🎓 Arizona State Scholarships: What Your Family Can Actually Expect
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden‑gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
If you’re looking at Arizona State from out of state, you’re probably doing the math. And yes—those tuition figures can feel staggering at first—but ASU offers strong automatic merit aid that can drastically reduce costs for high‑achievement students. This guide breaks it down so you know where your family may land before applying.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Arizona State University (2025–26)
| Category (2 semesters) | In‑State | Out‑of‑State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $11,822 | ≈ $32,394 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $15,456 | $15,456 |
| Books, Travel, Personal (allowance) | $6,472 | $6,472 |
Average Federal Net Price: $14,808 — what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans).
Reciprocity / WUE: Arizona State University does participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange — but only for select majors at the Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, and West Valley campuses. The WUE rate is 150% of Arizona base resident tuition (fall & spring only) and is not available for Tempe campus or ASU Online.
High achievers (GPA/test) often see $15,000–$18,000/yr in automatic nonresident merit. Use ASU’s Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Arizona State University awards automatic scholarships through its New American University (NAU) Scholarship Program. These are granted automatically upon admission—no separate application needed. Awards are based on your student’s GPA, test scores (if submitted), and residency status.
| Award Level | GPA | ACT / SAT | Award Amount (Non-Resident) |
Renewable? | Stackable? | Separate App? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Award | 3.90+ | ACT 30+ / SAT 1360+ | $15,000–$18,000/yr | Yes (4 years) | Yes | No |
| Provost’s Award | 3.70–3.89 | ACT 27–29 / SAT 1260–1350 | $13,000–$15,000/yr | Yes (4 years) | Yes | No |
| Dean’s Award | 3.50–3.69 | ACT 24–26 / SAT 1170–1250 | $9,000–$12,000/yr | Yes (4 years) | Yes | No |
| University Award | 3.25–3.49 | ACT 21–23 / SAT 1060–1160 | $6,000–$8,000/yr | Yes (4 years) | Yes | No |
*Scholarship ranges may vary by college or major. Test scores are optional but can increase eligibility. All awards require maintaining good academic standing.
🎯 Superscore Bonus: ASU does accept superscores for both the ACT and SAT. If your student took the test more than once, ASU will combine the highest section scores when awarding scholarships—maximizing their merit aid potential.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These scholarships require a separate application, essay, or nomination process. They’re more competitive than ASU’s automatic merit aid, but many target leadership, service, or academic depth—not just GPA and test scores.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Renewable | Separate App | Who Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU Leadership Scholarship Program (LSP) | $10,000/year + enrichment | Strong leadership + community service | Yes | Yes (by invitation) | Leaders with GPA 3.7+ and ACT 27+; deep resume matters more than scores |
| President Barack Obama Scholarship | Up to full tuition + room & board | AZ residents with financial need (FAFSA + Pell eligible) | Yes | Auto-considered via FAFSA | AZ students with GPA 3.5+ and strong need (no test scores required) |
| ASU Spirit of Service Scholar | $5,000 + mentorship | Public service & policy interest | 1 year (juniors/seniors) | Yes | Civic-minded juniors/seniors with GPA 3.5+ and leadership in service |
📌 Is the Leadership Scholarship Program only for perfect students?
📌 Can my kid stack these with automatic scholarships?
📌 What if my daughter is close, but not quite at those numbers?
⭐ College Specialty
Arizona State University is one of the largest and most innovative public universities in the country. Known for its forward-looking approach, ASU combines size with opportunity—offering nationally ranked programs across business, engineering, sustainability, and journalism. As a public R1 research university, it gives students access to top faculty, hands-on research, and real-world career connections in the heart of the Phoenix metro area.
Journalism & Mass Communication — #1 in the nation for innovation, with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism ranked among the top programs nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
Why it matters: ASU students get hands-on newsroom experience in one of the fastest-growing media markets in the country, with alumni working at major national outlets.
- Business (W. P. Carey School of Business) — Top 25 undergraduate business programs nationwide (U.S. News, 2024).
- Engineering (Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering) — Among the largest in the U.S., ranked top 50 nationally.
- Law (Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law) — #32 nationally, #1 in Arizona (U.S. News, 2024).
- Earth & Environmental Sciences — Ranked top 20 globally (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2023).
- Sustainability — First stand-alone School of Sustainability in the U.S., internationally recognized.
- Public Affairs — #10 nationally (U.S. News, 2024).
🎓 Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University
Admission to Barrett is not automatic. Even top students with large automatic merit must complete a separate application. Admission is selective, based on GPA, essays, recommendations, and intellectual curiosity.
Barrett is often called one of the best public honors colleges in the country. It offers small seminars, priority registration, dedicated housing, and access to research and faculty mentoring. Roughly 7,000 undergraduates are enrolled across ASU’s campuses.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrett Honors College Scholarships | $1,000–$10,000/year | Admission to Barrett; GPA 3.8+ recommended; strong essays | Yes (via Barrett app) | Yes | Barrett admits with GPA 3.8+, ACT 29+ / SAT 1340+ (test-optional but helps) |
| Barrett Travel & Study Abroad Awards | $1,000–$5,000 (one-time) | Barrett students pursuing study abroad or global programs | Yes | No | Honors students who propose academic or service-based international projects |
| Barrett Research & Thesis Funding | $500–$3,000 (one-time) | Barrett students conducting senior thesis or research projects | Yes | No | Students with approved faculty-mentored projects |
| Barrett Donor & Endowed Awards | $500–$5,000/year | Barrett students meeting donor criteria (leadership, service, major, identity-based) | Yes (apply via Barrett scholarships portal) | Varies | Competitive Barrett students in good standing with strong involvement |
FAQs about Barrett Scholarships
📌 Does winning an ASU merit scholarship mean automatic admission to Barrett?
No. Barrett is a separate, competitive process. Automatic merit awards help with tuition but do not guarantee admission to the honors college.
📌 Do Barrett students get extra scholarships?
Yes. In addition to ASU’s automatic merit, Barrett students can apply for exclusive donor scholarships, research and thesis grants, and study abroad awards.
📌 What GPA and test scores are typical for Barrett admits?
Successful applicants usually have a 3.8+ GPA and test scores in the ACT 29+ / SAT 1340+ range if submitted. Strong writing and recommendations also matter.
📎 Official Links
Arizona State isn’t just “big” — it’s built to give students options. From automatic scholarships that reward solid academics, to Barrett Honors for kids who want a smaller community inside a huge university, ASU finds ways to open doors.
The key is knowing where your student fits: automatic merit if their GPA and test scores are strong, competitive awards if they’re ready to hustle with essays and applications, and hidden gems if they qualify for programs like ROTC or departmental aid.
Put it together, and ASU can be far more affordable than the sticker price suggests. For families, the takeaway is simple: the opportunities are there — you just have to line them up early.
Last updated: August 2025