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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Southern Arkansas (SAU)
Decision sheet

Arkansas · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

SAU publishes a clear automatic GPA/ACT scholarship grid for Fall 2026 ($2,000–$12,000/year) but its academic scholarships are explicitly NOT stackable, and its top award drops $1,000 if you live off campus.

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 5 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.

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

$2,000-$12,000 · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.00+ (tiered up to 4.0+); ACT/SAT-based awards require minimum 2.5 cumulative HS GPA · SAT: 960-1050 up to 1360-1600 · ACT: 18-20 up to 30+

Eligibility: Effective for Fall 2026 entrance; superscoring considered

Renewal: 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.

Other terms: 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.

https://web.saumag.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships/

Valedictorian / Salutatorian / Top 10%

$6,600 · Published amount

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

SAT: 990-1250 SAT · ACT: 19-26 ACT

Eligibility: Top 10% of high school graduating class

Renewal: 8 semesters; standard freshman retention criteria apply (30 hours/2.75 GPA each year, 15 hours/semester).

Other terms: Not stackable with other university academic scholarships.

https://web.saumag.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships/

Leadership Incentive Award

$6,600 · Published amount

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

GPA: 3.25+ GPA · SAT: 1030-1150 SAT · ACT: 20-22 ACT

Eligibility: Recommended as a leader; two letters of recommendation and a resume required; competitive and limited

Renewal: 4 semesters.

Other terms: Competitive, limited number. Selections made after March 1. Not stackable with other university academic scholarships.

https://web.saumag.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships/

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: University academic scholarships are NOT stackable — a student receives only one academic scholarship. Performance (art/music/theatre) recipients may receive only one performance scholarship. The page does not address how outside/private scholarships are treated.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/southern-arkansas-university/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.