Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Auburn University's National Merit Scholarship

Auburn University recognizes the importance of a quality education and is dedicated to helping students achieve their higher education goals. The University appreciates the high level of academic accomplishment brought to the institution by both undergraduate and graduate students. The University Scholarship Program, in conjunction with the thirteen schools and colleges on campus, stands firm in its commitment to providing due recognition for scholarly achievement through scholarship awards.

Recognizing Academic Excellence: The National Merit Scholarship

Auburn University offers a range of scholarships to recognize academic excellence and financial need. Among these is the National Merit Scholarship, a prestigious award for incoming freshmen. The National Merit and National Achievement Finalists Scholarship is available to incoming freshmen at Auburn University. To be considered for the National Merit Scholarship at Auburn, students must be recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a third-party organization that recognizes and honors the academically talented students of the United States. First-time freshmen who are recognized as National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation are strongly encouraged to submit all application materials by the December 5 priority deadline to ensure consideration.

Eligibility and Requirements for Freshmen Academic Scholarships

While the National Merit Scholarship has specific requirements related to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Auburn University also offers Freshmen Academic Scholarships with their own eligibility criteria. The minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for Freshmen Academic Scholarships are a 27 ACT test score or a 1220 SAT test score and a 3.0 high school GPA. In order to be considered for Freshmen Academic Scholarships, all required credentials must be postmarked by December 1 of your senior year of high school.

Additional Freshman Scholarship Opportunities

Besides the general Freshmen Academic Scholarships, Auburn University provides several other scholarships for incoming freshmen, each with its own set of requirements:

The Achievement Scholarship: Available to incoming freshmen who are graduates of an Alabama public or private high school, have a minimum 24 ACT score or a minimum 1090 SAT score and at least a 3.5 GPA.
The Vulcan Materials Presidential Scholarship: Available to incoming freshmen at Auburn University.
The McWane Foundation Scholarship: Available to incoming freshmen at Auburn University.
The John P. Brandel Mechanical Engineering Scholarship: Available to incoming freshmen majoring in mechanical engineering at Auburn University.
The Dudley University Scholarship: Requires a minimum 34 ACT score or a minimum 1490 SAT score and at least a 3.5 GPA for incoming freshmen.

Scholarships for Enrolled and Transfer Students

Auburn University extends scholarship opportunities beyond incoming freshmen.

Scholarships for Enrolled Students

Auburn University offers a wide array of General University and College/School/Departmental Scholarships for currently enrolled students.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

The Transfer Scholarship program is designed to reward students of high academic achievement. The Academic Achievement for Transfer Students Scholarship is available to transfer students at Auburn University.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

The ACS-Hach Land Grant Undergraduate Scholarship: Available to full-time students majoring in chemistry.
The Next Generation Scholarship: Available to full-time junior and senior students who are pursuing a course of study or concentration relevant to retail.
The Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship Competition: Open to full-time undergraduate students of at least sophomore standing who are pursuing a career in lodging management.

Maximizing Your Scholarship Opportunities

Auburn University is committed to making a world-class education accessible and affordable for all students. Merit-based, need-based, and departmental scholarships are available to recognize academic excellence and financial need.

Applying for Scholarships

Students can apply for all institutional scholarships through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) on AU Access. All institutional scholarships, including general and departmental scholarships, are managed through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM), where students may complete an optional application to provide additional information for consideration. Students submit the scholarship application each academic year. The application should be complete by the February 16 priority date for full consideration. Your admission application-including application fee, high school transcript, and official test scores from the testing agency-must be complete by December 1.

Read also: Auburn Student Statistics

Understanding Scholarship Award Variations

Competitive merit scholarships were awarded to Alabama residents enrolling fall 2026 as follows. This chart is a guide and is not a guarantee of future awards. Each entering class competes with itself. Actual awards are determined based on the number of qualified admitted students, the credentials of those applicants, and available funding. Additional competitive merit scholarships not shown may be awarded as funding permits.

**Presidential Excellence Awards are awarded at resident tuition and mandatory student services fees, $13,572 for the 2026-27 academic year.

Competitive merit scholarships were awarded to non-residents enrolling fall 2026 as follows. This chart is a guide and is not a guarantee of future awards. Each entering class competes with itself. Actual awards are determined based on the number of qualified admitted students, the credentials of those applicants, and available funding. Additional competitive merit scholarships not shown may be awarded as funding permits.

Financial Aid and Support

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is here to support your academic journey. Follow the steps below to apply for aid, and be sure to complete your requirements early to maximize your eligibility. Already submitted the FAFSA but didn’t list Auburn? The application should be completed by the February 16 priority date for full consideration. If selected for verification, respond promptly. Delays or inactivity can prevent aid from being offered. Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Auburn. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. Students are encouraged to pursue as many external scholarships as possible.

Cost and Value of an Auburn Education

Auburn University understands that pursuing a college degree is a significant investment. The sticker price at Auburn is $38,048 for in-state students in AL, and $60,752 for out-of-state students. The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to.

Auburn University is committed to providing students with experiences that set students up for true success - no matter their desired field. 79% of students who start at Auburn University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 21% more than the national median. The median income of students 10 years after starting at Auburn University is $65,337. Graduates of Auburn take out a median of $21,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option.

Application Process

Your Auburn journey begins with your application, and we’re here to guide you through the process. Apply with either the Auburn application or the Common Application - no preference is given to one over the other. In both the Common App and Auburn’s admission application, you will select the fee waiver option if you qualify. Auburn University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. Students must apply by February 1 to enroll at Auburn during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more.

Campus Life and Opportunities

At Auburn University, students are challenged in nationally recognized academic programs and embraced by a campus community consistently ranked among the happiest in the country by The Princeton Review, and supported by an alumni network of 250,000+ strong. Universities are big schools that offer a diverse range of academic programs, often across different schools. Most universities include both undergraduate and graduate studies. Students can expect large lecture halls, a wide variety of extracurriculars, and access to research opportunities. Colleges in cities offer easy access to jobs, internships, and entertainment. These colleges provide plenty of opportunities but may include higher living costs and a busier environment than other campuses. Some urban schools have traditional campuses, while others blend into the city.

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