Alcorn State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit awards (President’s Excellence and others)
- Competitive or departmental options worth a look
- Honors and stacking guidance for Mississippi families
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~25% (most recent federal data)
- Middle 50% ACT: 15–19
- Middle 50% SAT: ~840–1000
- Average HS GPA: ~3.0
Source: IPEDS/College Scorecard & reputable aggregators. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Alcorn State at a Glance
Alcorn State’s automatic merit grid rewards strong GPA and test scores—no separate application required. The President’s Excellence (ACT 28+) can reach up to $18,000 per year, while the Provost and University levels extend generous discounts for solid academic achievers. These awards can substantially reduce costs for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Use this guide to see how merit combines with Mississippi state aid and federal grants to minimize your family’s net price.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No formal test-optional policy is posted; ACT or SAT is strongly encouraged for admission and required for automatic merit.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 15–19; SAT ~840–1000 (latest profiles based on IPEDS-linked sources).
What’s the average net price? ~$13,155 after grants/scholarships (College Scorecard 2022–23).
Does this school use reciprocity or nonresident waivers? No formal reciprocity; out-of-state students rely on automatic merit or need-based aid.
Scholarship Requirements – https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/scholarship-requirements/
Undergraduate Admission – https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admission-new-freshman/
Admissions Requirements – https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/
College Scorecard (Average net price & admissions) – https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?175342-Alcorn-State-University=
DataUSA (Acceptance rate, 2023) – https://datausa.io/profile/university/alcorn-state-university
CollegeData profile (score ranges) – https://www.collegedata.com/college-search/Alcorn-State-University
💰 Cost of Attendance at Alcorn State University (2025–26)
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $8,549 | $8,549 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $11,600 | $11,600 |
| Total Direct Costs (Before Aid) | $20,149 | $20,149 |
Note: Other estimated costs—books & supplies (~$1,672), transportation (~$1,686), and personal expenses (~$1,582)—are not included above because they are not paid directly to Alcorn State University. These indirect costs vary by student and are only used for financial aid calculations.
Students from Academic Common Market (ACM) states may also qualify for in-state rates if their chosen major isn’t offered at home, making certain specialized programs even more affordable.
Cost of Attendance FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state rates?
Everyone — Alcorn doesn’t charge extra tuition for out-of-state students.
How much can families really save?
Compared to a typical public university that charges $10,000+ extra for non-residents, the savings here can exceed $40,000 across four years.
Do I need to apply for the waiver?
No waiver is needed for Alcorn’s flat tuition. If applying for ACM, you must complete the process through your home state’s higher education office.
Tuition & Fees – https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/tuition-fees/
Housing & Meal Plans – https://www.alcorn.edu/life-at-alcorn/housing/
Financial Aid Office – https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/financial-aid/
College Scorecard (Net Price) – https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?175342-Alcorn-State-University
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Excellence | Full ride – tuition, room & board for 4 years + $500/semester books + $1,000/semester stipend | 3.0+ GPA and ACT 28+ (or SAT equivalent) | No | Yes – must keep 3.0 GPA | Top test-takers (28+ ACT) with strong rigor; these are the students who usually secure the full ride. | Apr 1 |
| Provost Scholar | Up to $17,000/yr | 3.0+ GPA and ACT 24–27 (or SAT equivalent) | No | Yes – must keep 3.0 GPA | Solid students in the mid-20s ACT range with good grades; early FAFSA filing helps with funding. | Apr 1 |
| University Scholar | Up to $12,000/yr | 3.0+ GPA and ACT 22–23 (or SAT equivalent) | No | Yes – must keep 3.0 GPA | Students with ACT in the low 20s and a solid B+/A- GPA; this award makes Alcorn very affordable. | Apr 1 |
Note: Students can only receive one of the automatic academic scholarships. Institutional aid cannot exceed the cost of tuition, housing, and meals. Application must be on file by April 1 for full consideration.
Automatic Scholarship FAQs
Do I need to apply separately?
No. All admitted freshmen are automatically considered if they meet the GPA and test score thresholds. FAFSA must be filed for packaging.
Does Alcorn superscore ACT or SAT?
No. Alcorn uses composite scores as reported; there is no superscore policy.
Can these awards stack with other scholarships?
Not usually. Only one academic merit award is granted, and institutional aid cannot exceed the total cost of attendance. Outside/private scholarships may still stack on top.
What’s the deadline to qualify?
Applications must be submitted by April 1 for automatic consideration. Awards depend on available funding.
Alcorn State University Scholarships — https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
Academic Scholarship Requirements & Deadlines — https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/academic-scholarship-requirements
Alcorn State Admissions — https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Most universities reserve their very best scholarships for a small, competitive pool. Alcorn is different: the President’s Excellence full-ride is awarded automatically to every freshman who meets the ACT/GPA threshold. That means Alcorn does not currently offer a separate flagship competitive program in the usual sense.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What Makes It Competitive | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? / Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No flagship competitive scholarships are offered. The automatic full-ride (President’s Excellence) serves as Alcorn’s top award. | |||||
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
So there’s really no competitive flagship award?
Correct. Alcorn’s President’s Excellence is a true full-ride and awarded automatically if you meet the criteria. That’s unusual compared to most universities.
Are there still competitive scholarships available?
Yes, but they come through corporate partners (Cargill, Strada, Takeda) and are handled in Scholarship Universe. These are smaller in number and more specialized.
Does Alcorn superscore ACT/SAT?
No. Alcorn uses composite scores as reported; there is no superscore policy.
Can corporate partner awards stack with automatic merit?
Sometimes, but institutional aid can’t exceed the total Cost of Attendance. Corporate programs may also come with service, internship, or leadership requirements.
Alcorn State University Scholarships — https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
Academic Scholarship Requirements & Deadlines — https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/academic-scholarship-requirements
Alcorn State Scholarship Universe — https://alcorn.scholarshipuniverse.com/
Corporate Scholars Programs — https://www.alcorn.edu/programs/corporate-scholars
🎖️ Myrlie Evers-Williams Honors Program
The Myrlie Evers-Williams Honors Program is Alcorn’s way of attracting and supporting high-achieving students who want more from their undergraduate years. It’s built around scholarship, leadership, and service — giving motivated students a smaller academic community with big opportunities for growth.
High school GPA of 3.0 or higher, ACT score of 24+ (or SAT equivalent), strong academic rigor, and a record of leadership or service. Current Alcorn students can also apply after their first semester with a 3.0 GPA and faculty recommendations.
- Priority access to Alcorn’s top automatic scholarships (like the President’s Excellence full ride)
- Specialized honors seminars and colloquiums
- Guided research and independent study with faculty mentors
- Support for paid internships and research stipends
- Leadership and service opportunities that strengthen scholarship resumes
- Preparation for graduate school and national fellowship competitions
- Recognition at commencement and on transcripts
Honors Program FAQs
Do Honors students get extra scholarships?
While there isn’t a stand-alone “Honors Scholarship,” most students in the program qualify for Alcorn’s top automatic awards — including the President’s Excellence full-ride. Being in Honors also positions students for stipends, internships, and external fellowships.
Is admission automatic if I meet the GPA and ACT cutoffs?
No. Students must submit an Honors application. Admission is competitive and also looks at leadership, service, and faculty recommendations.
Does joining Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors seminars and projects are designed to complement your major. Students graduate on time with extra distinction.
When should I apply?
Entering freshmen should apply alongside their admission application. Current students can apply after their first semester if they have a 3.0 GPA and faculty support.
Myrlie Evers-Williams Honors Program — https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/honors-program/
Honors Program Admission Requirements — https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/honors-program/admissions-requirements
Alcorn State University Scholarships — https://www.alcorn.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
Alcorn State has a proud legacy as one of the nation’s first historically Black land-grant universities. Families know it best for its strength in agriculture and nursing, but students also find nationally respected opportunities in education, STEM, and music. These programs connect students to real pipelines in Mississippi and beyond.
Nursing — Alcorn State’s School of Nursing is one of Mississippi’s top producers of Black nursing graduates and is well recognized statewide for preparing nurses who go straight into high-demand hospital and community roles.
- Agriculture & Applied Sciences: As a 1890 land-grant HBCU, Alcorn is nationally recognized for agricultural research, extension, and workforce training through its College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and USDA partnerships.
- Education: Longstanding teacher education programs that supply a large share of Mississippi’s educators, with strong regional placement pipelines.
- STEM Initiatives: Federal partnerships (e.g., NRCS Scholars, USDA-CAAS, corporate programs) highlight Alcorn as a pathway for underrepresented students in STEM fields.
- Music / Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Band: Known statewide and nationally for its marching band and fine arts traditions, which attract students across the South.