Merit Scholarships for SAT and ACT Scores
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Working hard for the SAT and ACT can give you rewards beyond your imagination. From merit scholarships to guaranteed scholarships, if you score well, you can gain a lot of financial aid from it. To make the most out of your SAT and ACT scores, you should know about the guaranteed SAT scholarships or guaranteed ACT scholarships. Also, you should be aware of the merit scholarships for SAT and ACT scores.
In this post, we will inform you how you can earn scholarships based on your SAT scores and scholarships based on your ACT scores. Apart from this, we will also inform you about the scholarships which students can earn automatically while applying to universities based on their SAT and ACT scores or excellent GPA.
Certain schools offer SAT and ACT scholarships automatically. Some colleges offer automatic scholarships based on SAT/ACT Scores and other academic achievements like a good GPA and excellent academic record.
What are Merit Scholarships for ACT and SAT?
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International students applying for admission abroad and having good or above-average SAT or ACT scores are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are either offered by the government or are university or college-specific. Based on the score and competition, applicants are awarded merit-based scholarships. These scholarships can vary between 10% to 50% tuition fee waivers. Hence, applicants should check the availability of these scholarships while applying for admission to a certain university abroad.
Usually, ACT and SAT merit-based scholarships are available in countries like the USA at large. There may be other countries like Canada and Italy or even UK which may offer these scholarships. Since USA is popular for its scholarships for these standardised tests, the article throws more light on the same.
List of Colleges Offering Merit-Based SAT Scholarships
Universities that give scholarships based on SAT scores are available in abundance. Before taking the SAT, students take the PSAT exam in their high school or sophomore as a practice exam. The College Board organizes the PSAT exam. Many schools distribute the PSAT for their students, so you should check with your school if they are conducting the exam or not. Students with a good SAT score can get a $2500 scholarship. The universities that offer a scholarship based on SAT scores to international students are as follows:
- Baylor University
- Clemson University
- Colorado State University
- Florida A&M
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Georgia State University
- Louisiana State University
- Texas Tech University
- University of Arizona
- University of Mississippi
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of Oregon
- University of Tennessee
- University of Texas, Arlington
- Utah State University
This list of universities that give scholarships based on SAT scores is not exhaustive. Hence, there are many other universities that give scholarships based on SAT scores
List of Universities Offering Merit Scholarships for Top ACT Scorers
Students who score an ACT score between 29-33 are awarded a merit scholarship in the following universities. Scholarships are based on the admission of the candidate and ACT scores. Following is a list of universities that give scholarships based on ACT scores:
- Clemson University
- Colorado State University
- Florida A&M
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- University of Arizona
- University of Nevada, LA
- University of Oregon
- University of Missouri
These universities that give scholarships based on ACT scores is again just for reference, there are many others which offer scholarships to international students based on ACT scores.
Also read:
National Merit SAT & ACT Scholarships
Apart from the university-specific scholarships offered for high SAT and ACT scores, there are also National Merit Scholarships that are offered to students abroad. Few other merit-based scholarships for students based on SAT or ACT scores:
| Scholarship |
Total SAT Score Required |
Composite ACT Score Required |
Amount granted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSLP Governor’s Best and Brightest Scholarship |
1440 |
20 |
N/A |
| Pacific Gas and Electric Company Asian ERG Scholarship |
1500 |
25 |
$2,000 |
| Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship |
1000 |
21 |
$30,000 |
| Deana’s Wish Memorial Scholarship |
1100 |
24 |
$2,000 |
| Lloyd M. Fujie Scholarship for Accounting Major Students |
1500 |
21 |
$2,500 |
| Matt Logies Memorial Scholarship |
1500 |
24 |
$5,000 |
| Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program |
1070 |
23 |
$4,000 |
| CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program |
1000 |
21 |
$18,000 |
Apart from this, there are other scholarships as well for which candidates have to demonstrate academic excellence along with a great SAT or ACT score.
- Elks National Foundation Scholarship Program: This scholarship awards up to $50,000 to 500 students every year.
- Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship grants $20,000 scholarships to 150 students every year.
How to find SAT and ACT Scholarships?
There are various popular scholarship websites where you can find scholarships based on SAT or ACT scores. College Board's BigFuture Scholarship Search and scholarships.com are some of the popular sites where you can learn about the scholarships. However, always check the eligibility criteria for the scholarship you are applying.
How to apply for SAT and ACT Scholarships?
Apart from the above-mentioned platforms, you can also search on the internet simply for SAT or ACT scholarships. Once you find the scholarships check their eligibility requirements. After checking the eligibility requirements for the scholarships, you can apply for more than one scholarship.
What if you do not have a high enough SAT or ACT score to obtain a scholarship?
First of all, you should know what is a good SAT score or what is a good ACT score you are aiming to achieve. If you don’t have a good SAT or ACT scores then you always have the chance to improve your scores. The first step is to decide which exam you want to take and then start preparing for it. Candidates should know which exam to take SAT or ACT or both. Apart from this, they should be preparing for that exam. With the help of SAT Practice Tests: Tips and Resources they can prepare for the exam.
Thus, some universities automatically consider international students for SAT or ACT score-based scholarships, while other parameters like - GPA (use a GPA calculator to compute GPA), academic background, SOP, LOR and other essentially required application documents also help applicants in getting an SAT/ACT-based scholarship at different universities.
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SAT registration does not require 12th marks also because some students may sit for SAT exam before completing their class 12th. Thus, there is no such provision of appearing for SAT and requiring class 12th marks for the same. Applicants can register for the SAT exam even without qualifying for the class 12th exams.
Applicants are eligible to apply for SAT exam multiple times irrespective of their current standing - in school or a pass out from school or even those in college. Students who wish to appear for SAT another time or multiple times can do so, there is no bar. Students must have a valid reason to appear multiple times for the SAT, because one its costs are high and second, if students fail to elaborate, they may be barred from giving the exam.
No, SAT does not require class 12th marks as part of SAT exam eligibility fulfillment or for the registration purpose. SAT exam only requires applicants to be undergraduates and those aiming to apply for the same in universities abroad. Thus, applicants can appear for SAT exam even if they are not class 12th passouts.
Yes, you can sit for the SAT after 12th. Don’t worry about a year getting wasted or so, you can shortlist the universities beforehand and save time of additional research. There are no specific age criteria laid down by The College Board for appearing for your SAT exam. However, since SAT is for admission to undergraduate programs candidates are advised to appear for their SAT while in they are either in the last months of their study in class XI and XII or after they pass out from the school. Usually students appear for SAT when they have made a decision to apply for foreign universities for undegrad course. Thus, yes, a student can sit for the SAT exam after class XII.
Usually, students take the SAT once they have decided to apply for undergrad abroad. Candidates should plan the test in such a way that they have the SAT scores with them at the time of applying to the colleges. The ideal time to apply for SAT should be after passing out from school after taking a month or two for preparation. The SAT results are released in a matter of few days, this has been possible with Digital SAT in India. Thus, after having your SAT scores you can begin applying to universities abroad.
Thus, applicants must decide on the SAT dates prior so that they do not have to rush at the last hour for preparation and registration. The SAT dates must also be dediced beforehand so that the applicants don't miss out on university deadlines for SAT score submissions. In case of delays applicants may be penalised and may not be considered for admission also where SAT scores are an important part of the admission process.
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Comments
(2)
P
2 years ago
Hi Aryan, please use the below URL and check what all scholarships are available for studying abroad: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/scholarships Use filters to enhance your research!
M
2 years ago
P
2 years ago
There is no age limit set by the College Board. But the rules are different for: