Laura Berlinsky-Schine November 3, 2021 6 11th Grade,12th Grade,Scholarships

Which Colleges Award Automatic Scholarships Based On SAT Scores?

What’s Covered

• A Word About The National Merit Scholarship
• Opportunity Scholarships From the PSAT/NMSQT
• 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. Also, many schools are considering students for academic scholarships without test scores for the 2022-2023 school year due to the pandemic).

A Word About the National Merit Scholarship

Top 1% scorers on the PSAT by 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 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, Iowa State offers full tuition, while Michigan State offers a full ride to these individuals. Some colleges, such as Washington State, even offer additional scholarships to National Merit finalists and semifinalists.

For more information about National Merit, see our post: What is National Merit? How do I Qualify? 

Opportunity Scholarships From the PSAT/NMSQT

Junior and senior high schoolers living in the U.S. and its territories may also qualify for College Board Opportunity Scholarships. Comprised of six steps, this scholarship is designed to help students plan, prepare, and pay for school. Students may earn multiple chances to enter, and the organization gives out awards through monthly drawings. Below are the steps for earning money toward college:

1. Build Your College List: $500
2. Practice for the SAT: $1,000
3. Improve Your Score: $2,000
4. Strengthen Your College List: $500
5. Complete the FAFSA: $1,000
6. Apply to Colleges: $1,000
7. Complete Your Journey: $40,000

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 1190 SAT

Academic Incentive Scholarship: Full Tuition Plus (tuition plus $500 for books)

Requirements: 3.00 GPA and 20 ACT or 1020 SAT

2. Baylor University

President’s Gold Scholarship: $20,000-22,000

Provost’s Gold Scholarship: $17,000-19,000

Dean’s Gold Scholarship: $15,000-16,000

Founder’s Gold Scholarship: $8,000-13,000

Requirements for all: Varies; estimate using this calculator.

3. Clemson University

Trustee Scholarship (in-state residents): $1,000

Requirements: Top 10% of class and 1270 SAT or 27 ACT

Trustee Scholarship (out-of-state residents): $7,500

Requirements: Top 10% and 1360 SAT or 29 ACT

(higher amounts available for higher scores; renewable)

4. Colorado State University

Residents: $1,000 to $4,000

Requirements: 3.6 to 4.0 GPA and 1260 to 1450 SAT

Non-Residents: $5,000 to $10,000

Requirements: 3.20 to 4.0 GPA and 1130 to 1330 SAT

5. 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)

6. Florida Gulf Coast University

President’s Gold: $5,000

Requirements: 3.9 GPA and 1320 SAT

President’s Silver: $3,000

Requirements: 3.5 GPA and 1220 SAT

Blue and Green Scholars (non-residents): $15,000

Requirements: 3.9 GPA and 1320 SAT

Blue and Green Directors (non-residents): $10,000

Requirements: 3.5 GPA and 1220 SAT

7. 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.

8. Howard University

HU Presidential Scholarship

HU Founders Scholarship

HU Capstone Scholarship

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.

9. Idaho State University

Presidential: $7,872 per year

Requirements: 3.90+ GPA and 32 ACT or 1420 SAT

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.

10. 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.

11. Michigan Technological University

Presidential Scholars Program: $1,000 to $5,500 per year 

Eligibility requirements are not available. However, the school automatically awards students based on a combination of their high school academic record, including cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT score. You can estimate your scholarship amount here.

12. 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 evaluates highly competitive students, as demonstrated through grade point average, class rank, the rigor of high school curriculum, and ACT or SAT scores.

13. 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

Renewable pending:

3.25 Cumulative Texas State GPA

Complete 28 passing Texas State hours/year (fall/spring)

Undergraduate status

Texas Achievement Scholarship: $24,000 to $32,000

Requirements: 1330 to 1410 SAT or 29 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.

14. Texas Tech University

Presidential Scholarships: These awards are automatic and are guaranteed for applicants who apply by December 1 and are admitted by April 15.

Requirements: 1100+ SAT for students in the top 20% of their class; required class rank drops as SAT score goes up.

15. 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.

16. University of Alabama – Huntsville

UAH Presidential (in-state): $9,730

Requirements: 4.0+ GPA and 36 ACT or 1600 SAT

UAH Presidential (out-of-state): $22,126

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.

17. University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa

Presidential Scholar: Full Tuition/$25,000 for out-of-state residents

Requirements: 3.5 GPA, 32-36 ACT or 1420-1600 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

18. 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-$35,000

Requirements: The highest awards go to students with 4.0+ GPA and 1420+ SAT scores.

19. University of Louisiana – Monroe

President’s Distinguished: $10,000 + Study Abroad + iPad

Requirements: GPA 3.7 and 33-36 ACT

Smaller awards are available for lower ACT and GPA combinations.

20. University of Mississippi

Residents: $1,000 to $8,934

Requirements: 3.0 GPA and 1130 to 1450+ SAT

Non-Residents: $1,000 to $8,934 plus up to $16,272 towards non-resident fee

Requirements: 3.0 GPA and 1200 to 1450+ SAT

21. University of Missouri

Mizzou Scholars Award: $10,000

Requirements: Must be a state resident and have a 1450 SAT

Chancellor’s Award: $6,500

Requirements: Must be a state resident and have a 1390 SAT

Curators Award: $4,500

Requirements: Must be a state resident and have a 1300 SAT

Excellence Award: $3,000

Requirements: Must be a state resident and have a 1200 SAT

Mark Twain Scholarship: $7,000 to $15,000

Requirements: For non-residents with a 1260-1360 SAT

Black & Gold Scholarship: $7,919 to $15,838

Requirements: For non-residents with a 1200-1260 SAT

Border State Scholars: $2,500

Requirements: Must have 1200-1350 SAT and live in a state bordering Missouri

22. University of Oregon

Summit: $24,000 ($40,00 for out-of-state)

Requirements: 3.90 GPA

Apex: $12,000 ($30,000 for out-of-state)

Requirements: 3.70 GPA

23. Utah State University

Residents: From $3,000 per year for two years to 100% Resident Tuition & Student Fees for four years

Requirements: Awards granted based on academic stats, from a 3.0 GPA and 900 SAT to 4.0 GPA and 1600 SAT

Non-Residents: From $15,000 for one year to 100% Tuition & Student Fees for four years

Requirements: Awards granted based on academic stats, from a 3.4 GPA and 900 SAT to 4.0 GPA and 1600 SAT

24. University of Nevada at Las Vegas

President’s Award: $11,000

Requirements: 1130 SAT or 23 ACT and a 3.75 GPA

Provost’s Award: $9,000

Requirements: 1130 SAT or 23 ACT and a 3.5 GPA

Dean’s Award: $7,000

Requirements: 1130 SAT or 23 ACT and a 3.25 GPA

25. 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 ACT and GPA combinations.

26. University of Texas – Arlington

Presidential Honors Scholarship: $12,000

Requirements: 1450 SAT or 33 ACT and in the top 10% of high school class

Presidential Scholarship: $10,000

Requirements: 1350 SAT or 29 ACT and in the top 20% of high school class

Maverik Academic Scholarship: $2,000 to $8,000

Requirements: 1100 SAT or 23 ACT and in the top 50% of high school class

27. University of Kentucky

Provost Scholarship (in-state): $2,500 to $5,000

Requirements: 3.30 GPA and 26 ACT or 1230 SAT for $2,500 or 3.30 GPA and 28 ACT or 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

28. University of Wyoming

The Cowboy Commitment: $6,500 per year

Requirements: Ranges from 3.4 to 4.0 GPA, 1390+ SAT and 31+ ACT. See this sliding scale to determine where your combination of GPA and test scores fall.

Smaller awards are available for lower 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 $12,240.

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 earn acceptance 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!