Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores – 2024

College tuition has only increased in the past several years, but don’t despair![i] From attending an in-state school to buying used books, there are many ways to mitigate these costs.[ii] One way in particular is to secure scholarships and grants that can lighten the load and assist in your scholastic financial needs. In particular, you might not know that there are many scholarships awarded for merit (that is, academic, athletic, or artistic achievement rather than financial need), including many automatic scholarships based on SAT scores and ACT scores. These merit-based scholarships can provide quite the boost when it comes to footing your tuition bill!

On the other hand, you may have already earned stellar ACT or SAT scores and are eager to put them to good use. Many public universities offer lucrative, automatic scholarships for students who score well on the SAT or ACT. Some of these scholarships will require scholarship essays as part of their application processes, but many will not. Finally, though many schools now use GPA instead of standardized test scores as a basis for admission, plenty still offer automatic scholarships simply based on test scores: these scholarships should not be neglected.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

Below, we’ve provided a list of 30 scholarships based on SAT scores and ACT scores and divided them by region of the U.S. (keep in mind that many public schools offer more merit aid to out-of-state applicants than in-state applicants).[iii]  You’ll also find a few national merit scholarships to which you can apply.  If you don’t see your college or location of choice below, don’t sweat it – there are so many scholarships available to incoming freshmen, this list is hardly exhaustive. Additionally, if you are not a U.S. student, be sure to check out our list of scholarships for international students.

Most universities will have an entire webpage dedicated solely to the scholarships they offer their enrolled students, so if you don’t see your dream school on this list, don’t worry! Click around your favorite school’s websites to see if they offer any automatic scholarships based on SAT scores, and during your search, be sure to use the word “merit” in your search engine. In the meantime, our list below can provide you with a springboard for estimating your desired SAT and ACT scores, learning the average application requirements for scholarships, and perhaps putting a few schools on your radar that you might have missed!

Good luck!

National Scholarships Based on SAT Scores and ACT Scores:

1) National Merit Scholarship

The National Merit Scholarship is incredibly important: by becoming a Finalist or Semifinalist National Merit Scholar, you can earn substantial (sometimes even full) scholarships for many universities. Additionally, earning the National Merit Scholar title can significantly boost your chances of admission to many universities.

• Eligibility: U.S. high school (including homeschool) students in the U.S., District of Columbia, or U.S. commonwealth territories may apply. Students who take the PSAT in their junior year of high school can qualify for this scholarship – those who are in the top 1% in their state may compete as finalists.
• Amount: $2,500 is awarded to 7,600 students per year. Perhaps more importantly, many universities offer additional scholarships if students name their institutions at top choices on their PSATs.

2) Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Applicants should have a 3.75 GPA or higher and / or be in the top 5% of their graduating class; they should score at least a 28 on the ACT or a 1240 on the SAT
• Amount: One-year, $10,000 per semester scholarship.

3) Point the Way Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and score a 22 on the ACT and a 1100 on the SAT. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Amount: Amount varies.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

4) U.S. Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship

• Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a GPA of at least 3.0, ACT scores of 26 and SAT scores of at least 1240. Scholarship winners are obligated to enroll for service with the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Space Force.
• Amount: Varies, but can be up to full tuition.

Scholarships Based on SAT Scores in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regions

5) Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a 3.0 GPA and 1290 SAT score who enroll full-time at the University of Delaware and file the FAFSA.
• Amount: Full tuition, room and board, and books at the University of Delaware. One award per year. Renewable four years.

6) CCNY CUNY Merit Scholarships

• Eligibility: Eligible incoming freshmen should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, an ACT score of 24 and an SAT score of 1100.
• Amount: Various amounts, determined by academic merit and – in some cases – financial need.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

7) Franklin D. Boyce Annual Health Scholarship

• Eligibility: Residents of Virginia pursuing degrees in health sciences may apply. A minimum 3.0 GPA and a minimum 850 on the SAT is required.
• Amount: $2,500 and renewable for up to three years.

8) Paul Tsongas Scholarship

• Eligibility: Massachusetts students with a GPA of 3.75 and an SAT score of 1200 are eligible to apply.
• Amount: Unspecified, though each Massachusetts state college may provide five new Paul Tsongas tuition fellowships per year.

9) Quinnipiac University Merit Scholarships

• Eligibility: Students with a GPA of 3.4, an ACT score of 25 and an SAT score of 1100 may be eligible.
• Amount: Amounts for first-year students range from $18,000 to $33,000 and may be renewed each year at the same amount, provided that the student meets renewal criteria outlined in the letter of acceptance.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

10) Virginia Tech Engineering Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students must be in the top 3% of their graduating high school class and must have at least a 1400 score on their SAT.
• Amount: $2,000.

Scholarships Based on SAT Scores in the South & Southwest:

11) Alabama State University Academic Scholarships

• Eligibility: Students with GPAs from 2.0- 3.76 GPA, an ACT score of 20-26 and an SAT score of 1020-1240 may be eligible.
• Amount: Amounts vary by award, from a full ride to full tuition + the cost of books.

12) Florida Gulf Coast University Merit Scholarships

• Eligibility: Applicants should have a 3.5-3.9 GPA, an ACT score of 25-28, and an SAT score of 1220-1320 (range varies for residents vs. non-residents).
• Amount: Ranges from $3,000 to $15,000 per year.

If you are a Florida resident, be sure to check out our page on Bright Futures scholarships!

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

13) Louisiana Tech University

• Eligibility: Students with a minimum GPA range of 3.0 to 4.0, minimum ACT scores from 20 to 33+, and minimum SAT scores from 1030-1600 can be automatically eligible for various levels of scholarships.
• Amount: $1,000 to $9,500

14) MESG: Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant

• Eligibility: Open to Mississippi residents who have a 3.5 GPA and earn a 29 on the ACT or a 1350 on the SAT.
• Amount: Up to $2,500 each college year (awards may not exceed tuition and required fees).

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

15) Texas Tech Merit Scholarships:

• Eligibility: Admitted students with a minimum ACT score of 19 and a minimum SAT score of 1000 may qualify.
• Amount: Up to $1,000, depending upon student’s class rank and SAT / ACT scores.

16) Troy University Scholars Award

• Eligibility: Applicants must have a 30-32 on the ACT and a 1360-1440 RSAT. Students who meet these requirements and have a 3.7 GPA will receive in-state tuition and basic housing.
• Amount: Tuition and basic housing.

17) University of Arizona Resident Wildcat Awards

• Eligibility: Students with a GPA of 4.0 and an SAT score of 1420 are eligible for the highest awards.
• Amount: $750 to $12,500

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

18) University of South Carolina Scholarships and Awards

• Eligibility: National Merit Finalists, those with 3.8 GPAs, ACT scores of 35 and SAT scores of 1550 are eligible.
• Amount: $6,000 to $11,000

Scholarships Based on SAT Scores in the Great Lakes & Midwest Regions

19) Albion College Merit Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students with a GPA of 3.37, an ACT score of 23 and / or an SAT score of 1140 are eligible.
• Amount: Ranges from $18,800 to $40,000.

20) Iowa State University Loyal, True, and Forever Scholars Awards

• Eligibility: Iowa residents with GPAs from 3.6 to 4.0, an ACT score of at least 28 and an SAT score of at least 1300 are eligible for one of three scholars’ awards.
• Amount: $6,000 to $12,000 ($1,500 to $3,000 per year for four years).

21) Michigan Technological University Presidential Scholars Program

• Eligibility: Eligible students who are automatically considered should have a minimum GPA of 3.5, an ACT score of 22 and an SAT score of 1110.
• Amount: $1,000 to $5,500 per year.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

22) Minnesota State University In-State Tuition Awards

• Eligibility: All in-state students who meet academic merit requirements will automatically receive an in-state tuition scholarship. Students must rank in the top 15% of their graduating class or have a minimum GPA of 3.8 or an ACT score of 25 or an SAT score of 1200.
• Amount: Amount may vary.

23) Ohio State University Maximum, Provost, and Trustee Scholarships

• Eligibility: Particular scores are not listed, though “those considered are Ohio and non-Ohio residents (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) who are highly competitive as demonstrated through grade point average, class rank (if available), rigor of high school curriculum, and ACT or SAT scores (if available).”
• Amount: $1,000-$3,000 ($4,000-$12,000 over four years).

24) University of Iowa Scholars Award

• Eligibility: Particular requisite scores are not listed, though GPA, ACT and SAT scores will be considered for determining prize amounts.
• Amount: $500 to $8,500 per year for up to four years.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

25) University of Kentucky Scholarships

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen students with a minimum GPA of 3.3, an ACT score of 26 and an SAT score of 1230 may qualify.
• Amount: $2,500 to full tuition for in-state residents for some scholarships; varies for out-of-state residents.

Scholarships Based on SAT Scores in the Rocky Mountains & West Coast Regions

26) Colorado Mesa University Merit Scholarship

• Eligibility: Colorado Mesa offers several merit-based scholarships, based on GPA scores from 3.2-3.75, SAT scores from 1110-1340 and ACT scores from 22-29.
• Amount: Ranges from $1,250 to full tuition (does not cover fees).

27) Edmund F. Maxwell Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Applicants should be residents of Western Washington (has attended school the last two years and lived in a region west of the Cascade Mountains). Applicants will need an ACT score of 26 or higher and an SAT score of 1200 or higher.
• Amount: $5,000 per year, with the prospect of renewal for three years.

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

28) Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship at the University of California, San Diego

• Eligibility: Entering first-year students should apply. Specific score requirements are not listed, but candidacy for winners is based on academic merit (GPA and SAT / ACT scores).
• Amount: A four-year award up to $10,000 ($2,500 per year)

29) Idaho State University Scholarships

• Eligibility: Idaho residents with a GPA of 3.0 to 4.0 may qualify for scholarships in four tiers. A student with a 4.0 or0+ and an ACT score of 32 and an SAT score of at least 1420 will be eligible for the Presidential scholarship.
• Amount: $1,000-$7,500 per year (renewable).

Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores (Continued)

30) Utah State University Scholarships

• Eligibility: Utah State uses a scholarship index to determine the financial awards you may win, depending upon your GPA, test scores, and residency. For any award, the minimum SAT score is 960 and the minimum ACT score is 18; the minimum GPA is 2.7.
• Amount: Varies, but can reach full tuition and fees.

Scholarships Based on SAT Scores – Citations

[i] Hanson, Melanie. “College Tuition Inflation Rate,” Education Data Initiative. 13 August 2023. https://educationdata.org/college-tuition-inflation-rate

[ii] Snider, Susannah. “Ways to Save Money in College,” U.S. News & World Report. 20 August 2019. https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/ways-to-save-money-in-college

[iii] Kerr, Emma and Sarah Atwood. “13 Things to Know About Merit Aid Scholarships.” U.S. News & World Report. 26 April 2023. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/slideshows/things-to-know-about-merit-aid-scholarships?onepage

Additional Resources

• Colleges With No Application Fee
• 15 Best Scholarships for CA Students 
• National Merit Cut-Off by State