Auburn University is committed to making a world-class education accessible and affordable for all students. First-Year students may qualify for a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to help reduce the cost of attendance.

Merit-based, need-based, and departmental scholarships are available to recognize academic excellence and financial need. Through a combination of institutional scholarships and federal aid, Auburn seeks to empower students to pursue their academic goals with confidence and support.

How to Apply
Dates and Deadlines
First-Year Students Transfer Students Current Students

First-Year Student Scholarships

Students can apply for all institutional scholarships through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) on AU Access. Students complete one application per academic year.

Tax Note: Scholarship amounts exceeding tuition, fees, and books may be considered taxable income

  • No scholarship application is required.
  • Automatic consideration is based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT superscore.
  • Your admission application—including application fee, high school transcript, and official test scores from the testing agency—must be complete by December 1. Updated test scores must be received by January 12 to be considered for scholarship reconsideration.
  • Students must enroll summer or fall immediately after high school graduation to receive consideration.
  • Award ranges (based on previous year; subject to change):
    • Residents: $5,000–Full Tuition and Student Services Fees per year
    • Non-residents: $7,000–$17,000 per year
  • Competitive merit scholarships are renewable for up to 8 semesters with a minimum cumulative, unadjusted 3.0 Auburn GPA and 24 Auburn credit hours earned per academic year.
  • Notification begins mid-November and continues through early February.

  • Finalists must list Auburn University as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1.
  • Eligible Alabama residents may qualify for the National Scholars Presidential Scholarship ($11,000/year for 4 years).
  • An additional $1,000/year may be possible based on FAFSA eligibility.

Ever to Conquer Scholarship

  • Amount: Up to $5,000/year for first-year students

  • Funds are limited and offered to incoming Alabama residents based on high financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA.

  • Awarded mid-January through mid-March, based on available funding

  • FAFSA required and no separate scholarship application is needed

Payment & Renewal

  • Must enroll in at least 12 credit hours by the 15th class day each term

  • To renew, students must earn 24 Auburn credit hours between fall and spring and maintain a minimum cumulative, unadjusted 3.0 AU GPA.

  • Funds are credited to the university billing account and split between fall and spring.

  • May be used for professional or ABM programs if a first undergraduate degree is not yet completed

  • Early graduates are not eligible to receive unused funds.

  • Students unable to enroll during an expected term should contact Financial Aid and Scholarships via email at scholar@auburn.edu. Exceptions may be granted for medical resignation, military withdrawal, internships, study abroad, or the Cooperative Education Program. However, this may result in an adjustment in renewal criteria.

For more details, visit Maintain Aid.

  • 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. Applications received after this date may still receive consideration.
  • Awards are based on academic program, GPA, test scores (if submitted), geographic criteria, and/or financial need, etc.
  • Most awards are $1,500–$2,000 for one year.
  • May be awarded in addition to merit or need-based scholarships
  • Students who have previously been awarded a scholarship valued at resident tuition or greater, currently $13,572 for the 2026-27 academic year, may be less likely to receive a general or departmental scholarship, unless the student is an Alabama resident and has high unmet financial need. 
  • Notifications begin in mid-March to incoming students and recipients are notified by email to the Auburn email account.
  • *Please visit First-year Student Scholarships under Frequently Asked Questions for more information on specific enrollment situations that may impact general and departmental scholarship eligibility. 

  • 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. Applications received after this date may still receive consideration.
  • Awarded by the academic colleges
  • For questions about departmental scholarships, visit our Departmental Scholarship Contacts page to find the Departmental Scholarship Coordinator for your academic college.
  • These awards are based on academic program, GPA, test scores (if submitted), geographic criteria, and/or financial need, etc. 
  • Most awards are $1,500–$2,000 for one year.
  • May be awarded in addition to merit or need-based scholarships.
  • Students who have previously been awarded a scholarship valued at resident tuition or greater, currently $13,572 for the 2026-27 academic year, may be less likely to receive a general or departmental scholarship, unless the student is an Alabama resident and has high unmet financial need. 
  • Notifications begin in early May to incoming students and recipients are notified by email to the Auburn email account.
  • *Please visit First-year Student Scholarships under Frequently Asked Questions for more information on specific enrollment situations that may impact general and departmental scholarship eligibility. 

For information on terms, use, and renewal, please visit our Maintain Aid page.

Competitive Merit Charts for Fall 2026 Enrollment

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.

Fall 2026 Scholarship - Resident Minimum High School GPA Required Minimum ACT Score Required* Estimated Annual Award Amount
Spirit of Auburn Presidential Excellence Award 4.0 35-36 Full Tuition and Student Services Fees**
Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship 3.5-3.99 35-36 $11,500
Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship 3.5 33-34 $11,500
Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship 3.5 30–32 $9,000
Spirit of Auburn University Scholarship 3.5 28–29 $5,000

Spirit of Auburn Presidential Excellence Award

Minimum GPA 4.0
Minimum ACT* 35–36
Estimated Annual Award Full Tuition and Student Services Fees**

Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship

Minimum GPA 3.5
Minimum ACT* 33–36
Estimated Annual Award $11,000

Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship

Minimum GPA 3.5
Minimum ACT* 30–32
Estimated Annual Award $9,000

Spirit of Auburn University Scholarship

Minimum GPA 3.5
Minimum ACT* 28–29
Estimated Annual Award $5,000

*Equivalent SAT scores are available at auburn.edu/testscores.

**Presidential Excellence Awards are awarded at resident tuition and mandatory student services fees, $13,572 for the 2026-27 academic year. Professional, program, and course fees are not included.

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.

Fall 2026 Scholarship - Non-Resident Minimum High School GPA Required Minimum ACT Score Required* Estimated Annual Award Amount
Academic Presidential Scholarship 3.5  35–36 $17,000
33–34 $15,000
Academic Heritage Scholarship 3.5  31–32 $11,000
Academic Charter Scholarship 3.5  29–30 $7,000

Academic Presidential Scholarship

Minimum GPA 3.5
ACT* 35–36 $17,000
ACT*33–34 $15,000

Academic Heritage Scholarship

Minimum GPA 3.5
Minimum ACT* 31–32
Estimated Annual Award $11,000

Academic Charter Scholarship

Minimum GPA 3.5
Minimum ACT* 29–30
Estimated Annual Award $7,000

*Equivalent SAT scores are available at auburn.edu/testscores .

How to Apply

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. Visit our Preparing for 2026-27 FAFSA page for FAFSA tips.
Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

To apply for financial aid at Auburn University, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

  • Auburn’s school code: 001009

  • The 2025–26 FAFSA applies to Fall 2025, Spring 2026, & Summer 2026

  • The 2026–27 FAFSA applies to Fall 2026, Spring 2027, & Summer 2027

You'll need to:

Already submitted the FAFSA but didn’t list Auburn? Log in and submit a correction to add our school code.

Step 2: Submit the Scholarship Application in AUSOM

All institutional scholarships, including general and departmental awards, are managed through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) in AU Access, where students may complete an optional application to provide additional information for consideration.

  • Students submit AUSOM once per academic year

  • The application should be completed by the February 16 priority date for full consideration. Applications received after this date may still receive consideration.
Step 3: Review Your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)

After your FAFSA is processed (within 3–5 business days), you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).

  • Check your Student Aid Index (SAI)

  • Review your reported info for accuracy

  • Make corrections if needed by logging back in to FAFSA

  • Check your Auburn email often for updates

Step 4: Confirm Receipt in AU Access

Once Auburn receives your FAFSA:

  • Log into AU Access → My Finances → Financial Aid Requirements

  • Complete any additional documentation if requested

If selected for verification, respond promptly. Delays or inactivity can prevent aid from being offered. Verification may take 2–3 weeks.

Step 5: Review and Respond to Your Aid Offer

After completing all requirements, your aid offer will be emailed to your Auburn address.

  • View and accept/decline federal aid in AU Access

  • Notify us of any external aid (e.g., private scholarships, loans) to avoid over-awards or repayments. 
Step 6: Understand Disbursement
Visit our Maintain Aid and Notification of Federal Aid Disbursement pages to learn when and how your aid will be disbursed.