Does Auburn University offer full-ride scholarships?

Yes. The National Scholars Presidential Scholarship and Academic Presidential Scholarship can both cover full tuition or more, depending on student eligibility.

Is Auburn generous with out-of-state merit aid?

Yes. Auburn offers multiple tiers of automatic merit aid for out-of-state students, with awards ranging from $6,000 to full tuition based on GPA and test scores.

Is there a separate application for scholarships at Auburn?

Some scholarships are automatic with admission, while others (like those requiring essays or leadership criteria) require a separate application through the Auburn University scholarship portal.

Auburn University Scholarships (2025–2026)

← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Alabama state aid

What This Page Covers:

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

Auburn isn’t just a football powerhouse—it’s one of the South’s best-known public universities for generous out-of-state scholarships. Families often discover that Auburn can be surprisingly affordable once merit aid kicks in. This guide breaks it down in plain English: what it really costs, how automatic awards work, where the competitive money is, and which hidden programs can make a difference.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Auburn University

Category (2025–26)	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)	$13,318	$36,022
Housing & Meals (typical)	$17,210	$17,210
Books, Travel, Personal (allowance)	$7,520	$7,520

Average Federal Net Price: $23,897 — what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on federal data. Your cost can be lower or higher depending on aid.

Regional Tuition Options: Auburn participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM) for select majors. It’s not a blanket out-of-state discount—eligibility depends on your home state and program.

Learn more about these programs: ACM

Note: Some majors add program fees that increase the total estimated cost; always check your specific college/major page.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Auburn considers admitted students automatically for competitive merit awards. Policy notes: Auburn accepts ACT Superscore and calculates SAT superscore; updated scores must be received by Jan 10. Earlier admission improves odds.

Scholarship	Award Amount (per year)	Eligibility (GPA/Test)	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Spirit of Auburn Presidential (AL residents)	$11,000	3.5+ GPA & ACT 33–36 (SAT equiv.)	No — auto review if admitted by Dec 1; scores by Jan 10	Yes — up to 8 semesters; 3.0 AU GPA & 24 credits/year	Top AL residents with highest test scores; early action helps.
Spirit of Auburn Founders (AL residents)	$9,000	3.5+ GPA & ACT 30–32	No (automatic)	Yes — same terms	Strong AL residents just below Presidential level.
Spirit of Auburn University (AL residents)	$5,000	3.5+ GPA & ACT 28–29	No (automatic)	Yes — same terms	Common for solid AL admits meeting the cutoff.
Academic Presidential (Non-resident)	$15,000–$17,000	3.5+ GPA & ACT 33–36 (higher score → $17k)	No (automatic)	Yes — same terms	Top OOS admits with 33+ ACT or high SAT.
Academic Heritage (Non-resident)	$11,000	3.5+ GPA & ACT 31–32	No (automatic)	Yes — same terms	Competitive OOS students with strong scores.
Academic Charter (Non-resident)	$7,000	3.5+ GPA & ACT 29–30	No (automatic)	Yes — same terms	Typical for OOS admits at this band.

Note: Cutoffs are based on Auburn’s current chart and are competitive guides (not guarantees). Awards depend on the applicant pool and funding.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships at Auburn University

These scholarships require a separate application, essay, or nomination. Some are highly competitive and go to students with top academics, leadership, or unique backgrounds. Apply early—and aim intentionally.

You’ll apply for these through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) after submitting your main admissions application. The most competitive awards are often tied to leadership, Honors College, or specific majors.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Spirit of Auburn	Up to full tuition	Top 5% of applicant pool; leadership, GPA, and community service	Yes (via AUSOM)	Yes, 4 years	Usually students with a 4.0 GPA, 32+ ACT (or 1450+ SAT), and significant leadership roles.
National Scholars Presidential	Full tuition + housing + meal plan + stipend	National Merit Finalists naming Auburn as first choice	Yes	Yes, 4 years	Exclusively National Merit Finalists who list Auburn as their first-choice school with NMSC.

Note: The profiles shown in “Who Actually Wins?” are based on past recipients, Auburn’s published data, and admitted student stats. They are not official cutoffs. Actual winners may vary each year depending on the applicant pool and funding.

📅 Deadlines to Know:

• Spirit of Auburn Scholarship — December 1 (priority application deadline)
• National Scholars Presidential (National Merit) — May 31 (NMSC first-choice deadline)

Missing these dates usually means missing the scholarship — mark your calendar early.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at Auburn

These aren’t the flashy full-rides—but they add up, especially when stacked. Most are tied to leadership, legacy, or where you’re from. And most families miss them because they’re buried in the system. If your kid qualifies, these are low-effort, high-leverage wins.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Auburn Club Scholarships	$500–$2,000	Local alumni club ties; sometimes essay or activity involvement	Yes — via AUSOM	Varies	Students from regions with active Auburn alumni clubs; often overlooked.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship	$1,500/year	Parent or grandparent is an Auburn graduate; alumni verification required	Yes — via AUSOM	Yes	Legacy families who complete documentation on time.
4-H and FFA Scholarships	$1,000–$3,000/year	Active participation in 4-H, FFA, or agriculture programs	Yes — via AUSOM	Yes	Ag-focused students who document their involvement clearly in AUSOM.
Military Dependent & ROTC Aid	Varies (tuition offsets, stipends, housing aid)	Military-connected students (active duty, veteran, dependent, or ROTC)	Yes — via AUSOM + service documentation	Yes (if criteria met)	Military families who know to apply; benefits often buried in fine print.
Civic Leadership & Club Awards	$500–$1,500	Students leading clubs, service projects, or tutoring peers	Yes — via AUSOM	Yes	Kids who mark leadership roles clearly on their AUSOM profile.
Departmental Scholarships	Varies ($500–$3,000+)	Majors like engineering, agriculture, nursing; GPA 3.5+	Yes (via AUSOM)	Yes (usually)	Strong students in specific colleges/majors.
First-Generation Grant	Up to $4,000/year	Students whose parents did not graduate college	Yes (via AUSOM)	Yes	First-gen students who apply on time.

Tip: These awards often fly under the radar. Encourage your student to complete every AUSOM section thoroughly—many of these only appear if you check the right box.

⭐ College Specialty

Veterinary Medicine — #11 in the nation (Source: U.S. News — 2023)

Why it matters: intensive clinical training and strong placement for animal & biomedical careers.

Undergraduate Engineering — Top 30 among public programs (U.S. News 2025)
Supply Chain Management — National top tier (Gartner Undergrad ranking, 2022)
Architecture — Rural Studio — National Design Award (Cooper Hewitt, 2022)

Note: Rankings vary by publisher and method. We cite recent, credible sources.

🎓 Honors College at Auburn University

Auburn’s Honors College isn’t automatic. Your kid has to apply—and the bar is high, but not unreachable. Honors is where Auburn puts its academic intensity: smaller classes, deeper discussion, and more direct access to professors and mentoring.

How it works:

To apply, your kid submits a separate Honors College application through their Auburn applicant portal. Strong candidates usually have a 3.85+ GPA and ACT scores in the 29–33 range—but the review is holistic. They’re looking for leadership, writing depth, and intellectual spark.

Apply by the February 15 priority deadline to stay eligible for Honors-based scholarships.

What Honors offers:

Priority course registration
Seminar-style classes with deeper engagement
Dedicated academic advising
Access to competitive scholarship pools
Optional Honors housing communities

Admission doesn’t guarantee a scholarship—but it can open doors that wouldn’t be available otherwise. For high-achieving kids with ambition, Honors can be a strategic multiplier.

💡 How Honors Can Impact Scholarships

Getting into Auburn’s Honors College won’t guarantee more money—but it can open doors that stay shut to the general pool. Think access to departmental awards, research grants, and leadership-based funding that quietly favors Honors students.

Examples:

Honors College Enrichment Award: For high-performing Honors students who stand out academically or take initiative. Award ranges from $1,000–$4,000.
Departmental Research Fellowships: Offered by many majors, often limited to students in Honors or nominated by faculty.

Your kid doesn’t need to be in Honors to get merit aid—but if they’re close to qualifying, it’s often a strategic edge worth reaching for.

🔗 Official Links

These official pages are the best places to confirm deadlines, eligibility, and application instructions.

Final Thoughts

If Auburn is on your student’s list, combine the merit chart with AUSOM (departmental) and, if applicable, ROTC or ACM. That’s how families turn a good offer into a great one—without chasing a dozen complicated applications.

Last updated: August 2025