Maximizing Your ACT Score for Scholarship Opportunities

ACT test scores are a significant factor in merit scholarships and awards based on academic achievement. Finding scholarships based on ACT scores isn’t as difficult as you might think. There are numerous scholarships available that consider ACT scores, and understanding how to leverage your score can significantly impact your college funding.

Understanding the ACT Exam

The ACT (American College College) is a national college admissions exam that measures applicants’ knowledge and potential in four key areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Scores are on a scale from 1 to 36 for each section, with the final composite score being the average of these four sections. The highest possible score on the ACT is 36, while the national average hovers around 21.

What Constitutes a Good ACT Score for Scholarships?

A good ACT score for scholarships varies depending on your personal goals. Often, academic scholarships will require a higher ACT score than scholarships for extracurricular activities, athletic skills, financial need, or other criteria. Scoring 30 or above puts you in the 90th percentile, which significantly increases your chances of obtaining a scholarship. However, scholarships are also available for students who score in the 20s or even less. It’s important to remember that an ACT score is likely just one part of the scholarship application requirements. Applicants typically need to submit transcripts, a letter of recommendation, an essay, and more.

ACT Score Matters When Applying for Scholarships

One of the simplest ways to earn a scholarship is through your ACT scores. You can qualify for a scholarship just from a good ACT score. If you have started applying for colleges, you have likely started researching scholarships, too. Scholarships are endless and everywhere. They should be taken advantage of.

How Colleges Use ACT Scores for Scholarships

Many colleges offer scholarships automatically based on test scores. These merit scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence or excellence in other areas and can go a long way in reducing the cost of college attendance.

Here are some examples of how colleges use ACT scores for scholarship consideration:

Louisiana Tech University: Offers a range of SAT/ACT-based scholarships, starting at $2,000 for students who have ACT scores between 23 and 24 or SAT scores between 1130 and 1190, along with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.749.
University of Mississippi: Considers a minimum 23 ACT for MS Residents (1050 SAT or 1130 SAT-R) or 25 ACT for nonresidents (1130 SAT or 1200 SAT-R) for the Academic Merit scholarship. You are automatically considered after being admitted to the University of Mississippi.
Utah State University: Offers scholarships based on a combination of GPA and SAT/ACT scores. The admissions office has infographics for residents and nonresidents that you can use to see which scholarship you'd be eligible for.
Other Universities: Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Tennessee, Texas Tech, and the University of Missouri are just a few more colleges that offer scholarships based on test scores and GPA or class rank.

The school automatically awards students based on a combination of their high school academic record, including cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT score. The minimum GPA required for scholarship consideration is a 3.50. The minimum eligible standardized test score is a 1110 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT. OSU automatically awards scholarships to incoming in-state and out-of-state students based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and GPA.

Strategies to Improve Your ACT Score

Retake the ACT: On average, students who take the test more than once increase their scores. So, if you score higher the second or third time you test, you can use that score for your applications.
Prepare for the Test: Give yourself time to prep each time you test so you can achieve better results. Several test prep options can help you prepare for the ACT at ACTStudent.org.

The Academic Index

Colleges measure the strength of your academic profile using the Academic Index. The Academic Index measures your GPA and standardized test scores, including the SAT and ACT. In light of this, it’s critical to have a competitive ACT or SAT score to receive merit-based scholarships and gain admission into top-rated schools. To see how your test scores impact your admissions chances, you can use CollegeVine’s free Admissions Calculator. This tool considers your GPA, extracurriculars, test scores, and more to determine your personal chances at your dream school. You may also want to enter the $2,000 No Essay CollegeVine Scholarship-all you have to do is create a free CollegeVine account or fill out your chancing profile if you already have one.

Test-Optional Policies

As more and more colleges go test optional, you might be wondering if you need to sit for the SAT or ACT at all. Schools that are test optional do not require standardized test scores as part of a complete application. Instead, you have the chance to decide for yourself if your scores accurately reflect your abilities and potential to excel in college. For one, “optional” doesn’t mean that that colleges won't consider your test scores if you submit them. Beyond getting in, your SAT & ACT test scores could qualify you for merit-based financial aid (often a separate application process). Higher test scores can lead to more scholarship dollars, which mean more options for you! Higher scores can increase a student’s desirability in the eyes of financial aid officers and consequently increase the size of the aid package that student is offered. In fact, standardized test scores (along with GPA and rigor of coursework) may determine who will receive merit scholarships. Some schools even give out guaranteed scholarships to students whose scores meet a minimum threshold. Kal Chany, author of our book Paying For College Without Going Broke , explains, “Nothing can change a student’s fortune faster than a big increase on the SAT.” Why?

Where to Find Scholarship Opportunities

Going Merry: From national to local scholarships and everything in between, our partners at Going Merry have a database of over $1 billion in active scholarships - including scholarships specifically for students who take the ACT.
College Websites: Many colleges and universities have dedicated pages for merit scholarships that a simple search will pull up. If you do not see one, try searching for the college/university name plus scholarships or financial aid.

Additional Tips for Scholarship Applications

Keep Detailed Notes: Keep detailed notes of each scholarship so you don’t miss any deadlines and have your ACT scores ready in time.
Research Thoroughly: Do your research before you spend hours writing a personal statement and submitting all your information. Be sure the scholarship you are applying for is available to students at your preferred university.
Seek Guidance: Schools like St. Agnes Academy have a robust college counseling department with counselors who guide students through these critical areas: College application process, Scholarship application process, Test preparation process. We provide students and their parents with a complete handbook that includes how-to's and information specific to their college admission goals.

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