Auburn Freshman Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Auburn University

This page contains information about scholarships open to incoming first-year students. Some scholarships have their own dedicated pages with more detailed information. We recommend exploring those pages and our frequently asked questions for more comprehensive insights.

MERIT-BASED COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS

Merit-based competitive scholarships are renewable for a period of four years. To be eligible, first-year students must enroll in the summer or fall term immediately after graduating from high school.

Eligibility Criteria

• Automatic consideration is given to first-year students who secure admission by early February. There is no need to fill out a separate scholarship application.
• Eligibility is determined based on high school GPA and standardized test scores. Ensure that Auburn has your latest academic records in the Applicant Portal. Auburn accepts the ACT Superscore Report and will also compute a superscore for the SAT and any individual ACT score reports. The highest test score will be considered for scholarship eligibility. Updated highest scores from individual tests must reach Auburn by January 10. Scores received post this deadline will not be considered for merit-based competitive scholarships.

Scholarship Awards

• Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Being considered does not guarantee a scholarship. Each incoming class competes amongst itself. The actual awards are determined based on the number of eligible admitted students, their qualifications, and the funds available.
• First-year students who secure admission early have a higher chance of receiving a scholarship.  
• Scholarships are awarded in mid-November, mid-December, and mid-February.
• Recipients are informed via email to their Auburn email account and by postal mail to their permanent address. 

SELECT NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

Specific need-based scholarships are available to Alabama residents and can be renewed for four years. To be eligible, first-year students must enroll in the summer or fall term immediately after graduating from high school.*  

Eligibility Criteria

• Automatic consideration is given to first-year students who secure admission by early February. A separate scholarship application is not necessary.
• Eligibility is determined based on financial need and high school GPA. For students who apply for admission as test optional, the academic assessment during the admission evaluation is also considered.
• Financial need is assessed by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must reach Auburn by March 1. Students selected for financial need verification are not eligible for need-based scholarships if the verification process is incomplete.
• A minimum 3.0 high school GPA is required for consideration.
• Additional consideration is given to first-generation college students and students from underserved areas in Alabama.

Scholarship Awards

• Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Being considered does not guarantee a scholarship.
• The scholarship amount is either $2,000 or $5,000 per year for four years.
• Students may receive a select need-based scholarship in addition to other scholarships awarded.
• Select need-based scholarships are awarded in mid-February, and recipients are informed via email to their Auburn email account.

ACHIEVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS

Achievement and leadership scholarships may be awarded as funding permits and can be renewed for four years. To be eligible, first-year students must enroll in the summer or fall term immediately after graduating from high school.*

Eligibility Criteria

• First-year students who secure admission by early February and complete the scholarship application in the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) by March 1 are considered.
• Eligibility is determined based on high school GPA and information provided on the scholarship application. For students who apply for admission as traditional applicants, standardized test scores may also be considered. Updated test scores must reach Auburn by January 10. For students who apply for admission as test optional applicants, the academic assessment during the admission evaluation may also be considered.
• Priority consideration is given to Alabama residents.

Scholarship Awards

• Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Being considered does not guarantee a scholarship.
• The average high school GPA for recipients of achievement and leadership scholarships in the most recent entering class was 4.29. The average award amount for these scholarship recipients in the most recent entering class was $1,500 to $2,000 per year for four years.
• Students may not receive both an achievement and a leadership scholarship. Students also may not receive an achievement or leadership scholarship and a competitive merit scholarship.  
• If funding permits, scholarships are awarded by early March, and recipients are informed via email to their Auburn email account.