College Scholarships by State
A parent-built guide to 504 colleges in all 50 states and the scholarships each one actually awards — including the exact GPA and ACT/SAT cutoffs that trigger automatic money. Pick your state, open a few colleges, and compare real numbers side by side.
Or scroll down and browse by region. Every state is on this page.
If nobody in your family has done this before, you are in the right place. Start with the two boxes below. They explain the one distinction that makes this whole process manageable.
The two kinds of college scholarships
Most families think “scholarships” means outside contests — the essay sweepstakes, the local civic club award, the sites that ask you to make an account. Those exist, and they are worth a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. But the overwhelming majority of the money your student receives will come from the colleges themselves. That is the money this page is about.
Automatic (guaranteed) scholarships
The college publishes a chart. If your student’s GPA and test score land in a row on that chart, the award is theirs. No essay, no interview, no committee. At many public universities there is not even a separate application — admission alone triggers it.
This is where first-generation families find the most reliable money.
Competitive scholarships
A separate application, usually with essays, sometimes an interview, and almost always an earlier deadline than admission. Bigger awards — full tuition, full ride, honors college packages — but never guaranteed.
Worth applying to. Never worth counting on.
Every college guide on this site is organized around that split, so you can see at a glance what your student already qualifies for versus what they would need to compete for. If you would rather skip to the numbers, the scholarship search tool lets you filter every award in the database by GPA and test score.
How to use this page
- Open your own state first. In-state tuition is almost always the cheapest starting point, and your state’s public universities are the most likely to have a published automatic chart.
- Then open three or four colleges. One you’re confident about, one reach, and at least one you’d be happy to attend if the money came through. Look at each one’s automatic tier table.
- Compare the after-scholarship number, not the sticker price. A $45,000 private college that hands your student $28,000 automatically is cheaper than a $22,000 public that gives nothing. Sticker price tells you almost nothing.
Browse 504 colleges by state
Tap any state to open its list. Public universities are listed first, then private colleges. Most colleges here publish an automatic merit chart — that is the norm, so the badges flag the exceptions and the standouts. The legend below explains each one in plain English.
Southeast
Alabama
15 colleges
Public universities
- University of AlabamaAuto Full Tuition
- Auburn UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Troy University
- University of South AlabamaAuto Full Tuition
- Jacksonville State University
- University of Alabama in HuntsvilleAuto Full Tuition
- University of North Alabama
- Alabama State UniversityHBCU
- Alabama A&M UniversityHBCU
Private colleges
- Samford University
- Tuskegee UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- Oakwood UniversityHBCU
- Miles CollegeAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- Talladega CollegeCompetitive OnlyHBCU
Arkansas
14 colleges
Public universities
- University of Arkansas
- Arkansas State University
- University of Central Arkansas
- Arkansas Tech UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
- Southern Arkansas University
- Henderson State University
- University of Arkansas at MonticelloAuto Full Tuition
- University of Arkansas at Pine BluffHBCU
Private colleges
Florida
21 colleges
Public universities
- University of Central Florida
- Florida International University
- University of FloridaCompetitive Only
- University of South Florida
- Florida State University
- Florida Atlantic University
- University of North Florida
- University of West Florida
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida A&M UniversityCompetitive OnlyHBCU
- Florida Polytechnic UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- New College of Florida
Private colleges
Georgia
17 colleges
Public universities
- Georgia Institute of TechnologyCompetitive Only
- Georgia State University
- Kennesaw State UniversityCompetitive Only
- University of Georgia
- Georgia Southern University
- University of North Georgia
- University of West Georgia
- Georgia Gwinnett College
- Valdosta State UniversityCompetitive Only
- Georgia College & State University
- Augusta UniversityCompetitive Only
Private colleges
- Emory UniversityQuestBridge
- Mercer University
- Clark Atlanta UniversityCompetitive OnlyHBCU
- Spelman CollegeAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- Morehouse CollegeHBCU
- Berry College
Kentucky
10 colleges
Public universities
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- Western Kentucky University
- Northern Kentucky University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Morehead State University
- Murray State University
Private colleges
- Berea CollegeAuto Full TuitionNo Merit Aid
- Centre College
- Bellarmine University
Louisiana
15 colleges
Public universities
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Southeastern Louisiana University
- Louisiana Tech University
- University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- McNeese State University
- Southern UniversityHBCU
- LSU New Orleans
- Grambling State UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- Nicholls State University
- Louisiana State UniversityCompetitive Only
Private colleges
Mississippi
13 colleges
Public universities
- Mississippi State University
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)Auto Full Tuition
- University of Southern MississippiAuto Full Tuition
- Jackson State UniversityCompetitive OnlyHBCU
- Alcorn State UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- Mississippi University for Women
- Mississippi Valley State UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- Delta State University
Private colleges
North Carolina
18 colleges
Public universities
- North Carolina State UniversityCompetitive Only
- University of North Carolina CharlotteCompetitive Only
- University of North Carolina Chapel HillQuestBridge
- University of North Carolina Wilmington
- University of North Carolina Greensboro
- North Carolina A&T State UniversityHBCU
- Western Carolina University
- University of North Carolina Asheville
- Appalachian State University
- East Carolina UniversityCompetitive Only
Private colleges
- Duke UniversityCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Wake Forest UniversityCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Elon University
- High Point University
- Campbell University
- Gardner-Webb University
- Davidson CollegeCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Queens University of Charlotte
South Carolina
11 colleges
Public universities
- University of South Carolina
- Clemson University
- Coastal Carolina University
- College of CharlestonAuto Full Tuition
- Winthrop University
- University of South Carolina Upstate
- The Citadel
Private colleges
Tennessee
26 colleges
Public universities
- University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Middle Tennessee State University
- University of Memphis
- Austin Peay State University
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- East Tennessee State University
- Tennessee Tech University
- Tennessee State UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- University of Tennessee–Martin
- University of Tennessee SouthernAuto Full Tuition
Private colleges
- Vanderbilt UniversityQuestBridge
- Belmont University
- Lipscomb UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Southern Adventist UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Rhodes College
- Union University
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- Sewanee: The University of the South
- Carson-Newman University
- Fisk UniversityHBCU
- Christian Brothers University
- Maryville College
- King UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Milligan University
- Lane CollegeCompetitive OnlyHBCU
- LeMoyne-Owen CollegeHBCU
Virginia
17 colleges
Public universities
- George Mason University
- Virginia Tech
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- James Madison University
- University of VirginiaCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Old Dominion University
- Radford University
- William & MaryCompetitive Only
- Longwood University
- Christopher Newport University
- University of Mary Washington
- Virginia Military InstituteCompetitive Only
- Virginia State UniversityHBCU
- Norfolk State UniversityCompetitive OnlyHBCU
Private colleges
- Liberty UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- University of RichmondCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Hampton UniversityHBCU
West Virginia
1 college
Southwest
Arizona
5 colleges
New Mexico
2 colleges
Oklahoma
4 colleges
Public universities
- University of OklahomaAuto Full Tuition
- Oklahoma State UniversityAuto Full Tuition
Private colleges
Texas
29 colleges
Public universities
- Texas A&M UniversityCompetitive Only
- University of Houston
- University of North Texas
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Texas Tech University
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- Texas State University
- University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyAuto Full Tuition
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Texas at El PasoAuto Full Tuition
- Sam Houston State University
- Lamar University
- Tarleton State University
- University of Texas at Tyler
- Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
- Stephen F. Austin State UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Prairie View A&M UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
- University of Houston–Clear Lake
- Texas Southern University
- University of Texas Permian Basin
- University of Texas at Austin
Private colleges
- Baylor University
- Texas Christian UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Southern Methodist University
- Rice UniversityQuestBridge
- University of the Incarnate Word
- Abilene Christian UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Houston Christian UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Trinity University
Midwest
Illinois
16 colleges
Public universities
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignAuto Full Tuition
- University of Illinois ChicagoAuto Full Tuition
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Eastern Illinois University
- Western Illinois UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Chicago State UniversityAuto Full Tuition
Private colleges
- DePaul University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Northwestern UniversityCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- University of ChicagoQuestBridge
- Bradley UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Wheaton College (Illinois)
- Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana
13 colleges
Iowa
5 colleges
Public universities
Private colleges
- Drake University
- Grinnell CollegeQuestBridge
Kansas
8 colleges
Michigan
15 colleges
Public universities
- Michigan State University
- University of Michigan–Ann ArborAuto Full TuitionQuestBridge
- Grand Valley State University
- Western Michigan University
- Wayne State University
- Oakland University
- Central Michigan University
- Eastern Michigan UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Ferris State University
- University of Michigan–Dearborn
- University of Michigan–FlintAuto Full Tuition
- Michigan Technological University
Private colleges
- Calvin University
- Hope College
- University of Detroit MercyAuto Full Tuition
Minnesota
8 colleges
Public universities
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- St. Cloud State University
- University of Minnesota Duluth
Private colleges
- University of St. Thomas
- St. Olaf College
- Carleton CollegeCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Macalester CollegeQuestBridge
Missouri
10 colleges
Public universities
- University of MissouriAuto Full Tuition
- University of Missouri–St. Louis
- University of Missouri–Kansas City
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Truman State University
- Missouri State University–Springfield
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
Private colleges
- Saint Louis University
- Washington University in St. LouisCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Lindenwood University
Nebraska
3 colleges
Public universities
- University of Nebraska–LincolnAuto Full TuitionQuestBridge
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
Private colleges
North Dakota
2 colleges
Ohio
16 colleges
Public universities
- Ohio State University
- University of Cincinnati
- Kent State University
- Miami University (Ohio)
- Bowling Green State University
- University of Akron
- University of Toledo
- Cleveland State University
- Youngstown State University
- Wright State University
Private colleges
- Case Western Reserve UniversityQuestBridge
- University of Dayton
- Xavier University (Ohio)
- Oberlin CollegeQuestBridge
- Denison UniversityQuestBridge
- Kenyon College
South Dakota
2 colleges
Wisconsin
7 colleges
Northeast
Connecticut
15 colleges
Public universities
- University of Connecticut
- Central Connecticut State University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Western Connecticut State UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Charter Oak State CollegeCompetitive Only
Private colleges
- Sacred Heart University
- Fairfield University
- University of New Haven
- Quinnipiac University
- Yale UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- University of Hartford
- Trinity College
- Connecticut College
- Wesleyan UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
Delaware
3 colleges
Public universities
- University of Delaware
- Delaware State UniversityAuto Full TuitionHBCU
Private colleges
Maine
4 colleges
Public universities
- University of MaineAuto Full Tuition
Private colleges
- Colby CollegeNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Bowdoin CollegeNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Bates CollegeNo Merit AidQuestBridge
Maryland
12 colleges
Public universities
- University of MarylandQuestBridge
- Towson UniversityCompetitive Only
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Salisbury University
- Bowie State UniversityCompetitive OnlyHBCU
- United States Naval AcademyCompetitive Only
- University of Maryland Eastern ShoreHBCU
- Coppin State UniversityHBCU
- Morgan State UniversityHBCU
Private colleges
- Johns Hopkins UniversityCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Loyola University Maryland
- Mount St. Mary's University
Massachusetts
16 colleges
Public universities
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Bridgewater State University
- University of Massachusetts DartmouthAuto Full Tuition
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Private colleges
- Boston UniversityQuestBridge
- Northeastern University
- Boston CollegeCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Harvard UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Merrimack College
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- College of the Holy CrossCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Stonehill College
New Hampshire
2 colleges
Public universities
Private colleges
- Dartmouth CollegeNo Merit AidQuestBridge
New Jersey
10 colleges
New York
24 colleges
Public universities
- University at Buffalo
- Stony Brook UniversityQuestBridge
- Binghamton UniversityCompetitive Only
- University at Albany
- United States Military Academy (West Point)Competitive Only
- SUNY Maritime College
Private colleges
- New York University
- Syracuse University
- St. John's University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Cornell UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- University of Rochester
- Hofstra University
- Columbia UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Marist University
- Long Island University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Iona University
- Siena University
- Colgate UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Manhattan University
- Canisius University
- Niagara University
- Wagner College
Pennsylvania
14 colleges
Rhode Island
4 colleges
Public universities
Private colleges
- Brown UniversityNo Merit AidQuestBridge
- Providence College
- Bryant University
Vermont
1 college
Washington, D.C.
3 colleges
Private colleges
- Howard UniversityHBCU
- American University
- Georgetown UniversityNo Merit Aid
West
Alaska
3 colleges
California
30 colleges
Public universities
- University of California, Los AngelesCompetitive Only
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, San Diego
- California State University, FullertonCompetitive Only
- University of California, Davis
- San Diego State UniversityCompetitive Only
- San José State UniversityCompetitive Only
- California State University, Long BeachCompetitive Only
- University of California, Irvine
- California State University, NorthridgeCompetitive Only
- California State University, Sacramento
- University of California, Riverside
- Cal Poly PomonaCompetitive Only
- University of California, Santa BarbaraCompetitive Only
- California State University, Fresno
- California State University, Los AngelesCompetitive Only
- San Francisco State UniversityCompetitive Only
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of California, Merced
Private colleges
- University of Southern California (USC)
- California Baptist University
- University of San Diego
- Chapman University
- Santa Clara UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Stanford UniversityCompetitive OnlyQuestBridge
- Loyola Marymount University
- University of the Pacific
- Pepperdine University
- Saint Mary's College of California
Colorado
13 colleges
Public universities
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Colorado State University
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Colorado Mesa University
- University of Northern Colorado
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University Pueblo
- Fort Lewis College
- Western Colorado University
- Adams State University
Private colleges
Hawaiʻi
1 college
Idaho
4 colleges
Public universities
Private colleges
- Brigham Young University-IdahoAuto Full Tuition
Montana
2 colleges
Nevada
2 colleges
Public universities
- University of Nevada, Las VegasAuto Full Tuition
- University of Nevada, Reno
Oregon
4 colleges
Utah
7 colleges
Public universities
- Utah Valley UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- University of Utah
- Utah State UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Weber State UniversityAuto Full Tuition
- Southern Utah University
- Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State)Auto Full Tuition
Private colleges
- Brigham Young UniversityCompetitive Only
Washington
6 colleges
Wyoming
1 college
Questions first-generation parents ask
Do I have to apply separately for college scholarships?
It depends on the scholarship. Automatic (guaranteed) merit awards usually require nothing beyond the admission application — you are considered the moment you are admitted, as long as you applied by the college’s scholarship priority deadline. Competitive scholarships almost always need a separate application, and that deadline is typically weeks or months earlier than the regular admission deadline. The priority deadline is the one that costs families the most money when it is missed.
Does my student need a perfect GPA to get a scholarship?
No. Published automatic scholarship charts commonly start around a 3.0–3.5 GPA, and many public universities award meaningful money in that range. Test scores often matter more than GPA at these schools, because colleges recalculate GPA differently but read an ACT or SAT score exactly as reported. Raising a test score by two or three points frequently moves a student a full tier up the chart.
Can we get scholarships at an out-of-state college?
Yes, and it is often where the largest discounts are. Many universities publish automatic awards specifically to attract out-of-state students, and some waive the out-of-state tuition rate entirely for students who hit a stated GPA and test score. Always compare the after-scholarship cost rather than assuming in-state is cheaper.
What does the “Competitive Only” badge mean?
It means the college offers merit scholarships, but none of them are guaranteed by a published chart — every award requires a separate application and a committee decision. Strong grades and test scores get your student considered, never promised. These schools can still award serious money; just build your plan around the application deadlines rather than counting on an automatic amount.
What does the “No Merit Aid” badge mean?
A small number of colleges — mostly the Ivy League and a handful of elite private schools — award no merit scholarships at all. Every dollar of aid is based on family income, not grades or test scores. That is not necessarily bad news: at these schools, need-based aid can be generous enough that lower- and middle-income families pay far less than the sticker price. But there is no GPA chart to find, so do not spend time looking for one.
What is QuestBridge?
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that matches high-achieving students from lower-income families — many of them first-generation — with full four-year scholarships at partner colleges. Students apply through QuestBridge in the fall of senior year, rank their preferred partner colleges, and can be “matched” with a scholarship that covers tuition, room, and board. Colleges carrying the QuestBridge badge above are official partners. If your family income is roughly $65,000 or less, it is worth a serious look.
What is the difference between merit aid and financial aid?
Merit aid is awarded for grades, test scores, talent, or leadership, and does not consider income. Financial aid (need-based aid) is awarded based on what the FAFSA says your family can contribute. They are separate systems and most families receive some of both. Filing the FAFSA is required for need-based aid and, at many colleges, for institutional merit aid as well — file it even if you are certain you will not qualify for need.
Are these scholarship lists free? Do I need an account?
Everything on this site is free and open. There is no account, no paywall, no lead form, and no student data collection. This site was built by a parent who went through the process and could not find the numbers in one place.
How current is this information?
The lists on this page are generated directly from the site’s scholarship database, and a college only appears here once its full guide page is researched and published. Award amounts and deadlines change every year, so always confirm on the college’s own site before you rely on a number — every college guide here links directly to its source.
Get the free Starter Kit
A plain-English starting point for parents trying to understand scholarships, college costs, and what to do next. No cost, no catch.
Data last verified November 2, 2026 · 504 colleges across 51 states and D.C. · Built and maintained by a parent, not a company.
↑ Back to top