Written By Isabella Arias
For many students, getting academic scholarships can be a deciding factor when choosing which college or university you decide to attend. This requires a careful review of the application requirements for each scholarship to ensure that you are eligible and are submitting all of the necessary materials. Read more to find out about a wide variety of ACT scholarships that may be available to you and how you should go about applying for them!
An Ultimate List Of Scholarships For ACT Scores
Point The Way Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is both financial need and merit-based with a focus on academic performance, community service, extracurriculars, and demonstrating an effort to improve the lives of those around you.
To be eligible you must:
- Be a US citizen
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a 22 ACT score
- Be 17 years of age or older
- Be admitted to or enrolled in an accredited college or university for a post-secondary degree in the United States
The application includes applicant and financial aid information, a scholarship essay, short personal statement, at least one letter of recommendation, and submitting your FAFSA as well as your most recent transcripts. The average awarded amount is $10,000 per year.
Daniels Scholarship Program
The Daniels Scholarship Program is available to students who are residents of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming. To apply, you must earn a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA and an ACT score of 18. In addition, your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $85,000 or less on the previous year’s tax returns. There are some exceptions for the financial requirements if there are other dependents in the household. Daniels scholars are selected based on character, leadership potential, commitment to serving their community, academic promise, and a well-rounded personality. Recipients will receive up to $100,000 to be applied at any two- or 4-year non-profit college or university in the US.
Actuarial Diversity Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to Black/African American, Latinx, Native North American, and Pacific Islander full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing a career in the actuarial profession. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT math score of 28. Scholarships range from $1000-$4000 depending on your academic year. To apply, you must create an account on the actuarial foundation website and complete/submit the application online.
Engebretson Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to one high school senior annually who will receive $5,000 per semester for their first year of school. To apply you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a graduating senior from a high school in the US
- Plan to attend a four year college
- Be in need of financial assistance
- Have a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT
- Have a minimum 3.75 GPA and/or be in the top 5% of your graduating class
- Fill out the FAFSA
The application is due March 1 and includes submitting your resume and an essay.
University Of Texas At Arlington
There are a variety of merit-based scholarships offered to new undergraduate students.
| Scholarship | Amount Awarded | Requirements | Deadline |
| National Merit Scholarship | Up to $32,500 annually | Submit National Merit Certification and proof of UTA as college of first choice | |
| Distinguished Freshman Award | Up to $2,000 | Selection for College Board National Recognition programs including:Hispanic Recognition ProgramAfrican American Recognition ProgramRural and Small Town Recognition ProgramIndigenous Recognition ProgramNational Merit SemifinalistsNational Honor Society (NHS) OfficersHugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) AlumnusSalutatorians | September 6, 2023 |
| Presidential Honors Scholarship | Up to $12,000 annually | Top 5% high school rank4.0 highschool cumulative GPAMinimum 34 ACT | December 1 of previous year before enrollment |
| Presidential Scholarship | $10,000 annually | Top 15% highschool rank3.9 unweighted highschool GPAMinimum 31 ACT | December 1 of previous year before enrollment |
| Maverick Academic Scholarship | Up to $1,000-$8,000 annually | Top 25% high school rank3.7 unweighted highschool GPAMinimum 27 ACT | February 14 of previous year before enrollment |
| Transfer Scholarship | Up to $2,000-$5,000 annually$1000 annually(for different deadlines) | 3.25 minimum cumulative transfer GPA24 transferable credit hours | February 14 of previous year before enrollmentJuly 3 of previous year before enrollment |
There are also scholarships available through the Mav ScholarShop. Current or newly-admitted students can be automatically matched to scholarships they qualify for with no further action required. In addition, there will be recommended scholarships that require an application which can be found on your student profile. This is a great way to take advantage of all the scholarships you may be eligible for!
Georgia State
Georgia State has a wide variety of scholarships available including top academic scholarships, merit scholarships, out-of-state scholarships, and state scholarships. Top academic scholarships honor high school successes and will be available for students who apply by November 15. Merit scholarships are based on high school GPA, academic rigor of courses, essays through the Common App, and letter(s) of recommendation. Out-out-state scholarships are on a first come first serve basis but require no application. A minimum college preparatory GPA of 3.6 is required. Georgia State offers two state scholarships for residents that require an application and the requirements listed below.
| Scholarship Name | Requirements | Additional Notes |
| HOPE Scholarship | Must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each spring semester | Maintain satisfactory academic progress |
| Zell Miller Scholarship | Have at least a 3.7 HOPE GPA and a 27 minimum ACT scoreORGraduate as valedictorian or salutatorian from an eligible high school | Maintain a 3.3 HOPE GPA in college at all checkpoints |
- Note: students may get awarded the HOPE or Zell Miller scholarship but not both
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri offers three types of scholarships: automatic, competitive, and general/departmental. Four out of five admitted students will receive some type of aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, or other aid. Competitive and general/department scholarships may require additional application materials and have varying deadlines. Residents and non-residents are automatically considered for a variety of scholarships that can be seen below (note that this is not a comprehensive list, there are even more that can be found on their website!):
Florida A&M
To be considered for a scholarship, you must be a FAMU student and complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) with the University (FAFSA is not required for international students). Some of the scholarships offered and their requirements are shown below. Eligibility for renewal is determined at the end of each semester.
| Scholarship | Requirements | Award |
| Adopted High School Scholarship | Be nominated by the high school principalBe the valedictorian or salutatorianHave a FAMU recalculated GPA of 4.0 or higherHave a minimum 29 ACT score | Will cover cost of tuition minus sum of:Bright FuturesNational Merit awardOther scholarships and awards |
| Distinguished Scholars Award | Have a FAMU recalculated GPA of 4.0 or higherHave a minimum 32 ACT scoreEarn a standard high school diploma or equivalentEarn a minimum score of 76 on the ALEKS | Will cover cost of tuition minus sum of:Bright FuturesNational Merit awardOther scholarships and awards |
| Florida Community College | Earn an associate of arts degree from a Florida State or Community CollegeMember of IGNITE programHave 3.3 recalculated FAMU GPA | Awards are applied towards tuition and fees |
| Presidential Special Scholarship | Earn high school diploma or equivalentScore a 27 on the ACT- must earn a 27 on the math sectionHave a minimum 3.5 recalculated FAMU GPAMeet requirements for ALEKS exam based on your major | Covers fees associated with tuition, minus:Postal feeOrientation feeRoom and board charges |
CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program
This scholarship provides a unique opportunity to receive scholarships as a full-time student while also being employed at the Central Intelligence Agency during summer breaks. After applying online, if you qualify you will be asked to submit SAT/ACT scores, a copy of your most recent FAFSA, school transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
Qualifications include:
- At least 18 years of age by September 15th of the respective year
- Gross annual household income of up to $120,000
- Acceptance at 4-year college or university as a full-time student
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum ACT score of 21
- At least one 90-day tour
- Willingness to work with the CIA full time after graduation
What you’ll get as a recipient:
- Tuition assistance up to $18,000 annually or $25,000 for STEM field positions
- Daily allowance for meals and incidentals during summer tours
- Reimbursement for transportation costs
- Annual salary
- Federal health and life insurance plans
- Federal retirement plans
- And more!
Florida Gulf Coast University
FGCU has scholarships based on GPA and ACT scores. If you apply before November 1, you’ll be automatically considered which means no separate application will be required!
| Scholarship | ACT requirement | Minimum GPA (weighted) | Amount Awarded per year | Residency Requirement |
| President’s Gold | 28 | 3.9 | $5,000 | Florida resident |
| President’s Silver | 25 | 3.5 | $3,000 | Florida resident |
| Blue and Green Scholars Award | 28 | 3.9 | $15,000 | Non-Florida resident |
| Blue and Green Director’s Award | 25 | 3.5 | $10,000 | Non-Florida resident |
Keep in mind that you also have the option to retest for merit award consideration as long as you take the test by March.
How To Get Scholarships For ACT Scores
Submit An Application For Admission
The first step towards receiving scholarships is being accepted into a college or university. This can be daunting, but the Common App makes the application process straightforward and can save you a lot of time! The Common App is a centralized application for a majority of colleges and universities in the United States. It will allow you to keep all of your general information in one location and answer supplemental essay questions if required by the schools you are applying to. Some colleges and universities may not be accessible on the Common App, and in this case you will need to go on their website to fill out a separate application.
Submit An Official ACT Score
For most students, the easiest way to send ACT scores to your desired schools is through your ACT account. If you prefer, you can also request to send your scores over the phone or by email. Keep in mind that it will take about one week for the ACT to process your request and 2-4 weeks for a college to receive your score report. If you have any further questions about this process you can click here!
Be A First-Time Entering Freshman
Most ACT scholarships will be available for first-time freshmen. This means that you have never attended college before. This does not mean that you graduated high school the previous school year. Some scholarships will require that you receive your diploma or equivalent after a certain year which will be specified on their website. However, there are scholarships available that are not for first-time entering freshman!
Be Admitted As A US Citizen
Make sure to check the requirements for the ACT scholarships you are interested in. A majority of scholarships will require you to be a US citizen or a permanent resident. With that being said, you do not always have to be a citizen if you have gone through the process of becoming a permanent resident!
Have A Standard High School Diploma Or High School Equivalency Diploma
A majority of ACT scholarships will require you to submit records of a high school/ high school equivalency diploma. The most common ways to receive a high school equivalency diploma are by taking The General Education Development (GED) test or the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
Find Out More About ACT Score Scholarships By Contacting Us
Are you interested in finding out more about scholarships you are eligible for or improving your ACT score to meet the requirements for certain ACT scholarships? Check out SoFlo’s tutoring services. We offer one-on-one tutoring services with experienced and top test scorers who will provide you with tailored test-prep specific to your needs. Contact us through our website for more information!
Final Thoughts
There are a wide variety of scholarships available based on ACT scores. You do not need to be in the highest percentiles to be eligible for many scholarships. It is important to do your research and ensure that you meet the qualifications for scholarships which often include more than just a minimum ACT score. In addition, keep in mind that many colleges will automatically match you with internal and external scholarships based on your eligibility.
About The Author
Isabella Arias is a junior from Florida majoring in Health Science at the University of Florida. She scored a 1480 on her SATs, loves weightlifting, and enjoys baking/cooking all sorts of recipes in her free time! Outside of school she volunteers with organizations aimed at providing healthcare resources to the homeless community in Gainesville as well as improving literacy skills and providing tutoring support to elementary students in Alachua County.
