Maybe you've taken the SAT or ACT and got a really good score, but you aren't sure how to get the most money out of it. Or maybe you haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet but are wondering how important the tests really are. One way you can make the most of your score is by finding guaranteed SAT scholarships or guaranteed ACT scholarships. In this post, we'll show you some of the scholarships for high SAT scores and scholarships for high ACT scores that you can get. You can earn thousands of dollars in scholarships based just on your test scores. Curious to see how? We'll show you where you can get scholarships based on ACT scores and scholarships based on SAT scores. This post focuses on scholarships offered by colleges and universities themselves. Why? Many private scholarships, while lucrative, feature full, college-admission-like applications, including letters of recommendation and essays. Lots of other smaller scholarships are based on essays, personal circumstances, or even your parent's employer. While we are not discouraging you from applying to these, this post will focus on scholarships any student can earn automatically from universities just based on their test scores and GPA or class rank. We will highlight some of the most searched-for universities and best opportunities, but this is not a comprehensive list. We will also show you how to look up this information for any college you're interested in. Before we get into the scholarship list, we'll also highlight another source of money based mainly on test scores: National Merit. As we have covered in past posts, the National Merit competition recognizes the top PSAT (Practice SAT) scorers in each state. While there is a $2,500 scholarship you can earn through the competition itself, you can also get big scholarships from colleges by listing them as your first choice through National Merit. You can get anything from a small scholarship to a full ride, depending on the school. As a rough rule of thumb, public universities are more likely to give more money for National Merit, though there are exceptions. For example, you can get a full ride scholarship at the University of Idaho and the University of Oklahoma. At Loyola University Chicago, a private college, you can get $2,000 for being a National Merit finalist if you name Loyola as your first-choice school with the National Merit Corporation. But this is just the tip of the iceberg of National Merit scholarships. To learn more about sponsoring universities, read here. Now we will highlight colleges that give automatic scholarships based on SAT/ACT scores, as well as qualifiers like GPA or class rank. For these scholarships, you don't have to submit any extra application information, but in some cases, you have to apply by a certain deadline to be guaranteed the scholarship. Be sure to check out each college's website, which we will link to, for full info. Automatic scholarships based on SAT/ACT scores used to be more popular, but with many colleges becoming test optional, some schools have switched to automatic scholarships based on GPA. However, a number still offer automatic scholarships based on test scores.Scholarships for ACT Scores and Scholarships for SAT Scores
Automatic Scholarships for National Merit
Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores
As a shortcut, here are the schools we're going to detail:
- Florida A&M
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Texas Tech
- University of Mississippi
- University of Missouri
- University of Tennessee
- Utah State University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
FAMU offers a Distinguished Scholars program that covers the cost of tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students with at least a 1400 on the new SAT (with a math score of at least 700) or 32 on the ACT (with a math score of at least 32) and a FAMU recalculated GPA of at least 4.0.
If you don't reach the cut off for the Distinguished Scholarship, you can still earn the George W. Gore Assistantship Scholarship or the Presidential Special Scholarship. The amount of the award changes based on your GPA and test scores:
Scholarship | Minimum SAT or ACT Score | Minimum Math Score | FAMU GPA |
George W. Gore | SAT: 1330 ACT: 29 | SAT: 640 ACT: 29 | 3.75 |
Presidential Special Scholarship | SAT: 1260 ACT: 27 | SAT: 600 ACT: 27 | 3.5 |
Read more about scholarships on FAMU's admission website.
Florida Gulf Coast University
FGCU has scholarships based on GPA and SAT/ACT score. You'll be automatically considered for these scholarships if you apply for admission by November 1--no separate scholarship application is required!
Scholarship | Residency Requirement | Minimum SAT or ACT Score | Minimum GPA | Amount Awarded per Year |
President's Gold | Florida Resident | SAT: 1320 ACT: 28 | 3.9 | $5000 |
President's Silver | Florida Resident | SAT: 1220 ACT: 25 | 3.5 | $3000 |
Blue and Green Scholars Award | Non-Florida Resident | SAT: 1320 ACT: 28 | 3.9 | $15,000 |
Blue and Green Directors Award | Non-Florida Resident | SAT: 1220 ACT: 25 | 3.5 | $10,000 |
Though applicants who apply by November 1 are automatically considered for these scholarships, you also have the option to retest for merit award consideration as long as you take the SAT/ACT before March.
Learn more about scholarships and the application process at FGCU's website.
Texas Tech University
These Presidential Scholarships are automatic and are guaranteed if you apply by the December 1 priority application deadline and are admitted to Texas Tech by June 1.
Texas Tech scholarships are determined in part by your class ranking, with a greater weight placed on SAT/ACT scores. As your SAT score goes up, the required class rank goes down—students with a 1200+ SAT score or 25+ ACT score may receive a scholarship at a top 30% class ranking, and students with a 1400+ SAT or 31+ ACT score may receive a scholarship at a top 40% class ranking.
Note that small increases in your ACT or SAT score could increase your scholarship by $1,000 or more per year. Read more about the scholarships at the TTU website.
University of Mississippi
At the University of Mississippi, you can earn an Academic Merit scholarship based on your GPA and SAT/ACT score. Their admissions website notes that "Entering freshmen, minimum 3.0 high-school GPA. A minimum 23 ACT for MS Residents (1050 SAT or 1130 SAT-R) or 25 ACT for nonresidents (1130 SAT or 1200 SAT-R)" are considered for the Academic Merit scholarship. You are automatically considered after being admitted to the University of Mississippi.
The specific award amounts based on ACT/SAT scores and GPA are currently as follows:
Learn more at the University of Mississippi's scholarships page.
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri has a handful of scholarships that are automatic, based on class rank and SAT/ACT score. There are scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students. You can learn more about University of Missouri's scholarships here.
Scholarship | Residency Requirement | Minimum SAT or ACT Score | Amount Awarded per Year |
Chancellor's Award | Missouri Residents | SAT: 1360 ACT: 30 | $7,200 |
Curators Scholars Award | Missouri Residents | SAT: 1230 ACT: 26 | $5,000 |
Excellence Award | Missouri Residents | SAT: 1060 ACT: 21 | $3,500 |
Mark Twain Award (Level 1) | Non-Missouri Residents | SAT: 1300 ACT: 28 | $21,500 |
Mark Twain Award (Level 2) | Non-Missouri Residents | SAT: 1130 ACT: 23 | $8,500 |
University of Tennessee
To be considered for the Volunteer Scholarship, you need a strong GPA and SAT/ACT score. According to the website, "Our new Volunteer Scholarship program recognizes students with an exemplary academic record based on a combination of GPA and test scores. Incoming first-year students who apply for admission by December 15 are eligible." (Although test scores can be submitted up until July 1, 2021). So note the early deadline, and check out the scholarship amounts below:
Tennessee Residents
Minimum SAT or ACT Score | Minimum GPA | Amount Awarded per Year |
SAT: 1490 ACT: 34 | 3.8 | $9,000 |
SAT: 1360 ACT: 30 | 3.8 | $5,000 |
SAT: 1300 ACT: 28 | 3.8 | $3,000 |
Non-Tennessee Residents
Minimum SAT or ACT Score | Minimum GPA | Amount Awarded per Year |
SAT: 1490 ACT: 34 | 3.0 | $18,000 |
SAT: 1360 ACT: 30 | 3.0 | $15,000 |
SAT: 1300 ACT: 28 | 3.0 | $10,000 |
Learn more about the award at Tennessee's scholarships page.
Utah State University
At Utah State University, there are automatic scholarships (as well as admission standards) based on a combination of GPA and SAT/ACT score. The admissions office has created tables for both residents and nonresidents that you can use to see which scholarship you'd be eligible for.
Residents
Scholarship | Award Amount | Duration |
Presidential | 100% tuition and fees | 4 years |
Dean's | $7,387 per year | 2 years |
Scholar | $4,500 per year | 2 years |
Merit | $3,000 | 2 years |
Nonresidents
Scholarship | Award Amount | Duration |
Presidential | 100% tuition and fees (about $47,000) | 4 years |
Dean's | $23,305 year one; $7,387 year two | 2 years |
Scholar | $17,000 | 1 year |
Merit | $15,000 | 1 year |
100-Mile Radius | $11,500 | 1 year |
WUE | $11,500 | 4 years |
Note that a one-point ACT increase or 40-point SAT increase could be the difference between two years of full tuition and a four year, full-ride scholarship!
Read more about admission and scholarships at USU's website.
Scholarships With Score Cut-Offs
Although many universities don't have automatic scholarships based on test scores, GPA, or class rank, many use these factors as cut-offs for scholarship consideration. So even though in these cases high scores don't guarantee you scholarships, they are an important factor in being considered.
Just like when you were a kid and couldn't get onto the roller coasters at the theme park, you won't even be considered for some scholarships without high enough SAT/ACT scores.
For example, Texas A&M offers multiple scholarships based on test scores, GPA, and/or class rank. So are scholarships like these guaranteed even if you meet these minimum scores? No. But you won't be considered for them at all unless your ACT or SAT score is above a certain level. Many other colleges have GPA and score cut-offs for scholarship consideration, so the higher you can get your scores, the more likely you are to earn merit scholarships.
How To Look Up Automatic Scholarships
The examples of scholarships above are just that—examples! It isn't by any means a full list of every university in the country where you can get automatic money for your ACT or SAT score.
So how do you find that information? Search for merit scholarships.
The majority of scholarships given for test scores and GPA are merit scholarships—in other words, they are given based on your achievements, unlike need-based scholarships, which are based on your demonstrated financial need. Make sure to look for pages titled "Merit-Based" or "Academic-Based" scholarships.
Many colleges and universities have separate pages for merit scholarships that a simple search will pull up. If you do not see one, try searching "[College/University Name] Scholarships" or "[College/University Name] Financial Aid." If you start at the university's financial aid section, you can find information on scholarships (both merit and need-based) from there. If you can't find the information online, try contacting either the financial aid or undergraduate admissions offices.
Keep the following guidelines in mind as you search:
- Make sure the scholarships you find are specifically designated for "Entering Freshmen." These are the scholarships that will apply to you as a high school student applying to college.
- See if the college makes a designation between in-state and out-of-state applicants. In some cases, state universities will give bigger scholarships to non-resident applicants since out-of-state tuition is higher. Sometimes there are also differences in requirements and cut-off scores.
- Check if there are separate application requirements or deadlines. Scholarship money is limited, so in general, the earlier you can apply, the better.
Use the steps below to look up whether there are automatic scholarships at any of the colleges you are interested in.
Step 1: Search for "[College/University Name] Merit Scholarships."
I'm searching for a college in my home state of Utah.
I'll start with the first result: "Scholarships." This seems like the most general option, and I want to get the most information right off the bat
Step 2: Determine If You Qualify for Any of the Scholarships
I see that all undergrad students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and you can also apply for additional scholarships. Looks good! Scroll down to First-Year Student Scholarships.
Reading this information, they don't seem to distinguish between resident and non-resident scholarships. They mention at least having a 3.0 GPA, but they don't give specific ACT/SAT requirements. However, they do list different scholarship awards students can be offered, and you can go to their net price calculator to estimate the merit scholarship award you might be eligible for.
Step 3: Check If You Need to Do Anything to Apply
As I mentioned above, there is no separate application for scholarships in this case. Westminster is a good bet for an automatic scholarship, and the higher your scores, the more money you are likely to get.
You can repeat this process at any school you're interested in, but keep in mind that automatic scholarships are relatively rare (especially at more selective schools), so you may not find anything.
What's Next?
Some schools don't have merit-based scholarships but do have very impressive need-based financial aid packages. However, those schools are often prestigious and top-ranked, and so they are the toughest to get into. Develop a target ACT or SAT score to be competitive for admission at competitive schools.
Avoid some of the most common ACT mistakes to raise your score. Also, learn how to improve a bad SAT math score.
Shooting for perfection? Get study tips from our SAT full scorer, and hit all your test score goals.
Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:
Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article!Halle Edwards
About the Author
Halle Edwards graduated from Stanford University with honors. In high school, she earned 99th percentile ACT scores as well as 99th percentile scores on SAT subject tests. She also took nine AP classes, earning a perfect score of 5 on seven AP tests. As a graduate of a large public high school who tackled the college admission process largely on her own, she is passionate about helping high school students from different backgrounds get the knowledge they need to be successful in the college admissions process.
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FAQs
What SAT score will get you a full scholarship? ›
So you're probably wondering, What's a good SAT score for scholarships, and how can I find them? The short answer is that you should aim for an SAT score between 1200 and 1600 if you want to secure some scholarships based on merit–and the higher within that range you score the more money you're looking at.
What ACT score gets you a full ride? ›You will need to have at least a 3.75 GPA and SAT scores of 1270 or above or ACT scores of 27 or above.
Can you get a scholarship based on SAT scores? ›Beyond getting in, your SAT & ACT test scores could qualify you for merit-based financial aid (often a separate application process). Higher test scores can lead to more scholarship dollars, which mean more options for you! Nothing can change a student's fortune faster than a big increase on the SAT or ACT.
Will a 27 on the ACT get you scholarships? ›Some scholarships don't even require one specific score, but rather one within a given range. At a minimum, an ACT score of 25 should qualify you for lower-level scholarship money. However, as the amount increases, scholarships become more competitive and the score ranges increase.
Can you get 100% SAT scholarship? ›Test takers who score more than 1300 in the SAT, and whose family income is below a certain threshold, are offered 100% tuition-free scholarships to study at some of the top private universities in India, that are part of the India Global Alliance.
What is the best ACT score for scholarships? ›Shoot for at least a 28 on the ACT or above 1300 on the SAT. Some scholarships allow for flexibility, so check the particular scholarship, but these numbers generally give you the most options. Encourage your student to also pursue a high GPA or even 4.0, especially their senior year.
Is 22 a low ACT score? ›Is 22 a good ACT score? A 22 ACT score is above the national average score of 21, making you eligible to apply as a good candidate to many colleges.
Which college gives the most merit scholarships? ›School | Location | Percent of students receiving non-need based aid |
---|---|---|
Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA | 51% |
University of Denver | Denver, CO | 50% |
The New School | New York, NY | 49% |
University of South Carolina | Columbia, SC | 49% |
Scholarships requiring certain scores on standardized testing, like the ACT or SAT, or a certain GPA, are typically referred to as “merit scholarships.” A 1000 SAT score isn't likely to make you eligible for merit scholarships, but there are plenty of other types to apply for, including those based on extracurriculars, ...
What does a 33 ACT score mean for scholarships? ›A 33 puts you at the 98th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 98% of all test takers! Congratulations! You're also qualified for a sizable amount of merit aid, which can really help pay off college tuition.
Can my ACT score get me a scholarship? ›
Your ACT score can play an important role in helping you qualify for scholarships that can fuel your future and help with college costs! ACT test scores are a big factor in merit scholarships and awards, meaning awards based on academic achievement.
Can you get into Harvard with a 27 ACT? ›Average ACT: 34
There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 33 to have a chance at being considered.
The average ACT score for students who get accepted into Harvard is between 32 and 35. This is well above the national average of 21. Considering 36 is the highest you can score, this is a daunting goal. The average ACT score for Harvard University is much higher than that of any other Ivy League in the country.
Should I retake a 1290 SAT score? ›Unfortunately, 1290 is not a good SAT score. In reality, it's a weak score that will keep you from achieving your college admissions goals. Although you're still outperforming the majority of test takers, it's still not enough to get you into the top schools in the country.
Can I get full ride scholarship with 1450 SAT? ›Earning a 1450 SAT score makes you eligible for most (if not all) merit-aid scholarships based on SAT score.
Can you get full scholarship with 1400 SAT? ›Scholarships for a 1400 SAT Score
This score makes you eligible to apply to the majority of scholarships with standardized score requirements, so start applying now! Even scholarships with small monetary awards can be helpful in offsetting the cost of tuition.
With a 1500 SAT score, you should have no restrictions on applying for any merit-based scholarships. You might find a scholarship requiring a 1600 SAT, but those will be very few and very far between.
What is the easiest full scholarship to get? ›- $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship.
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay.
- $40,000 BigFuture Scholarships.
- $25,000 No Essay Scholarship.
- March Madness Scholarship.
- $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship.
- Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship.
- Annual Catholic College Scholarship.
A 4.0 Grade Point Average is not only a high GPA, it's an impressive GPA that's sure to catch the eyes of many scholarship providers. Since the minimum GPA for a full-ride scholarship is usually set at 3.5, a 4.0 is sure to always be above and beyond what's required.
How much is the Coca-Cola scholarship? ›Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship – High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA may apply on our website in August of their senior year until the October 31 deadline. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
Can you get a full ride with a good ACT score? ›
High ACT scores are common criteria for merit scholarships that are looking to award a scholarship to the best and brightest. Many colleges offer merit scholarships based on standardized test scores as well. Studying hard for the ACT can not only help get you into school, but also help you pay tuition.
Can you get a full ride with a 34 ACT score? ›With a score of 34 on the ACT, you're eligible for merit aid from both your future college or university and from third-party scholarship providers. On top of applying for merit aid, make sure you apply to scholarships for other things, too, including location, life circumstances, future major, passions, and more.
What is a 27 score on ACT? ›A 27 ACT score puts you at the 85th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 85% of test takers.
What is the minimum ACT score for most colleges? ›Schools vary considerably in the kinds of ACT scores they look for in applicants. Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the national average (21), whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.
What is the lowest ACT score colleges will accept? ›In general, many US colleges and universities accept applicants with 16 or 17 ACT scores. In fact, an ACT score of 16 or lower is accepted by 33 schools.
What does a 19 ACT score convert to SAT? ›ACT Composite Score | Estimated SAT Composite | Estimated SAT Composite Range |
---|---|---|
19 | 1370 | 1340-1390 |
18 | 1310 | 1300-1330 |
17 | 1260 | 1240-1290 |
16 | 1200 | 1180-1230 |
The most difficult part is making sure your child finds the time to search for relevant awards, complete the applications, draft essays, ask for letters of recommendation, and send them all out before the deadline passes. Here are four tips to help you and your child navigate the application process.
Can you negotiate college scholarships? ›Can You Really Negotiate Scholarships? The simple answer to this is yes! While it may not be talked about very often, it is definitely something that can be done. Colleges will make initial offers to a number of students during their first round of admissions.
Who is the girl with a 1550 SAT score? ›Kaitlyn Younger, 18, has been an academic standout since she started studying algebra in third grade. She scored 1550 on her SATs as a junior and will graduate this spring with an unweighted 3.95 grade-point average and as the founder of her school's accounting club.
What colleges accept a 900 SAT score? ›What colleges can I get into with a 900 SAT score? While you can't apply to the majority of colleges with a 900 SAT, you're able to be a competitive candidate at a handful, including Wesley College in Delaware, Northeastern Illinois University, and Southern Vermont College.
Can you get into Harvard with a 1000 SAT score? ›
Harvard SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1460 to have a chance at being considered.
It is possible to get a full-ride scholarship with a 31-35 ACT score. However, this is rare and only happens in exceptional cases. It is more common for students with high ACT scores to receive scholarships that cover most of the cost of college or even all of it.
Is a 32 ACT good enough for Ivy League? ›The only reason to consider retaking the ACT at this point would be if you have your eye on an Ivy League Institution. A 32 makes you eligible to apply, but it doesn't make you the most competitive candidate.
Will a 36 ACT get me into Harvard? ›The middle 50% of Harvard's class of 2025 earned SAT scores of 1480-1580 and ACT scores of 33-36. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the higher in the range you score, the better your odds of admission are.
Can I get a full ride with a 32 ACT? ›For example, a 32 on the ACT may earn a full ride at one school but a partial scholarship at another. Also, different sports will have different opportunities. This means you may have a better chance to fill a certain need at a certain school.
Is a 30 on the ACT good enough for Ivy League? ›Admission to any of the eight Ivy League schools is highly selective, and ACT scores are an important piece of the admissions equation. Generally applicants will need a composite score of 30 or higher to be competitive although some applicants are admitted with lower scores.
Will a 28 on the ACT get you scholarships? ›A 28 ACT score makes you eligible for merit scholarships, as well as merit aid from potential colleges and universities. Make sure to also apply for scholarships based on your location, extracurriculars, life circumstances, passions, future majors, and more!
What is the lowest GPA Harvard has accepted? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What's the lowest ACT score Harvard has accepted? ›The average ACT score of Harvard-accepted students is 33. Although Harvard claims there is no minimum ACT score, if you apply with a 29 or lower, you'll have difficulty getting in. So, to get into Harvard, it is important to note the different Harvard University requirements for test scores.
What is the lowest SAT score for Ivy League? ›The minimum SAT score to get into an Ivy League school ranges from 690 to 730 for the reading section and from 700 to 730 for the math section. Getting 700 or 710 (or higher) on both of these sections will give you an advantage at most Ivy League universities.
Does Harvard prefer SAT or ACT? ›
A common myth is that prestigious schools, like the Ivy League (Yale University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Columbia University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania) prefer the SAT. This is not true, though. Schools have no preference in regards to ACT vs.
What is the minimum ACT score for Stanford? › Is the ACT harder than the SAT? ›The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other.
Is a 1800 a good SAT score? ›For example, a score of 1800 represents the 81st percentile, meaning a student with a score of 1800 scored better than 81 percent of the people who took the SAT that year.
Is a 1600 SAT better than a 1570? ›In the eyes of an admissions committee, a 1560, 1570, 1580, 1590 and 1600 are the same thing. They indicate an excellent student who can perform well on the SAT.
How many can you get wrong on the SAT to get a 1600? ›You can find official SAT practice tests and their scoring tables at the College Board. As you can see with the above SAT scoring chart, it's possible to get some questions wrong and still earn the max SAT score. Generally speaking, you can miss 1-2 questions on each section and still get a perfect 1600.
Can I get a full ride scholarship with a 1400 SAT score? ›As your SAT score goes up, the required class rank goes down—students with a 1200+ SAT score or 25+ ACT score may receive a scholarship at a top 30% class ranking, and students with a 1400+ SAT or 31+ ACT score may receive a scholarship at a top 40% class ranking.
How rare is a 1600 SAT? ›A 1600 is only achieved by around 300 test takers per year and makes you eligible and highly competitive for admission at every college. Looking at this from another angle, a 1600 SAT score is in the 99nth percentile, which means you scored higher than 99% of all other 2 million+ test takers.
What is a 34 on the ACT in SAT? ›A 34 ACT score is equivalent to earning a 1520 to 1550 on the SAT. There are some differences to these two standardized tests, so what you earn on one test may not be what you earn on the other, but this is a good way to understand how your score compares.
What SAT score is 99th percentile? ›SAT Score | Nationally-Representative Percentile | Percentile Among Actual SAT Test Takers |
---|---|---|
1600 | 99+ | 99+ |
1530 | 99+ | 99 |
1520 | 99+ | 99 |
1510 | 99 | 98 |