What are your chances of acceptance?

Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Duke University
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 UCLA
UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores in 2023

What’s Covered

 

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.


Short Bio
Laura Berlinsky-Schine is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn with her demigod/lab mix Hercules. She specializes in education, technology and career development. She also writes satire and humor, which has appeared in Slackjaw, Points in Case, Little Old Lady Comedy, Jane Austen’s Wastebasket, and Funny-ish. View her work and get in touch at: www.lauraberlinskyschine.com.