ACT Scholarships – Introduction
Many students wonder if taking the ACT is worth it. But, if you want to qualify for ACT scholarships, the answer is a resounding yes! Since its inception, the ACT has played an important role in college admissions, serving as an indicator of college readiness. In more recent years, the value of the ACT/SAT has been put to the test. Plenty of schools have adopted test-optional policies, while others have made it clear that standardized testing isn’t going anywhere.
Regardless of the shifting landscape, high standardized test scores certainly can help boost college applications. They also serve as an opportunity to qualify for ACT scholarships! Many scholarships require an ACT or SAT score, and even for those that don’t, a strong score can increase your chance of securing an award.
In this guide, we’ll cover the ins and outs of ACT scholarships and how they can help cover the cost of college. Specifically, we’ll talk about:
- How the ACT is considered in the admissions process
- What is a good ACT score?
- How to interpret ACT score percentiles
- Tips to find, apply to, and win ACT scholarships
- The nitty-gritty of ACT scholarships: deadlines, awards, ACT scholarship calculators, and more!
Read on for everything you need to know about ACT scholarships.
A Quick Overview of Merit-Based Scholarships
What is a merit-based scholarship? Merit-based scholarships are scholarships that award funds based on some eligibility criteria, often including academic performance. This is different from need-based scholarships, which are awarded solely based on financial circumstances and are meant to help people who otherwise could not afford the cost of college.
When you apply to a college, you may be eligible for one or both kinds of scholarships. Some schools, like many Ivies, only offer need-based scholarships. However, even if your school doesn’t offer merit-based scholarships, you can still apply for non-institutional scholarships to get some extra funding — many of these are considered ACT scholarships.
ACT scholarships can range from a few hundred dollars to a full ride (though those scholarships are incredibly competitive). Whether you get merit-based or need-based scholarships, remember that scholarships aren’t loans — they’re a form of gift aid, meaning you don’t need to pay them back.
ACT and the College Admissions Process
Most schools look at your application holistically. This means they aren’t necessarily weighing one part of your application over another. Your ACT scores, like any other component of your college application, are just another relevant piece of information admissions officers can use to assess your application and potential for success.
As a rule, if taking the ACT (or SAT) test is financially accessible and you have time to study, it’s a good idea to do it. It’s unlikely that test scores would hurt your application, and you can always choose which schools you want to send your scores to. Plus, if you have high ACT scores (we’ll cover what is a good ACT score later), you can qualify for a number of ACT scholarships and other merit-based scholarships, either from the university or from an outside source.
Even if some schools are test-optional, they may still use your scores to award scholarships. With good test scores, you may get a leg up for ACT scholarships, increasing the chances that the school offers you additional funding to attend.
What are ACT scholarships?
ACT scholarships are merit-based awards that are tied to your performance on the ACT, likely in addition to other factors such as your GPA. You can use your scores to qualify for ACT scholarships offered by colleges, your home state, and other private institutions. To be clear: the testing organization itself does not offer ACT scholarships to high performers (unlike the PSAT/NMSQT, a pre-SAT test that juniors take, which famously enters students into the running for the National Merit Scholarship).
However, after going through the college application process, students may automatically qualify for certain scholarships based on their score thresholds. When we talk about ACT scholarships, this is the process we refer to. When we cover what is a good ACT score, we’ll go over the thresholds for qualifying for these types of ACT scholarships.
Just like there’s no specific ACT scholarship — just scholarships that take your ACT score into account — there’s no set ACT scholarship calculator. You can try to improve your chances by working to perform well on the test. However, you won’t be able to enter your GPA and score into an ACT scholarship calculator and get a lump sum at the end.
How can I find ACT scholarships?
You can find ACT scholarships in a number of places — often the same ones where you find other scholarships. A good place to start is on the website of the schools you’re applying to. Colleges’ websites will clarify if their school offers an in-house ACT scholarship that you can qualify for based on your score. There are also private scholarships that award based on score.
Use scholarship search engines like Fastweb, College Board, U.S. News, and even the ACT’s own resources to find scholarships. Here’s a guide from the ACT on how to find scholarships that require an ACT score. Keep in mind, there are a lot of answers to what is a good ACT score; scholarship score thresholds can vary drastically.
In a perfect world, you could use an ACT scholarship calculator, but that resource doesn’t exist. Luckily, there are ways that you can approximate the findings of such a tool. Try comparing the ACT score percentiles of your chosen school with your own ACT score percentile to figure out your chances of receiving a merit scholarship. You can also use tools like ChatGPT; simply put in your ACT score and use it as an unofficial ACT scholarship calculator.
School-specific ACT Scholarships
For school-specific ACT scholarships, contact the financial aid office. Financial aid officers can help you navigate the myriad of scholarships, both merit- and need-based, that a school offers. They’re a valuable resource for ACT scholarships, SAT scholarships, and automatic full ride scholarships. They could also potentially point you in the right direction to learn more about scholarships in general — where to find an ACT scholarship calculator, what ACT score percentiles matter, and more.
There are also state and regional scholarships that reward high ACT scores. Depending on where you live and what college you plan on attending, you may qualify for ACT scholarships from your state if you achieve above certain ACT score percentiles.
Curious what ACT scholarship score thresholds actually are? Let’s go over what is a good ACT score.
What is a good ACT score?
What is a good ACT score depends on what you’re aiming for and what the average applicant score is. That being said, you can think about what is a good ACT score for scholarships and colleges by focusing on a score range rather than one specific number.
You can split what is a good ACT score into three categories: average, above average, and excellent. ACT score percentiles like these are used to determine eligibility for certain scholarships. Let’s review some basics of ACT scoring.
ACT score percentiles
The ACT is scored from 1 (the lowest score) to 36 (the highest score). Your composite score is an average of your test scores in the math, reading, and English sections. There’s a now-optional science section as well; that score will now be presented separately.
Excellent ACT scores are scores in the 95th-100th percentile, which are from 31 to 36. An above-average score, from the 75th-94th percentile, is from 24-30, and an average score is between 21-23. These percentiles change year-to-year, so make sure to check the most updated version for accuracy.
When broadly asking, “what is a good ACT score?” you can look at these guidelines. A score above 28 will qualify you for mid-tier scholarships and colleges. A score above 32 significantly broadens your opportunities at top-tier institutions. An excellent score can also help you qualify for more comprehensive scholarship programs that cover the full cost of college.
This list of ACT scholarships can help you find opportunities that align with your score to help offset the cost of college. Keep in mind that a score falling in the acceptable range doesn’t automatically make each opportunity a perfect fit. Some may be targeted at specific schools or regions, some might have other eligibility criteria like GPA, and others may be aimed at a specific demographic or identity. Be sure to read the details of each scholarship to be sure you qualify.
Maximizing your ACT score
The ACT also allows you to superscore. Essentially, if you take the test multiple times, your composite score will be the average of your highest scores on each section, regardless of when you took the test. However, before applying to ACT scholarships, make sure you’re clear on whether or not they’ll accept superscores.
Remember there’s no such thing as an ACT scholarship calculator, and there’s no perfect score you need to ensure that you get the best scholarship or get into the best school. The closest thing to an ACT scholarship calculator is just understanding ACT score percentiles and looking at the average ACT scores for each school you apply to.
Being in the top quartile of applicants can serve as a stand-in ACT scholarship calculator to let you know that you have a good chance of gaining a scholarship. If your score will bump up the school’s average, they’re more likely to want to win you over by lowering your overall cost of attendance.
How to apply to ACT scholarships
You can apply for ACT scholarships in a variety of ways. First, there are some scholarships that consider you automatically. For example, if you’re applying to a school that gives different types of merit scholarships, you will likely be automatically considered for scholarships. So if you have an ACT score over a certain number (and meet the other criteria), you might receive a scholarship with your financial aid package.
There are also some schools that award automatic full ride scholarships based on your scores, grades, and other characteristics. However, automatic full ride scholarships are rare. If you need a large portion of your tuition covered, you may want to look into pairing need-based financial aid with automatic full ride scholarships or other available scholarship funds.
In general, you can’t count on getting automatic full ride scholarships — but, to maximize your chances, you can focus on your ACT or SAT scores. The most sought-after merit scholarships, including automatic full ride scholarships, are awarded to the people who have the best stats. So even if the schools you’re applying to are test-optional, it’s always better to err on the side of testing first. This way you can increase your chances of getting automatic full ride scholarships.
In the case of individual colleges, remember that you can always reach out to the financial aid office if you have questions — that’s what they’re there for!
Supplemental scholarship applications
Some scholarships will require a separate application. Whether these are ACT scholarships, SAT scholarships, or scholarships that are test-optional, you’ll likely have to provide similar basic information. In addition to your transcripts and test scores, ACT and SAT scholarships often require an essay or even letters of recommendation. That’s why it’s important to research these things in advance — you don’t want to be asking for a letter of recommendation at the last minute. Applying early also never hurts, as long as you’ve given appropriate consideration to your application.
It’s important to read each scholarship’s eligibility requirements carefully. You don’t want to waste time working on an application for something that you’re not eligible for. Since there’s no one easy ACT scholarship calculator, the search for scholarships can be a slog. We know that it can be exhausting. But finding the right scholarship for you and preparing a thorough, thoughtful application can pay off — literally.
ACT Scholarship Deadlines
When are ACT and SAT scholarships due? This can vary, but most scholarship deadlines typically fall between September and May, during the college admissions cycle. Some schools have deadlines for ACT and SAT scholarships that align with their regular application deadline. Other schools automatically enter first round applicants into consideration for merit scholarships, incentivizing students to apply early.
The bottom line: deadlines can vary! Make a spreadsheet to keep track of deadlines, eligibility requirements, and what you’ll need when you apply (scores, grades, letters of recommendation, etc.). That way, you can collect deadlines for school-based, private, and national or state-based scholarships all in one place.
Useful tip: Sometimes, applying early can increase your chances of getting ACT or SAT scholarships, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply!
How much money are ACT scholarships?
There’s a range of awards for ACT and SAT scholarships. They can span from a couple hundred or thousand dollars up to automatic full ride scholarships. Though most scholarships won’t cover the whole cost of college, you can stack multiple scholarships and apply for need-based aid as well.
Some ACT Scholarship Award Amounts
The Oklahoma State Regents’ Rising Scholars Award is for Oklahoma residents attending the University of Oklahoma. If you score in the 99.5th percentile on your ACT you can get $6,500 per year off your tuition, which is about $32,000 total.
The University of Illinois has a similar scholarship for Illinois residents, where students can win up to $7,500 per year.
This scholarship from the Engbretson Foundation is both need-based and merit-based, and requires an ACT score of 28 or higher. It awards $10,000 per-semester for one year, so $20,000 total.
If you’re thinking of attending Colorado Christian University, competitive students can win a lot of money in scholarship awards. Their Trustees’ Scholarship awards $18,000 per year, and the Distinguished Achievement Scholarship awards $22,000 per year.
When trying to determine the benefit of an ACT scholarship, calculator tools may be helpful. Just remember that for many of these scholarships, you get a certain amount of money per year, and that can add up when it comes to offsetting the cost of college. You can also apply for scholarships during college; you don’t have to be a freshman to get a scholarship.
Do all schools offer ACT scholarships?
No, not all schools offer ACT scholarships. Some schools offer merit scholarships that are based on other eligibility criteria than ACT score percentiles. Other scholarships take your ACT score into account, but are more tailored to other criteria like grades or athletics. Some schools don’t have merit scholarships at all — many Ivies offer solely need-based aid.
If you’re ever wondering if a school has ACT scholarships, check their website. When in doubt, call their admissions or financial aid office — they can point you in the right direction, and help you navigate your other scholarship applications.
Additionally, if you’re admitted to a school and feel unable to cover the cost, talk to their financial aid office. Even if they don’t have ACT scholarships, they can help you strategize how to find more funding.
SAT vs. ACT scholarships
Is there a difference between ACT and SAT scholarships? Some scholarships may accept only one of the two test scores, but more likely, they’ll be looking for a specific score or range of scores for either test. For example, a 33 ACT score is comparable to a 1450 SAT score. An ACT score of 28 is close to a 1310 on the SAT, and so on.
If you’re stuck between which test to take, don’t start at which scholarships you want — start with which test feels better for you and work from there. In junior year, many schools offer the PSAT, which is a great way to feel out the SAT while also entering yourself into consideration for the National Merit Scholarship. Additionally, take a practice ACT, and see which test you like better.
Other Resources for Merit-Based Scholarships
There are plenty of scholarships for college; you just have to know where to find them. Here are some other resources you can use when researching ACT scholarships:
Merit-based Scholarship Resources
1. College financial aid websites
Most colleges have dedicated scholarship pages listing their merit awards. Like we mentioned above, many are automatic scholarships. This means you’ll get entered into ones that you’re eligible for when you submit your application for admission.
2. State and regional programs
The most common scholarships you’ll find through your state are for in-state public universities. So if you’re in-state and plan on applying to a public school, these can be a great resource. These are often SAT or ACT scholarships, and have cutoffs based on your test scores and your GPA.
3. ACT official resources
The ACT website offers multiple scholarship search tools, including guidance on how to find scholarships and scholarship lists and databases.
4. High school guidance counselors
They’re easy to forget about, but your high school guidance counselor can be a useful resource! They’ve guided many students through the college application process before, and may know about local scholarship opportunities.
5. CollegeAdvisor
CollegeAdvisor has a ton of guides, webinars, and resources on scholarships — many of which are totally free to access.
5 Tips to Win ACT Scholarships
Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs of ACT scholarships, here are five tips on how to win the best scholarships.
5 ACT Scholarship Tips
1. Know the score thresholds.
Identify the ACT score ranges that trigger automatic scholarships at your target schools. If your school mostly accepts people with ACT score percentiles in the 95th percentile or above, know that it might be more challenging to get a merit-based scholarship there than if your school accepts people with scores in a lower percentile.
2. Time your test strategically.
Take the ACT early enough to retake it if needed before scholarship deadlines. You can also take the SAT and see which test feels better for you.
3. Target schools with big awards.
Focus on colleges that offer generous ACT-based merit scholarships. You can also prioritize applying to public schools in your state, which will almost always have more scholarships opportunities.
4. Focus on your academics.
A high GPA is another component of receiving a competitive scholarship, so don’t neglect your courses in pursuit of obtaining what is a good ACT score.
5. Stay organized.
Track deadlines, keep all required documents in a folder on your laptop, and make sure you set notifications for any and all applications so that nothing gets missed.
ACT Scholarships – Final Takeaways
When deciding whether or not to take the ACT, remember that even if your dream school is test-optional, having an ACT score may help you qualify for scholarships.
ACT scholarships are scholarships where you qualify based on your ACT score. There’s no one answer to “what is a good ACT score?” But, students in the top ACT score percentiles will qualify for better scholarships. Still, there are scholarship options for students with a range of ACT scores.
Unfortunately, there’s no ACT scholarship calculator. So, you’ll have to do a little digging to find ACT scholarships that fit. Be sure to use every resource at your disposal: college financial aid websites, your high school guidance counselor, scholarship databases, the official ACT site, and even CollegeAdvisor.com! And remember, whatever your score, CollegeAdvisor can help you turn it into a winning application.
This article was written by Rachel Kahn. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
