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What Are Scholarships for Arizona State?
Scholarships for Arizona State are financial awards given to incoming freshmen, current undergraduates, graduate students, and online learners at Arizona State University (ASU) to help reduce the cost of tuition and college expenses. Scholarships for Arizona State are available every year from ASU itself, the Arizona state government, private donors, academic departments, and external organizations. About 80% of all ASU students — including online students — receive some form of financial aid each academic term. Scholarships for Arizona State do not need to be repaid, making them the most valuable form of financial assistance available to students. Whether you are an Arizona resident, an out-of-state applicant, an international student, or a military veteran, there are scholarships for Arizona State open to you. The key is knowing where to look, what you qualify for, and how to apply before deadlines close each cycle.
If you searched “scholarships for Arizona State,” you are likely one of the following:
- A high school senior who has been admitted to ASU and wants to reduce tuition costs before enrolling
- A current ASU undergraduate looking for awards to renew or supplement existing aid
- A parent researching financial aid options for a child attending ASU
- A graduate student or transfer student seeking funding at Arizona State University
- An international student exploring merit-based awards available at ASU
This guide covers all of these situations in detail, updated with the latest information so it remains useful each academic year.
Before reading further, you may also want to explore our full guide on United States Scholarships on LicensureHub and our resource on Undergraduate Scholarships to find awards that pair well with ASU-specific funding.
ASU Merit-Based Scholarships (New American University Scholarships)
The flagship merit scholarship program at ASU is called the New American University (NAU) Scholarship. Arizona State University awards these merit scholarships to incoming first-year students with outstanding academic abilities, and admitted students are automatically reviewed for them — no separate application is needed.
ASU merit scholarships are awarded based on a combination of your high school GPA in core competencies, the number of those competencies completed, and the degree program, residency, and campus you are admitted to. ACT or SAT scores are not required.
The scholarship tiers are structured by academic achievement level:
| Scholarship Tier | Typical Eligibility | Award Type |
|---|---|---|
| National Scholar Award | Highest academic performers / National Merit Finalists | Up to full tuition |
| President’s Award | GPA 3.0+ (out-of-state) | Partial tuition |
| Provost’s Award | GPA 3.5+ | Partial tuition |
| Dean’s Award | GPA 4.0 | Partial tuition |
| University Award | General merit | Partial tuition |
The New American University Scholarship for in-state residents can range from a $1,000 one-time award to full tuition for National Merit Finalists. For out-of-state residents, ASU offers the President’s Award, Provost’s Award, and Dean’s Award.
Renewal Requirements: To renew the scholarship, students must maintain full-time enrollment of at least 9 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative ASU GPA of 3.00.
Need-Based Scholarships for Arizona State Students
Beyond merit awards, ASU offers significant need-based scholarships for students who demonstrate financial hardship. These are funded through a combination of state appropriations, federal programs, and private donors.
Barack Obama Scholars Program
The Barack Obama Scholars Program helps eligible Arizona residents cover estimated direct costs, including tuition, undergraduate college fees (including the Barrett Honors College fee), student-initiated fees, and a portion of housing, food, books, course materials, supplies, and equipment for up to four years. This is one of the most comprehensive need-based scholarships for Arizona State students currently open to Arizona residents each year.
Arizona Promise Scholarship
The Arizona Promise Scholarship helps eligible Arizona residents cover remaining tuition and fee costs not covered by other gift aid for up to four years. Students must qualify for the federal Pell Grant to be considered for this award.
ASU Commitment Scholarship
The ASU Commitment Scholarship is automatically offered at the time of admission to students who are first-time, first-year out-of-state U.S. citizens enrolling at ASU the semester immediately after high school graduation, admitted and enrolled full-time in an undergraduate on-campus program, and whose family income is no higher than $200,000.
Department and College-Specific Scholarships at ASU
Every college and academic department at ASU awards its own scholarships each year. These are separate from the university-wide merit scholarships and require students to search and apply independently through ASU’s Scholarship Universe platform.
Examples of department-level awards currently open or recurring annually include:
- W.P. Carey School of Business Scholarships — merit-based awards for incoming business freshmen with minimum GPAs typically around 3.6
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Scholarships — awarded to students pursuing engineering degrees who demonstrate both academic excellence and leadership
- Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Awards — creative talent and GPA-based scholarships
- Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Awards — for students pursuing education degrees, with FAFSA required
- College of Health Solutions Scholarships — for students entering health-related disciplines
ASU departments and external groups use the Scholarship Universe platform to post opportunities throughout the academic year, so a completed profile remains useful during your entire time at ASU.
How to Find Department Scholarships:
- Log in to ASU’s Scholarship Universe at asu.scholarshipuniverse.com
- Complete your full academic and demographic profile
- Use the “Scholarships” tab and apply filters by college or department
- Check back regularly as new awards are posted every term
A wide range of external organizations offer scholarships to ASU students, including companies, nonprofits, community groups, and professional organizations. All external scholarships listed in ASU’s Scholarship Universe are vetted.
Nationally competitive awards that ASU students frequently apply for and win include:
- Flinn Scholars Program — a highly competitive merit scholarship awarded to Arizona resident undergraduates who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership in high school and plan to attend one of the three state universities.
- Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) — enables students at ASU from states like New Mexico, Utah, and California to earn their degrees while paying 150% of in-state tuition, effectively functioning as a tuition reduction scholarship
- QuestBridge National College Match — full-ride scholarship available to high-achieving low-income students matched to ASU and other partner schools (see our QuestBridge Scholarships guide on LicensureHub)
- National Merit Scholarship — National Merit Finalists who select ASU as their first-choice institution receive a full-tuition award annually
- Bold.org Scholarships — exclusive scholarships available specifically to Arizona State University students through the Bold.org platform
Scholarships for Special Student Groups at ASU
ASU maintains dedicated scholarship programs for specific student populations that receive awards each year:
Military and Veteran Students
Special scholarships, tuition waivers, and programs are available to military students, their spouses, and children at Arizona State University. The ASU Foundation also maintains a dedicated fund to provide scholarship support to veterans attending the W.P. Carey School of Business.
Foster Youth
ASU and the state of Arizona offer programs to help current and former foster youth who meet certain criteria with college costs, and these financial awards do not require repayment.
American Indian Students
Funding for American Indian students is available through special scholarship and need-based programs at Arizona State University. The ASU Indian Legal Program also receives philanthropic scholarship support.
International Students
ASU’s New American University merit-based scholarship is awarded to a limited number of qualified international undergraduate students who demonstrate high academic achievement, as international students do not qualify for federal and state financial aid.
Global Education / Study Abroad Students
ASU’s Global Education Office awards over $2 million in scholarships annually, including the GEO Go Global Grant ($2,500 based on financial need), GEO Merit Scholarship ($2,000 based on academic performance), and GEO Access Scholarship ($2,000 for ASU Online students based on financial need and academic performance).
Comparison Table: Top Scholarships for Arizona State Students
| Scholarship Name | Award Type | Resident Requirement | Amount | Auto-Considered? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New American University – National Scholar | Merit | In-state or OOS | Up to full tuition | Yes |
| New American University – President’s Award | Merit | Out-of-state | Partial tuition | Yes |
| ASU Commitment Scholarship | Merit + Need | Out-of-state | Varies | Yes |
| Barack Obama Scholars Program | Need-Based | Arizona resident | Covers most direct costs | No |
| Arizona Promise Scholarship | Need-Based | Arizona resident | Remaining tuition/fees | No |
| Flinn Scholars Program | Merit | Arizona resident | Full scholarship + stipend | No |
| GEO Go Global Grant | Need-Based | All ASU students | $2,500 | No |
| National Merit Scholarship at ASU | Merit | Any | Full tuition | No |
| W.P. Carey Business Scholarships | Merit | All | Varies | No |
| Foster Youth Programs | Need-Based | AZ foster youth | Tuition + fees | No |
| WUE Tuition Exchange | Residency-Based | Select western states | 150% in-state rate | Admission-based |
| Military/Veteran Waivers | Service-Based | Military-connected | Varies | No |
How to Apply for Scholarships at Arizona State
Applying for scholarships at Arizona State is a structured, multi-step process. Here is a clear pathway to follow each year:
Step 1 — Submit Your FAFSA
The first step to receiving a scholarship is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a single application required to qualify for most scholarships, grants, and other types of financial aid. ASU’s Federal School Code is 001081.
Step 2 — Apply for Admission to ASU
Admitted students are automatically reviewed for ASU merit scholarships through May 1 each year. This means applying for admission early is critical to maximizing your scholarship opportunity.
Step 3 — Create Your Scholarship Universe Profile
Visit Scholarship Universe, log in with your ASURITE User ID and password, complete your student profile to be matched with scholarships, and use the “Scholarships” tab to find and apply for opportunities. Regularly check for new matches and track your application status.
Step 4 — Apply for Department and External Scholarships
Search Scholarship Universe filters, contact your academic department’s scholarship coordinator, and apply to external platforms like Bold.org, Fastweb, and national scholarship databases.
Step 5 — Monitor Renewal Requirements
To remain eligible each year, students must maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum cumulative ASU GPA of 3.00.
Learn everything about completing the FAFSA correctly at Federal Student Aid — studentaid.gov.
Explore the official ASU Scholarship Universe portal at ASU Financial Aid & Scholarships.
What People Also Ask About ASU Scholarships
These are the top questions people search on Google when looking for scholarships for Arizona State:
Q: Does Arizona State University give scholarships to out-of-state students?
Yes. ASU offers the New American University Scholarship to both in-state and out-of-state students based on academic merit. Out-of-state students may receive the President’s Award, Provost’s Award, or Dean’s Award depending on their GPA. The ASU Commitment Scholarship is also exclusively for out-of-state first-year students with a family income under $200,000.
Q: What GPA do you need for an ASU scholarship?
ASU’s New American University Scholar program offers several different merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen. The President’s Award requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while the more competitive Provost’s Award and Dean’s Award require GPAs of 3.5 and 4.0 respectively.
Q: Are there scholarships for ASU online students?
Online students at Arizona State University are eligible for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid, though most non-degree-seeking students are not eligible. The GEO Access Scholarship is available specifically to ASU Online students participating in Global Education programs.
Q: How much scholarship money can ASU students get?
Award amounts vary widely. The amount of money awarded by scholarships varies greatly, from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars, and there is no limit to the number of scholarships a student can apply for or be awarded. National Merit Finalists can receive up to full tuition coverage annually.
Q: Can international students get scholarships at ASU?
Yes, in limited circumstances. ASU offers New American University merit-based scholarships to a limited number of qualified international undergraduate students who demonstrate high academic achievement.
Q: When does ASU award scholarships?
Merit scholarships are awarded automatically at the point of admission each year, typically for students who apply and are admitted before May 1. Department and external scholarships have rolling deadlines posted throughout the year on Scholarship Universe.
Q: Does ASU offer full-ride scholarships?
Yes. National Merit Scholars and recipients of the Flinn Scholars Program can receive full-ride scholarships at ASU. The Barack Obama Scholars Program also covers nearly all direct costs for qualifying Arizona residents.
Tips to Win Scholarships at Arizona State
Knowing what scholarships for Arizona State exist is only half the battle. Here are proven strategies to maximize your chances:
Apply Early Every Cycle: Scholarship funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at many institutions. Filing your FAFSA as early as possible each year gives you the best access to need-based awards.
Complete Your Scholarship Universe Profile Fully: An incomplete profile means missed scholarship matches. A thorough profile unlocks both ASU internal awards and vetted external scholarships automatically.
Do Not Overlook Smaller Awards: Many students skip scholarships worth $500–$2,000. These smaller awards add up significantly over four years and often have far less competition than large national programs.
Apply to Multiple External Platforms: Sites like Bold.org, Fastweb, and national scholarship databases list awards specifically for ASU students that are currently open and renewed annually.
Maintain Your GPA Above 3.0: Most ASU renewable scholarships require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Protecting your GPA protects your scholarship year after year.
Write Strong, Specific Essays: For scholarships requiring essays, address the exact prompt and make your personal story specific and compelling. Generic essays are filtered out quickly by review committees.
Use these resources to deepen your scholarship search and strategy:
- Scholarship Mastery: 7 Powerful Secrets to Win Fully Funded Scholarships — Proven strategies that apply directly to your ASU scholarship applications
- QuestBridge Scholarships: The Ultimate Guide to Win a Full Ride — Directly relevant to ASU students from low-income backgrounds
- AAUW Fellowship Program: 5 Powerful Grants Every Woman Must Apply For — Especially relevant to female ASU students in STEM and graduate programs
- All United States Scholarships on LicensureHub — Browse the full catalog of U.S.-based scholarship opportunities
- Undergraduate Scholarships — For ASU undergraduate students seeking additional funding
Expand your knowledge with these related scholarship guides from LicensureHub:
- How to Win Fully Funded Scholarships — Master the application strategies that work across every scholarship, including those at ASU
- QuestBridge Full Ride Scholarship Guide — If you are a high-achieving low-income student at ASU, this national scholarship could cover everything
- AAUW Fellowships for Women — Female ASU students in graduate programs should not miss these prestigious grants
- Morehead-Cain Scholarship Guide — See how full-ride scholarship programs are structured so you can better prepare your ASU applications
- Masters Degree Scholarships — For ASU graduate and postgraduate students seeking advanced funding
Final Thoughts
Scholarships for Arizona State are among the most accessible and generous in the United States, especially when you combine ASU’s automatic merit scholarships, need-based programs like the Obama Scholars and Arizona Promise, department-specific awards, and external scholarships. 80% of students at ASU receive merit-based financial aid each academic year, which means the odds of securing some form of scholarship support are significantly in your favor — provided you take the right steps.
Start by submitting your FAFSA, complete your ASU admission application early, build out your Scholarship Universe profile immediately, and apply to every award you qualify for, no matter the amount. The most successful scholarship recipients are not always the highest achievers — they are the most organized, consistent, and proactive applicants.
Scholarships for Arizona State are renewed each year, new awards are posted annually, and your window to apply opens the moment you are admitted. Do not wait. Your funding is available — go get it.
