The starting point
Public flagship with a restructured Fall 2026 merit ladder. Spirit of Auburn for Alabama residents tops out at a new Presidential Excellence Award (full tuition and fees) for 4.0 GPA students with a 35-36 ACT. Non-residents have an Academic Presidential / Heritage / Charter ladder from $7,000 to $17,000 per year. December 1 Early Action deadline. Alabama-resident National Merit Finalists receive one of the richest resident packages in the SEC.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 10 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Spirit of Auburn Presidential Excellence Award
Full tuition and fees (approximately $13,572/year for 2026-2027) · Variable or qualified amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 4.0 · SAT: 1530–1600 · ACT: 35–36
Eligibility: Alabama resident. Apply to Auburn by December 1 Early Action.
Renewal: Renewable for up to 8 semesters with a minimum cumulative, unadjusted 3.0 Auburn GPA and 24 Auburn credit hours earned per academic year
Other terms: New top tier of the Fall 2026 Spirit of Auburn ladder. Covers full in-state tuition and student services fees. Only available to 4.0 GPA Alabama residents with a 35 or 36 ACT (or SAT equivalent).
https://www.auburn.edu/administration/finaid/apply/first-year-students.php
Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship
$11,000/year ($44,000 over 4 years) · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.5+ · SAT: 1450–1600 · ACT: 33–36
Eligibility: Alabama resident. Apply to Auburn by December 1 Early Action.
Renewal: Renewable for up to 8 semesters with a minimum cumulative, unadjusted 3.0 Auburn GPA and 24 Auburn credit hours earned per academic year
Other terms: Fall 2026 restructure: 4.0 GPA students with a 35-36 ACT receive the higher Presidential Excellence Award; this Presidential Scholarship tier covers 3.5+ GPA students at 33-36 ACT who do not qualify for the Excellence award. Note: Auburn's general scholarships index lists this tier at $11,500/year while the dedicated first-year scholarship page lists $11,000/year ($44,000 over 4 years); using the dedicated first-year page as authoritative. conflict_found; verify directly with Auburn Financial Aid before relying on a specific figure.
https://www.auburn.edu/administration/finaid/apply/first-year-students.php
Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship
$9,000/year ($36,000 over 4 years) · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.5+ · SAT: 1360–1440 · ACT: 30–32
Eligibility: Alabama resident. December 1 Early Action deadline.
Renewal: Renewable for up to 8 semesters with a minimum cumulative, unadjusted 3.0 Auburn GPA and 24 Auburn credit hours earned per academic year
https://www.auburn.edu/administration/finaid/apply/first-year-students.php
