship (West Virginia Students)

Full tuition

Full tuition for WV students with 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT. Labeled 'Automatic' on page. Full tuition = $10,192/yr (2025-26 in-state rate, but WV students pay out-of-state; confirm whether full out-of-state tuition or equivalent — page says 'Full tuition' without specifying in/out rate).

Renewable: Scholarships require on-campus housing for a minimum of 4 semesters (WV section note). 50% reduction if housing requirement not met. Must be enrolled full-time.

Out-of-State Tuition Reduction Scholarships (WUE Plus / WUE / CORE / Competitive / Tuition Reduction Agreement)

Reduced tuition rate (resident or 150% of resident)

These are tuition-RATE reductions, not cash. WUE Plus, Competitive, and CORE bring the student to resident tuition rates; WUE and the Tuition Reduction Agreement bring 150% of resident rates. IMPORTANT: recipients of these out-of-state tuition reductions also qualify for a GPA-based merit scholarship (a sanctioned exception to the one-scholarship rule).

Renewable: Renewable up to four years (three years for transfer recipients).

NGU Academic Scholarships (Founder's / President's / Dean's)

$5,000-$12,000

Explicitly automatic: 'You don't need to apply for academic scholarships; just apply to NGU! These scholarships are automatically awarded if you qualify.' Grid is labeled 2026-2027.

Renewable: Merit scholarships are renewable for up to four years while student maintains required GPA: Founder's and President's require maintaining a 3.0; Dean's requires maintaining a 2.75.

Automatic Tuition Waiver Scholarships (Collegiate Scholars / Valedictorian Scholars / Green & White Scholars)

$1,400-$2,200 per year

Page calls these 'Automatic Scholarships' — awarded without separate application if admitted by the deadline and qualified. Tuition waivers, in-state students only.

Renewable: Stated duration is 4 years; specific renewal GPA/credit conditions are not published on the page.

WolfPACT unleashed — ACT 28-36 / SAT 1300+ grid

$10,000-$16,000 total over four years

Renewable: Same WolfPACT policies: 3.0 cumulative GPA; suspension/reinstatement; eight consecutive semesters; first bachelor's; canceled on transfer.

Admission-Based Freshman Scholarships (Merit-Based Scholarship Chart: Provost, Dean's, Distinguished, Academic Excellence, University Scholar, Northwest Merit)

$1,000-$6,000

Provost Scholar/Dean's Scholar/etc. are mutually exclusive awards (only one). Mutually exclusive with President's Scholarship.

Renewable: Renewable to those who initially received the award as a freshman; per-tier Northwest cumulative GPA (2.75–3.50) and completion of 24 credit hours per academic year; maximum award within 4 consecutive academic years.

NNU Merit Scholarship (Fall 2026 automatic grid)

$14,000-$22,000 per year

Award is set by high-school GPA. Test scores are NOT required for the $14,000-$20,000 tiers; only the top $22,000 tier lists '4.0+ and 1100 SAT or 22 ACT'. Bands: 4.0+ and 1100 SAT or 22 ACT = $22,000; 3.8+ = $20,000; 3.7-3.79 = $18,000; 3.5-3.69 = $17,000; 3.3-3.49 = $15,000; 3.0-3.29 = $14,000. Students below 3.0 still qualify for a merit scholarship per the page note.

Renewable: Merit Scholarships are renewable as long as the student is academically eligible; the financial-aid page states renewal is based on maintaining an NNU cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

GOLD — Achievement 2

$3,000 per semester / $6,000 per year / $24,000 total over 4 years

Lowest GOLD (test-based) tier; requires both GPA and the ACT/SAT score shown.

Renewable: Tier 1 renewal: 2.5 GPA (year 2), 2.75 GPA (year 3), 3.0 GPA (year 4); full-time status required; maximum four consecutive academic years.

President's Academic

$16,000 per year ($64,000 over four years)

Awarded automatically based on academic stats; no separate application beyond admission.

Renewable: Renewable provided the student maintains a 2.0 College GPA.

Academic Merit-Based Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen 2026-27 (Trustee's / Founders' / President's / Dean's / Eagle / Maroon & Gray)

$4,000-$14,000 per academic year

Full grid in excerpt; unweighted HS GPA is used.

Renewable: Continuing eligibility: Trustee's 3.0 cumulative GPA; Founders' and President's 2.8; Dean's 2.6; Eagle 2.4; Maroon & Gray 2.0. Academic eligibility requirements apply after the first semester.

Great Gorilla Scholarship Freshman

$1,000–$4,000

One-time award

Bresee Scholarship

$12,000 per year

Lowest tier of the freshman merit grid; awarded automatically on the transcript at admission, no separate application.

Renewable: Renewable for a maximum of eight (8) semesters subject to a cumulative-GPA renewal rule and continuous full-time enrollment (12+ units/semester). Exact renewal cumulative GPA for this tier to be confirmed (see Section C).

Presidential Academic Scholarship

$11,400.00 per year

Flat $11,400.00/year cash-value academic scholarship; the next tier below the Regents' award. All admitted students meeting the criteria are automatically considered (no separate application stated for the university academic scholarships), but availability is limited and awards are made based on admission date and competitiveness, so applying early matters.

Renewable: Renewable up to four years (eight semesters) provided the student earns 30 semester credit hours per academic year with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (fall and spring semesters only; summer coursework cannot be used to meet the credit load or GPA renewal requirements). Presidential scholars do not have to reside on campus to receive the scholarship.

Additional $1,000 merit award (GPA + test score)

$1,000

Added on top of the GPA-grid merit award.

Renewable: Not separately stated; merit awards generally may be renewed for up to seven additional semesters with Satisfactory Academic Progress (ask the aid office whether this bonus follows the same rule).

Deans Scholarship

Up to $33,000

Official Rollins Academic Scholarships snapshot lists Dean's Scholarships: up to 3,000/year, outstanding academic record plus leadership potential, SAT >1240 or ACT >26 with GPA >3.2, test-optional GPA >3.9, renewable with 3.0 GPA and 24 hours each year.

Renewable: Maintain 3 GPA; 24 credits/year

The Southeastern Honors Scholarship (fees award + housing supplement)

$2,500-$4,000/year scholarship + $1,000-$3,000/year housing supplement (by ACT tier)

Page states Southeastern 'automatically awards freshman scholarships based on a six-semester high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores' — marked automatic, though awards are 'on a funds available basis, subject to change.' The award is described as going toward university fees plus a housing supplement.

Renewable: All scholarships are awarded for eight continuous semesters provided retention requirements are met. (Specific retention GPA/credit requirements are not published on this page.) Housing supplements are only available to students who continuously live on campus beginning with their first semester of enrollment.

Academic Scholarship Grid (Presidential Distinguished, Presidential, Blue and Gold Excellence, SAU Success, Scholastic Merit, Achievement Award)

$2,000-$12,000

Presidential Distinguished pays $12,000/yr if living on campus or $11,000/yr if living off campus. Top tiers require BOTH GPA and ACT/SAT; lower tiers (Blue and Gold and below) accept ACT/SAT OR GPA. University academic scholarships are NOT stackable.

Renewable: 8 semesters. Retention (excluding AR Academic Challenge and Art/Music/Theatre): complete 27 hours with a 2.75 GPA by end of first spring, then 30 hours with a 2.75 cumulative each year; enroll in minimum 15 hours each semester; minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA at end of each fall to continue the following semester.

Presidential Scholarship

$2,500, $1,500, $750, or $500 per year

Automatic on stats: a 24 ACT OR a 2.6+ HS GPA qualifies. The page does not publish which GPA/ACT bands map to which of the four dollar amounts, so the specific tier a student receives is not knowable in advance from the official page.

Renewable: Renewable for up to four years pending SCSU GPA and course completion. The exact renewal GPA and credit-completion threshold are not published on the page.

The 1912 Heritage

$4,500 (in-state) / $6,500 (out-of-state) per year

Automatic on stats from the published grid; out-of-state students receive the larger $6,500/year.

Renewable: Renewable up to four years (8 semesters); maintain a 3.0 GPA, 15 credit hours/semester, and submit the FAFSA.

2026-2027 Institutional Scholarships (Presidential, Achieve, Islander)

$1,500-$4,000

Each tier qualifies via weighted GPA + class rank OR weighted GPA + test score. Presidential: $4,000/yr ($16,000 total); Achieve: $3,000/yr ($12,000); Islander: $1,500/yr ($6,000). Available to TX residents and non-residents (non-residents only if funds available). FAFSA is required.

Renewable: Maintain at least a 3.0 overall GPA at end of each academic year; complete 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring AND 30 TAMU-CC credit hours each academic year (fall, spring, summer); no break in enrollment; up to eight consecutive (fall/spring) semesters.

SC LIFE Scholarship (SC state portable)

$5,000/year (up to $7,500/year with STEM Enhancement)

STEM Enhancement majors: computer science, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics. COA-cap stacking rule applies.

Renewable: Available up to 8 semesters. Upperclass renewal requires 30 credit hours/year and cumulative 3.0 'LIFE GPA' (all post-secondary institutions). Annual LIFE GPA evaluated at end of each summer. Must complete The Citadel's LIFE Scholarship Affidavit. SC residents only.

Dunning Scholarship

$14,000

One-time award

TruMerit Scholarship

$2,000-$10,000 per year

Truman publishes SEPARATE Missouri-resident and Out-of-State TruMerit charts (GPA × test). The live chart is an image (truman.edu/?da_image=186579) that could not be OCR'd; the live table states the overall range as $2,000-$10,000. An older 2020-21 PDF showed Missouri tiers of $2,000/$3,000/$4,000 and Out-of-State tiers of $3,500/$5,000/$7,000/$8,000 — STALE, not used as current. Out-of-State TruMerit assists with the out-of-state tuition portion and cannot be combined with other out-of-state-portion awards.

Renewable: Renewable per Scholarship Renewal Guidelines (SAP-based). Truman continues updating the TruMerit award through the June test date of senior year as GPA / ACT-SAT improve.

Tuskegee University Grant

$8,000

Fourth tier of the freshman grid; flat $8,000 grant.

Renewable: Renewal CGPA/credit attainment listed as 3.0/30 — maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and earn 30 Tuskegee University credits within Fall and Spring each academic year.

Provost's Scholarship (2025 Freshman Academic Award)

$15,000 per year on campus / $11,000 per year off campus

Stated amount, awarded automatically on test score + GPA for Fall 2025 entrants.

Renewable: Renewable each year if eligibility requirements are met; undergrad SAP floor is a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Provost Scholarship In State

$8,000

Official UAB in-state freshman scholarships snapshot lists Provost Scholarship rows for 27-29 ACT/1260-1350 SAT with GPA 3.5+ and 30-36 ACT/1360-1600 SAT with GPA 3.0-3.49, each at $8,000 annually.

Renewable

Freshman Out-of-State Academic Scholarship (non-Alabama & U.S.-residing international) — GPA × ACT/SAT grid

$5,000-$22,000 per year

Fully automatic — no separate scholarship application. Lowest band (3.0-3.49) requires a test score; the test-optional column for that GPA band is blank (no award). Updated transcripts/scores received after May 15, 2026 are not considered for an upgrade.

Renewable: Four-year award (up to eight fall/spring semesters). Renew by enrolling full-time, maintaining a minimum cumulative UAH GPA of 2.5 at the end of each spring semester, and completing at least 24 UAH credit hours per academic year.

Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) — state award via ACPE

Up to $7,000/yr (Level 1), $5,250/yr (Level 2), $3,500/yr (Level 3)

State scholarship, not an institutional UAF award, but documented on UAF's official scholarship pages and stackable. UAF's estimate is unofficial; the HS counselor/ACPE sets the actual amount.

Renewable: Up to 8 semesters or 8 years from HS graduation; full-time 12+ credits for full award (half for 6-11 credits); FAFSA by June 30 each year; continuing checkpoints (24/54/84 credits, 2.5 GPA).

Freshman Merit Scholarships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Lion Pride)

$1,000-$6,000

Each tier qualifies on ACT OR GPA (Platinum requires 30 ACT AND 4.0 GPA, OR Valedictorian). All amounts are 'up to' per year, PLUS up to a $1,500 housing stipend. Platinum up to $6,000; Gold up to $4,000; Silver up to $3,000; Bronze up to $2,000; Lion Pride up to $1,000.

Renewable: Four years or degree completion; enroll in 12 credit hours/semester and earn 24 hours/academic year; 3.0 GPA for Platinum/Gold/Silver and 2.5 GPA for Bronze/Lion Pride; summer may be used to meet renewal. Housing stipend valid for Lion's Den housing up to four years.

Freshman Academic Achievement Scholarship (automatic merit grid)

$28,000-$36,000

Automatic at admission, completely funded by UDallas, no additional application. Amounts are for students starting fall 2026 or later. Tuition-directed (see stacking).

Renewable: Requires full-time enrollment (12+ credits/semester) and Satisfactory Academic Progress; a 2.5 cumulative GPA is required by the end of sophomore year. GPAs of 2.0-2.4999 are prorated to 50%; below 2.0 the award is suspended.

Academic Merit Scholarship (Fall 2026 Freshman Grid)

$18,000-$30,000

Awarded automatically at the time of admission based on academic credentials; no separate scholarship application is described.

Renewable: Awards are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student continues to meet renewal criteria. Amounts remain the same value in subsequent years.

In-State Merit Scholarships (Residential vs Commuter)

$500-$8,000 per year

Full grid (Residential / Commuter): Collegiate (4.00, 1400/30) $8,000/$2,000; Presidential (4.00, 1300/27) $6,000/$2,000; Provost (3.60, 1200/25) $4,000/$1,500; Eagle (3.25, 1100/22) $3,000/$1,000; Blue & Gray (3.00, 1000/20) $2,000/$500.

Renewable: Renewal terms not stated on this page.

Presidential Honors Scholarship

$9,000

One-time award

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

150% of in-state tuition rate

Stackable: Yes. Charges 150% of the in-state tuition rate (far below the standard nonresident rate). Residency-restricted to WUE western states/territories.

Renewable: Renewable up to 135 attempted credits with a cumulative 2.00 GPA; full-time each semester.

Nevada Resident Four-Year Scholarship Grid (Presidential / Provost / Nevada Scholars / Pack Pride / Alphie / Luna)

$750-$8,000

Award level is set automatically by an unweighted-GPA x test-score grid. Eligible students receive ONE of these awards. Transfer students are not eligible for the in-state renewable scholarships.

Renewable: Per year for up to four consecutive years or graduation, whichever is first. Maintain Nevada residency, meet federal SAP, complete 15 credits each fall/spring. Cumulative UNR GPA to maintain: Presidential 3.5, Provost 3.2, Nevada Scholars 2.9, Pack Pride 2.8, Alphie 2.8, Luna 2.8. GPA enforcement begins start of second year.

Lobo Undergraduate Exchange (LUE / LUE Plus) and Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE / WUE Plus)

LUE/WUE $17,957 per year; LUE Plus/WUE Plus $23,149 per year

Tuition-discount tiers, not cash. Base LUE/WUE recipients pay 1.5x the resident rate (value ~$17,957); the Plus tier brings tuition to the full NM resident rate (value ~$23,149). The higher GPA/test cutoff unlocks the Plus tier and the larger waiver.

Renewable: Renewable for 4 years (freshman). Complete 15 new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each semester (fall and spring semesters).

Presidential Awards (GPA × ACT 30-36 grid)

$9,000-$12,000

Each Presidential award includes a Housing Scholarship. GPA 3.00-3.50: ACT 30-32 $9,000+Housing; 33-36 $10,500+Housing. GPA 3.51-4.00: 30-32 $10,000+Housing; 33-36 $12,000+Housing. Housing Scholarship = $4,000/yr for residence halls only (as of June 13, 2025).

Renewable: Awarded annually; no refunds. Renewal criteria not detailed on this page.

Academic Excellence Gpa325 Act32 Fulltuition

Full tuition

Official USM Academic Excellence snapshot lists 3.25-4.0+ GPA, ACT 32-36/SAT 1420-1600, annual scholarship amount Full Tuition.

Renewable: Maintain 2.5 GPA; 15 credits/year

Achievement Scholarship (GPA / ACT / SAT grids)

$9,000-$15,000

Program designed for first-time freshmen enrolling after January 1, 2025, with provisions applying over four years of eligibility. Transfers with <36 credits may qualify by GPA only.

Renewable: Fully renewable for three additional years as long as the student meets SAP requirements at WWU.

Climb Higher Scholarship — West Virginia residents (Morgantown grid)

$1,500-$5,000 per year

Automatic on GPA for WV residents at Morgantown: Level 4 (3.0-3.49) $1,500; Level 3 (3.5-3.79) $2,500; Level 2 (3.8+) $3,500; Level 1 (3.8+ and 30 ACT/1360 SAT) $5,000. Beckley and Keyser pay less. WV residents are usually ALSO eligible for the state Promise Scholarship on top of this (see lesserKnownScholarships and stackingPolicy).

Renewable: Per year for up to four undergraduate years or completion of a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first; renew with a 2.75 overall GPA and 30 earned credit hours per academic year.

Winthrop Eagle Promise Scholarship (Out-of-State)

$1,000 per year plus an Out-of-State Tuition Waiver ($60,160 four-year value)

Entry-level non-resident tier. Waiver covers the out-of-state tuition portion (capped at $468 per credit hour in 2026-2027); the waiver is what makes the four-year value large despite the small cash stipend.

Renewable: Renewable for up to three (3) additional years as long as the student maintains financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.