Southeast Colleges with Scholarships for a 3.0 GPA
A 3.0 GPA is where things start to change — especially in the Southeast. At this level, your student is no longer just trying to get in. They are starting to qualify for real scholarship consideration, including automatic merit at some schools and meaningful aid packages at others.
In this region, that matters even more because a 3.0 GPA is often tied not just to college scholarships, but also to state-funded aid programs that can lower the total cost in a much bigger way.
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What this means: In the Southeast, a 3.0 GPA often sits right at the cutoff for many scholarship programs. That means small improvements — a stronger test score, earlier application, or slightly higher GPA — can lead to significantly better offers.
Important context: This page focuses on colleges in the Southeast where a 3.0 GPA may put your student in range for scholarship opportunities. Some awards are automatic, some are competitive, and some depend heavily on test scores, timing, or financial need. Always check each college’s scholarship page for the most current details.
Why a 3.0 GPA Is a Turning Point
Across the Southeast, a 3.0 GPA is often the line where merit aid starts becoming more realistic. At many public universities — especially regional campuses and less selective state schools — that number can serve as a baseline for scholarship consideration rather than just admissions.
It can also be the number that opens the door to state-funded programs families may have heard about but not fully understood yet. In parts of the Southeast, that makes a 3.0 GPA more than an academic milestone — it becomes a practical affordability threshold.
CRP Insight: A 3.0 GPA is often less about whether a student can go to college and more about whether they can position themselves for a better offer — including state aid, institutional merit, or a combination of both.
That is why this GPA tier deserves its own strategy. It is not just a slightly better version of 2.5. It is the point where scholarships start opening up in a more meaningful way.
What Changes at a 3.0 GPA
At this GPA range, scholarship results are still not automatic everywhere — but they are much more realistic than they were at 2.5. This is where families start to see a clearer difference between schools that simply admit students and schools that actually use merit aid to recruit them.
- Admissions anxiety usually drops — at this level, the conversation starts shifting from “Will they get in?” to “What will it cost?”
- Automatic scholarships may start to appear at some regional and mid-tier public universities.
- Test scores can create meaningful jumps in scholarship size.
- Small GPA gains can matter more now, because some colleges use 3.0 as a real cutoff point.
Reality check: A 3.0 GPA is not a golden ticket, but it is a meaningful threshold. At this point, school choice and application strategy start to matter more than parents often expect.
Merit Leverage at a 3.0 GPA
This is where families need to think in terms of leverage. A 3.0 GPA is often enough to get a student into the conversation, but other pieces of the application may determine whether the offer stays small or becomes meaningful.
CRP Insight: In the Southeast, a 3.0 GPA can put your student on the board, but test scores may still determine whether the offer stays modest or becomes meaningful. At some colleges, a stronger ACT can change the scholarship outcome fast.
This is also where applying early starts to matter more. Some scholarships that look automatic on paper can still be influenced by deadlines, limited funding, or a first-come review process.
- Target colleges with clear scholarship grids. Predictable schools are usually safer bets than vague “competitive consideration” language.
- Use test scores as a lever. A stronger ACT or SAT can change the outcome fast at this GPA level.
- Apply as early as possible. Timing may affect whether the best scholarship funds are still available.
- Compare actual net price. A modest scholarship at a lower-cost school can still beat a bigger-name college with no aid.
Tip: If a college superscores the ACT or SAT, retesting may be more worthwhile than families think. One stronger section score can sometimes help more than expected.
Student Scenarios: What This Looks Like in Real Life
A 3.0 GPA can lead to very different scholarship results depending on scores, finances, and school choice. The biggest mistake families make here is assuming every 3.0 student will be treated the same.
The Score Booster
3.0 GPA + strong ACT/SAT: This is the scenario where scholarship options can widen quickly. A good score can unlock automatic awards, improve admissions odds, and make a student much more attractive to colleges trying to shape their class.
The Cost-Conscious Plan
3.0 GPA + test-optional approach: This path can still work, but outcomes may be less predictable. In that case, families often do best by focusing on lower-cost colleges and schools where the admissions bar is manageable even without scores.
The Aid-Stacking Family
3.0 GPA + financial need: Merit may only be part of the package. At this level, need-based grants, state aid, and institutional support can combine to make a college more affordable than the scholarship label alone suggests.
The Regional Standout
3.0 GPA + regional public university: This is where some students get treated much better than families expect. At the right mid-sized state school, a 3.0 student may be much more recruitable than they would be at a flagship, which can translate into a stronger scholarship package or better overall value.
Scholarship Matches
Based on a 3.0 GPA | Southeast Region
Showing Merit Scholarship Opportunities
These are colleges in the Southeast where a 3.0 GPA may put your student in range for scholarship opportunities. Some colleges below may offer automatic merit, while others use competitive or holistic scholarship review. Click through to each college page for the details.
Regional strategy note: In some cases, Southeast families may also want to look at tuition-reduction programs like the Academic Common Market, which can make an out-of-state college cost closer to in-state tuition for certain majors.
Important: Some scholarships labeled as “automatic” may still depend on timing, funding, or score thresholds. Always click through to the college’s official scholarship page before making a final decision.
Scholarship Matches
Based on a GPA 3.0 | Southeast profile. Institutions with actionable merit aid identified.
Colleges Listed
95
Total institutions with matching merit programs.
Showing all Scholarship results. These are colleges where your GPA puts you in range for real scholarship opportunities — including automatic, competitive, and honors-based awards For more information on each college, click to view the full scholarship breakdown.
Important: Some scholarships listed as “automatic” may still depend on application timing, funding limits, or test scores for the highest award levels. Use the details on each college to understand how predictable the offer really is.
🏛️ Western Kentucky University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Border State Scholarship — supplemental 1
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: December 31, 2025 (complete admission file including proof of residency).
Strategic Note: This is for out-of-state families close to Kentucky. If the student lives in Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia, or Missouri, this can be more valuable than a small merit award because it attacks the tuition rate itself.
+ 8 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Southern University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Jaguar Out-of-State Fee Waiver
GPA: 2.75 | ACT: 24 | SAT: 1160 | Ends: July 1 priority for fall entry
Strategic Note: New out-of-state freshmen with at least a 2.75 high school GPA or ACT 24+/SAT 1160+ and transfer students with a 2.75+ transfer GPA who enroll full time and maintain at least a 2.75 Southern cumulative GPA.
🏛️ University of Arkansas at Little Rock
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ AR
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 20 | Ends: August 1 (admission plus transcript and test scores on file)
Strategic Note: Non-resident freshmen with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 20 ACT who enroll full-time — including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students.
🏛️ Arkansas State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ AR
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Out-of-State Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 24 | SAT: 1160 | Ends: July 1 scholarship deadline
Strategic Note: Nonresident students with a 3.0+ GPA and an ACT 24+ (or SAT 1160+) who enroll full-time on the Jonesboro campus.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Bellarmine University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer: Silver Scholarship
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Rolling; awarded with transfer admission based on completed application and transcript review.
Strategic Note: Transfer students from accredited colleges with at least a 2.0 transfer GPA who enroll full time. The better the transfer record, the more likely the student is to receive a stronger offer, but Bellarmine does not publish a fixed dollar grid.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Louisiana Tech University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Bulldog Out-of-State Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | ACT: 23 | SAT: 1130 | Ends: Complete the admission application and submit required documents before enrollment. Earlier completion by the general scholarship priority date is recommended for timely awarding.
Strategic Note: Admitted out-of-state freshmen, especially students from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, who meet Louisiana Tech's requirements and enroll full time. For out-of-state families, this fee waiver can be more important than the smaller merit grid award because it attacks the nonresident price directly.
+ 7 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Northwestern State University of Louisiana
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Out-of-State Fee Exemption
GPA: 2.25 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1060 | Ends: As early as possible before billing
Strategic Note: Out-of-state freshmen who meet the ACT 21 (or SAT 1060) and 2.25 GPA thresholds — a very accessible bar. For families outside Louisiana, this exemption can represent $10,000+ in annual savings by collapsing the gap between out-of-state and in-state rates. Texas border-county residents and legacy-eligible students have additional pathways even if they don't meet the test score threshold.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Alcorn State University
FULL RIDEGPA 3.0+ MS
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ President's Excellence
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 28 | SAT: 1310 | Ends: April 1
Strategic Note: Students who score a 28 or higher on the ACT (or the equivalent SAT composite) and carry at least a 3.0 high school GPA are the ones walking away with this full academic scholarship covering tuition, room, board, books, and a stipend. Test prep is worth every dollar here — a few extra points on the ACT can be the difference between a strong partial award and a full ride.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Jackson State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ MS
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ JSU Tiger Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: June 1
Strategic Note: Community college graduates who have earned an AA degree from an accredited school, completed at least 60 transferable credit hours, and maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA. There's no test score requirement and no essay barrier — this is purely academic record-based. If your student transferred in good standing with a completed AA degree, they should absolutely apply during the March 15–June 1 window.
🏛️ Mississippi State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ MS
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
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How This Is Awarded
→ Freshman One-Year Housing Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 34 | SAT: 1490 | Ends: ACT/SAT through February of senior year; priority date Dec 1 for scholarship consideration.
Strategic Note: Entering freshmen (resident or non-resident) with 9th–11th GPA 3.0+ and ACT 34+ or SAT 1490+ who live in on-campus housing.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Campbell University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ NC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Campbell Grant
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Rolling; follow general financial aid deadlines
Strategic Note: Full-time main-campus undergraduates who meet Campbell's institutional grant criteria and maintain at least a 2.0 CGPA. This award is distinct from the merit scholarships and is reviewed as part of the broader financial aid package — completing the FAFSA is key to being considered.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Tennessee State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ TN
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ MNPS Trailblazer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1060 | Ends: Follows TSU admission and Tennessee HOPE Scholarship deadlines; see TSU Merit Scholarships and MNPS/TSAC sites for exact dates.
Strategic Note: Metro Nashville Public Schools graduates who enroll full-time at TSU, hold at least a HOPE GPA of 3.0 or ACT 21 / SAT 1060, and are HOPE Scholarship–eligible through TSAC. If you graduated from an MNPS school and are heading to TSU, this is one of the most powerful local-to-local scholarship combinations in Tennessee — full tuition, no essay, automatic consideration.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Liberty University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ VA
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
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How This Is Awarded
→ Liberty Academic Scholarship – Full Tuition Test Score Bonus
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 35 | SAT: 1540 | Ends: Rolling
Strategic Note: Students with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA who hit the elite test score threshold — SAT 1540+, ACT 35+, or CLT 112+. Liberty superscores all three tests, so your best composite from multiple sittings counts. This is the top of the automatic academic scholarship grid and doesn't require a separate application.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Morehead State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ SOAR Higher Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1060 | Ends: June 15
Strategic Note: Virginia and West Virginia students with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and 21 ACT or 1060 SAT. This is a serious tuition discount, but it still leaves housing, meals, and other costs.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Jacksonville University
$33,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Jacksonville University Academic (Merit) Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Rolling — awarded at time of admission.
Strategic Note: Just about every admitted full-time first-year lands somewhere on the ladder — JU reports 100% of full-time undergraduates receive scholarships, and stronger unweighted GPAs land in the higher $30,000+ bands.
🏛️ Presbyterian College
$24,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ SC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Tartan Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Apply by November 1 for priority consideration. Some awards may still be made after this date.
Strategic Note: Students with GPAs in the 3.00–3.24 range who meet PC's standard admission benchmarks. These are solid, well-rounded students who earn meaningful automatic aid just by applying — no extra hoops required.
🏛️ Lipscomb University
$20,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Lipscomb Pathways Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Rolling
Strategic Note: Transfer students with at least 12 transferable hours and a 2.5+ college GPA who enroll full time at Lipscomb seeking their first bachelor's degree. This is the broadest and most generous automatic transfer award Lipscomb offers — most transfer students who qualify will receive between $14,000 and $20,000 per year automatically.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Alabama Birmingham
$17,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Provost (Out-of-State)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 27 | SAT: 1260 | Ends: May 1
Strategic Note: Out-of-state students in UAB's upper-middle merit range. A student can qualify with a 3.5+ GPA and upper-20s test score, or with a 3.0-3.49 GPA if the ACT/SAT is 30+.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Florida Southern College
$17,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Academic Merit — Tier 4 (3.00+ GPA)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Rolling
Strategic Note: Transfers with 3.00-3.24 cumulative college GPAs — students who are steady contributors and hitting the traditional B-average threshold.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Southern Mississippi
$16,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ MS
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
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How This Is Awarded
→ Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship - High Scores
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 30 | SAT: 1370 | Ends: March 1
Strategic Note: This is the strongest automatic Academic Excellence range. It is most realistic for high-scoring freshmen with roughly ACT 30-36 or SAT 1370+, a solid GPA, and scores submitted before the March 1 deadline.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Louisville
$15,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Out-of-State Admission-Based Merit (Non-Regional)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 24 | SAT: 1160 | Ends: Apr 1
Strategic Note: This is the fallback automatic merit path for out-of-state students who do not live in one of UofL's special regional scholarship areas. Students with at least a 3.0 weighted GPA may qualify, but the better annual awards generally require stronger academics and useful ACT/SAT scores.
🏛️ Charleston Southern University
$15,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ SC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Cutlass Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: No separate scholarship deadline; awarded on a rolling basis upon admission.
Strategic Note: First-time freshmen with strong college-preparatory records and final high school GPAs between 3.00 and 3.49. A 3.0 is the floor here — students who earned solid grades through rigorous coursework are well-positioned for this tier without any additional application steps.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Samford University
$13,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Marion Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 15
Strategic Note: This is Samford's broader automatic academic merit lane. It is most relevant for admitted freshmen and transfers with at least a 3.0 GPA and a solid academic record, especially students who may not reach the Crosland level.
🏛️ University of Louisiana at Monroe
$12,100 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Out-of-State Warhawk Waiver
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1060 | Ends: Apply by January 31; meet score and GPA criteria by published deadlines.
Strategic Note: Out-of-state students with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 21 ACT or 1060 SAT who enroll full time. For nonresident families, this may be the most important ULM affordability lever because it directly reduces the out-of-state price gap.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of North Alabama
$12,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Academic & Presidential Awards
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 20 | Ends: March 2 freshman scholarship priority date
Strategic Note: Any first-time, full-time freshman who applies on time with an unweighted GPA of 3.00 and up plus an ACT superscore of 20 or higher lands somewhere in the grid. Academic Awards run from around $2,000 to $8,500 per year, Presidential Awards from about $9,000 to $12,000 plus a $4,000 housing scholarship, and the exact tier is driven by where the GPA and ACT combo falls. Students with a 3.0 GPA and a sub-20 ACT should still apply through the General & Endowed Scholarship Application, because merit money is available there too.
🏛️ Jacksonville State University
$10,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
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How This Is Awarded
→ Gamecock Excellence
GPA: 2.00 | ACT: 29 | SAT: 1330 | Ends: May 1
Strategic Note: Students with a 29–30 ACT or 1330–1380 SAT and GPAs of at least 2.0, with the largest awards going to GPAs 3.0 and higher.
+ 6 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of South Carolina Upstate
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ SC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ USC System Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: FAFSA and admission priority deadlines
Strategic Note: South Carolina residents in the top 10% of their class with family income below $80,000 who complete the FAFSA and enroll full-time. The income ceiling makes this a smart find for academically strong families who might not otherwise expect much institutional grant money.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Queens University of Charlotte
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ NC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Queens Commitment (RoyalUp)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Rolling; students should activate RoyalUp early in their CPCC enrollment and follow the Queens transfer application timeline when ready to transfer.
Strategic Note: CPCC students who enroll in RoyalUp at the start of their associate degree, maintain a 2.5 GPA, complete their AA or AS, and apply to Queens through the transfer process. This is a straightforward pathway guarantee — if you follow the roadmap, the aid floor is locked in.
🏛️ George Mason University
$10,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Merit Scholarship
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: By transfer admission deadlines (earlier application improves scholarship consideration).
Strategic Note: Incoming transfer students with stronger college GPAs and consistent academic progress.
🏛️ University of Alabama
$9,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
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How This Is Awarded
→ Foundation in Excellence (In-State)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 29 | SAT: 1330 | Ends: Dec 5 priority deadline for Summer/Fall 2026; Dec 15 for Spring 2026
Strategic Note: Alabama residents near the top of UA’s partial-merit grid. This is the last major automatic tier before full tuition, so families should pay close attention to whether one more ACT/SAT jump could move the student into Presidential.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ The University of Tampa
$9,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Aligned with UT transfer admission deadlines
Strategic Note: Full-time transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges with a college GPA in roughly the 3.0+ range. Higher transfer GPAs land in the upper end of the $6K–$9K band; strong performance across a well-rounded transferable curriculum matters more than any single course.
🏛️ Alabama State University
$8,328 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ M-9 Promise (Out-of-State Tuition Offset, Freshmen)
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: July 30
Strategic Note: This is the clearest Marion 9 out-of-state freshman tier because ASU lists a 2.75 GPA minimum. It is not a full-tuition scholarship; it is a tuition-offset award for non-Alabama freshmen who meet the GPA requirement and are admitted.
🏛️ West Virginia University
$8,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ WV
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Climb Higher Scholarship — Level 4
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: August 1 for fall entry; January 2 for spring entry (admission and transcript submission deadline).
Strategic Note: Students with a good high school GPA in the 3.0–3.49 range who enroll full-time at a WVU campus by the deadline. WV residents at Morgantown receive $1,500/year; out-of-state students at Morgantown can receive up to $8,000/year — a nice automatic award that kicks in with just a 3.0 GPA and no test scores required.
🏛️ University of Kentucky
$8,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Bluegrass Spirit (Non-Resident) — Mid Tier
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 25 | SAT: 1200 | Ends: December 1
Strategic Note: Out-of-state freshmen with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and a 25 ACT or 1200 SAT who apply by the early action deadline. This is a stronger non-resident merit tier, but it still leaves families with a meaningful remaining out-of-state cost.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Mississippi (ole miss)
$8,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ MS
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ J. Means (Tennessee Counties)
GPA: 3.00
Strategic Note: Admitted students from Shelby, Tipton, or Fayette County in Tennessee. For Memphis-area families, this is one of the more important Ole Miss regional awards to check because it can materially lower the nonresident price.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Grambling State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Academic Scholarship (25–27 and 28+ ACT, 3.5 GPA)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 25 | SAT: 1200 | Ends: January 31 (automatic academic scholarship consideration for students who apply by this date)
Strategic Note: Top academic applicants with a 25 or higher ACT and a strong GPA who get their admission application in by January 31. The 28+ ACT and 3.5 GPA sub-tier is Grambling's closest thing to a full-ride pathway for high achievers, especially when layered with TOPS for Louisiana residents.
🏛️ College of Charleston
$7,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ SC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ South Carolina State Scholarships (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, Enhancements)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 22 | SAT: 1100 | Ends: State scholarship timelines through the SC Commission on Higher Education; students should work closely with their high school counselor on Palmetto Fellows deadlines.
Strategic Note: South Carolina residents who meet CHE's published formula criteria. LIFE requires meeting 2 of 3 thresholds: 3.0 GPA, top 30% class rank, or 1100 SAT/22 ACT. Palmetto Fellows is the most selective and carries the highest award — up to $7,500/year in years 2–4.
🏛️ Radford University
$7,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Compass Scholarship (Out-of-State)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 1 (regular freshman admission deadline; apply by this date to be considered)
Strategic Note: Out-of-state freshmen with unweighted GPAs in the 3.0–3.24 range. At $7,000 per year, this is a solid automatic award even at the entry tier — and it renews for four years as long as your student stays above a 2.5 GPA.
🏛️ University of Mary Washington
$6,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Merit (3.0+ college GPA)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Preferred filing dates: Oct 15 (Spring) / Mar 1 (Summer) / Apr 1 (Fall)
Strategic Note: Solid academic transfer students with 3.0–3.49 college GPAs who apply by the preferred filing date.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Winthrop University
$6,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ SC
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Out-of-State Tuition Reduction Grant
GPA: 2.86 | Ends: February 1
Strategic Note: Every out-of-state freshman who meets the minimum GPA threshold for any Winthrop tier (roughly 2.86+ on a 4.0 scale) receives a scholarship plus the full OOS tuition waiver. Higher GPAs and/or test scores unlock larger cash scholarship amounts on top of the waiver. This is one of the strongest value propositions at Winthrop for OOS families — even the entry-level award brings total annual OOS value to roughly $15,040.
🏛️ University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
$5,450 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Academic Service Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: December 1 (priority); February 1 (final)
Strategic Note: First-time undergraduates (freshmen or transfers) with a minimum 3.0 GPA, a genuine and documented history of community or school service, two strong recommendations, and the capacity to commit to 125 campus work hours every semester while staying enrolled full-time. This is an extremely competitive program with a limited number of awards — standout service narratives and reliable recommenders make the difference.
🏛️ University of New Orleans
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
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How This Is Awarded
→ Privateer Premier Award
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 30 | SAT: 1360 | Ends: Priority December 15; Final July 15 for admissions-based scholarship consideration
Strategic Note: Students with a 3.90–4.00 non-weighted cumulative GPA can qualify on grades alone — no test score required. Students with at least a 3.0 GPA who also score 30 ACT or 1360 SAT earn this award via the combined path. This is realistically achievable for your student if they've maintained a strong, consistent record — and it's automatic, meaning no extra hoops to jump through.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Florida Gulf Coast University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Accelerated Collegiate Experience (ACE) Honors Graduates Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 28 | SAT: 1320 | Ends: Aligns with ACE Honors program completion and subsequent degree-seeking enrollment
Strategic Note: Students who completed FGCU's ACE Honors dual-enrollment program with a 3.0 FGCU GPA and earned the ACE Program Director's recommendation. If your student went through ACE Honors and is enrolling at FGCU, this money is essentially waiting.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ East Tennessee State University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Conditional Path
Requires specific designation (e.g., National Merit)
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ International Merit Scholarship — Blue
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: With admission
Strategic Note: International undergraduates around a 3.0–3.3 GPA at admission.
🏛️ Nicholls State University
$4,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Housing and Meals Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | Ends: Jan 5
Strategic Note: First-time freshmen who qualify on the GPA/ACT grid and plan to live on campus are the students most likely to benefit. This is especially useful for families comparing billed cost, because it helps with housing and meal expenses rather than just tuition.
🏛️ University of Tennessee–Martin
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Chancellor's Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 27 | SAT: 1260 | Ends: February 1
Strategic Note: Students who walk in with at least an ACT 27 (superscored) or SAT 1260 and a solid GPA are automatically in the running. Apply early — awards roll out starting in December and funds are limited. If your scores are close, submit multiple test attempts so UTM can build the best superscore on your behalf.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Troy University
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ ONETROY Transfer Scholarship (Tier 1–4)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: August 1
Strategic Note: Transfer students who show up with a solid GPA and enough transferable credits. Anyone at 2.50 or higher qualifies for something automatically, and the top-tier $4,000/year goes to the 3.50+ crowd. No hoop-jumping required — your transcript does the work.
🏛️ Southeastern Louisiana University
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Automatic
Guaranteed for high-stat profiles
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Southeastern Honors Scholarship – 30+ ACT Tier
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 30 | Ends: Priority January 15 admission application; scores and GPA must be received by August 1.
Strategic Note: First-time freshmen with a 3.0+ six-semester GPA and a 30+ ACT, or a higher qualifying ACT superscore. This is the top automatic tier, but families should remember the housing supplement only helps if the student lives on campus continuously from the first semester.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Eastern Kentucky University
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Excellence Award
GPA: 3.00
Strategic Note: This is EKU's automatic award for Kentucky students with a 3.0 to 3.39 unweighted GPA. It is not a huge scholarship, but it can still matter for families trying to bring the in-state bill down before state and federal aid are layered in.
🏛️ University of North Florida
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ SWOOP Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Jan 15 (transfer priority)
Strategic Note: Florida State College A.A. transfers with at least a 3.0 transfer GPA — students at 3.5 and above get priority when funds get thin.
🏛️ Murray State University
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Deans
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: No separate scholarship application deadline; awarded at admission.
Strategic Note: Domestic students with a 3.00–3.29 weighted GPA. This is the kind of baseline merit award that helps families see that Murray's automatic chart reaches beyond only top-A students.
🏛️ University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ AR
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ The Pride Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: March 1
Strategic Note: Sophomore-level transfer students with 30–59 approved transferable credits and a cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher. If your student is transferring in after roughly a year of community college work, this is the tier they're realistically hitting.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Longwood University
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
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How This Is Awarded
→ Lancer Distinction Award
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 1
Strategic Note: Admitted Fall freshmen with a 3.0–3.24 GPA — the entry point of Longwood's merit grid. Early Action guarantees up to $2,000/year; Regular Admission students are eligible for up to $1,000/year. Renewing this award only requires maintaining the same 3.0 GPA students already earned in high school.
🏛️ University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AR
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Lion Pride
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 19 | Ends: May 1 (annual Fall merit scholarship deadline)
Strategic Note: Freshmen who reach either a 19 ACT or a 3.0 GPA — a broadly accessible tier that welcomes solid, steady students.
🏛️ Austin Peay State University
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Kimbrough (limited)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 25 | SAT: 1200 | Ends: February 1 priority scholarship deadline.
Strategic Note: Competitive in-state students who meet or exceed a 3.0 GPA and 25 ACT and apply by the priority deadline. Awards are limited in number, so stronger academic profiles rise to the top among eligible applicants.
🏛️ Northern Kentucky University
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Automatic
Predictable tier-based criteria
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Tri-State Academic Merit (KY Residents, Tier 3)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Feb 15 priority; date not confirmed on 2026-2027 pages
Strategic Note: Based on the legacy Tri-State grid, this appears to be the entry-level Kentucky merit tier for students around a 3.0 GPA. It is parent-relevant because it suggests NKU may still offer some automatic merit below the high-GPA range, but the exact amount needs current confirmation.
Strategic Note: Based on your stats, you also strongly qualify to compete for the Competitive & Hidden Gem awards below. These require holistic review or a separate application.
🏛️ Florida Atlantic University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Johnson Scholarship (Students with Disabilities)
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: May 15
Strategic Note: Florida-resident undergraduate students with documented disabilities who are registered with SAS, submit complete documentation early, and meet the fund requirements.
🏛️ Jackson State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ MS
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Dr. Lewis Liddell Sr. Endowed Band Scholarship
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: March 1 (Round 1 audition); August 1 (scholarship portal deadline)
Strategic Note: Full-time undergraduates in the Sonic Boom who maintain at least a 2.75 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and complete both audition and portal requirements.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ University of West Georgia
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ GA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: National ROTC scholarship deadlines are set by Army ROTC each year.
Strategic Note: Students who are serious about becoming Army officers. Strong applicants usually meet academic standards, pass medical and fitness screening, show leadership potential, and understand the service commitment.
🏛️ University of Mississippi (ole miss)
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ MS
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Ole Miss Opportunity
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Aligns with Ole Miss financial aid and FAFSA priority deadlines
Strategic Note: Low-income Mississippi freshmen who file the FAFSA on time, meet the GPA and income rules, and still have a qualifying gap after Pell, state aid, institutional scholarships, and private aid. This is one of the most important Ole Miss affordability programs for high-need Mississippi families.
🏛️ Morehead State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ KY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Eagle Assurance Scholarship
GPA: 2.80 | Ends: March 15 priority; June 15 final.
Strategic Note: Kentucky families with real financial need. The student needs to be Pell-eligible, a Kentucky high school graduate, at or above the 2.8 GPA line, full-time, and living on campus. This can make tuition and mandatory fees disappear, but it does not make Morehead State free.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Belmont University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ CMPA Music Scholarships
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: Audition timelines; first round typically aligned with Nov 1 Early Action I
Strategic Note: Outstanding music students (voice, keyboard, instrumental, etc.) who major in music and present strong auditions; roughly a quarter to a third of auditioning students receive some level of music scholarship.
🏛️ University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC — Tar Heel Battalion
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Varies (see Army ROTC UNC)
Strategic Note: 3.0+ GPA, fitness, strong leadership/service interest
🏛️ University of South Florida
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Army / Air Force / Navy ROTC + Donor Awards
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: National ROTC boards (Nov–Jan); campus/portal cycles vary
Strategic Note: Cadets/midshipmen who hit benchmarks; some donor awards for enrolled participants
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Tennessee State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Good Mu Society Music Scholarship Fund
GPA: 2.70 | Ends: Spring (annual departmental scholarship cycle; see TSU Scholarship Portal)
Strategic Note: Declared music majors who actively perform with the Aristocrat of Bands and maintain at least a 2.7 GPA.
🏛️ Appalachian State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Ed and Lois Reich Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Varies; check portal or Reich College of Education scholarship cycle.
Strategic Note: Incoming NC transfer students in the Reich College of Education who meet the 3.0 GPA requirement and show strong academic momentum.
🏛️ Vanderbilt University
FULL RIDEGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ ROTC Scholarships + Vanderbilt Room & Board Grant
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: ROTC national scholarship deadlines vary by branch, generally in the Dec–Feb timeframe of senior year.
Strategic Note: Students who secure Army, Navy, or Air Force ROTC scholarships and choose Vanderbilt, committing to officer commissioning and successfully meeting ROTC academic, medical, and fitness standards.
🏛️ University of Arkansas
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ AR
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC
GPA: 2.50
Strategic Note: Cadets who commit to service after graduation
🏛️ Norfolk State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Spartan Family Plan
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Aug 1 (Fall) / Dec 1 (Spring)
Strategic Note: Families with at least two immediate family members enrolled at NSU who maintain required GPA and submit the application by the semester deadline.
🏛️ Georgia Southern University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ GA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | ACT: 19 | SAT: 1000 | Ends: National deadlines are set by U.S. Army ROTC each year.
Strategic Note: Students who are serious about commissioning as U.S. Army officers, not just students looking for scholarship money. Strong applicants usually have solid academics, leadership potential, physical fitness, and willingness to accept the military service commitment.
🏛️ Kennesaw State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ GA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Coca-Cola Scholars Program
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: Typically March 1 during the KSU internal scholarship application cycle; verify the current deadline in ScholarshipUniverse.
Strategic Note: Incoming first-time, full-time KSU undergraduates who fit the program mission: first-generation and/or STEM students with financial need, HOPE eligibility, solid academic standing, and willingness to participate in the program's student-success expectations.
🏛️ Mercer University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ GA
●Elite Selection
Top 1–2% / Interview / Highly Restrictive
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Heritage Scholars Weekend
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Event typically held in February; registration deadline is usually in mid-February.
Strategic Note: Admitted students with strong academic records, engagement, and promise who stand out in interviews and academic experiences during the event.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Troy University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ AL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Jack Hawkins, Jr., Leadership Endowed Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Typically around March 1 — the exact date lives inside the Troy Scholarship Portal each cycle
Strategic Note: Students with at least a 3.0 GPA who can point to real, sustained leadership — not resume padding. The strongest applicants have a clear leadership arc: they built something, led a team, or made a measurable difference in their school or community.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Florida Gulf Coast University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ FL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ In-State Tuition Waiver (Outreach Programs)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Apr 1 (Fall — waiver opens Jan 6); Oct 1 (Spring — waiver opens Sep 1)
Strategic Note: Florida-resident students who came up through one of FGCU's recognized community outreach or pipeline programs, have strong academic records, and write compelling short-answer essays submitted before the deadline. Priority goes to designated program participants.
🏛️ Northern Kentucky University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ KY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ River City Promise
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Gateway and River City Promise deadlines vary; FAFSA timing is required for eligibility
Strategic Note: Pell-eligible students from participating Northern Kentucky high schools who are willing to start at Gateway, stay in the Gateway2NKU pipeline, complete the required steps, and transfer full-time to NKU. This is a pathway scholarship, not a standard freshman award for every NKU applicant.
🏛️ Mississippi State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ MS
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Distinguished Young Women (Local/State)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Dec 1
Strategic Note: DYW local and state winners verified by chair
+ 15 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ East Tennessee State University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ TN
●Elite Selection
Top 1–2% / Interview / Highly Restrictive
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Roan Scholars Leadership Program
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1060 | Ends: Fall–Winter of senior year (dates vary by year)
Strategic Note: A small cohort of high-achieving seniors from Tennessee and select surrounding states with outstanding leadership, service, and interview performance.
🏛️ University of Kentucky
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ KY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ William C. Parker Scholarship Program
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: December 1
Strategic Note: Incoming freshmen with at least a 2.50 unweighted GPA whose applications show strong potential, contribution to campus community, and fit with the goals of the Parker program. This is not a grid scholarship; the award amount and selection depend on holistic review and limited funding.
🏛️ Bellarmine University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ KY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Catholic High School Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Follows general admission and scholarship timelines; students should apply by the institutional priority deadline.
Strategic Note: First-year students from Catholic high schools who have at least a 3.0 GPA and enroll full time. This is an easy-to-miss institutional discount for a specific feeder-school audience.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Louisiana Tech University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Potts-Robinson Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: April 1 continuing-student donor scholarship deadline.
Strategic Note: Continuing students with a 3.0 or higher Louisiana Tech GPA, leadership, service, and campus involvement. Donor criteria give priority to African American students, so families should treat this as a targeted diversity-and-leadership award, not a broad freshman merit scholarship.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of North Alabama
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ AL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Leadership Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 20 | Ends: March 2 priority deadline
Strategic Note: Students who can document real leadership on paper, not just club memberships. UNA reviewers reward officer roles, sustained volunteer service, school and community involvement, and a track record of stepping up, all captured on a tight one- to two-page résumé. A polished résumé matters more here than a slightly higher ACT score.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Southern University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ LA
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ President's Legacy Scholarship
GPA: 2.70 | ACT: 20 | SAT: 1020 | Ends: January 5 (priority)
Strategic Note: Freshmen who meet minimum thresholds of 2.7 GPA and ACT 20 (with specified English and Math subscores) or SAT about 1020, and who show promise through their application.
+ 9 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Alcorn State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ MS
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Oct 14 and Jan 19 (national); campus-based deadlines vary; typical notification by May 1
Strategic Note: Students who meet academic, fitness, and service requirements and commit to commissioning as Army officers; nursing and STEM majors often receive strong consideration.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Charleston Southern University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ SC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: March 31
Strategic Note: Rising juniors and seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA, full-time enrollment, proven financial need, and a strong application representing the Alumni Association well.
🏛️ College of Charleston
FULL RIDEGPA 3.0+ SC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Meeting Street Charleston Compact
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 22 | SAT: 1100 | Ends: Meeting Street Scholarship Fund applications open January 2026 and are awarded through May 2026. CofC standard freshman admission deadlines apply separately.
Strategic Note: High-achieving SC students from 14 eligible counties (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Spartanburg, Williamsburg) who graduate from eligible public or charter high schools, earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows, receive a Federal Pell Grant of any amount, and enroll full time at CofC. Every eligible applicant who meets the criteria receives the award — there is no competitive cutoff. This is as close to a guaranteed full ride as exists at any SC public university, and most eligible families don't know it exists.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of South Carolina Upstate
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ SC
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ USC Faculty/Staff Dependents' Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Contact USC Upstate Financial Aid for current deadline — application routes to USC Columbia
Strategic Note: Dependent children or spouses of full-time USC system employees who are enrolled full-time at any USC system campus, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and submit the specific system-level application on time. Awards are limited and competitive — not all eligible applicants receive funding.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Western Kentucky University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ KY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Hilltopper Guarantee
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: FAFSA priority date for the academic year; students should complete both WKU admission and the FAFSA as early as possible.
Strategic Note: Kentucky families with real financial need. The student needs to be Pell-eligible, CAP-eligible, in-state, full-time, and at or above a 3.0 unweighted GPA. This can make tuition disappear, but it does not make WKU free.
🏛️ Alabama State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ AL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Academic Incentive Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 20 | SAT: 1020 | Ends: February 14
Strategic Note: This is one of the more parent-friendly ASU competitive awards because the academic floor is lower than the top tiers but the payoff can still be significant. A 3.0 GPA and 20 ACT can put a student in range, but the separate scholarship application and February deadline still matter.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Old Dominion University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ VA
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ CHROME Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Mar 1 (typical — verify each year)
Strategic Note: Graduates of certified high school CHROME clubs entering ODU in STEM-related majors, with strong academics and documented program involvement.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of North Carolina Greensboro
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ STAMPS 3.0 Scholars Program
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: March 1
Strategic Note: Pell-eligible STEM admits, strong persistence.
🏛️ Presbyterian College
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ SC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC – Highlander Battalion Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: National high school scholarship boards typically close in January; campus-based awards are rolling during the academic year
Strategic Note: Students who commit to commissioning as Army officers, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, pass the Army fitness test, and perform well in ROTC evaluations.
🏛️ Florida A&M University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
Get the Game Plan →
How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC National Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: January 19 and March 4 (national board deadlines; confirm each year)
Strategic Note: U.S. citizens with strong academics, leadership, and physical fitness who commit to commissioning as Army officers and complete the national ROTC application process.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
Click Get the Game Plan → to see the full strategy.
🏛️ Bethune-Cookman University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ ROTC Scholarships (Army & Air Force)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: January 10 (typical campus deadline); March 4 (national board deadlines, may vary by year)
Strategic Note: U.S. citizens who meet ROTC academic, fitness, and medical standards and commit to commissioning as military officers.
🏛️ North Carolina A&T University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ NC
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ A&T Alumni Chapter Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Varies by alumni chapter; typically spring or early summer for the upcoming fall term.
Strategic Note: Incoming and current students from specific chapter regions who bring academic merit, meaningful community involvement, and a genuine connection to the Aggie alumni community. Geographic match to the chapter's service area is a hard requirement, not a suggestion.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Winthrop University
AWARD VARIESGPA 3.0+ SC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Close Scholars Program
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: April 4
Strategic Note: South Carolina residents with a strong record of sustained community service and leadership in service organizations.
🏛️ Austin Peay State University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC (Govs Guard Battalion)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: October 13, January 19, and March 16 national board dates; campus-based awards on a rolling basis.
Strategic Note: Contracted Army ROTC cadets who meet academic, fitness, and service standards and complete applications by national or campus deadlines.
🏛️ University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: July 1 (fall cohort); November 1 (spring cohort)
Strategic Note: High-achieving cybersecurity or IT students at UTC who intend to work for federal, state, local, or tribal government in cybersecurity roles.
🏛️ University of Tennessee Knoxville
$15,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Global Ambassador Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: May 1
Strategic Note: First-year international students (non-resident visa holders, non-U.S. high school graduates) with at least a 3.0 UT Converted and Weighted Core GPA who complete the separate Global Ambassador application and are selected based on leadership, service, and essay strength. Award tier is GPA-based: 3.0–3.49 = $10,000/yr; 3.5–3.79 = $12,500/yr; 3.8+ = $15,000/yr.
🏛️ Virginia Military Institute
$11,650 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Call to Duty Scholarship (ROTC)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Tied to ROTC award timing
Strategic Note: ROTC scholarship recipients enrolling at VMI who maintain eligibility for their national ROTC scholarship and meet VMI program requirements.
🏛️ Florida Southern College
$8,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Hollis Fellows in Education Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 24 | SAT: 1180 | Ends: January 31
Strategic Note: Two first-year students per year who are Education majors, hold at least a 3.0 GPA and 24 ACT / 1180 SAT, and can articulate a real commitment to teaching. The service commitment is a genuine filter — this scholarship is designed for students who see teaching as a calling, not a fallback.
🏛️ Jacksonville State University
$7,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Elite Selection
Top 1–2% / Interview / Highly Restrictive
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How This Is Awarded
→ JSU Leadership Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 20 | SAT: 1030 | Ends: February 1 (priority deadline for JAX App Leadership application)
Strategic Note: First-time freshmen with at least a 3.0 GPA and mid-range ACT/SAT scores who show outstanding high school leadership and service and submit a strong application and interview.
🏛️ Stetson University
$7,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Sullivan Writing Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: December 20 (Sullivan Creative Writing Scholarship application and essay deadline)
Strategic Note: Academically qualified students, often English majors or Creative Writing minors, who submit strong creative writing samples and a compelling essay.
🏛️ University of Miami
$6,300 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Florida Bright Futures (FAS & FMS)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: August 31 after high school graduation
Strategic Note: Florida high school graduates who meet the state’s GPA, course, and test or service criteria for Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) or Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) and file the FFAA by the deadline.
🏛️ University of Arkansas at Little Rock
$6,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AR
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ STEM Academic Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | ACT: 19 | Ends: August 1 (admission plus transcript and test scores on file)
Strategic Note: Admitted STEM majors reviewed competitively across four bands: a $6,000 tier for 28–36 ACT with a 3.5 GPA, $4,000 for 24–27 ACT with a 3.25 GPA, $3,000 for 24–27 ACT with a 3.00 GPA, and a variable award for 19+ ACT with at least a 2.5 GPA. Leadership and STEM-related activities also factor in.
🏛️ University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
$6,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AR
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Washington Center Scholarship
GPA: 2.75 | Ends: July 1 (state scholarship priority; semester-specific internal dates may vary)
Strategic Note: Arkansas students accepted to The Washington Center who meet GPA and enrollment criteria.
🏛️ University of Memphis
$5,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
GPA: 3.00 | ACT: 21 | SAT: 1060 | Ends: Feb 1
Strategic Note: Students with at least a 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT (1060 SAT) who can demonstrate genuine leadership potential, campus engagement, and a commitment to service. This isn't just an academic award — selection is holistic, and students who bring a story of community involvement tend to stand out.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Alabama Birmingham
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ BSMART General & Departmental Awards
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Jan 15 priority; April 1 final
Strategic Note: Students who complete BSMART carefully and match a department, major, donor, first-generation, service, leadership, or need-based profile. This is the “do not leave the scholarship portal half-finished” bucket: the money is real, but it depends on matching smaller criteria families may not see on the main merit grid.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Virginia Tech University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Global Education Office (GEO) Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Multiple: cycle opens 6 weeks before each term; spring/summer deadlines Dec/Feb/Mar
Strategic Note: VT students enrolled in eligible programs, priority to high-need
🏛️ Campbell University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Endowed & Departmental Scholarships
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Application cycle typically March 1–May 1; priority by May 1
Strategic Note: Main-campus undergraduates who proactively apply, meet donor criteria (major, class year, background, or need), and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
🏛️ Christopher Newport University
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Captains Abroad Annual Scholarship
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: Before departure for the approved study abroad term
Strategic Note: Students with at least a 2.0 GPA participating in approved CNU, exchange or external study abroad programs
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of North Carolina Asheville
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Business & Accountancy Scholarships (e.g., Massey, Kahn)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: March 31
Strategic Note: Declared management and accountancy majors who show strong academic performance, leadership, and engagement with the department or business community.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Georgia
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ GA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ UGA Alumni Association & Chapter Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Spring; many chapter deadlines are around March 1, but dates vary by chapter.
Strategic Note: Students who match a local chapter's criteria and actually complete the extra application. This is the kind of scholarship families can miss because it is not part of the main admissions award letter.
🏛️ Georgia Institute of Technology
$5,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ GA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Campus Services Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: March 15
Strategic Note: Current Georgia Tech students who have already shown leadership and campus involvement. This is not an incoming freshman award; students generally need at least one semester on campus before they are eligible.
🏛️ Georgia State University
$4,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ GA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ State Farm Scholars Program - Perimeter College
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Mar 1 typical program deadline; verify in AcademicWorks.
Strategic Note: Perimeter College freshmen with financial need, academic promise, and willingness to participate in the State Farm Scholars cohort programming. This is not for the Atlanta campus bachelor's-entry pool.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ Nicholls State University
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Nicholls Foundation Donor & Department Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Varies by cycle; example Fall 2026 deadline listed as July 20
Strategic Note: Students who match a specific fund's criteria win these. That might mean the right major, class year, parish, GPA, leadership background, or donor preference. Families should not ignore this bucket because smaller $500–$3,000 awards can be the difference between an affordable bill and a painful one.
🏛️ Liberty University
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ TEAA Scholarship (Teacher Education Access for All)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: April 15
Strategic Note: Teacher preparation students with at least a 3.0 GPA, often first-generation and/or high-need, who submit strong applications.
🏛️ University of West Florida
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Mertis “Sunny” Brown Biology Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: March 1 (typical departmental deadline; apply at least two months before the term).
Strategic Note: Research-focused biology students working on wild bird projects under faculty mentorship.
+ 5 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of North Florida
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Enrollment Services (ES) Need-Based Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Jan 15 (transfer priority — admission + FAFSA on file)
Strategic Note: Pell-eligible Florida State College A.A. transfers with at least a 3.0 GPA — 3.5+ transfers with strong FAFSA need signals get first consideration.
🏛️ Eastern Kentucky University
$3,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Transfer Student Merit Scholarships
GPA: 3.00
Strategic Note: Transfer students with a 3.0+ college GPA are the main audience here. The higher the transfer GPA, the better the award tier, and Phi Theta Kappa members can add extra money if they provide documentation. This is a strong reminder that transfer students should not skip the scholarship process.
🏛️ Grambling State University
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Grambling State University Foundation Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: June 1 priority; additional cycles may run on a rolling basis
Strategic Note: Undergraduates with demonstrated financial need, often first-generation or from underrepresented backgrounds, who maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and submit strong applications.
+ 4 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ George Mason University
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Alumni Association Service Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Typically early March (often around March 6; confirm in scholarship portal each year).
Strategic Note: Full-time undergraduates who demonstrate sustained community or university service, leadership, and strong academic records.
🏛️ McNeese State University
$2,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ H.C. Drew Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Mid-February (scholarship portal deadline)
Strategic Note: Students from the Southwest Louisiana region in listed majors who maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and complete the Foundation application.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Mary Washington
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: By UMW transfer preferred filing dates (Oct 15 Spring / Mar 1 Summer / Apr 1 Fall)
Strategic Note: Community college transfer students with Phi Theta Kappa membership, at least 24 transferable credits, and a 3.0+ college GPA.
🏛️ Auburn University
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Alumni Scholarships (Legacy)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 14 AUSOM priority; parent/guardian life membership may be required by February 1
Strategic Note: Legacy students who complete AUSOM correctly and meet the alumni membership requirements. This is not huge money, but it is exactly the kind of one-time Auburn-connected award families can miss if they do not understand the alumni relationship rules.
🏛️ Samford University
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ AL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Davis Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: December 1
Strategic Note: This is not just a GPA scholarship. The students with the best chance are entering freshmen who meet the academic floor and can show real leadership, service, and community involvement through a strong separate scholarship application.
🏛️ Murray State University
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ KY
●Conditional Path
Requires specific designation (e.g., National Merit)
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How This Is Awarded
→ National Merit Finalist Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 8, 2026 (General Scholarship Application); National Merit documentation should be submitted when available.
Strategic Note: Official National Merit Finalists who complete Murray State's scholarship process on time. The big upside is priority consideration for the full-ride Presidential Fellowship; the fallback may be a much smaller institutional National Merit stipend.
+ 2 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of Louisiana at Monroe
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Spirit Scholarships (Cheer, Hawkline, Mascot)
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Tryout dates occur each spring; check ULM Spirit Groups and Hawkline for the current tryout calendar and packet deadlines.
Strategic Note: Students who earn a roster spot through Cheer, Hawkline, or Mascot tryouts and maintain the required GPA, team participation, and good standing. This is talent-and-commitment money, not a general scholarship.
🏛️ University of New Orleans
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Jefferson Premier Scholarship
GPA: 2.50 | ACT: 23 | SAT: 1130 | Ends: July 15 for admissions-based scholarship consideration
Strategic Note: First-time freshmen with 23 ACT/1130 SAT and minimum 2.5 non-weighted cumulative GPA who meet the Jefferson Premier threshold but fall below the higher automatic scholarship tiers.
+ 3 more qualifying scholarships available.
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🏛️ University of North Carolina Wilmington
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ James E. L. Wade Scholarship (Political Science/History)
GPA: 2.70 | Ends: Priority Mar 1
Strategic Note: High-GPA Political Science/History students with department engagement
🏛️ University of Florida
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ UF International Center Study-Abroad Awards
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Spring ≤ Nov 1, Summer ≤ Mar 1, Fall ≤ Jun 1
Strategic Note: Applicants with strong purpose statement
🏛️ University of North Carolina Charlotte
$2,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ First-Gen Student Support Awards
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Early Action: Feb 15; Regular: Apr 1
Strategic Note: First-gen freshmen with need, GPA 3.0+, strong story/application
🏛️ Louisiana State University
$1,500 / YRGPA 3.0+ LA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ STEM Pathways Gold & Silver STEM Seal Scholarships
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: April 15 is the typical annual deadline for Cain Center STEM Pathway Gold and Silver Seal Scholarships.
Strategic Note: Louisiana high school graduates who completed the STEM Pathways curriculum, earned the Gold or Silver STEM diploma seal, submit the separate application, and keep at least a 3.0 GPA during the first LSU semester.
🏛️ Wake Forest University
FULL TUITIONGPA 3.0+ NC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Army ROTC Scholarships
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Oct 13, Jan 19, Mar 16 (national Army ROTC scholarship boards)
Strategic Note: Students with at least a 3.0 GPA, solid academics, strong physical fitness, leadership experience, and who meet Army medical and eligibility standards.
🏛️ Radford University
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ VA
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ 1 Peter 4:10 Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: February 5 priority deadline
Strategic Note: First-generation students who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, complete the Foundation application, and participate in the required mentoring relationship.
🏛️ The University of Tampa
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ FL
●Competitive
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ President's Leadership Fellows (PLF)
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Feb 15
Strategic Note: First-year admits with a demonstrated track record of leadership and service — student government, team captain roles, sustained volunteer work, founded initiatives — plus solid academics (3.0+ unweighted). Selection leans on evidence of ongoing commitment rather than one-off accomplishments. Students who can articulate why they want to grow as a leader (not just list titles) consistently make it through.
🏛️ Tennessee Tech University
$1,000 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Study Abroad Airfare Reimbursement
GPA: 2.50 | Ends: Oct 15 (spring travel); Mar 15 (summer and fall travel)
Strategic Note: Approved study abroad participants with at least a 2.5 GPA who complete the Center for Global Experiences application, required orientation, and post-trip service hours.
🏛️ University of South Carolina
$500 / YRGPA 3.0+ SC
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
GPA: 3.00 | Ends: Mar 15 (priority); some close Mar 1
Strategic Note: Legacies with solid academics/involvement
🏛️ Rhodes College
$500 / YRGPA 3.0+ TN
●Hidden Gem
Holistic review / Not guaranteed
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How This Is Awarded
→ Youth For Understanding / AFS / HOBY Scholarship
GPA: 2.00 | Ends: With admission materials; external listings cite January 15 as a consideration date
Strategic Note: Students who participated in YFU, AFS, or HOBY programs and clearly report this involvement in their admission file.
