Arizona State University Scholarships to Apply for in 2025

Arizona State University, better known as ASU, is a major public university located in the Phoenix metropolitan area that offers diverse degree programs and affordable tuition rates.

ASU provides students the unique opportunity to study at one of their five different campus locations scattered throughout the city of Phoenix. Each campus location has independent degree offerings and its own distinctive campus culture.

Furthermore, through ASU online, students can earn a university degree from the comfort of their own homes. Over 300 degree programs and certificates are available, helping reduce costs and increasing accessibility for students with work and family obligations or other individual circumstances.

Another amazing benefit of attending Arizona State University is the myriad of ASU scholarships provided by the university itself and external donors who are part of the ASU and the larger Arizona community. ASU students can qualify for merit scholarships that may reduce tuition costs by nearly half, and Arizona residents can even receive a full-ride scholarship through various scholarship programs.

Out-of-state tuition at ASU is also more affordable compared to other schools for nonresident students from Western states. The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program enables scholars at ASU from states like New Mexico, Utah, and California to earn their degrees while paying 150% of in-state tuition.

These are only a few of the numerous scholarship opportunities available to students attending ASU, including many more scholarships offered by professional organizations, individual donors, and university alumni. In this article, we've organized all of the information you need to know about ASU scholarships and financial aid at ASU.

Don't forget to check out our other blog posts to learn more about scholarships for college students, including transfer students, and applying for scholarships as a high school senior. Additionally, be sure to create a free Bold.org profile to access hundreds of scholarships on our scholarship search engine.

How Do I Get a Scholarship from ASU?

Many merit scholarships available to incoming first-year undergraduate students at ASU do not require a separate application. You will be automatically considered for scholarships like the New American University Scholarships when you apply to ASU, submit all of the necessary application materials, and are accepted as a student.

Like most colleges and universities in the United States, ASU calculates need-based financial aid based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. In accordance with your Student Aid Report provided by the FAFSA, ASU will send you a Financial Aid Offer Letter that breaks down your eligibility for need-based scholarships, student loans, and federal work-study options.

Finally, you can apply for eligible scholarships that are sponsored by ASU alumni, Arizona community members, and professional or nonprofit organizations. ASU utilizes a scholarship search engine to help students find scholarships for specific criteria, such as areas of study, major, or identity. Military and veteran financial assistance, financial aid for foster youth, and scholarships for Native/Indigenous students are also available through ASU's scholarship website.

Whether it's spring semester, summer, or fall, apply for scholarships to lessen your college debt!

How Much Does it Cost to Attend ASU?

ASU's cost of attendance varies depending on the program you choose, the school you attend, and whether or not you're an Arizona resident. Fees and other college-related expenses will increase this cost. ASU has a tuition estimator for you to gain a rough estimate of your prospective tuition.

Scholarships, including need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs, can help significantly reduce the cost of an ASU education. Most students at ASU receive some form of financial aid, and over half of first-year students receive a merit scholarship.

Merit Scholarships for First-Year Undergraduate Students

New American University Scholarships

ASU's New American University Scholarship Program is the flagship merit scholarship program sponsored by the university itself. All first-time, first-year undergraduate students who matriculate to ASU directly after graduating from high school and attend in-person classes are eligible to be considered for this scholarship.

All admitted students are reviewed for the New American University scholarships at the time of application. New American University scholarships are awarded based on your high school GPA in core subjects, your high school coursework, and the degree program and campus you are admitted to.

New American University Scholarship amounts will vary depending on your residency status and the type of award you receive. President's Award and Provost's Award scholarships are valued at $12,000 to $15,000, accounting for roughly 49% of out-of-state tuition per year, while Academic Achievement Award, Dean's Award, and University Award scholarships provide $3,000 to $10,000 or 31% of out of state tuition. These scholarships are available to all accepted students regardless of financial need and can cover up to 75% of tuition costs for in-state students.

Western Undergraduate Exchange Program

Students who are residents of Western states neighboring Arizona can qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, which offers nonresident students from select states the opportunity to enroll at ASU at an affordable cost.

Alaska, California, Guam, Hawaii, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are just a few of the states that are eligible for this incredible tuition opportunity. The WUE tuition rate is available to students studying at the Downtown Phoenix, West Campus, and Polytechnic Campus locations from these states.

Similarly, students can apply for these out-of-state scholarships to accrue funding for their dream school. Our out-of-state student scholarships page has other programs like the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program and a curated list for students from out of state.

Leadership Scholarship Program

Twenty-five students are chosen each year from the incoming ASU class of freshmen to participate in the Leadership Scholarship Program, a 4-year scholarship and leadership program for students who have demonstrated excellence in academics and extracurriculars.

Participants in the Leadership Scholarship Program enroll in leadership classes and gain access to mentors amongst their peers, faculty members, staff, and Leadership Scholarship Program Alumni. Furthermore, students take on leadership roles in various capacities through university student organizations and engage in annual service projects to learn more about civic responsibility.

Applications are due by January of a student's application year, and an applicant's high school counselor must mail in a set of forms for a student to be considered for the Leadership Scholarship Program.

Tuition-Free Programs for Arizona Residents

You can attend Arizona State University tuition-free through one of these programs if you are an Arizona resident high school student or an Indigenous student who qualifies for in-state tuition at ASU.

College Attainment Grant

Qualifying Arizona high school graduates who identify as low-income students can attend ASU on a full ride for four years through the College Attainment Grant.

Arizona residents and non-resident Native American students who meet the residency criteria for tuition purposes at ASU qualify for this scholarship. To be considered, an applicant must be a high school senior and intend to enroll at ASU in the semester following high school graduation.

Like many other scholarships at ASU, there is no additional application required for this program. All applicants who are accepted to study at ASU in person will be automatically considered for this scholarship.

President Barack Obama Scholar Program

Like the College Attainment Grant, the President Barack Obama Scholars Program awards Arizona residents and non-resident Native American students who qualify with the full cost of tuition and fees for all four years of undergrad.

Again, no special application is required to be considered for this scholarship, and you must be a high school senior who intends to enroll at ASU immediately after graduating from high school.

External ASU Scholarships

Jacakanow Suicide Awareness Scholarship

A Bold.org exclusive scholarship, the Jackanow Suicide Awareness Scholarship is sponsored by Taylor and Max Jackanow, two alumni of ASU who lost their father to suicide in 2008. This scholarship seeks to raise awareness around the toll that suicide takes on families and students and help support students who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Undergraduate and graduate students at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, or Grand Canyon University who have been affected by the death of a loved one by suicide can apply for this scholarship. 2 winners will be awarded $2,215 each, and scholarship applications close on June 1st, 2023.

Create a Bold.org profile today to apply for this scholarship with an amazing cause!

Arizona Flinn Scholars

The Arizona Flinn Scholars program is a highly competitive merit scholarship awarded to Arizona resident undergrads who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership in their time in high school and plan to attend one of the three state universities.

The Flinn Scholars program can provide a full ride to qualifying Arizona residents and covers the full cost of tuition, fees, housing, and meals. In addition, Flinn Scholars receive funding for an international summer seminar during the summer after freshman year and for one or more additional study abroad opportunities. Mentoring opportunities with industry leaders from Arizona and the nation are also part of the program.

To apply for the Flinn Scholars program, students must have been an Arizona resident for at least two full years prior to attending University and have an unweighted 3.5 GPA average in high school. Typically, Flinn scholars have ranked in the top 5% of their graduating high school class and have demonstrated strong leadership abilities through diverse extracurricular activities.

Test scores are required to apply; however, there is no minimum SAT or ACT score that you need to have to qualify for a Flinn Scholarship.

ASU Scholarships for Specific Majors

ACF/Max and Clara Springer Scholarship

The ACF/Max and Clara Springer Scholarship is one of the scholarships available to ASU students through the university's own scholarship portal. This scholarship, in particular, is intended for first-time freshmen graduating from an Arizona high school who are planning to major in art, dance, music, theater, or film at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at ASU.

Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 and need to be an Arizona resident who will enroll as a full-time student. This scholarship awards $5,000 to scholarship recipients, who will be selected based on their academic and artistic achievements.

Arizona Society for Coatings Technology Scholarship

Sponsored by the Arizona Society for Coatings Technology, this scholarship provides $2,250 to one lucky recipient who is majoring in chemistry and/or conducting research related to pain, coatings, and polymers.

In addition to scholarship money, the scholarship recipient will be given membership in the Arizona Society for Coatings Technology for one year. Students who are pursuing a degree in the School of Molecular Sciences are given preference for this scholarship.

Christine Sato Memorial Scholarship in Philosophy

The Christine Sato Memorial Scholarship in Philosophy was established to honor the memory of Christine Sato, an ASU alumnus who graduated with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1990. Sato went on to earn a Master of Accountancy from ASU in 1996 and was involved with the Governor's Office, the Arizona State Hospital, and education in the state during her lifetime.

One scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 for this scholarship. Both Arizona residents and non-residents pursuing a degree in Philosophy are eligible to apply.