Guide · Automatic Merit Scholarships
Automatic Merit Scholarships: Schools That Guarantee Aid by GPA and Test Score
The most predictable dollars in the entire merit aid system. If you know the GPA and the test score, you can calculate the award before you apply.
Automatic merit scholarships are awards schools hand out to admitted students based on a published formula, usually GPA plus test score, without a separate scholarship application. They’re the most predictable dollars in the entire merit aid system. The University of Alabama, Arizona State Barrett, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Miami University of Ohio all publish clear automatic tiers you can calculate before you apply. On the private side, SMU, TCU, Baylor, and Liberty run similar automatic tiers. Selective privates almost never do this. Harvard doesn’t have a merit tier; a 4.0 and a 1600 won’t get you institutional merit. The practical win is this: if you build a college list that includes three or four automatic-merit schools at the match level, you lock in predictable scholarship dollars before application season even starts. That predictability is why automatic-merit schools are the single most important category for middle-income families who won’t qualify for big need-based aid.
What makes a scholarship “automatic”
An automatic merit scholarship has three defining characteristics. First, the school publishes the eligibility criteria openly, typically on the financial aid or admissions page. Second, the criteria are formulaic: a GPA floor plus a test score floor, sometimes with an additional residency or application deadline requirement. Third, there is no separate scholarship application. Once admitted, students who meet the published thresholds receive the award automatically in their financial aid package.
This is fundamentally different from competitive merit scholarships, where students apply separately, write additional essays, interview, or attend a scholars weekend. At Wake Forest, fewer than 3% of freshmen receive institutional merit and the awards are competition-based. At Boston College, only 1.4% of freshmen receive non-need merit. At Villanova, the rate is 5%. These schools do not offer automatic merit. The distinction matters because competitive merit is a lottery. Automatic merit is a calculation.
Public universities with published automatic tiers
Public flagships dominate the automatic-merit category because state legislatures fund them on enrollment volume, and merit tiers are the primary tool for attracting out-of-state students who pay higher tuition.
University of Alabama
Alabama runs one of the most transparent automatic-merit systems in the country. Tiers range from the Crimson Achievement Award at $6,000 per year to the Presidential Elite Scholar package covering full tuition plus housing plus a supplemental stipend. The thresholds are published by SAT and ACT score bands, with GPA minimums. A student with a 1400 SAT and a 3.5 GPA locks in a different tier than one with a 1490 SAT and a 3.8 GPA. Alabama awards automatically on admission. No separate application. See the full breakdown on the Alabama merit aid page.
Arizona State University (Barrett Honors)
ASU’s automatic merit tiers are published for both in-state and out-of-state students, with higher awards for Barrett Honors College admits. The New American University Scholars program and the Provost’s Award have different thresholds by residency. Barrett admission itself adds access to additional scholarship pools. A 1350 SAT out-of-state student can see $10,000 to $15,000 per year in automatic merit before Barrett-specific awards.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Ole Miss publishes automatic merit tiers ranging from the Academic Excellence Scholarship to the Provost’s Scholarship, scaled by ACT/SAT and GPA. The top tier covers full tuition for out-of-state students. Ole Miss also runs a loan-first displacement policy, which means outside scholarships add dollar-for-dollar rather than replacing institutional grants. That combination of automatic merit plus loan-first stacking makes Ole Miss one of the most financially predictable schools on any merit-focused college list.
Michigan State University
Michigan State publishes the most accessible guaranteed floor in the Big Ten: out-of-state applicants with a 3.4+ GPA on a 4.0 scale are guaranteed a minimum $7,000 per year through the 1855 Scholarship, assigned automatically off the admission application. Stronger records land the Dean’s ($10,000), Provost’s ($12,000), or President’s ($15,000) tier, and Honors College invitees can stack another $5,000 to $13,000 per year on top. See the full ladder on the Michigan State merit aid page.
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma publishes full automatic ladders for residents and non-residents, keyed to ACT/SAT plus GPA: non-resident tiers run from $10,000 per year at a 24 ACT up to the $17,000 Award of Excellence at a 31 ACT, and OU’s National Merit Finalist packages are published component by component. Details on the Oklahoma merit aid page.
Other public flagships with clear automatic tiers
Mississippi State publishes automatic tiers by ACT band with separate rates for in-state and out-of-state students. Auburn runs automatic Academic Scholarships at multiple tiers. Oklahoma State publishes freshman academic scholarships by test score band. Kentucky publishes the William C. Parker Scholarship and Otis A. Singletary Scholarship tiers. The University of Arizona runs the Arizona Tuition Award, Wildcat Tuition Award, and President’s Saguaro Scholars Award on published stat thresholds. UNLV offers its Signature scholarship automatically at admission (the amount varies rather than following a published grid) and charges western-state students 150% of in-state tuition through WUE at published GPA/test gates.
Flagships families assume are automatic — but aren’t
The label matters in both directions. Texas A&M runs no stat-automatic ladder: its named academic awards (President’s Endowed, Lechner, McFadden) are holistic, and the guaranteed exception is the National Merit package. Florida State automatically considers every admitted student but publishes no fixed GPA/test table for its own awards; the published grids that apply there belong to Florida’s state Bright Futures program.
Private universities with automatic or semi-automatic merit
Fewer private schools publish exact automatic tiers, but several run systems that are functionally automatic based on stats at admission.
SMU
SMU awards the Provost Scholar ($30,000/year), President’s Scholar ($25,000/year), and Dean’s Scholar ($20,000/year) tiers automatically based on stats, though the exact GPA/test score cutoffs are not published. The awards appear in the admission letter. Departmental merit from Meadows School of the Arts and Dedman College can stack on top. See the SMU merit aid page for the full stacking analysis.
TCU
TCU publishes scholarship names and dollar amounts (Chancellor’s Scholarship at $28,000/year, Dean’s Scholarship at $22,000/year, Faculty Scholarship at $18,000/year) but does not publish the exact GPA and test score thresholds. Awards arrive automatically with admission. The practical effect is the same as an automatic tier system, even though TCU frames it as “holistic.”
Baylor
Baylor uses a single holistic merit award rather than named tiers. There are no published threshold tables. The Regents Gold Scholarship covers full tuition for the top tier, but Baylor does not disclose the stat cutoff. Most students receive a single scholarship amount with their admission letter. The opacity makes Baylor harder to model than Alabama or SMU, but the award is still automatic in the sense that no separate scholarship application is required.
Liberty University
Liberty publishes clear automatic merit tiers for residential students based on GPA and SAT/ACT. The Academic Scholarship tiers are straightforward and predictable. Liberty also stacks institutional merit with federal and state aid up to the published Cost of Attendance.
Pepperdine
Pepperdine runs an automatic merit floor starting at approximately $16,000 per year for students with a 3.60 GPA or higher. The top-tier Regents Scholars Program runs $40,000 to $45,000 per year but requires test score submission even though Pepperdine is test-optional for admission. That disconnect between admission requirements and merit requirements is a common trap at semi-automatic schools.
Every verified school with automatic merit, in one table
These are the 385 schools in our verified database that automatically consider every admitted student for merit aid, with no separate scholarship application to fill out. 184 are public universities and 201 are private colleges. Most publish GPA and test-score tiers you can calculate before you apply; the rest award automatically based on your academic record at admission. Every figure below is drawn verbatim from that school's own verified merit-aid page, where the official source and last-verified date are listed; the awards shown are samples, and each school links to its full published ladder, renewal rules, and stacking policy.
| School | Type | Automatic tiers | Sample automatic awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Public | 15 | Presidential Scholarship: $28,000/yearUA Scholar: $24,000/yearFoundation in Excellence (out-of-state): $15,000/year+12 more on the school page |
| Alaska Southeast | Public | 3 | UA Scholars Award (statewide University of Alaska award administered at UAS): $15,000 total ($1,875 per semester for eight semesters)Alaska Performance Scholarship (statewide award administered at UAS): Up to $7,000 per year (Level 1), $5,250 per year (Level 2), or $3,500 per year (Level 3)+1 more on the school page |
| Appalachian State | Public | 1 | Appalachian Excellence Scholarship (AES): Up to $3,000 per year in-state; up to $4,000 per year out-of-state |
| Arizona | Public | 2 | Wildcat Tuition Award (Arizona residents): $2,000–$11,000 per academic year range+1 more on the school page |
| Arkansas | Public | 6 | Extended States NRTA — 80% Tier: Pays 80% of the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition (~$16,843/year)Extended States NRTA — 50% Tier: Pays 50% of the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition (~$10,527/year)Chancellor's Merit Scholarship (National Merit Finalists): $12,000/year ($48,000 over four years)+3 more on the school page |
| Arkansas State | Public | 4 | A State Endeavor: $2,000A State Inspire: $6,000A State Enrichment: $4,000+1 more on the school page |
| Arkansas Tech | Public | 1 | First-Time Student Academic Scholarship (5-level grid): $1,000-$12,000/year |
| ASU Barrett | Public | 6 | NAMU President's Scholarship (non-resident): $17,500/year ($70,000 over 4 years)NAMU Provost's Scholarship (non-resident): $15,500/year ($62,000 over 4 years)NAMU Dean's Scholarship (non-resident): $13,500/year ($54,000 over 4 years)+3 more on the school page |
| Athens State | Public | 3 | President's Scholarship (Full-Ride): Full tuition and feesExcellence Scholarships: Up to $2,000 annuallyEmpowerment Scholarships: Up to $2,000 Annually |
| Auburn | Public | 8 | Spirit of Auburn Presidential Excellence Award: Full tuition and fees (approximately $13,572/year for 2026-2027)Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship: $11,000/year ($44,000 over 4 years)Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship: $9,000/year ($36,000 over 4 years)+5 more on the school page |
| Auburn at Montgomery (AUM) | Public | 8 | Outstanding Scholars Award: $10,000 per year ($40,000 over 4 years)Principal Scholarship: $9,000 per year ($36,000 over 4 years)Vice Principal Scholarship: $8,000 per year ($32,000 over 4 years)+5 more on the school page |
| BHSU | Public | 1 | Scholarships of Distinction (GPA x ACT/SAT grid): $1,000-$4,000/year |
| Binghamton | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| Boise State | Public | 2 | Idaho Resident First-Year Grid (True Blue Promise / Dean's / Presidential): $2,000-$3,000Nonresident First-Year Grid (Ridgeline / Summit / WUE / WUE Nursing): $5,000-~$16,339 |
| Cal State LA | Public | 1 | Honors College President's Scholars: $2,500 to $6,800 per year |
| Cameron | Public | 2 | See full ladder |
| Central Arkansas | Public | 3 | Achievement Scholarship: $6,500 per year (Tuition & Fee $5,000 + Housing $1,500)University Scholarship: $4,500 per year (Tuition & Fee $3,500 + Housing $1,000)Future Leaders Scholarship: $2,000 per year (Tuition & Fee $1,000 + Housing $1,000) |
| Central Connecticut State | Public | 5 | Central Merit Scholarship (Top Tier): $3,500 per yearCentral Merit Scholarship: $2,500 per yearCentral Merit Scholarship: $2,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| Central Missouri | Public | 3 | Freshman Red and Black Scholarship: $1,500-$4,000 per yearACT Excellence Scholarship: $1,000 per yearDual Credit Scholarship: $1,000 per year ($500 per semester) |
| Charleston | Public | 1 | Cougar Advantage Scholars: Minimum $4,000 per year in merit scholarship funding |
| City College of New York (CUNY) | Public | 1 | Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship Program: $700 per year ($350 per semester) |
| Coastal Carolina | Public | 6 | Presidential Scholarship: $6,000 per year (in-state) / $19,662 per year (out-of-state)President's Scholar Award: $5,000 per year (in-state) / $13,000 per year (out-of-state)Provost's Scholar Award: $4,000 per year (in-state) / $10,000 per year (out-of-state)+3 more on the school page |
| Colorado Mesa | Public | 1 | Automatic Merit Scholarships (Trustee / Presidents / Academic Achievement): $3,000-$7,500/year |
| Colorado Mines | Public | 2 | President's Scholarship: Resident $2,500-$7,000; Non-resident $12,000-$16,000Provost Award: Resident $1,000-$2,000; Non-resident $6,000-$10,000 |
| Colorado State | Public | 7 | Green & Gold (non-resident) — 4.0+: $16,000 per year (covers ~44% of tuition/fees)Green & Gold (non-resident) — 3.80–3.99: $12,000 per year (~33% of tuition/fees)Green & Gold (non-resident) — 3.60–3.79: $10,000 per year (~28% of tuition/fees)+4 more on the school page |
| CSU Pueblo | Public | 8 | Presidential Scholar (Automatic Merit): $8,000 per yearDistinguished Scholar (Automatic Merit): $5,000 per yearPromising Scholar (Automatic Merit): $3,000 per year+5 more on the school page |
| CU Boulder | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| CWU | Public | 2 | Crimson Scholarship: $2,000 per year for two consecutive years ($4,000 total)Transfer Excellence Scholarship: $2,000 per year, up to three years ($6,000 total) |
| East Carolina | Public | 1 | Beacon Scholarship (formerly Chancellor's Scholars): $1,000 per year |
| East Texas A&M | Public | 7 | Presidential Scholarship: $5,000/semester x up to 8 long semesters ($20,000 total value)Blue and Gold Freshman Scholarship — Tier 1: $2,000/semester x up to 8 long semesters ($8,000 total value)Blue and Gold Freshman Scholarship — Tier 2: $1,500/semester x up to 8 long semesters ($6,000 total value)+4 more on the school page |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Public | 9 | Regent's Award (Eastern Experience): $9,000President's Award (Eastern Experience): $7,000One Eastern Award (Eastern Experience): $5,000+6 more on the school page |
| Emporia State | Public | 3 | Freshman Presidential Scholarship: $1,250-$3,000 per yearTransfer Presidential Scholarship: $1,250-$3,000 per yearLegacy Scholarship: $1,000 per year |
| ENMU | Public | 4 | New Mexico Freshman Academic Scholarship (In-State grid): $2,600-$5,400 per academic yearENMU Greyhound Starter Scholarship: Tuition for your first semesterFreshman Hound Housing Room Grant: $3,000 per academic year+1 more on the school page |
| EOU | Public | 2 | University Scholar Award (2025-26 reference grid): $1,000-$3,000 per year (up to $12,000 over four years)University Achievement Award: $500-$1,250 per year (up to $3,500 over four years) |
| EWU | Public | 1 | Automatic Freshman Scholarship — Washington Resident: $1,000-$3,000 per year |
| Fayetteville State University | Public | 4 | Gold Bronco: $3,000Platinum Bronco: $5,000Silver Bronco: $2,000+1 more on the school page |
| FGCU | Public | 1 | Eagle Transfer Gold: $3,000 per year, up to 2 years (Fall and Spring semesters only) |
| FIU | Public | 2 | FIU's Golden Promise: 100% of tuition and fees+1 more on the school page |
| Florida | Public | 3 | Florida Bright Futures — Florida Academic Scholars: 100% of tuition and applicable fees (calculated at $212.71 per registered credit hour for 2025-26)Florida Bright Futures — Florida Medallion Scholars: 75% of tuition and applicable fees (calculated at $159.53 per registered credit hour for 2025-26)+1 more on the school page |
| Florida State | Public | 7 | Vires Scholarship (Florida residents): $16,000 total ($2,000 per semester for 8 semesters)IB Diploma Scholarship: $8,000 total ($1,000 per semester for 8 semesters)Bright Futures Florida Medallion Scholars (Florida residents): $160.16 per credit hour (covers ~75% of standard FSU in-state tuition and applicable fees)+4 more on the school page |
| Fort Lewis College | Public | 8 | Colorado Scholars Award (in-state, 4.0+): Total $8,000 (an additional $3,000 on top of the in-state Presidential base)Presidential Tuition Scholarship (in-state): $5,000 per year (in-state)Provost's Tuition Scholarship (in-state): $4,000 per year (in-state)+5 more on the school page |
| Francis Marion | Public | 1 | Academic Distinction Award (Automatic Minimum): Minimum $1,000 per year |
| Georgia College | Public | 1 | Distinguished Scholars Award (out-of-state tuition scholarship): Approximately $81,304 for four years or $20,326 per year |
| Georgia Tech | Public | 2 | HOPE Scholarship (Georgia residents): $5,256/semester at full-time 15-credit enrollment ($10,512/year max for 2025-26)Zell Miller Scholarship (Georgia residents): 100% of standard in-state tuition rate (up to $10,512/year for 2025-26) |
| Grambling State | Public | 3 | Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship: $1,000 per year (plus $9,023/year Out of State Waiver for graduates of out-of-state institutions)+2 more on the school page |
| Henderson State | Public | 4 | Distinguished Freshman Scholarship: Full tuitionAcademic Scholarship grid — Living on Campus (freshman): $1,000-$6,000 per yearAcademic Scholarship grid — Commuters (freshman): $750-$3,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| Idaho State | Public | 2 | See full ladder |
| Indiana | Public | 3 | Indiana Excellence Scholarship (in-state): Award amounts vary, four-year scholarshipNational Excellence Scholarship (out-of-state): Award amounts vary, four-year scholarshipGlobal Excellence Scholarship (international): Award amounts vary, four-year scholarship |
| Indiana State | Public | 11 | 21st Century Scholars Textbook Scholarship: $500Academic Excellence Scholarship: $3,000Child Of Alumni Textbook Scholarship: $100+8 more on the school page |
| Iowa | Public | 3 | National Scholars Award (out-of-state): $2,000 – $15,000 per year for up to 4 yearsIowa Scholars Award (in-state): $500 – $8,500 per year for up to 4 yearsIowa Flagship Award: Award amounts and tier structure published per admission cycle |
| Iowa State | Public | 4 | Loyal Scholar (Iowa Resident): $3,000/year × 4 = $12,000 totalForever Scholar (Iowa Resident): $2,000/year × 4 = $8,000 totalTrue Scholar (Iowa Resident, Test-Optional): $1,500/year × 4 = $6,000 total+1 more on the school page |
| Jacksonville State | Public | 13 | Gamecock Achievement (GPA-based): $6,000–$8,000/yearGamecock Success (GPA-based): $4,000–$5,000/yearGamecock Opportunity (GPA-based): $1,000–$3,000/year+10 more on the school page |
| JMU | Public | 1 | Madison Award for Academic Excellence: Equivalent to 75% of in-state tuition and comprehensive fees (based on the year entering JMU) |
| Kansas | Public | 10 | KU Excellence (non-resident): $16,000 per year ($64,000 total)KU Distinction (non-resident): $14,000 per year ($56,000 total)KU Achievement (non-resident): $12,000 per year ($48,000 total)+7 more on the school page |
| Kansas State | Public | 9 | University Scholar Award (Kansas resident): $5,500/year ($22,000 total)Royal Purple Scholarship (Kansas resident): $4,000/year ($16,000 total)Wildcat Traditions Scholarship (Kansas resident): $2,500/year ($10,000 total)+6 more on the school page |
| Keene State | Public | 4 | President's Award: $5,500–$6,500 per year (NH) / $9,000 per year (out-of-state)Dean's Award: $4,500–$5,000 per year (NH) / $8,000–$8,500 per year (out-of-state)Enrichment Award: $3,000 per year (NH) / $5,000–$7,500 per year (out-of-state)+1 more on the school page |
| Kentucky | Public | 3 | Provost Scholarship (Kentucky residents): $2,500/year at 3.30 GPA + 26 ACT / 1230 SAT; $5,000/year at 3.30 GPA + 28 ACT / 1300 SATBluegrass Spirit Scholarship (non-resident): $5,000 / $8,000 / $10,000 / $12,500 per year across four subtiers+1 more on the school page |
| Lamar | Public | 1 | Automatic Academic Scholarship ladder (Cardinal Elite, Academic Excellence, Distinguished, University Scholars): $8,000-$40,000 |
| Lander | Public | 8 | President's Award — In-State: $6,000/yearPresident's Award — Out-of-State: $4,000/year + $8,000 abatementTrustee's Award — In-State: $4,500/year+5 more on the school page |
| Lehman College | Public | 2 | Peter F. Vallone Scholarship (formerly NYC Council Merit Scholarship): $800 per year ($400 per semester)+1 more on the school page |
| Louisville | Public | 5 | Border Benefit Award (base): $16,000 per yearBorder Benefit Award (top stacked tier): $21,000 per year ($16,000 base + $5,000)Regional Scholars Program: $12,000–$16,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| LSU | Public | 1 | Louisiana Tiger Legacy Scholarship: ACT 24-25: $500/year; ACT 26-27: $750/year; ACT 28+: $1,000/year |
| LSU Shreveport | Public | 2 | Purple And Gold: $2,000Louisiana: $1,200 |
| Marshall University | Public | 3 | Presidential Scholarship: $3,000A Michael Perry Scholarship: $2,500Board Of Governors Scholarship: $4,000 |
| Miami (Ohio) | Public | 4 | Merit Scholarship — 4.30+ Tier: Starting at $8,000/year (Ohio/Reciprocal resident); starting at $20,000/year (non-resident)Merit Scholarship — 3.95-4.29 Tier: Starting at $5,000/year (Ohio/Reciprocal resident); starting at $13,000/year (non-resident)Merit Scholarship — 3.75-3.94 Tier: Starting at $4,000/year (Ohio/Reciprocal resident); starting at $11,000/year (non-resident)+1 more on the school page |
| Michigan State | Public | 4 | MSU President's Scholarship: $15,000 per yearMSU Provost's Scholarship: $12,000 per yearMSU Dean's Scholarship: $10,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| Michigan Tech | Public | 5 | Presidential Scholars Program (Michigan residents): $1,000-$5,500 per yearNational Scholars Program (non-Michigan residents): $11,000-$18,000 per yearMichigan Tech Transfer Scholarship (Michigan residents): $2,000-$4,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| Minnesota | Public | 4 | Maroon & Gold Scholarship: $2,000 – $12,000 per year for 4 yearsNational Scholarship: $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 per year for 4 yearsPresidential Scholarship: $1,000 – $10,000 per year for 4 years+1 more on the school page |
| Minnesota State Mankato | Public | 1 | Maverick Scholarship: $750–$1,250 |
| Minot State | Public | 2 | Academic Excellence Scholarship: $2,500-$10,000 over four yearsAutomatic 4-Year Award (DISCONTINUED for new freshmen — renewal only): $8,000-$12,000 over four years (legacy grid) |
| Mississippi State | Public | 2 | Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship (Mississippi residents): $1,000–$10,500/year based on HS GPA × ACT grid (see notes for full chart)+1 more on the school page |
| Missouri S&T | Public | 3 | Missouri Groundbreaker Scholarship Package (In-State): $1,000-$10,000Out-of-State Groundbreaker Scholarship Package: $16,000-$26,000Academic Pathways Scholarship: $2,000-$4,000 |
| Missouri State | Public | 1 | Go Mo State Scholarship: $50,000 value (covers out-of-state tuition) |
| Mizzou | Public | 8 | Mark Twain Level 1 (Nonresident): $21,500/yearMark Twain Level 2 (Nonresident): $8,500/yearBorder State Award (Nonresident): $3,000/year+5 more on the school page |
| Montana State | Public | 2 | Montana Premier Scholarship (resident automatic grid): $1,000-$4,000Achievement Award (non-resident automatic grid): $7,000-$16,000 |
| Montana Tech | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| Montana Western | Public | 1 | WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) Scholarship: Over $10,000 annually |
| Morehead State | Public | 10 | Kentucky Automatic Merit Scholarship — Top Tier (3.8+ GPA / ACT 28+): $8,000/yrKentucky Automatic Merit Scholarship — Full Grid (all cells): $1,000–$8,000/yr depending on GPA/ACT combinationOhio Regional Tuition Advantage Merit Scholarship — Full Grid (select Ohio counties): $1,000–$8,000/yr depending on GPA/ACT combination+7 more on the school page |
| MSU Billings | Public | 2 | Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship — University Campus: $1,000-$3,000 per yearYellowjacket Excellence Scholarship — City College: $500-$1,000 per year |
| MSU Northern | Public | 3 | Merit Scholarship Program — top tier (in-state): $2,500 per yearMerit Scholarship Program — middle tier (in-state): $1,500 per yearMerit Scholarship Program — base tier (in-state): $1,000 per year |
| MSU Texas | Public | 11 | Freshmen Scholar (general academic merit): $3,500 per yearFreshmen Distinction (general academic merit): $2,500 per yearFreshmen Excellence (general academic merit): $2,000 per year+8 more on the school page |
| Murray State | Public | 1 | Academic Achievement Scholarships (GPA ladder): $1,000-$10,000 per year |
| NAU | Public | 3 | Freshman Tuition Scholarships — Arizona Residents: $2,500-$11,000 per yearFreshman Tuition Scholarships — WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange): $4,500-$8,500 per yearFreshman Tuition Scholarships — Out-of-State (non-WUE): $10,000-$15,000 per year (Fall 2026) |
| NDSU | Public | 2 | First-Year Guaranteed Scholarship (automatic GPA/test grid): $1,000-$3,000/year (maximum of four years)Transfer Guaranteed Scholarship (automatic GPA grid): $1,000-$2,000 (renewable for one additional year) |
| Nebraska | Public | 2 | Chancellor's Tuition Scholarship (in-state): Up to $8,000/year (up to $4,000/semester) toward UNL tuition for up to four years+1 more on the school page |
| Nebraska–Kearney (UNK) | Public | 6 | Presidential Scholar: Full Cost of Attendance plus a $5,000 annual stipendRegents Scholarship: Full Tuition AND room waiver for campus housingUNK Chancellor's Scholarship: $7,000 toward tuition and $2,000 toward campus housing, annually+3 more on the school page |
| Nevada (Reno) | Public | 3 | Nevada Resident Four-Year Scholarship Grid (Presidential / Provost / Nevada Scholars / Pack Pride / Alphie / Luna): $750-$8,000Alternative One-Year Scholarship for Nevada Residents (no test scores): $500-$3,000Presidential Level Scholarship (WICHE / out-of-state): $8,000 |
| Nevada State | Public | 2 | Scorpion Academic Scholarship — First-Year/Freshmen (2026 HS Graduates): $2,000-$4,000 per yearScorpion Academic Scholarship — NSHE Community College Graduates (2026): $2,000-$4,000 per year |
| New College of Florida | Public | 4 | Benacquisto Scholarship Program (National Merit Finalists): Full cost of attendance (gift aid from multiple sources)All-Florida Academic Team Award (transfer): $2,000 per yearPhi Theta Kappa (PTK) Award (transfer): $1,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| New Hampshire | Public | 5 | Trustee's Scholarship: Up to $11,000/yr (NH resident) / Up to $20,000/yr (non-resident)Chancellor's Scholarship: Up to $9,000/yr (NH resident) / Up to $15,000/yr (non-resident)Presidential Scholarship: Up to $7,000/yr (NH resident) / Up to $12,000/yr (non-resident)+2 more on the school page |
| New Mexico State | Public | 16 | Hadley Honors Scholarship — NM Residents (In-State, Freshman): $4,000/yearCrimson Success Scholarship — NM Residents (In-State, Freshman): $3,000/year1888 Leadership Scholarship — NM Residents (In-State, Freshman): $2,000/year+13 more on the school page |
| New Mexico Tech | Public | 3 | Freshman Merit Grid (Presidential / Gold / Silver / Copper): $2,000-$6,000Out-of-State Tuition Reduction Scholarships (WUE Plus / WUE / CORE / Competitive / Tuition Reduction Agreement): Reduced tuition rate (resident or 150% of resident)Transfer Merit Grid (Phi Theta Kappa / Regents / Transfer Excel / Tech Transfer): $2,000-$6,000 |
| NJIT | Public | 2 | Faculty Scholarships: Up to tuition (minus other tuition-based award)+1 more on the school page |
| North Alabama (UNA) | Public | 2 | Academic Awards (GPA × ACT grid): $2,000-$8,500Presidential Awards (GPA × ACT 30-36 grid): $9,000-$12,000 |
| North Carolina A&T | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| North Dakota | Public | 5 | UND Freshman Scholarship — Top Tier: $14,000 ($3,500/year for a maximum of 4 years)UND Freshman Scholarship — Mid Tier: $11,000 ($2,750/year for a maximum of 4 years)UND Freshman Scholarship — Entry Tier: $1,500 (non-renewable, one-time)+2 more on the school page |
| North Texas (UNT) | Public | 4 | UNT Excellence Scholarship — Top 1% class rank: $8,000–$12,000 per yearUNT Excellence Scholarship — Top 5% class rank: $6,000–$10,000 per yearUNT Excellence Scholarship — Top 10% class rank: $5,000–$8,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| Northeastern State | Public | 1 | Automatic Tuition Waiver Scholarships (Collegiate Scholars / Valedictorian Scholars / Green & White Scholars): $1,400-$2,200 per year |
| Northern Kentucky University | Public | 4 | Commonwealth: $1,000Excellence: $2,000Standard Transfer Merit: $1,000–$2,500+1 more on the school page |
| Northern State (NSU) | Public | 5 | WolfPACT unleashed — Test optional grid (no test score, or below 20 ACT / 1030 SAT): $4,000-$8,000 total over four yearsWolfPACT unleashed — ACT 28-36 / SAT 1300+ grid: $10,000-$16,000 total over four yearsWolfPACT unleashed — ACT 24-27 / SAT 1160-1290 grid: $7,000-$9,000 total over four years+2 more on the school page |
| Northwest Missouri State | Public | 4 | Admission-Based Freshman Scholarships (Merit-Based Scholarship Chart: Provost, Dean's, Distinguished, Academic Excellence, University Scholar, Northwest Merit): $1,000-$6,000Bearcat Advantage: $8,728Northwest A+ Scholarship: $1,500+1 more on the school page |
| Ohio State | Public | 3 | President's Ohio Scholarship Program: Full cost of attendance + $5,000 enrichment grant (accessible after first year)National Buckeye Scholarship: Up to $13,500/year (up to $54,000 four-year value)Maximus, Provost, and Trustees Scholarships: $1,000–$3,000/year ($4,000–$12,000 four-year value) |
| Ohio U | Public | 4 | OHIO Excellence Scholarship: Award amounts vary according to academic meritOHIO Trustee Award (Out-of-State): Variable amount based on academic meritOHIO Admission Promise Award: $2,000 renewable per year+1 more on the school page |
| Oklahoma | Public | 13 | Non-Resident National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship: $68,000 total ($17,000/year × 4 years)Non-Resident Award of Excellence: $68,000 total ($17,000/year × 4 years)Non-Resident Distinguished Scholar: $60,000 total ($15,000/year × 4 years)+10 more on the school page |
| Oklahoma State | Public | 2 | Out-of-State Achievement Scholarship: $6,000/year at 3.25–3.49 GPA; $7,000/year at 3.50–3.74 GPA; $9,000/year at 3.75+ GPA+1 more on the school page |
| Ole Miss | Public | 5 | Academic Merit Scholarship (Mississippi residents): $1,000–$9,990/year based on ACT and GPA (see notes for full chart)1848 Award (Mississippi resident supplement): $2,000/year at 3.5 GPA + 23–28 ACT; $4,000/year at 3.5 GPA + 29+ ACTAcademic Merit Scholarship (non-residents): $3,000–$20,160/year based on GPA × ACT grid (see notes for full chart)+2 more on the school page |
| Oregon | Public | 2 | Summit Scholarship (Oregon Resident): $5,000 per year ($20,000 over 4 years)Summit Scholarship (Non-Resident): $12,500 per year ($50,000 over 4 years) |
| Oregon State | Public | 1 | WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) rate: Tuition reduced to 150% of resident tuition |
| Pitt | Public | 1 | Pitt Academic Scholarships (general merit): Range from $2,000 per year to awards covering full tuition plus room and board |
| Pitt State | Public | 3 | Great Gorilla Scholarship Freshman: $1,000–$4,000Great Gorilla Scholarships: $1,000–$4,000Great Gorilla Scholarship Program: $1,000 |
| Plymouth State | Public | 10 | Presidential Scholarship (First-Year): $7,000/yr in-state; $14,000/yr out-of-state/NEBHEDean's Scholarship (First-Year): $6,000/yr in-state; $13,000/yr out-of-state/NEBHEAspire Scholarship (First-Year): $5,000/yr in-state; $12,000/yr out-of-state/NEBHE+7 more on the school page |
| Prairie View A&M | Public | 2 | The Regents' Student Merit Scholarship: Tuition and mandatory fees, on-campus housing, meals and books ($600 per semester)Presidential Academic Scholarship: $11,400.00 per year |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | Public | 3 | Purdue Fort Wayne Scholarship (automatic academic scholarship): In-state: $500-$2,000/yr; Out-of-state: $500-$3,000/yr; Transfer: $750-$1,500/yrOhio Reciprocity Program (automatic tuition rate): In-state tuition rate (vs higher nonresident rate)Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) / Contiguous States Program (automatic tuition rate): Tuition at 150% of the in-state rate |
| Purdue Northwest | Public | 2 | See full ladder |
| Rhode Island College | Public | 2 | See full ladder |
| Rowan | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| Rutgers | Public | 1 | National Merit College-Sponsored Award: $1,000 per year (renewable) |
| Sam Houston State | Public | 1 | Bearkat Transfer Scholarship: $2,000 total ($1,000 Fall + $1,000 Spring, single year) |
| SFA | Public | 1 | Academic Excellence Scholarship: $2,500-$6,000/year |
| Sonoma State | Public | 3 | International Student President Award: $5,000International Student Provost Award: $3,000International Student Merit Scholarship: $2,000 |
| South Alabama | Public | 20 | Freshman Admission Act23 24 Gpa 300 349: $3,000Freshman Admission Act25 26 Gpa 350 374: $4,000Jaguar Achievement Test Optional: $2,000++17 more on the school page |
| South Carolina | Public | 3 | Valedictorian Scholars (Resident): $3,000/year (four-year value $12,000)Presidential Scholars Award (Resident, Palmetto Fellows Add-on): $1,000/year (four-year value $4,000)USC STEM Supplement (Resident, Palmetto Fellows STEM): $3,300 (one-time, freshman year only) |
| Southeast Missouri State | Public | 3 | President's Scholarship: $8,000Copper Dome Scholarship: $500-$5,000 per yearTransfer Academic Scholarship: $1,000-$2,000 per year |
| Southeastern | Public | 1 | The Southeastern Honors Scholarship (fees award + housing supplement): $2,500-$4,000/year scholarship + $1,000-$3,000/year housing supplement (by ACT tier) |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State | Public | 2 | Automatic Scholarships — New Oklahoma Freshman (Valedictorian/Salutatorian, Academic Excellence, Stronger Storm, Former SE Concurrent): $250-$1,250 per semester (tuition waiver)Out-of-State Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (All Out-of-State Students): 100% of out-of-state non-resident tuition (varies) |
| Southern Arkansas (SAU) | Public | 2 | Academic Scholarship Grid (Presidential Distinguished, Presidential, Blue and Gold Excellence, SAU Success, Scholastic Merit, Achievement Award): $2,000-$12,000Valedictorian / Salutatorian / Top 10%: $6,600 |
| Southern Miss | Public | 14 | Academic Excellence Gpa325 Act31: $10,000Academic Excellence Gpa325 Act32 Fulltuition: Full tuitionAcademic Excellence Gpa325 Act20: $1,500+11 more on the school page |
| Southern Oregon (SOU) | Public | 1 | First Year Merit Scholarships grid (Raider Scholar, Laurels, Churchill, Siskiyou) — by residency: $1,000-$12,000 |
| St. Cloud State | Public | 1 | Presidential Scholarship: $2,500, $1,500, $750, or $500 per year |
| SUNY Brockport | Public | 8 | Gold Scholarship: $4,500/yearGreen Scholarship: $2,500/yearCollegiate Scholarship: $1,500/year+5 more on the school page |
| SUNY Fredonia | Public | 4 | President's Award of Excellence: $5,000/yearFredonia Scholar Award: $4,000/yearTrue Blue Scholar Award: $2,000/year+1 more on the school page |
| SUNY New Paltz | Public | 4 | Presidential Scholarship: $5,000 per yearState-Line Presidential Scholarship: $5,000 per yearOrange and Blue Scholarship: $3,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| SUNY Oneonta | Public | 5 | President's Scholarship: $5,000 per year (maximum 4-year value $20,000)Dean's Scholarship: $3,000 per year (maximum 4-year value $12,000)Provost's Scholarship: $2,000 per year (maximum 4-year value $8,000)+2 more on the school page |
| SUNY Plattsburgh | Public | 4 | Cardinal Scholarship (Other Regions): $3,500 per yearNorth Country Scholarship: $3,500 per yearCardinal NYC Scholarship: $3,500 per year+1 more on the school page |
| SUNY Potsdam | Public | 3 | See full ladder |
| TAMU-Corpus Christi | Public | 2 | 2026-2027 Institutional Scholarships (Presidential, Achieve, Islander): $1,500-$4,000Morris L. Lichtenstein Jr. Endowed Scholarship: $12,750 |
| Temple | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| Tennessee | Public | 8 | Out-of-State Volunteer Scholarship — Top Tier: $18,000/year ($72,000 over four years)Out-of-State Volunteer Scholarship — Middle Tier: $9,000/year ($36,000 over four years)Out-of-State Volunteer Scholarship — Entry Tier: $3,000/year ($12,000 over four years)+5 more on the school page |
| Tennessee State | Public | 6 | The TSU Renaissance: $5,500 (in-state) / $8,500 (out-of-state) per yearThe 1912 Heritage: $4,500 (in-state) / $6,500 (out-of-state) per yearThe TSU Torch Scholars: $3,500 (in-state) / $4,500 (out-of-state) per year+3 more on the school page |
| Texas A&M | Public | 2 | See full ladder |
| Texas State | Public | 3 | President's Honor Scholarship: $12,000 per year ($48,000 over 4 years)Texas State Achievement Scholarship: $6,000–$8,000 per year ($24,000–$32,000 over 4 years)Texas State Distinguished Scholarship: $4,000–$5,000 per year ($16,000–$20,000 over 4 years) |
| Texas Tech | Public | 4 | Presidential Merit Scholarship — 4.0 GPA × 1500-1600 SAT / 34-36 ACT: $9,000 per yearPresidential Merit Scholarship — 3.85-3.76 GPA × 1500-1600 SAT / 34-36 ACT: $7,000 per yearPresidential Merit Scholarship — 4.0 GPA × 1100-1190 SAT / 22-24 ACT: $5,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| The Citadel | Public | 3 | SC HOPE Scholarship (SC state portable — first-time freshman only): $2,800/yearSC LIFE Scholarship (SC state portable): $5,000/year (up to $7,500/year with STEM Enhancement)SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship (SC state portable): $6,700/year (freshman); $7,500/year (soph/jr/sr); up to $10,000/year with STEM Enhancement |
| Truman State | Public | 2 | TruMerit Scholarship: $2,000-$10,000 per yearBulldog Legacy Scholarship: $1,000/year (Missouri residents) / $2,000/year (Out-of-State residents) |
| UAB | Public | 9 | Presidential Scholarship In State: $12,000Provost Scholarship In State: $8,000Blazer Scholarship In State: $4,000+6 more on the school page |
| UAF | Public | 6 | Nanook Pledge Scholarship — Alaska Resident rate: $2,000-$4,000/year ($8,000-$16,000 over four years)Nanook Pledge Scholarship — Non-Resident rate: $5,000-$12,000/year first-year ($20,000-$48,000 over four years)Nanook Pledge Scholarship — WUE rate: $1,000-$8,000/year first-year ($4,000-$32,000 over four years)+3 more on the school page |
| UAFS | Public | 1 | Freshman Merit Scholarships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Lion Pride): $1,000-$6,000 |
| UAH | Public | 2 | Freshman In-State Academic Scholarship (Alabama residents) — GPA × ACT/SAT grid: $2,000-$8,500 per year (full tuition for 4.0+ GPA with ACT 31-36 / SAT 1390-1600)Freshman Out-of-State Academic Scholarship (non-Alabama & U.S.-residing international) — GPA × ACT/SAT grid: $5,000-$22,000 per year |
| UAlbany | Public | 6 | Room Grant For Out Of State First Year Students: $2,500Ualbany Scholarship For New York State Transfer Students: $1,500Ualbany Scholarship For Out Of State First Year Students: $10,000+3 more on the school page |
| UCF | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| UCM | Public | 3 | Freshman Red and Black Scholarship (Starting Fall 2026): $1,500-$4,000 per year (by cumulative HS GPA)ACT Excellence Scholarship (Starting Fall 2026): $1,000 per yearNon-Resident Scholar Award: 25%, 50%, or 100% of non-resident fees (by GPA/ACT) |
| UConn | Public | 6 | Presidential Scholars Award: Fixed annual award plus a $2,500 Enrichment AwardAcademic Excellence Scholarship: Fixed annual amount (not publicly disclosed)Husky Achievement Award: Fixed annual amount (not publicly disclosed)+3 more on the school page |
| UF Online | Public | 1 | UF Online Reduced Tuition (structural, all Florida-resident UF Online students): 75% of standard in-state tuition ($129.18 per credit hour total tuition + required fees) |
| UGA | Public | 2 | See full ladder |
| UMaine Presque Isle | Public | 2 | New Student (Traditional) Scholarship: $5000Transfer Student Scholarship: $2000 |
| UMN Duluth | Public | 1 | First Year Student Admissions Scholarship (Best of Class / Zenith / Superior / Beacon / North Shore / Ascent tiers): $750-$8,000 |
| UMN Morris | Public | 1 | Academic Achievement Awards: $4,000–$20,000 |
| UMW | Public | 2 | In-State Merit Scholarships (Residential vs Commuter): $500-$8,000 per yearOut-of-State Merit Scholarships: $1,000-$9,000 per year |
| University of Maine | Public | 4 | Flagship Match Commitment (first-year, out-of-state) — Flagship Scholars Commitment Program: $13,583 to $19,311 per yearFlagship Leaders Commitment (first-year, out-of-state): $9,000-$12,000 per yearMaine Scholarship Commitment Program (first-year, Maine residents / Canadian students) — applied by Dec. 1: $2,000-$9,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| University of Montana | Public | 4 | UM Academic Achievement Scholarship (UMAAS) — In-State Incoming Freshman Grid: $1,000-$4,000UMAAS — Out-of-State Incoming Freshman Grid: $5,000-$18,000UMAAS — In-State Transfer Grid: $1,500-$2,500+1 more on the school page |
| University of Montevallo | Public | 6 | Presidential Honors Scholarship: $9,000Out Of State Scholarship: Up to $12,480Freshman Leadership Scholarship: $6,000+3 more on the school page |
| University of New Mexico | Public | 8 | Woodward Scholars (New Mexico Resident): $4,000 per yearUNM Achievers (New Mexico Resident): $2,000 per yearBridge to Success (New Mexico Resident, first semester only): $1,000 for the first semester of the freshman year+5 more on the school page |
| University of North Georgia | Public | 2 | Georgia HOPE Scholarship (state award): 100% of UNG bachelor on-campus / online tuitionGeorgia Zell Miller Scholarship (state award): 100% of UNG bachelor on-campus / online tuition |
| University of Southern Maine | Public | 1 | Presidents Scholar Award: $4,000–$11,000 |
| UNLV | Public | 2 | UNLV Signature: VariesWestern Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): 150% of in-state tuition rate |
| USAO | Public | 2 | Deans Award: $750Presidents Award: $1,000 |
| Utah | Public | 6 | President John R. Park Scholarship: $10,000 per yearProvost's Scholarship: $8,000 per yearBonneville Scholarship: $6,000 per year+3 more on the school page |
| Utah State | Public | 18 | Resident Presidential (Logan & Statewide): 100% Tuition & Student Fees, 4 yearsResident Deans (Logan & Statewide): $7,000 per year, 4 yearsResident Scholar (Logan & Statewide): $5,000 per year, 4 years+15 more on the school page |
| Utah Valley University | Public | 9 | Resident Academic Merit — Presidential: Full tuition and general student fees (resident)Resident Academic Merit — Exemplary: $5,000 each yearResident Academic Merit — Outstanding: $3,500 each year ($1,750 Fall & $1,750 Spring)+6 more on the school page |
| UTEP | Public | 1 | Paydirt Promise: 100% of tuition and fees (TX resident, family income ≤$100,000) |
| UW Seattle | Public | 1 | Purple & Gold Scholarship: Variable; awarded for four years; specific amounts not publicly listed by tier |
| VCU | Public | 2 | Out-of-State Scholarship — 3.3+ GPA Tier: At least $12,000 per yearOut-of-State Scholarship — 3.0-3.29 GPA Tier: At least $10,000 per year |
| Vermont (UVM) | Public | 2 | Presidential Scholarship: $20,000–$25,000 per year (out-of-state / international)Trustees Scholarship: $10,000–$15,000 per year (out-of-state / international) |
| Vermont State | Public | 1 | See full ladder |
| Washington State | Public | 5 | WUE Cougar Award: $12,000 per yearWUE Distinguished Cougar Award: $15,000 per yearNational Merit Scholarship: Full tuition waiver+2 more on the school page |
| Wayne State College | Public | 7 | President's Excellence Scholarship: $5,000 per yearPresident's Commitment Scholarship: $4,000 per yearDean's Excellence Scholarship: $3,000 per year+4 more on the school page |
| Western Carolina | Public | 3 | First Year Catamount Commitment (Award Level 1): $1,000 per year ($4,000 total)First Year Catamount Commitment (Award Level 2): $2,000 per year ($8,000 total)First Year Catamount Commitment (Award Level 3): $3,000 per year ($12,000 total) |
| Western Kentucky | Public | 14 | Academic Scholarship — Tier 1 (3.80–4.00 GPA + 30 ACT / 1360 SAT): $7,500 per year | $30,000 total over four yearsAcademic Scholarship — Tier 2 (3.80–4.00 GPA, no test score required): $3,500 per year | $14,000 total over four yearsAcademic Scholarship — Tier 3 (3.50–3.79 GPA): $2,500 per year | $10,000 total over four years+11 more on the school page |
| Western Oregon | Public | 2 | Merit Award — Resident & WUE: $1,000-$4,000 per yearMerit Award — Nonresident: $5,000-$12,000 per year |
| Western Washington University | Public | 3 | Western Award For Excellence Wae: $12,000–$15,000Western Undergraduate Exchange Program Wue: $15,000+Western Washington University Admissions Achievement Award: $1,500–$4,000 |
| Wichita State | Public | 16 | Freshman Merit Ks Gpa35 Act2627: $4,000Univ Academic Ks Gpa35: $1,500Freshman Merit Ks Gpa39 Act30: $6,000+13 more on the school page |
| Winona State | Public | 4 | International Presidential Honors Scholarship: $1,500Transfer Scholarships: $1,000Academic Awards: $500+1 more on the school page |
| Winthrop | Public | 10 | Winthrop Premier Scholarship (In-State): $8,000 per year ($32,000 four-year value)Winthrop Gold Scholarship (In-State): $6,500 per year ($26,000 four-year value)Winthrop Garnet Scholarship (In-State): $5,000 per year ($20,000 four-year value)+7 more on the school page |
| WVU | Public | 5 | Climb Higher Scholarship — Level 1 (out-of-state, Morgantown): $17,000 per yearClimb Higher Scholarship — Level 2 (out-of-state, Morgantown): $14,000 per yearClimb Higher Scholarship — Level 3 (out-of-state, Morgantown): $11,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| ACU | Private (religious) | 3 | Merit-Based Scholarships (ACU Academic Scholarships grid): $10,000-$22,000National Merit Finalists, Semi-Finalists and Commended Scholars: Full tuition (Finalists/Semi-Finalists) + $1,500/yr stipend; $2,000/yr (Commended Scholars)Transfer Merit-Based Awards (2026-2027 grid): $10,000-$19,000 |
| Alice Lloyd | Private (religious) | 1 | Geddes GPA Scholarship: $500 per year ($250/semester) |
| Anderson | Private (religious) | 2 | AU Merit-Based Scholarships (President's / Founder's / Provost's / Dean's / AU Grant): $12,000-$18,000Transfer Scholarship: $12,000-$14,000 |
| Aquinas | Private (religious) | 1 | The Aquinas College Scholarship: $15,000-$25,000 |
| Asbury University | Private (religious) | 3 | Academic Merit Scholarship (automatic GPA grid): $9,000-$15,000 per yearFrancis Asbury Scholarship (National Merit): $5,000 per yearKentucky Governor's Programs Scholarship: $15,000 per year |
| Augustana (IL) | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Merit Grid — High School (Presidential / Dean's / Founders): $28,000-$32,000Transfer Merit Grid (Bell Tower / Blue and Gold / Denkmann / Carlsson) + PTK: $22,000-$29,000 |
| Augustana University | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Scholarship: $21,000-$28,000 Per YearTransfer Scholarship: $21,000-$26,000 Per Year |
| Avila | Private (religious) | 3 | Avila Achievement Scholarship: $25,000 - $30,000 per yearTransfer Presidential Scholarship: $25,000 per yearTransfer Achievement Scholarship: $21,000 - $24,000 per year |
| Azusa Pacific | Private (religious) | 5 | President's Scholarship: $24,000 per yearProvost's Scholarship: $22,000 per yearDeans' Scholarship: $20,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| Baldwin Wallace | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Merit Scholarship: $14,000-$22,000 per year |
| Baylor | Private (religious) | 1 | Baylor Merit-Based Scholarship (internally the Baylor Distinction Award): Ranges from $1,000 to full cost of attendance |
| Belhaven | Private (religious) | 6 | President's Scholarship for First-Year Students: $17,000-$17,500 per yearDean's Scholarship for First-Year Students: $15,000-$17,000 per yearAchievement Grant for First-Year Students: $14,000-$15,500 per year+3 more on the school page |
| Bellarmine | Private (religious) | 1 | Public Price Promise: Matches your state's flagship university direct cost |
| Belmont | Private (religious) | 6 | Trustee Scholarship: $22,000 per yearProvost Scholarship: $19,000 per yearFounders Scholarship: $17,000 per year+3 more on the school page |
| Bethel (MN) | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Achievement Scholarships (Dean's / Provost's / President's): $3,000-$7,000 |
| Biola | Private (religious) | 6 | Freshman Academic Scholarship (President's tier): $24,500 per yearFreshman Academic Scholarship (Provost's tier): $23,500 per yearFreshman Academic Scholarship (Dean's tier): $22,500 per year+3 more on the school page |
| BJU | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Scholarship (BJU Merit Scholarships): $7,000-$14,000 |
| BYU | Private (religious) | 1 | National Merit Scholarship: Full Latter-day Saint tuition + $500/yr National Merit stipend |
| BYU-Idaho | Private (religious) | 3 | 4-Year Academic Scholarship — New Freshman: Quarter tuition ($618/semester) to Full tuition ($2,472/semester) (2025-2026 amounts)4-Year Academic Scholarship — Transfer Students: Quarter tuition ($618/semester) to Full tuition ($2,472/semester) (2025-2026 amounts)Academic Scholarship — Current BYU-Idaho Students (1-Year): Quarter tuition ($618/semester) to Full tuition ($2,472/semester) (2025-2026 amounts) |
| Calvin | Private (religious) | 7 | National Merit Scholarship: $22,000 per yearTrustee's Scholarship: $20,000 per yearPresident's Scholarship: $18,000 per year+4 more on the school page |
| Campbellsville | Private (religious) | 2 | Valedictorian Scholarship: Full tuition (supplement; tuition only)KEES Across Kentucky (KEES Matching): $2,000 (Up to; freshmen) / $1,500 (Up to; transfers) |
| Capital University | Private (religious) | 6 | The Main Street Scholarship: $20,000 per year (minimum $80,000 over four years)Capital Merit Scholarship — 1830 Award (3.0-3.19 GPA): $2,000 per year (stacks with Main Street for $22,000/yr)Capital Merit Scholarship — Dean's Award (3.2-3.49 GPA): $4,000 per year (stacks with Main Street for $24,000/yr)+3 more on the school page |
| Carroll University | Private (religious) | 5 | Automatic Academic Merit Scholarship — Trustee: $26,000 per yearAutomatic Academic Merit Scholarship — Voorhees: $24,000 per yearAutomatic Academic Merit Scholarship — Charles Carroll: $22,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| Carson-Newman | Private (religious) | 2 | Freshman Merit Scholarships (Fall 2026-Spring 2027 grid): $10,000-$18,000Transfer Merit Scholarships (Fall 2026-Spring 2027 grid): $10,000-$14,000 |
| Carthage | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Scholarships: $19,000-$22,000 |
| Catholic University | Private (religious) | 1 | Legacy Grant: $1,000 |
| Cedarville | Private (religious) | 1 | President's Scholar Award (academic scholarship for new residential freshmen): $15,000 to $25,000 per year |
| Centenary (LA) | Private (religious) | 4 | President's Scholarship: Starts at $30,000/yearDean's Scholarship: Starts at $25,000/yearTrustee's Scholarship: Starts at $20,000/year+1 more on the school page |
| Chaminade | Private (religious) | 2 | First-Year Merit Scholarship (AY 2026–2027): $4,000-$21,000Transfer Merit Scholarship (AY 2026–2027): $4,000-$12,000 |
| Chestnut Hill | Private (religious) | 2 | First-Year Scholarship Matrix (Presidential / Distinction / Scholars / Achievement / Rise / Promise): $12,000-$24,000Transfer Scholarship Matrix (Distinguished Transfer / Noble Griffin / Golden Elite / Thrive / Opportunity): $12,000-$22,000 |
| Concordia College (Moorhead) | Private (religious) | 2 | Excellence Scholarships: $13,000-$19,000Transfer Excellence: $13,000-$19,000 |
| Covenant College | Private (religious) | 5 | Founders' Scholarship: $22,000Tower Scholarship: $20,000Thistle Scholarship: $18,000+2 more on the school page |
| Dayton | Private (religious) | 4 | Father Chaminade Scholarship: $17,000–$19,000 per yearDeans' Merit Scholarship: $21,000–$23,000 per yearPresident's Merit Scholarship: $26,000–$29,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| DePaul | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Scholarships (Presidential / Deans' / DePaul Scholars' / St. Vincent DePaul): $14,000–$33,000 per year |
| Dillard | Private (religious) | 5 | University Scholarship: Full Tuition Room & BoardPresidential Scholarship: Full TuitionDean's Scholarship: $10,000+2 more on the school page |
| Dordt | Private (religious) | 2 | Dordt Presidential, Honors and Collegiate Scholarships: $6,000 to $13,500 per yearNational Merit Finalist Award Scholarship: $3,000 per year |
| Eastern Mennonite | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Scholarships (first-year merit grid: President's / Academic Achievement / University / Community / Royal): $21,000-$27,000Academic Scholarship (transfer students): $18,000-$23,000 |
| Elizabethtown | Private (religious) | 4 | Excelsior Scholarship: $21,500Presidential Scholarship: $21,000Founders Scholarship: $18,500+1 more on the school page |
| Evansville (UE) | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Merit Scholarship (Fall 2026 Freshman Grid): $18,000-$30,000Academic Merit Scholarships — Transfer Students (Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Grid): $18,000-$27,000 |
| Florida Southern | Private (religious) | 7 | E.T. Roux Scholarship: $10,000-$14,000 per yearEdna Mae Pearce Lockett Scholarship: $12,500-$17,000 per yearThad G. Buckner Scholarship: $14,000-$18,500 per year+4 more on the school page |
| Freed-Hardeman | Private (religious) | 3 | Merit Scholarships: $4,000-$12,000 per yearTrustees' Scholarship: $18,000 per yearTransfer Scholarships: $1,000-$7,000 per year (college-GPA basis); merit basis $2,000-$12,000 |
| George Fox | Private (religious) | 2 | George Fox Merit Scholarship (First-Year, Fall 2026): $18,000-$24,000 per yearGeorge Fox Merit Scholarship (Transfer, Fall 2026 & Spring 2027): $8,000-$16,000 per year |
| Gonzaga | Private (religious) | 2 | Daniel G. Brajcich Scholarship: $2,500 per yearDauna Leigh Bauer Scholarship: $2,000 per year |
| Gordon College | Private (religious) | 5 | Trustees' Scholar Award: $22,000 per yearPresident's Scholar Award: $20,000 per yearProvost's Scholar Award: $18,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| Goshen College | Private (religious) | 2 | First-Year Academic Scholarships (Dean's / High Honors / Honors / Academic Excellence): $14,000-$20,000Transfer Academic Scholarships (GPA grid): $6,000-$12,000 |
| Grove City | Private (religious) | 3 | President's Scholarship: $7,500/yrProvost's Scholarship: $4,000/yrNational Merit and CLT10 Scholarship: $2,000 one-year scholarship |
| Gustavus Adolphus | Private (religious) | 5 | Gold Scholarship (academic merit tier): $25,000 per yearThree Crowns Scholarship (academic merit tier): $31,000 per yearDean's Scholarship (academic merit tier): $35,000 per year+2 more on the school page |
| Hanover | Private (religious) | 4 | Academic Merit Scholarships (weighted-GPA grid): $20,000-$36,000Campus Visit Award: $4,000-$6,000 (first year)National Pell Promise: Full tuition+1 more on the school page |
| Hardin-Simmons | Private (religious) | 10 | Trustee Scholarship: $22,000 per yearPresidents Scholarship: $20,000 per yearDeans Scholarship: $18,000 per year+7 more on the school page |
| Harding | Private (religious) | 3 | Academic Achievement Scholarship: $7,000 to $11,000 per yearNational Merit Semifinalist Scholarship: Full undergraduate tuitionNational Merit Finalist Scholarship: Full undergraduate tuition and a $2,000 annual stipend |
| Heidelberg University | Private (religious) | 2 | Out-of-State Grant: Up to $3,000 (CA/FL/IN/MI/TX) or up to $1,500 (all other out-of-state) per yearCampus Visit Award: $500 (first year) |
| Hillsdale | Private (religious) | 1 | Merit Scholarship (automatic): $1,000 to full tuition (approximately $32,730/yr at the full-tuition ceiling in 2025-26) |
| Holy Family | Private (religious) | 2 | Merit Scholarships — First Time Freshmen (Fall 2026/Spring 2027): $16,000-$25,000Merit Scholarships — Transfer Students (Fall 2026/Spring 2027): $14,000-$19,000 |
| Hope College | Private (religious) | 6 | Trustee Scholarship: $22,000 per yearPresidential Scholarship: $14,000+ per yearDistinguished Scholar Award: $12,000 per year+3 more on the school page |
| Immaculata | Private (religious) | 1 | Associate Degree Grant: $1,500 |
| Indiana Wesleyan | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Award Scholarships (Freshmen): $8,000-$17,000Academic Awards (Transfers, Re-admits, Transitions): $4,000-$11,000 |
| John Brown University | Private (religious) | 3 | Assured Merit Award (first-time students): $6,000-$13,000 per yearAssured Merit Award (transfer students): $6,000-$13,000 per yearJBU National Merit Award: $17,000 |
| King's College (PA) | Private (religious) | 2 | First-time, Full-time Undergraduate Scholarships (named merit ladder): $20,000-$30,000Transfer Undergraduate Scholarships (named merit ladder): $22,000-$30,000 |
| Lee University | Private (religious) | 3 | Ignite Scholarship (general merit): Starts at $2,000 per yearDean's Scholarship (general merit): Starts at $5,000 per yearPresidential Scholarship (general merit): Starts at $7,500 per year |
| Liberty | Private (religious) | 2 | See full ladder |
| Lindsey Wilson | Private (religious) | 1 | See full ladder |
| Louisiana Christian | Private (religious) | 2 | LC Scholarship (automatic academic, ACT-based): $1,350-$2,750 per semesterTransfer Award (automatic, GPA-based): $1,500-$1,800 per semester |
| Loyola Chicago | Private (religious) | 1 | See full ladder |
| Loyola Maryland | Private (religious) | 3 | Presidential Scholarship: $39,000–$41,000 per year (2026-27)Dean's Scholarship: $37,000–$38,000 per year (2026-27)Loyola Scholarship: $35,000–$36,000 per year (2026-27) |
| Loyola New Orleans | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Merit Scholarship (automatic): Up to full tuition (tier amount varies with stats) |
| Madonna | Private (religious) | 2 | First-Year Student Merit Scholarship (Direct from High School): $4,000-$14,000Transfer Student Merit Scholarship: $4,000-$14,000 |
| Marquette | Private (religious) | 2 | See full ladder |
| Marymount | Private (religious) | 1 | Merit-Based Transfer Scholarships (Academic Distinction / Academic Excellence / Saints / Opportunity): $10,000-$16,000 |
| Maryville | Private (religious) | 1 | Scots Legacy Award: $20,000 (minimum, in scholarships and aid) |
| Mercer | Private (religious) | 1 | University Merit Scholarship (initial automatic merit): $18,000–$25,000 per year |
| Messiah | Private (religious) | 1 | See full ladder |
| Millsaps | Private (religious) | 2 | Millsaps Merit Scholarship (automatic): $18,000-$34,000 per yearJPS Pathway Scholarship: At least 50% of tuition (renewable) |
| MVNU | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Awards (Freshman GPA Grid): $9,000-$21,000Transfer Scholarships (GPA Grid): $5,000-$17,000 |
| Niagara | Private (religious) | 1 | Transfer Scholarship / Transfer Award (GPA grid): $14,000-$21,000 per year |
| North Central (IL) | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Merit Grid (Presidential / Dean / Honor / Achievement / Academic): $25,500-$30,000Presidential Housing Award: $3,000 |
| North Greenville | Private (religious) | 2 | NGU Academic Scholarships (Founder's / President's / Dean's): $5,000-$12,000Transfer Scholarships (Levels 1-4): $5,000-$12,000 |
| Northwest Nazarene | Private (religious) | 3 | NNU Merit Scholarship (Fall 2026 automatic grid): $14,000-$22,000 per yearChristian Education Partner Scholarship: $4,000 per year (on campus) / $2,000 per year (off campus)Transfer Merit Scholarship: $9,000-$18,000 per year |
| Oakwood University | Private (religious) | 13 | GOLD — Platinum: $8,125 per semester / $16,250 per year / $65,000 total over 4 yearsGOLD — Premier 2: $6,000 per semester / $12,000 per year / $48,000 total over 4 yearsGOLD — Prestige 2: $5,000 per semester / $10,000 per year / $40,000 total over 4 years+10 more on the school page |
| Ohio Wesleyan | Private (religious) | 2 | Merit Scholarships: Starting at $25,000Bishop Bound Award (out-of-state): $12,000 |
| Oklahoma Baptist | Private (religious) | 4 | Academic Grant: $15,000 per year ($60,000 over four years)President's Academic: $16,000 per year ($64,000 over four years)Trustee's Academic: $17,000 per year ($68,000 over four years)+1 more on the school page |
| Oklahoma Christian (OC) | Private (religious) | 2 | 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 yearTransfer Student Scholarship: $5,000-$10,000 per academic year |
| Oklahoma City University | Private (religious) | 6 | OCU Academic Merit Scholarship — Presidential Academic Award (Arts & Sciences, Business or Nursing): $13,000/yrOCU Academic Merit Scholarship — University Academic Award (Arts & Sciences, Business or Nursing): $10,500/yrOCU Academic Merit Scholarship — Achievement Academic Award (Arts & Sciences, Business or Nursing): $8,000/yr+3 more on the school page |
| Oklahoma Wesleyan (OKWU) | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Scholarship (GPA-based): $3,000-$6,000 per year |
| Ouachita Baptist | Private (religious) | 6 | President's Scholarship: $80,000 4-year value ($20,000/year)Founder's Scholarship: $68,000 4-year value ($17,000/year)Dean's Scholarship: $60,000 4-year value ($15,000/year)+3 more on the school page |
| Palm Beach Atlantic | Private (religious) | 1 | Honors Scholarship: $2,500 |
| Pepperdine | Private (religious) | 1 | George Pepperdine Achievement Award: $16,000 to $35,000/year |
| PLU | Private (religious) | 1 | PLU Academic Scholarships: $8,000-$32,000 |
| Point | Private (religious) | 1 | See full ladder |
| Point Loma Nazarene | Private (religious) | 9 | President's Gold Scholarship: $24,000 per yearPresident's Green Scholarship: $21,000 per yearTrustee's Scholarship: $18,000 per year+6 more on the school page |
| Portland | Private (religious) | 6 | Archbishop Christie Scholarship: $35,000President's Scholarship: $28,000-$30,000Holy Cross Scholarship: $24,000-$26,000+3 more on the school page |
| Presbyterian (PC) | Private (religious) | 1 | Transfer Merit Scholarships (Transfer Award / Trustee Award / Scotsman / True Blue) — Fall 2026: $22,000-$28,000 |
| Regent | Private (religious) | 2 | Freshman Base Merit Awards: $1,000-$5,000Freshman Booster Merit Awards: $1,000-$5,000 |
| Roanoke | Private (religious) | 3 | Roanoke College Merit Awards (Trustee, Presidential, Dean's, Faculty and Maroon) — freshman GPA grid: $10,000-$21,000Additional $1,000 merit award (GPA + test score): $1,000Transfer merit awards (institutional merit funds for transfer students): $8,000-$17,000 |
| Rosemont | Private (religious) | 1 | Rosemont Merit Scholarships: $2,000-Full tuition |
| Sagrado | Private (religious) | 1 | Sagrado Pre-Achievers: $600 |
| Saint Joseph's | Private (religious) | 2 | Guaranteed Admission Program merit award: Minimum $30,000 over four years ($120,000 value) + $5,000/yr excellence award ($20,000 value)+1 more on the school page |
| Saint Louis U | Private (religious) | 5 | Vice Presidents' Scholarship: Up to $19,500 per semester (up to ~$39,000 per year, up to $195,000 over 10 semesters)University Scholarship: Up to $17,500 per semester (up to ~$35,000 per year)Ignatian Scholarship: Up to $16,500 per semester (up to ~$33,000 per year)+2 more on the school page |
| Saint Mary's (CA) | Private (religious) | 2 | 2026-27 First-Year Merit-Based Scholarships (Trustee's / Presidential / Provost's / Dean's / Gael): $26,000-$38,0002026-27 Transfer Student Merit-Based Scholarships (Presidential / Provost / Dean's / Gael Transfer): $4,000-$20,000 |
| Saint Michael's | Private (religious) | 1 | Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship (transfer students): $2,500 per year |
| Salve Regina | Private (religious) | 1 | Rhode Island Guarantee (CCRI transfer scholarship): $25,000-$28,500 |
| Samford | Private (religious) | 4 | Crosland Scholarship: Average $17,500 per yearMarion Scholarship: Average $13,000 per yearMarvin Mann Academic Excellence Scholarship: Up to $10,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| Scranton | Private (religious) | 4 | Presidential Scholarship: Full tuitionDean's Scholarship: $33,000 average awardLoyola Scholarship: $31,500 average award+1 more on the school page |
| Seattle U | Private (religious) | 1 | Seattle University Merit Award: $8,000+ per year (automatic minimum) |
| Sewanee | Private (religious) | 4 | Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: Full tuition, fees, room and board annually (1 awarded per class)Benedict Scholarship: Full tuition, fees, room and board annually (2 awarded per class)Wilkins Scholarship: $5,000 in addition to the recipient's EQB Award annually+1 more on the school page |
| Southeastern (SEU) | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Scholarships for First-Time Freshmen (2026-2027 grid: Chancellor's / President's / Regent's / Southeastern / Founder's): $6,000-$17,000 |
| Spring Arbor | Private (religious) | 2 | Undergraduate Merit Scholarships: $10,000-$17,500Transfer Scholarships: $6,000-$12,000 |
| St. Thomas (MN) | Private (religious) | 1 | St. Thomas Scholarship: Up to $34,000 |
| Stonehill | Private (religious) | 1 | Catholic High School Scholarship: $25,000-$40,000 per year |
| Taylor (IN) | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Merit Grid (President / Dean / Faculty / Trustee / Director): $11,000-$21,000Transfer Scholarship: $10,000-$18,000 |
| TCU | Private (religious) | 6 | Dean's Scholarship: $32,000/yearFaculty Scholarship: $30,000/yearTCU Scholarship: $27,000/year+3 more on the school page |
| Tennessee Wesleyan | Private (religious) | 3 | TWU Freshman Merit Awards: $9,000-$17,000TWU Transfer Merit Awards: $5,000-$16,000Nursing/Dental Awards: $2,000-$14,000 |
| Texas Lutheran | Private (religious) | 7 | Regents' Scholarship: $28,000 per yearPresidential Scholarship: $26,000 per yearDistinction Scholarship: $24,000 per year+4 more on the school page |
| Texas Wesleyan | Private (religious) | 2 | See full ladder |
| The Master's University | Private (religious) | 3 | Distinguished Academic Scholarship: $10,000/yrHonors Academic Scholarship: $8,500/yrAchievement Academic Scholarship: $7,000/yr |
| Thomas More (KY) | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Scholarships (Presidential / Dean's / Thomas More Award / Parochial Promise / Transfer): $2,000-$18,000Test Score Bonus: $1,000-$4,000 |
| Truett McConnell | Private (religious) | 2 | Freshman Academic Scholarships (GPA Grid): $3,000-$9,000Transfer Academic Scholarships (GPA Grid): $3,000-$6,500 |
| UDallas | Private (religious) | 2 | Freshman Academic Achievement Scholarship (automatic merit grid): $28,000-$36,000Transfer Scholarship (automatic grid): $28,000-$35,000 |
| Union University | Private (religious) | 5 | University Scholarship (2025 Freshman Academic Award): $11,000 per year on campus / $8,000 per year off campusDean's Scholarship (2025 Freshman Academic Award): $12,000 per year on campus / $9,000 per year off campusProvost's Scholarship (2025 Freshman Academic Award): $15,000 per year on campus / $11,000 per year off campus+2 more on the school page |
| University of the Ozarks | Private (religious) | 4 | Trustee Scholarship: $14,000 per yearHurie Scholarship: $13,500 per yearPresidential Scholarship: $13,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| UProvidence | Private (religious) | 1 | Academic Merit Scholarships: $7,500-$17,000 |
| Ursuline | Private (religious) | 1 | Merit Scholarship Matrix (Presidential / Dean's / Ursuline Scholarship / Ursuline Award): $21,000-$26,000 |
| USF (San Francisco) | Private (religious) | 1 | Fall 2026 First-Year Merit Scholarships (University / Presidential / Provost / Hilltop / Ignatius / Dons / St. Francis): $17,000-$37,000 |
| Valpo | Private (religious) | 4 | Board of Directors Scholarship: $33,000Presidential Scholarship: $29,000-$31,000Beacon Scholarship: $28,000+1 more on the school page |
| Walla Walla | Private (religious) | 1 | Achievement Scholarship (GPA / ACT / SAT grids): $9,000-$15,000 |
| Warner Pacific | Private (religious) | 1 | Warner Pacific Scholarship (merit GPA grid): $1,000-$5,000 |
| Westmont | Private (religious) | 6 | The President's Scholarship: $25,000The Ruth Kerr Scholarship: $23,000The Wallace L. Emerson Scholarship: $21,000+3 more on the school page |
| Wheaton (IL) | Private (religious) | 6 | Trustee Scholarship: $25,000 per year (2026-2027)President Scholarship: $23,000 per year (2026-2027)Provost Scholarship: $20,000 per year (2026-2027)+3 more on the school page |
| William Carey | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Scholarships — First-Time Freshmen and First-Time International Students (Trustee / Presidential / Dean / Opportunity): $2,900-$10,100Academic Scholarships — Transfer Students (PTK Distinction / Presidential / Dean / Opportunity): $2,900-$9,800 |
| William Jewell | Private (religious) | 3 | First-Year Academic Scholarship (Jewell / Trustee / Presidential Scholar): $3,000-$5,000 per yearAchiever Scholarship (test-score award): $1,000-$2,000 per yearTransfer Academic Scholarship (Jewell / Trustee / Presidential Scholar): $2,000-$4,000 per year |
| Xavier (Louisiana) | Private (religious) | 4 | Xavier University Academic Scholarships: Varied amounts up to full tuition per yearBoard of Trustees Scholarship: Full tuition, mandatory student fees, and room and boardPresident's Scholarship: Full tuition and a full housing allowance+1 more on the school page |
| Xavier (OH) | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Scholarships and Awards: $23,000–$33,000 per yearMusketeer Forever Scholars: At least $30,000 per year |
| Young Harris | Private (religious) | 2 | Academic Scholarships (four merit tiers): $17,000-$21,000+1 more on the school page |
| Agnes Scott | Private | 1 | The Agnes Scott $100K+ Promise: $25,000-$32,000 per year |
| Alma | Private | 3 | First-Year Merit Grid (Presidential / Trustee / Dean's / Tartan / Alma Scholarships): $28,000-$36,000Merit Transfer Scholarships (Fall 2026 / Winter 2026): $26,000-$32,000International Merit Scholarships: $28,000-$36,000 |
| Alvernia | Private | 1 | Transfer Scholarship: $15,000 |
| American | Private | 1 | Presidential & Dean's Scholarships (general merit award): $6,000–$20,000 per year |
| Averett University | Private | 2 | Transfer Presidential Scholarship: $7,500Transfer Provost Scholarship: $5,500 |
| Beloit College | Private | 7 | Eaton Scholarship: $38,000+Presidential Scholarship 48k: Up to $48,000Trustee Transfer Scholarship Mid: $38,000++4 more on the school page |
| Bentley | Private | 1 | Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Scholarship: $5,000 |
| Brenau | Private | 2 | Academic Scholarships (Residential): $8,000-$17,500Academic Scholarships (Commuter): $6,400-$14,000 |
| Bucknell | Private | 8 | See full ladder |
| Central College | Private | 1 | Academic Scholarship (cumulative-GPA grid): $4,000-$8,000 per year |
| Centre | Private | 2 | Front and Centre Scholarship (Early Decision incentive): $20,000 total ($5,000 per year)+1 more on the school page |
| Chapman | Private | 1 | Academic Merit Scholarship: Up to $42,000 per year |
| Coe | Private | 1 | Merit Recognition Award (National Merit): Full tuition |
| Defiance | Private | 1 | Transfer Scholarship: $6,000-$13,000 |
| Drake | Private | 1 | Presidential Scholarship: $27,000–$35,000 per year |
| Drew | Private | 2 | Named Academic Scholarships (Francis Asbury, Presidential, Dean's, Drew): $15,000-$27,000 per yearTransfer Scholarship: $15,000-$23,000 per year |
| Drexel | Private | 2 | A.J. Drexel Scholarship (ED/EA round): $20,000–$35,000 per year for Early Decision and Early Action admits (Fall 2026)A.J. Drexel Scholarship (Regular Decision round): $10,000–$35,000 per year for Regular Decision admits (Fall 2026) |
| Drury | Private | 6 | Academic Scholarship (auto-renewable merit award): $18,000 to $24,000 per yearIB Diploma Scholarship (top academic tier): $24,000 per yearTransfer Presidential Scholarship: $22,000/ year+3 more on the school page |
| Eckerd | Private | 3 | Academic Achievement Scholarship (First-Year): $18,000-$27,000 per yearTransfer Scholarship: $11,000-$18,000 per year (GPA grid)International Student Grant: Up to $27,000 |
| Elon | Private | 2 | Presidential Scholarship: $8,000-$12,000 annuallyElon Engagement Scholarship: $5,000 annually, plus a one-time $2,000 grant |
| Emory | Private | 1 | National Merit Scholarship (Emory-sponsored): $2,000 per year for four years ($8,000 total) |
| Findlay | Private | 2 | Automatic Merit Scholarships (First-Year) — GPA/Test Grid: $18,500-$25,000Transfer Merit Scholarships — GPA Grid: $18,500-$25,000 |
| Florida Tech | Private | 2 | See full ladder |
| Franklin College | Private | 1 | Academic Scholarships: Up to $23,000 per year |
| Fresno Pacific | Private | 11 | Presidents Scholarship: $18,000Founders Grant: $8,000Transfer Achievement Award: $12,000+8 more on the school page |
| Furman | Private | 2 | Bell Tower Scholarship: Variable, awarded across a tier ladder based on academic achievement and potentialNational Merit Scholarship: $2,000 per year (university-sponsored, renewable) |
| Goucher | Private | 5 | Founders Award (transfer): $35,000Innovator Award (transfer): $32,000Global Citizen Award (transfer): $29,000+2 more on the school page |
| Greensboro College | Private | 2 | First-Time Freshman Merit Scholarships (Trustee / Dean / Founders / Achievement / Incentive): $1,500-$8,000+1 more on the school page |
| Grinnell | Private | 1 | Scholarship for Iowa Residents (guarantee): At least $20,000 |
| Hampden-Sydney | Private | 1 | Academic Scholarships (named ladder): $15,000-$45,000 |
| Hampton | Private | 1 | Hampton University Merit Scholarship: $10,000-$25,000 per academic year |
| Hawaii Pacific | Private | 2 | Guaranteed Scholarship and Admission Program (GSAP): $15,000 minimumTransfer Academic Merit Scholarships (GPA grid): $3,000-$11,000 |
| High Point | Private | 4 | Presidential Founders Scholarship: $40,000–Full Tuition per yearPresidential Fellowships: $12,000–$20,000 per yearPresidential Scholarships: $10,000–$17,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| Ithaca | Private | 1 | Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarships: $2,000 |
| Jacksonville University | Private | 6 | JU Academic Scholarship (First-Year) — GPA Band 1: $30,000 – $33,000 per yearJU Academic Scholarship (First-Year) — GPA Band 2: $26,000 – $29,999 per yearJU Academic Scholarship (First-Year) — GPA Band 3: $23,000 – $25,999 per year+3 more on the school page |
| Juniata | Private | 1 | National Merit Scholarship: $2,500 |
| Kalamazoo College | Private | 3 | Merit Gpa 3 9 Plus: $50,000+Merit Gpa 3 5 To 3 8: $46,000+Merit Gpa Below 3 5: $44,000 |
| Kettering | Private | 1 | Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship (transfer): $1,500 |
| Lebanon Valley | Private | 1 | LVC Merit Scholarships Guarantee (Board of Trustees / Presidential / Dean's / Alfred Tennyson Sumner): $30,000-$36,000 |
| Lehigh | Private | 1 | National Merit Scholarship: $1,000 to $2,000 per year |
| Lynchburg | Private | 5 | Hopwood Scholarship: $25,000Founder's Scholarship: $23,000Trustee Scholarship: $21,000+2 more on the school page |
| Macalester | Private | 2 | Macalester Merit Scholarship (general): Average $19,195 per year for 2025-26 (varies by recipient)Macalester College National Merit Scholarship: Macalester-sponsored National Merit award |
| MacMurray College | Private | 8 | Deans Achievement Scholarships: Up to $15,000Valedictory Scholarships: Full tuitionFounders Transfer Scholarships: Up to $12,500+5 more on the school page |
| Manchester | Private | 2 | Academic Scholarships — First-Year Students (Director's Award through Presidential Scholarship): $12,000-$24,000Academic Scholarships — Transfer Students (Director's Award through Presidential Scholarship): $12,000-$24,000 |
| Marietta | Private | 3 | First-Year Scholarships, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 (1835 Founders / Marietta Distinction / Compass / Riverside / Pioneer): $14,000-$26,000Transfer Scholarships, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: $14,000-$24,000International Scholarships, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: $14,000-$26,000 |
| Mount Union | Private | 2 | First-Year Merit Scholarships (Trustee / Founder's / Dean's / Hartshorn): $18,000-$23,000International First-Year and Transfer Merit Scholarships: $18,000-$23,000 |
| Muskingum | Private | 3 | Muskie Awards (Transfer): $5,000-$11,500+2 more on the school page |
| National Louis | Private | 1 | Baker Scholarship: Up to $1,800 ($600 per term) |
| Northeastern | Private | 2 | Dean's Scholarship: $10,000 to $25,000 per year+1 more on the school page |
| Norwich | Private | 1 | Academic Awards (Presidential / Provost / Trustee / Dean's / Academic Recognition) — Spring 2026 to Fall 2026: Up to $23,000-$30,000 |
| NYU | Private | 1 | See full ladder |
| Oberlin | Private | 2 | Oberlin Midwest Merit Scholarship: $25,000 per year ($100,000 over four years)Oberlin Commitment Scholarship: $10,000 per year |
| Olin College | Private | 1 | Olin Tuition Scholarship: $10,000 |
| Pacific (OR) | Private | 1 | Pacific Merit Scholarships (Academic Scholarships): Up to $40,000 |
| Randolph College | Private | 3 | The WildCat Commitment (first-year students): At least $14,000 (plus up to $5,000 more based on GPA)The WildCat Commitment to International Students: At least $14,000 (plus up to $5,000 more based on GPA)+1 more on the school page |
| Robert Morris (PA) | Private | 4 | RMU Merit Scholarships — Undergraduate first-year applicants (Fall 2026): $11,000-$28,000RMU Merit Scholarships — Undergraduate transfer applicants (Fall 2026): $10,000-$20,000International Student Scholarships — International Freshman Applicants: $11,000-$28,000+1 more on the school page |
| Roger Williams | Private | 1 | Academic Excellence Award: $1,000 |
| Rollins College | Private | 6 | Alonzo Rollins Scholarship: Up to $30,000Achievement Scholarship: Up to $15,000Centennial Scholarship: Up to $24,000+3 more on the school page |
| Trevecca | Private | 3 | Speicher Scholarship: $10,000Strickland Scholarship: $12,000Dunning Scholarship: $14,000 |
| Trinity (TX) | Private | 5 | Trustees' Scholarship: $18,000 – $30,000 annuallyMurchison Scholarship: $18,000 – $30,000 annuallyDean's Scholarship: Merit award; Trinity does not publish a specific dollar amount publicly.+2 more on the school page |
| Tulane | Private | 1 | Admission-Based Merit Scholarship (partial, automatic): Up to $32,000 per year |
| Tuskegee | Private | 8 | Distinguished Presidential Scholarship: Full tuition, room/board, fees, and $300 eBook voucherUniversity Merit Scholarship: Full tuitionUniversity Achievement Scholarship: $10,000+5 more on the school page |
| UMHB | Private | 4 | Vice Presidents Scholarship: $64,000Presidents Scholarship: $76,000Deans Scholarship: $44,000+1 more on the school page |
| UNE (Maine) | Private | 4 | Merit Scholarship — Incoming First-Year Students: $13,000-$28,000Merit Scholarship — Incoming Transfer Students: $9,000-$24,000Merit Scholarship — Incoming Accelerated B.S. in Nursing Students: $10,000-$20,000+1 more on the school page |
| UPIKE | Private | 1 | GPA Scholarships (Trustee Excellence Scholarship / Provost Leadership Award / Dean Service Award / Appalachian Academic Achievement / Mountain Merit Award): $3,000-$8,000 |
| USC | Private | 1 | See full ladder |
| Wabash | Private | 1 | Wabash Merit-Based Scholarships (President's / Dean's / Alumni automatic GPA grid): $21,000-$34,000 |
| Whitworth | Private | 3 | Academic Achievement 3 9 Gpa: $9,000Academic Achievement 3 6 Gpa: $6,000Academic Achievement 3 3 Gpa: $3,000 |
| William Peace | Private | 2 | First Time in College Merit Scholarships: $13,000-$22,000Transfer Merit Scholarships: $10,000-$16,000 |
Automatic merit scholarships by state
Building a state-focused college list? These pages break the table above out by state, listing every school there with a published automatic-merit tier, from the same verified data:
- Automatic merit scholarships in Alabama (13 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Arkansas (11 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in California (13 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Colorado (6 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Florida (14 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Georgia (12 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Illinois (7 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Indiana (13 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Iowa (7 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Kansas (5 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Kentucky (15 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Louisiana (10 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Massachusetts (5 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Michigan (11 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Minnesota (11 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Mississippi (6 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Missouri (12 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Montana (7 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in New York (13 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in North Carolina (9 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Ohio (18 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Oklahoma (10 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Oregon (9 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Pennsylvania (19 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in South Carolina (12 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Tennessee (11 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Texas (21 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Virginia (13 schools)
- Automatic merit scholarships in Washington (10 schools)
Schools where automatic merit does not exist
Understanding where automatic merit does not exist is as important as knowing where it does. The following schools either award zero institutional merit or award merit only through competitive processes:
Need-only schools: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, and most Ivy League institutions do not award merit aid. A 4.0 GPA and a 1600 SAT do not produce an institutional merit scholarship at these schools. All institutional aid is need-based.
Competitive-only merit schools:Wake Forest awards merit to fewer than 3% of freshmen through a competition-based process. Emory awards the Woodruff Scholarship (full COA) through a Scholars Weekend competition for roughly 175 finalists selected from 8,000+ applicants. Boston College’s Gabelli Presidential Scholarship goes to approximately 15 to 18 students per year. At these schools, there is no published formula. Merit is a selection decision, not a calculation. For families building a college list optimized for merit aid, these schools belong in the “reach” column for merit, regardless of the student’s stats.
How to use automatic merit in college list building
The single biggest strategic advantage of automatic merit is predictability. You can calculate, before you apply, the minimum institutional scholarship your student will receive at a given school. That changes the entire list-building calculation.
For most middle-income families (household income $100,000 to $200,000), need-based aid at most schools will be modest or zero. Merit is the primary discount lever. A college list with zero automatic-merit schools means every financial aid package is a surprise in April. A college list with three or four automatic-merit schools means the family has a known floor before application season starts.
The practical approach: identify the automatic-merit schools where your student’s GPA and test score clear the published threshold for a meaningful tier. Calculate the net price at each one (published COA minus the automatic tier amount). Compare that number to the NPC estimate at schools without automatic merit. The gap between the calculated number and the estimated number tells you exactly how much uncertainty each school adds to your financial plan.
Renewal and stacking rules to verify
Automatic merit scholarships are typically renewable for four years, but renewal requirements vary. Alabama requires a 3.0 GPA for most tiers. Case Western Reserve has an unusually low 2.0 renewal threshold. Villanova’s Presidential Scholarship requires a 3.33 GPA with a graduated probation system. Always verify the renewal GPA, the credit-hour requirement, and whether the school offers a probation period or immediate forfeiture.
Stacking is the other critical question. At most automatic-merit schools, the institutional scholarship stacks with federal aid (Pell Grant, federal loans) and state aid up to the school’s published Cost of Attendance. Whether it stacks with outside scholarships depends on the school’s displacement policy. At Alabama, outside scholarships can reduce the institutional tier once the total crosses COA. At Ole Miss, loans get reduced first. Know the stacking rules before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Do automatic merit scholarships require a separate application?
No. That is the defining feature. You apply for admission, and if your stats meet the published threshold, the award is included in your financial aid package automatically. Some schools require you to apply by a specific deadline (early action, for example) to be considered for the top tiers, but there is no separate scholarship essay or application form.
Can I get automatic merit at a test-optional school without submitting test scores?
At most automatic-merit schools, the published tiers require a test score. If you do not submit one, you may still receive a holistic merit award, but it will not follow the published automatic formula. At Pepperdine, the Regents Scholars Program explicitly requires test scores even though admission is test-optional. If your student has a strong SAT or ACT, submitting it at automatic-merit schools is almost always the right financial move, even if the school does not require it for admission.
What happens if my GPA qualifies for one tier but my test score qualifies for a different tier?
Most schools use the lower of the two tiers, meaning both the GPA and the test score must meet the threshold for a given tier. A student with a 4.0 GPA and a 1200 SAT at Alabama will receive the tier that corresponds to the 1200 SAT band, not the 4.0 GPA band. Some schools use a combined index, which can split the difference. Check the specific school’s published criteria.
Are automatic merit scholarships available to transfer students?
Rarely. Most automatic merit tiers are limited to incoming first-year students. Transfer students at public flagships may qualify for separate transfer-specific scholarships, but these are usually smaller and less predictable. Alabama, for example, publishes transfer merit tiers, but they cover a narrower range than the freshman tiers.
MeritPlaybook identifies every automatic merit tier your student qualifies for across your target list of up to five schools, calculates the net price at each school, and shows you where the stacking rules help or hurt. Delivered under 5 minutes. Start a personalized playbook, or see a real sample playbook first.