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scholarships

Scholarships
Scholarships are FREE money that you can use to pay for college costs. Scholarships do not have to be repaid and are typically earned by exhibiting strong academics, athletics, hobbies, background, leadership, and/or community service. There are scholarships available for all sorts of interests, activities, GPA's, and grade levels, and it's never too early to start applying!

Two main types of scholarships:
  • Merit - based upon your academics & achievements
  • Need - based upon your family's financial need to pay for college, as well as academics & achievements
Scholarship Websites
Use these websites to search for scholarships you can apply for. Some websites also allow you to create an account/profile and answer questions to get matched to scholarships!
Scholarship Lists

IInstate University Scholarship Info

Arizona State University

Northern Arizona University

University of Arizona

Pima Community College

ALL Instate Universities - ASU, NAU, & UA (need based program; see website for eligibility)

  • Arizona Promise Program: Provides financial assistance for students whose federal Pell grants or other financial aid don’t cover the cost of college tuition and fees. Students must be eligible for the full Pell Grant amount.


Use these lists of scholarships to assist you with your college! Most of the money students get to attend college often comes from the college they end up attending - apply to places that will give you money! ● Annual Scholarships for Seniors ● Annual Scholarships for Juniors ● Colleges that Meet 100% of your Financial Need ● Significant College-Specific Scholarships (Full Tuition & Full Ride Programs) ● Significant Scholarships for National Merit Semifinalist/Finalists ● College Board Recognition Program Scholarship (National Hispanic Scholars, African American Scholars & Indigenous Scholars) ● DACA/Undocumented Student Scholarships ● WUE Schools (discounted tuition for AZ residents at colleges in the western U.S.) III. Instate University Scholarship Links Arizona State University ● Merit Scholarships (awarded through admissions; no separate application needed) ● Obama Scholars Program (need based program; see website for eligibility) ● College Attainment Grant (need based program; see website for eligibility) ● Next Generation Service Corps (leadership program & full tuition merit scholarship) Northern Arizona University ● Merit Scholarships (awarded through admissions; no separate application needed) ● NAU Advantage (need based program; see website for eligibility) University of Arizona ● Merit Scholarships (awarded through admissions; no separate application needed) ● AZ Assurance Program (need based program; see website eligibility) ● Pell Pledge (need based program; see website eligibility) ● Baird Scholarship (full tuition & more; must be accepted to Honors College) ● Stamps Scholarship (full ride; must be accepted to Honors College) Pima Community College ● Scholarship Portal (use this portal to apply for merit & need based scholarships) ALL Instate Universities - ASU, NAU, & UA (need based program; see website for eligibility) ● Arizona Promise Program: Provides financial assistance for students whose federal Pell grants or other financial aid don’t cover the cost of college tuition and fees. Students must be eligible for the full Pell Grant amount. IV. Tips for Completing Scholarships 1. Never pay to apply for a scholarship! 2. Make a scholarship goal, or treat it like a part time job - it can pay off! The more you apply to, the higher your chances are of receiving one. 3. Search for scholarships for everything that makes you who you are! 4. Edit and revise scholarship essays. Seek feedback from teachers, peers & counselors. 5. Always ask for letters of recommendation at least 2 weeks before a scholarship is due. 6. Make sure all pieces are completed and/or sent in by the deadline (application, essay, test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.).

 

Scholarship Search Websites

Students in any grade can visit these websites to search for scholarships! 
 
AZCIS Financial Sort
Search scholarships by category
 
College Depot
Scholarships organized by categories (interest areas, backgrounds, grade level, etc.)

College Resource Network
Scholarships organized by categories (interest areas, backgrounds, grade level, etc.)

Fastweb
Create a profile & get matched to scholarships
 
JLV Scholarship Blog
Scholarships organized by categories (interest areas, backgrounds, grade level, etc.)

Niche
Scholarships organized by categories (interest areas, backgrounds, grade level, etc.)

Scholarships AZ
Scholarships with no citizenship requirements
 
Scholarships.com
Create a profile & get matched to scholarships

Scholarship Monkey 
Create a profile & get matched to scholarships
 
UNIGO
Create a profile & get matched to scholarships
In State Scholarship Opportunities
At our public instate universities, you will be automatically considered for these merit based scholarships upon admission. All of these scholarships are renewable for 4 years!

Arizona State University: New American University Scholarship
Northern Arizona University: Merit-Based Freshman Scholarships
University of Arizona: Wildcat Excellence Scholarships

Once you are admitted to the in-state universities, you have access to the following websites to find & apply for more scholarships!

Arizona State University: Scholarship Portal
Northern Arizona University: NAU Foundation 
University of Arizona: Scholarship Universe

The private institutions in Arizona also offer some great scholarships opportunities!

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: Scholarship Opportunities
Grand Canyon University: Merit & Additional Scholarships
Prescott College: Undergraduate Scholarships

Additional significant instate scholarship opportunities:

Flinn Scholars (any instate school - academic excellence, community involvement, leadership)
Dorrance Scholarship (any instate school - need based, 1st generation college students)
University of Arizona Honors College Baird Scholarship (academic excellence, community involvement, leadership)
Arizona State University Next Generation Service Corps Scholarship (interest in making a difference, serving others)
Arizona Central Credit Union CU Succeed Scholarship (awards $2,000 to two eligible graduating high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited college or university in Arizona)
Additional Scholarship Opportunities & Resources
Below is a list of colleges and universities that have competitive full ride and/or full tuition scholarships that are solely based on merit (academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, character, leadership, etc.). There are no need based requirements and they are open to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, state of residency, etc. We try to keep this document as updated as possible, but always check the scholarship websites for the most up-to-date information!
 
List of full ride/full tuition scholarship competitions.
 
Colleges that meet 100% of financial need are committed to ensuring college is financially attainable for every admitted student. These institutions promise to make sure that a student’s demonstrated financial need is covered through scholarships, grants, work-study, and in some cases small loans.


List of schools that meet 100% of Financial Need.
 
The College Board uses qualifying junior year PSAT scores to recognize African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Indigenous students, as well as those attending school in a rural area through their College Board Recognition Programs. Students who qualify will receive this academic honor that can be included on college applications and that colleges use to identify academically exceptional students.
 
If a student meets the qualifying PSAT score for that year they will be invited via email in the Spring of their Junior year to complete an online application to become a College Board Recognition Scholar. In order to become a Scholar, students must have a 3.5 GPA at the end of their 5th semester of high school. Students will work with the counseling team to submit a GPA verification form. Students are official designated as a Scholar in the Fall of their senior year. More information on the CBRP program can be found on their website here. 
 
This designation can lead to significant scholarship opportunities! 

List of significant college specific scholarships for National Hispanic Scholars.
 
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic scholarship competition that students qualify for through their participation in the PSAT/NMSQT during the fall of their junior year of high school. Upon meeting program entry and participation requirements, students can be named National Merit Finalist. Approximately 7500 Finalist are chosen to receive a National Merit Scholarship award. More information on the program can be found at The National Merit Website
 
In addition to the awards given through the National Merit corporation, some colleges and universities give significant scholarships (full rides, full tuition, and more!) to students who are named National Merit Finalists and Semifinalists.
 
List of Significant College Specific Scholarships for National Merit Finalists & Semifinalists!
 
Through RaiseMe you can earn scholarships from colleges for the things that best prepare you to succeed in high school, like having perfect attendance, getting an A in a class, participating in an extracurricular activity, and more. Create a profile as early as 9th grade to begin discovering colleges and earning micro-scholarships from colleges for your achievements.
 
This is a great tool to see what type of merit scholarship you are eligible for at various colleges around the US. 
 
Make an account.
 
WUE, or the Western Undergraduate Exchange, is a program where students in Western states may enroll in participating two-year and four-year public college programs at a reduced tuition level: up to 150 percent of the institution’s regular resident tuition. In all cases, WUE tuition is considerably less than nonresident tuition. Some institutions have opened their entire curriculum on a space-available or first-come, first-served basis. Others offer only designated programs at the discounted WUE rate. Additionally, some colleges will automatically give you WUE tuition rates, while others require you to complete paperwork or qualify with a certain GPA & test score. 
 
Participating WUE states (not all colleges in each state offer WUE tuition rates): Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, U.S. Pacific Territories, Utah, Washington, & Wyoming 
 
You can learn more about the WUE program at their website.
For specific information on participating colleges and costs, use their College Savings Finder.
 
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