First-Year Merit Scholarships
Tuition Awards
When you apply to the University of Arizona and file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, we’ll consider you for a wide range of financial aid options, including first-year merit scholarships. Submit a completed University of Arizona application by our November 1 Early Action deadline to receive priority consideration for merit scholarships.
Types of First-Year Scholarships
Wildcat Tuition Award
This highly competitive undergraduate tuition scholarship is offered annually to select Arizona resident high school graduates who are first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students.
Arizona Tuition Award
This highly competitive undergraduate tuition scholarship is offered annually to select non-Arizona high school graduates who are first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students.
National Merit Scholar Tuition Award
This award is offered to students who are selected as National Merit Finalists. The Office of Admission will be notified of a student's National Scholar status.
National Merit Finalists must declare the University of Arizona as their first school of choice with National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) by their deadline.
Eligibility varies per scholarship and all scholarships are subject to the availability of funds. Please visit the terms and conditions page for the full details of these awards.
Additional First-Year Merit Scholarship Opportunities
Academic Decathlon
The University of Arizona grants scholarship prizes to Arizona Academic Decathlon Association top-scoring decathletes and members of winning teams.
For more information please visit: azacadec.org and our terms and conditions page.
Baird Award
The Baird Foundation offers four-year scholarships to exceptional students graduating from Arizona high schools every year. This small and elite group of students will join the community of Baird Scholars at the University of Arizona and the W.A. Franke Honors College. This prestigious award is specific to the Franke Honors College and the University of Arizona.
Flinn Semi-Finalist Tuition Award
This award is offered to Arizona state resident Flinn Semi-Finalists.
Foster Care Tuition Award
This is a scholarship program to support foster youth enrolled at the University of Arizona.
Students must initially apply and be certified through the Foster Success portal.
Eligibility varies per scholarship and all scholarships are subject to the availability of funds. Please visit the terms and conditions page for the full details of these awards.
Additional Information
To assess students' eligibility for both admission and merit aid, the university utilizes a holistic review process that considers each student’s full academic history – in the context of where they lived and learned – and other life experiences. Learn more about becoming a Wildcat.
Students admitted for the spring semester are not eligible for the first-year merit awards listed above.
See each scholarship’s terms and conditions for full eligibility details.
In November 2022, Arizona voted to support Proposition 308, which allows for qualifying, non-citizen Arizona high school graduates to receive in-state tuition at Arizona universities and community colleges. To be eligible for in-state tuition, students must meet both of these requirements:
The student attended any public or private high school or homeschool equivalent while physically present in Arizona for at least two years.
The student graduated from any public or private high school option or homeschool equivalent in Arizona or obtained a high school equivalency diploma in Arizona, i.e., a GED.
For more information on Arizona Proposition 308, please review the Arizona Board of Regents website.
Incoming first-year students who are home schooled will be reviewed for merit aid (Wildcat and Arizona Awards) based on their complete application, including portfolio/course work. Students should apply by our Early Action deadline of November 1 for priority merit aid consideration.
Arizona merit tuition awards are not available for use in University of Arizona Online programs, with the exception of the Online Transfer Tuition Scholarship.
Students may receive renewable scholarships for up to four consecutive years (8 semesters total) for fall and spring semesters only,* based on meeting academic year renewal requirements. See terms and conditions for standard minimum renewal requirements.
*Students who are enrolled in the College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture’s 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program will receive five consecutive years (ten semesters total) for fall and spring semesters only, based on meeting academic year renewal requirements.
All financial aid awards are divided into two equal disbursements paid to the student, half in the fall term and half in the spring term, unless otherwise noted in the scholarship terms and conditions.
Maximize Your Scholarship Consideration
Questions?
For resources on financial aid, visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid online.
For information about funding your education and becoming a Wildcat, get in touch with an admissions recruiter in your area.