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Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores in 2023
What’s Covered
- Don’t Forget the National Merit Scholarship
- Automatic College Scholarships Awarded Based on SAT/ACT Scores
- How Does Your SAT/ACT Score Impact Your Chances of Acceptance?
Merit scholarships, which are awarded based on academic excellence or excellence in other areas, can go a long way in reducing your college attendance costs. While many outside scholarships require you to submit essays or other materials to be considered for an award, some offer them automatically based on factors such as your GPA or SAT/ACT scores.
Here’s a list of colleges that offer scholarships automatically based on test scores. (Note: These scholarships are generally awarded based on SAT or ACT scores, but many also require a certain minimum GPA).
Don’t Forget the National Merit Scholarship
You can automatically qualify for generous scholarships if you get a top score on the PSAT in your junior year.
Applicants with top 1% scores in their state are given National Merit Semifinalist status, and can compete for finalist status and scholarships of $2,500. In addition to the $2,500 awards that the roughly 7,500 National Merit Scholarship winners receive, some colleges grant additional scholarships if you list them as your first choice on your National Merit materials.
For example, National Merit Finalists get a full-ride scholarship at University of Alabama, and National Merit Semifinalists get full tuition at Washington State University.
Automatic College Scholarships Awarded Based on SAT/ACT Scores
1. Alabama State University
Presidential Academic Scholarship: Full Ride
Requirements: 3.76 GPA and 26 ACT or 1240 SAT
Academic Excellence Scholarship: Full Tuition Plus (tuition plus additional fees and books)
Requirements: 3.51 GPA and 22 ACT or 1160 SAT
Academic Incentive Scholarship: Full Tuition Plus (tuition plus $500 for books)
Requirements: 3.00 GPA and 20 ACT or 1020 SAT
2. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
George W. Gore: Amount varies
Requirements: 1330 SAT or 29 ACT (including a 650 on the SAT math section or 29 on the ACT Math subject area)
Presidential Special Scholarship: Amount varies
Requirements: 1220 SAT or 27 ACT (including a 600 on the SAT math section or 27 on the ACT Math subject area)
3. Florida Gulf Coast University
President’s Gold: $5,000 per year
Requirements: 3.9 GPA and 1320 SAT; Florida residency
President’s Silver: $3,000 per year
Requirements: 3.5 GPA and 1220 SAT; Florida residency
Blue and Green Scholars (non-residents): $15,000 per year
Requirements: 3.9 GPA and 1320 SAT
Blue and Green Directors (non-residents): $10,000 per year
Requirements: 3.5 GPA and 1220 SAT
4. Georgia State University
Presidential Scholarship: Up to $28,303 per year
Second Century: $3,000 per year
1913 Founders: $2,000 per year
GSU Excellence: $1,000 per year
GSU Achievement: $1,000 one time
GSU Foundation: $500 one time
Eligibility requirements are not available. However, the school offers several automatic scholarships based on academic excellence on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Howard University
HU Presidential Scholarship
HU Founders Scholarship
HU Capstone Scholarship
HU Leadership Scholarship
HU Opportunity Grant
HU Access Grant
Eligibility requirements and award amounts are not available. However, Howard University’s merit-based awards are determined based on students’ SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA.
6. Idaho State University
Presidential: $7,500 per year
Requirements: 3.0+ GPA and 32 ACT or 1420 SAT; Idaho residency
Smaller awards are available for lower ACT and GPA combinations, ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 per year. The merit-based scholarships at Idaho State University are for in-state students only.
7. Louisiana Tech University
Many scholarships are available starting at $2,000 for 23-24 ACT and 3.0-3.749 GPA. The highest scholarships available is the:
Presidential: $9,000 or $9,500
Requirements: 33+ ACT or 1450-1600 SAT with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.749 GPA for $9,000 or 3.75 to 4.0 for $9,500
Smaller awards are available for lower ACT and GPA combinations.
8. Michigan Technological University
Presidential Scholars Program: $1,000 to $5,500 per year
The school automatically awards students based on a combination of their high school academic record, including cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT score. The minimum GPA required for scholarship consideration is a 3.50. The minimum eligible standardized test score is a 1110 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT. You can estimate your award amount on the scholarship page.
9. Ohio State University
Maximus, Provost, and Trustees Scholarships: $1,000 to $3,000 per year
National Buckeye Scholarship (out-of-state): $13,500 per year
Eligibility requirements are not available. However, the school seeks to admit highly competitive students, as demonstrated through grade point average, class rank, the rigor of high school curriculum, and ACT or SAT scores.
10. Texas State University
President’s Honor Scholarship: $48,000
Requirements: 1420+ SAT or 32+ ACT and top 25% of graduating class or IB diploma or AP Capstone Diploma
Renewal criteria:
3.25 Cumulative Texas State GPA
Complete 28 passing Texas State hours/year (fall/spring)
Undergraduate status
Texas State Achievement Scholarship: $24,000 to $32,000
Requirements: 1160 to 1410 SAT or 24 to 31 ACT and top 25% of graduating class or IB diploma or AP Capstone Diploma
(Renewable pending same criteria as above)
Smaller awards are available for lower ACT and GPA combinations.
11. Texas Tech University
Presidential Scholarships: These awards are automatic and are guaranteed for applicants who apply by December 1 and are admitted by May 1.
Requirements: 1000+ SAT for students in the top 10% of their class; required class rank drops as SAT score goes up.
12. Tuskegee University
Distinguished Presidential: Full tuition, room/board, and $800 books
Requirements: 3.7 GPA and 1300-1420+ SAT or 28-32+ ACT
University Merit: Full tuition and $800 books
Requirements: 3.5 GPA and 1200-1290 SAT or 25-27 ACT
Additional scholarships are available for up to 2.8 GPA and 1030 SAT or 20 ACT.
13. University of Alabama – Huntsville
UAH Presidential (in-state): Full tuition and housing
Requirements: 4.0+ GPA and 36 ACT or 1600 SAT
UAH Presidential (out-of-state): Full tuition and housing
Requirements: 4.0+ GPA and 36 ACT or 1600 SAT
Additional scholarships are available for GPAs starting at 3.00 and 25 ACT or 1200 SAT.
14. University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa
Presidential Scholar: Full Tuition/$28,000 per year for out-of-state residents
Requirements: 3.50+ GPA, 30-36 ACT or 1360-1600 SAT
Presidential Elite Scholar: Full Tuition plus 1-year housing, $1k stipend-4 years,$2k summer research/study abroad, $500/yr books
Requirements: 4.0 GPA, 36 ACT or 1600 SAT
Additional scholarships are available for GPAs starting at 3.00 and test scores of at least 27 ACT or 1260 SAT.
15. University of Arizona
Resident Wildcat Awards: $750 to $12,500
Requirements: The highest awards go to students with 4.0+ GPA and 1420+ SAT scores
Non-Resident Arizona Awards: $1,000-$32,000
Requirements: The highest awards go to students with 4.0+ GPA and 1420+ SAT scores
16. University of Louisiana – Monroe
President’s Distinguished: $10,000 + Study Abroad + iPad
Requirements: 3.7 GPA and 33-36 ACT
Smaller awards are available for lower ACT and GPA combinations.
17. University of Mississippi
Residents: $1,000 to $9,072
Requirements: 3.0 GPA and 23 ACT or SAT equivalent
Non-Residents: $1,000 to $9,072 plus up to $16,272 towards non-resident fee
Requirements: 3.0 GPA and 25 ACT or SAT equivalent
18. University of Missouri
Various scholarships are automatically awarded to applicants with certain SAT/ACT and GPA combinations. The highest scholarship award for in-state applicants is $7,200 per academic year. Awards for out-of-state applicants can reach $22,500 per year. Smaller awards are available for lower SAT/ACT and GPA combinations.
19. Utah State University
Residents: From $1,000 per year to 100% resident tuition & student fees for four years
Requirements: Awards granted based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and GPA
Non-Residents: From $11,500 per year to 100% tuition & student fees for four years
Requirements: Awards granted based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and GPA
20. University of Tennessee
Residents: $9,000
Requirements: 1490 SAT or 34 ACT, plus a 3.8 GPA
Non-Residents: $18,000
Requirements: 1490 SAT or 34 ACT, plus a 3.0 GPA
Smaller awards are available for lower SAT/ACT and GPA combinations.
21. University of Texas – Arlington
Presidential Honors Scholarship: $12,000
Requirements: 1500 SAT or 34 ACT and in the top 5% of high school class
Presidential Scholarship: $10,000
Requirements: 1400 SAT or 31 ACT and in the top 15% of high school class
Maverik Academic Scholarship: $1,000 to $8,000
Requirements: 1280 SAT or 27 ACT and in the top 25% of high school class
22. University of Kentucky
Provost Scholarship (in-state): $2,500 to $5,000
Requirements: 3.30 GPA and 26 ACT/1230 SAT for $2,500 or 3.30 GPA and 28 ACT/1300 SAT for $5,000
Bluegrass Spirit (out-of-state): $8,000 to $12,500
Requirements: 3.00 GPA and 25 ACT/1200 SAT for $8,000, 3.50 GPA and 25 ACT/1200 SAT for $10,000, or 3.50 GPA and 30 ACT/1360 SAT for $12,500
23. University of Wyoming
The Cowboy Commitment: $6,500 per year
Requirements: Have a combination of a 3.4-4.0 GPA and 1390+ SAT/31+ ACT. See this sliding scale to determine where your combination of GPA and test scores falls.
Smaller awards are available for lower SAT/ACT and GPA combinations, ranging from $500 to $3,500 per year. The Cowboy Commitment is for in-state students only. Non-resident students will receive the Brown and Gold Commitment, ranging from $2,500 to $12,750.
24. Middle Tennessee State University
Century Scholarship: $6,000 per academic year
Requirements: 34-36 ACT or SAT equivalent and 3.5+ GPA
Lightning Scholarship: $3,000 per academic year
Requirements: 30-33 ACT or SAT equivalent and 3.5+ GPA
Blue Raider Scholarship: $2,500 per academic year
Requirements: 25-29 ACT or SAT equivalent and 3.5+ GPA
Future Alumni Scholarship: $1,500 per academic year
Requirements: 22-24 ACT or SAT equivalent and 3.5+ GPA
25. University of Oklahoma
Various scholarships for in-state and out-of-state applicants, ranging between $8,000 to $60,000 for four academic years. The minimum requirements for the smallest scholarship are a combination of a 24-27 ACT/1160-1290 SAT and either a 3.25 GPA or top 10% class rank.
How Does Your SAT/ACT Score Impact Your Chances of Acceptance?
Colleges measure the strength of your academic profile using the Academic Index. The Academic Index measures your GPA and standardized test scores, including the SAT and ACT. Many selective schools will reject applicants who don’t have a high enough Academic Index before even looking at their application (though this has changed somewhat with test-optional policies).
In light of this, it’s critical to have a competitive ACT or SAT score to receive merit-based scholarships and gain admission into top-rated schools. To see how your test scores impact your admissions chances, you can use CollegeVine’s free Admissions Calculator. This tool considers your GPA, extracurriculars, test scores, and more to determine your personal chances at your dream school. Plus, it will offer you tips on how you can improve your profile to increase your chances of acceptance!
You may also want to enter the $2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship. All you have to do is create a free CollegeVine account, or fill out your chancing profile if you already have one. Awards are paid out directly to students to cover educational costs.
