Auburn University is committed to making a world-class education accessible and affordable for qualified students from all backgrounds. This page provides a comprehensive overview of scholarship opportunities available to incoming first-year students and outlines the steps required to apply for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Merit-based, need-based, and departmental scholarships are available to recognize academic excellence, personal achievement, leadership, 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 Transfers Current

First-Year Student Scholarships

Eligible 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 and can search for opportunities, review requirements, and accept any awards offered.

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

  • No scholarship application required
  • Awarded automatically based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT superscore
  • Your admission application—including transcript and test scores—must be complete by Dec. 1. Additional test scores submitted through Jan. 10 will be considered for scholarship reconsideration
  • Must enroll summer or fall immediately after high school
  • Award ranges (based on previous year; subject to change):
    • Residents: $5,000–$11,000 per year
    • Non-residents: $7,000–$17,000 per year
  • Renewable for up to 8 semesters with a 3.0 Auburn GPA and 24 Auburn credit hours per academic year
  • Notification begins mid-November and continues through early February

  • Must list Auburn as your first-choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1
  • Awarded $1,000 per year ($4,000 total)
  • Eligible Alabama residents may qualify for the National Scholars Presidential Scholarship ($11,000/year for 4 years)
  • Additional $1,000/year possible based on FAFSA eligibility

  • Requires completion of AUSOM scholarship application by Feb. 14
  • Must be accepted for admission by early February
  • Based on GPA and achievements submitted in AUSOM
  • Average GPA of past recipients: 4.29
  • Awards typically range from $1,500–$2,000 per year
  • Cannot be combined with merit scholarships or each other
  • Notification by early May

  • Requires both a submitted FAFSA and completed AUSOM application
  • Must be accepted for admission by early March
  • For Alabama residents only
  • Can be awarded in addition to merit scholarships
  • Award notifications begin mid-January and continue through mid-March
  • Students selected for FAFSA verification must complete the process to remain eligible

  • Requires AUSOM application by Feb. 14
  • Open to students accepted for admission by early February
  • Awards based on academic program, GPA, test scores (if submitted), geographic criteria, and/or financial need
  • Most awards are $1,500–$2,000 for one year
  • May be awarded in addition to merit or need-based scholarships
  • Notifications begin in early May

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

Competitive Merit Charts for Fall 2025 Enrollment

Competitive merit scholarships were awarded to Alabama residents enrolling fall 2025 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 2025 Scholarship - Resident Minimum High School GPA Required Minimum ACT Score Required* Estimated Annual Award Amount
Spirit of Auburn Presidential Scholarship 3.5 33–36 $11,000
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 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.

Competitive merit scholarships were awarded to non-residents enrolling fall 2025 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 2025 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 for Financial Aid

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.
Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

To apply for financial aid at Auburn University, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

  • Auburn’s school code: 001009

  • The 2024–25 FAFSA applies to Fall 2024–Summer 2025

  • The 2025–26 FAFSA applies to Fall 2025–Summer 2026

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 available through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) on AU Access.

  • Submit one application per academic year

  • Search for opportunities by college or major

  • Complete by the February 14 priority deadline for full 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

  • Update your contact info to receive all communications

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

  • View and accept/decline scholarships in AUSOM

  • Notify us of any external aid (e.g., private scholarships, loans) to avoid over-awards or repayments

Step 6: Understand Disbursement
Visit our Manage Your Aid and Notification of Federal Aid Disbursement pages to learn when and how your aid will be released.