adminbhustleWelcome potential Sun Devils! Arizona State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships to reward outstanding students. We’ll discuss all the details you need to know about ASU’s merit scholarship programs for incoming freshmen in Fall 2024.
ASU’s Merit Scholarship Programs
ASU offers several prestigious merit scholarships to recognize students’ accomplishments. The three main programs are:
Barrett, The Honors College
Barrett is ASU’s highly selective honors college. Students admitted to Barrett receive a full-ride scholarship covering tuition, mandatory fees, room/board, and books. It’s one of the most generous honors college packages in the country.
Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is a prestigious four-year award for academically exceptional students. It provides $15,000 per year ($60,000 total). Recipients must maintain a 3.5 GPA to renew the award.
Deans Scholarship
The Deans Scholarship is a four-year scholarship providing $10,000 per year ($40,000 total). It recognizes outstanding students who demonstrate leadership, service, and academic promise. Renewal requires a 3.25 GPA.
Aside from these premier awards, ASU also offers smaller departmental, provincial, and cultural heritage-based scholarships that may be combined with the above programs. Let’s explore the application requirements in more depth.
ASU Merit Scholarship Application Requirements
To apply for ASU’s merit scholarships, students must submit:
- ASU Admission Application: Apply for undergraduate admission by November 1, 2023, for priority consideration. This allows time to review your application for scholarships.
- Transcripts: Self-report your high school grades and standardized test scores on the admission application. ASU will verify this information later.
- Essays: Scholarship applications require 1-2 additional short essays to showcase your accomplishments, aspirations, and fit for ASU. Examples could be leadership, overcoming adversity, or a favorite class.
- Activities List: Provide a résumé of extracurriculars, volunteer work, jobs, honors, and awards to depict your interests and involvement.
- Recommendations: For Barrett, you’ll need one teacher recommendation. Presidential and Dean applicants can optionally submit recommendations.
- Test Scores: Include SAT or ACT scores from at least one official test date. Most highly competitive applicants submit multiple scores from multiple test dates.
- Portfolio (optional): For creative or technical majors, you may submit a portfolio of your work for additional consideration. Follow any specific guidelines.
That covers the basic application materials. However, there are also certain academic standards you must meet to qualify for consideration in the first place.
ASU Merit Scholarship Academic Qualification Standards
Each merit scholarship at ASU has minimum eligibility criteria based on your high school academic performance:
- Barrett: 3.8 weighted GPA or higher and top 5-10% class rank. Minimum 31 ACT composite or 1400 SAT composite score.
- Presidential: 3.75 weighted GPA or higher and top 10-15% class rank. Minimum 27 ACT or 1280 SAT.
- Deans: 3.5 weighted GPA or higher and top 15-25% class rank. Minimum 24 ACT or 1150 SAT.
In addition to grades and test scores, your high school transcript must demonstrate the following:
- Rigorous college prep course load including 4 years of math and science.
- No grades lower than a B- in core academic classes during junior/senior years.
- Upward academic trajectory – your strongest grades should be in the most recent coursework.
Meeting the raw numbers is the first hurdle. Your application must then distinguish yourself among competitive applicants through extracurricular activities, recommendations, and essay quality. Let’s move on to the award amounts.
ASU Merit Scholarship Award Amounts
Now that we’ve covered eligibility and the application process, here are the specific award amounts for ASU’s premier merit scholarships:
Barrett, The Honors College
- Full tuition, mandatory fees, room & board (on-campus rates)
- $1,000 annual book credit (renewable for 8 semesters)
- Laptop computer upon admission
Presidential Scholarship
- $15,000 award per year (renewable for 4 years)
- $60,000 total value if renewed every year
Deans Scholarship
- $10,000 award per year (renewable for 4 years)
- $40,000 total value if renewed every year
In addition, all merit scholars are eligible for generous study abroad awards, research grants, and leadership opportunities through ASU. The dollar value and prestige of these scholarships make ASU an affordable option for even out-of-state students.
To keep their awards, however, students must meet renewal criteria each academic year. Let’s explore what it takes to sustain your scholarship over four years.
ASU Merit Scholarship Renewal Requirements
Renewing your ASU merit scholarship year after year requires responsible academic performance. The minimum renewal thresholds are:
Barrett, The Honors College
- Maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA
Presidential Scholarship
- Earn 30 credits per academic year
- Maintain 3.5 cumulative GPA
Deans Scholarship
- Earn 30 credits per academic year
- Maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA
In addition to GPA standards, ASU expects merit scholars to:
- Make timely progress towards graduation each semester
- Remain in good standing with the University Code of Conduct
- Engage in the honors college or scholarship community
Scholars who fall below GPA or credit thresholds can work with advisors to develop an academic plan for regaining good standing. One year of subpar grades usually results in a warning, while two consecutive years risk termination of the award. Communication is key.
With responsible choices, these scholarships can truly pay for your entire ASU education. Let’s move to some practical examples.
ASU Merit Scholarship Award Examples
To illustrate the real award amounts over four years, here are sample scholarship budgets for two hypothetical merit scholars:
Example 1: Presidential Scholar
- $15,000 award amount per year
- $60,000 total potential value
- $15,000 x 4 years = $60,000
Example 2: Barrett Scholar
- Full tuition, fees, room & board (estimated $28,000/year)
- $1,000 book credit per year
- Laptop computer (value varies year to year)
- $28,000 x 4 years = $112,000
- Plus $4,000 in book awards
- Total 8-semester value over $115,000
As you can see, these scholars will have the majority if not all of their undergraduate costs covered by their merit awards alone. Additional grants, work-study, and scholarships can further reduce costs.
With care and diligence, accepting an ASU merit scholarship presents a life-changing path to an affordable, high-quality education. Let’s wrap things up.
Final Thoughts and Tips for ASU Merit Scholarship Success
In summary, ASU’s merit scholarships offer tremendous value to deserving students. Some final tips as you consider applying:
- Apply for admission by the November 1 priority deadline. Early submission boosts your candidacy.
- Check the scholarship websites for any supplemental application materials or timelines beyond general admission.
- Have your transcripts, tests, and activities list carefully proofread. Accuracy matters.
- Practice writing compelling essays highlighting your unique qualities and fit for ASU.
- Ask teachers for supportive recommendations highlighting your strengths and work ethic.
- Maintain your grades senior year. Scholarship decisions largely rely on the full high school profile.
- Communicate any special circumstances (illness, family hardships) through your application if relevant.
- Consider ASU visits or info sessions hosted by the scholarship offices or your high school counselor.
Dedicated effort, responsible academics, and communication will serve you well at ASU. With hard work, you can graduate debt-free or with minimal student loans. Best of luck with the application process!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions:
What if I don’t meet all the eligibility requirements?
ASU reviews applications holistically. While minimum standards exist, strong applicants who narrowly miss a threshold may still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Make your full strengths known and contact the scholarship offices if concerned.
Will my major influence my scholarship application?
No, ASU’s merit scholarships consider your overall academic profile rather than your intended college or major. Your portfolio submission can highlight skills for creative or technical fields if relevant, but the major alone does not impact the general application process or criteria.
When will I hear back about my scholarship status?
ASU typically notifies scholarship finalists in late winter or early spring, from January to March. The timing varies slightly each year based on application volumes. Presidential and Dean applicants usually find out within 2-3 months after the priority November 1 admission deadline. Barrett applicants may wait a little longer since evaluation is more intensive given the highly selective, full-ride nature of that scholarship. Be sure to check your MyASU portal and email regularly during the decision release period. Contact the scholarship offices if you have not received a decision by March.
What if I’m waitlisted for a scholarship?
A small number of strong applicants may be waitlisted each year if a scholarship class fills before their application can be fully reviewed. Being waitlisted means you remain under consideration as the University monitors enrollment patterns and funding availability. It’s not a rejection, and your chances can improve if awarded spots open up. You’ll typically hear a final update by May. In the meantime, keep your grades up and contact the scholarship office if anything changes on your application like improved test scores.
Can I defer using my scholarship to a later intake year?
In most cases, no – ASU merit scholarships are tied specifically to starting your first-year undergraduate studies in the Fall 2024 semester for which you initially applied. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for compelling reasons like gap years, military service, or documented personal/medical issues. You must contact the scholarship office to formally request deferral as soon as your situation allows, and it’s not guaranteed. Generally, it’s best to reapply for any new scholarships if starting at a later date rather than defer an existing award.
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