When people think of Arizona, many picture the famous deserts that occupy the southern part of the state. Fortunately, Arizona is no desert when it comes to scholarship opportunities! Whether you are considering attending school in Tucson, Phoenix, or anywhere else in the Grand Canyon State, this list has all of the best Arizona scholarships. Check out these Arizona scholarships and apply for all that you qualify for!
How to win Arizona scholarships
Arizona scholarships are typically awarded to students who reside in Arizona. Therefore, it’s important for students applying for Arizona scholarships to connect their home state to their passions in order to give them the best opportunity to win Arizona scholarships.
Whether it’s scholarships related to environmental conservation, Native American heritage, Desert Studies, or the booming aerospace sector, Arizona residents can showcase their passion for their home state while receiving financial support for their educational pursuits.
In order to win Arizona scholarships, you may have to write an essay about yourself. Be sure to check out our Scholarships360 guides on how to start a scholarship essay (with examples), how to write a 500 word essay, and how to end a scholarship essay. Additionally, be sure to read over the ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships to ensure you are well prepared to win Arizona scholarships.
Arizona college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, in total, Florida residents owe $31.4 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $35,396 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 47.7% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!
Keep on reading to learn more about top scholarships in Arizona, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Arizona!
Merit scholarships at Arizona colleges and universities
University of Arizona
- Eligibility: Arizona residents going into their first year at University of Arizona. Have a 3.0+ GPA. This scholarship can be renewed for 3 years if at least 3.0 GPA is maintained
- Amount: $1,000 – $35,000
- Deadline: May 2
Arizona State University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students at Arizona State University who graduated from an Arizona high school in the top 10% of their class
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Considered upon admittance to ASU
Prescott College
- Eligibility: First-year students at Prescott College
- Amount: $16,000 up to $25,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admittance to Prescott College
Northern Arizona University
- Eligibility: Arizona residents who are incoming first-year students at Northern Arizona University. Must enroll full-time. Have a 3.0+ high school GPA
- Amount: $1,000 up to full tuition
- Deadline: May 1
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition provides students with a lower cost compared to out-of-state tuition rates. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known Arizona universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
Arizona State University
- In-state tuition: $13,161
- Out-of-state tuition: $31,450
Northern Arizona University
- In-state tuition: $11,024
- Out-of-state tuition: $26,286
University of Arizona
- In-state tuition: $13,200
- Out-of-state tuition: $39,600
How do you get in-state tuition?
It is clear that in-state tuition is a cheaper option when compared to out-of-state tuition for Arizona public universities. So, how do you become an Arizona resident to unlock in-state tuition rates?
To establish residency for tuition purposes, a student must be able to prove continuous physical presence in Arizona for at least 12 months immediately preceding the semester of application. The presence must be coupled with clear evidence of intent to establish a domicile in Arizona beyond the circumstance of being a student.
Some examples of establishing a domicile include:
- Place of employment and proof of earnings in Arizona
- Proof of filing an Arizona state income tax return
- Motor vehicle is registered in Arizona
- Arizona driver’s license
- Voter registration in Arizona
- Change in permanent address on all pertinent records
For a full list of how to establish a domicile in Arizona in order to receive in-state tuition at Arizona public universities, you should consult the website of your intended university.
Does Arizona have tuition reciprocity?
Arizona is a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, which is a tuition reciprocity agreement. Through the Western Undergraduate Exchange, Arizona residents may enroll in certain programs at a variety of nearby public universities. The states that participate include the following:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Arizona scholarship spotlight
Arizona Community Foundation Scholarship Opportunities
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students in Arizona can enter their information to be put into the running for a wide variety of funds for Arizona residents or students
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Application period begins January 1 annually and most deadlines are March 1 or May 1 of each year
John C. Lincoln Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students who plan on pursuing a career in welding engineering. Minimum 2.5 GPA and high school diploma required. Preference given to students who are citizens of or who plan to attend school in Arizona or Ohio
- Amount: $3,500
- Deadline: November 30 of each year
Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona Scholarship
- Eligibility: Be an Arizona graduating senior who is enrolled in a recognized Career and Technical Education program at an Arizona high school. Be enrolled in a recognized Career and Technical Education program at the Arizona post-secondary level. Be nominated by a current Arizona ACTEAZ member
- Amount: $500 up to $2,500
- Deadline: March 18 of each year
Arizona Promise Program
- Eligibility: Be an Arizona resident. Graduate from an Arizona high school with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Qualify for the maximum federal Pell Grant. Be admitted and enroll as a first-time, full-time, on-campus degree seeking student at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, or the University of Arizona, in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation
- Amount: Up to full cost of tuition and fees
- Deadline: April 1 of each year
Baird Scholarship
- Eligibility: University of Arizona admittees who attended at least 2 years of high school in Arizona and hold a minimum 3.75 GPA. See website for full application process.
- Amount: Full tuition and fees
- Deadline: January 10
Mattie Cowan Scholarship
- Eligibility: Arizona high school seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA and ranching or agricultural background. Priority given to those who have taken agriculture related classes, or will be/is working towards an agriculture major
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: April 15 of each year
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
- Eligibility: Students younger than 24 who were a ward of the state of Arizona when they turned 18 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and are enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester
- Amount: up to $2,500 per semester for university students, $1,000 for community college students (renewable each semester)
- Deadline: June 30 of each year
Korean American Scholarship Foundation Western Regional Chapter
- Eligibility: Students of Korean-American descent attending a school in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, or Washington with a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need
- Amount: $500 up to $5,000
- Deadline: June 30 of each year
Flinn Scholarship
- Eligibility: Arizona residents with a minimum 3.5 GPA in the top 5% of their class, who are involved in extracurriculars and plan to attend one of Arizona’s public universities. See site for more details
- Amount: Full cost of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, plus housing and meals and additional workshops and study abroad experiences
- Deadline: September of senior year of high school
Vertical Flight Society – Arizona Chapter Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students at Arizona schools who demonstrate an interest in pursuing engineering careers in the fixed wing, rotorcraft, or VTOL (vertical take-off/landing) aircraft industry. See website for more details
- Amount: $1,500 to $3,000
- Deadline: October 31 of each year
AzLeap Scholarship
- Eligibility: Arizona residents enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate student at an Arizona college or university and who qualify for the Pell Grant
- Amount: Varies, typically between $1,000 to $2,500
- Deadline: Varies based on institution
New American University Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students attending Arizona State University who graduated from an Arizona high school, ranked in the top 10% of their class, and are registered as full-time incoming freshmen
- Amount: 25% of in-state tuition
- Deadline: Automatically considered upon admittance to ASU
Additional Arizona resources
Arizona Artists Guild scholarships
The Arizona Artists Guild holds an annual scholarship program that awards students up to $3,000. Scholarship requirements vary based on medium and area of study.
Arizona Community Foundation
The Arizona Community Foundation is a “one stop shopping” website that allows Arizona students to apply for 100+ scholarship awards online with one general application–bookmark this one!
Chicanos por la Causa scholarships
Provides financial assistance to outstanding Latino students attending Arizona colleges and universities. The program is especially dedicated to serving those students with limited access to financial resources, such as Dreamers who qualify for DACA status. Scholarships are specific to certain schools and majors.
FAFSA Guide
On October 1st of every year, the FAFSA opens nationwide. Students in Arizona need to check with the financial aid office of each college or university they apply to so that they receive all the financial aid they might qualify for. Scholarships such as the Arizona Promise Program use FAFSA information to offer additional financial aid to students who qualify for Pell grants. Don’t delay and submit that FAFSA ASAP!
Scholarships A-Z
Scholarships A-Z is an organization that provides resources for funding and increasing accessibility to education for students who are undocumented immigrants in Arizona.
Keep reading
Are you wondering what other resources might help you win scholarships to fund your education? Students should consider applying for demographic-specific scholarships. Women, high school seniors and Black students can take advantage of these demographic scholarship opportunities. Some scholarships require essays and applications, but others are no-essay scholarships, making the application process easier. Remember, Scholarships360 is here to provide valuable resources and access to scholarships for not only Arizona students but all students!
Frequently asked questions about Arizona scholarships
How can I get free tuition in Arizona?
What scholarships does Arizona State University offer?
How do I get a full ride at University of Arizona?
What GPA do you need to get into ASU?
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