Scholarships
Looking up and applying for scholarships can be a daunting task! Our goal is to make this an easier process for FALA students. Below you will find information regarding scholarships and tips that may help you.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Are you interested in attending a college on the west coast, and want to decrease your tuition JUST for being an Arizona resident? Read the following information:
Students who are residents of WICHE states are eligible to request a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating two- and four-year college programs outside of their home state.
The WUE reduced tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible candidates. Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early!
The WICHE member states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Interested applicants should check the WICHE website at: http://www.wiche.edu/wue to search participating institutions by program of study.
Interested applicants should contact the institution of choice and indicate that they would like to apply as a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) applicant. There is not a separate WUE application.
Departmental Scholarships
One of the easiest ways to get scholarships is to research what is offered at the departments of the school you are interested in. This process literally takes less than 5 minutes (applying for the actual scholarship can take 15-30 minutes)!
All you have to do is Google the schools name and put the word scholarships right after it; example: Northern Arizona University Scholarships. Or better yet, call the Financial Aid Office of the school and ask them directly.
Public institutions offer scholarships based on many factors: your major, the department you're part of (for example Ms. Birchard graduated from NAU's College of Education department), being the 1st in your family to go to college (AKA 1st generation students), and incoming Freshman. Take advantage of them!
Arizona University Scholarships!
University of Arizona
Resident Wildcat Awards based on GPA and test scores: Click here.
NAU Blavin Scholars Program
The Blavin Scholars Fund at Northern Arizona University was established in 2010 by Paul and Amy Blavin. The program was created to support youth aging out of foster care in their dreams to achieve a post-secondary education. Through comprehensive individual and program support, the Blavin Scholars Program helps students navigate and maximize their college experience as they pursue a bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University.
Students do not need to currently be in foster care, but need to have experienced time in foster care to be eligible for the scholarship.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities qualify for a number of unique scholarships. As you piece together your college funding package, consider each of the groups you belong to, as possible sources of aid. For example, if you are a disabled minority studying technology at a U.S. college, each of these unique personal characteristics – or any combination of them, might open financial aid doors for you.
Below you will find resources that can help figure out your college funding package. As always, if you want assistance navigating scholarships and college information, contact your school counselor. In addition, NACRC and TRIO are wonderful resources to get support as well; you can find out more about them in our College/Career tab on this website.
Happy scholarship hunting!
Scholarship Databases
Explore this useful site that shares scholarship databases. All you do is fill out your preferences and/or demographic information to get scholarships sorted out for your convenience. These factors could range from ethnicity, hobbies, extracurricular activities, gender, and more.
Career One Stop is a federally approved government program, and they have a scholarship search with over 7,500 opportunities!
Here are an additional comprehensive scholarship database to search for more aid opportunities.
Phoenix Public Library College Depot Scholarships info and database: they list all upcoming scholarships, deadlines, requirements, and amount of money available!
Tuition Funding Sources (TFS) offers free access to over 7 million scholarships and over $41 billion in funding to pay for college. Sign up to get started.
The American Legion: Scholarship and financial aid information in addition to general information about getting into and paying for college.
Arizona Community Foundation: This is the largest private provider of scholarships for students graduating from Arizona high schools. They award over $4 million annually.
Federal Scholarships: Learn about federal programs that help you pay for school.
Learn about smart searching for scholarships.
College Board Scholarship Partners and Programs
Did you know College Board has scholarship partners that tailor to specific demographics? Check out the following scholarships for additional financial assistance!
American Indian Graduate Center
Offers awards to qualified students of Native American heritage. Learn more.
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)
Offers awards to qualified students of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. Learn more.
Cobell Scholarship (awarded by Indigenous Education, Inc.)
Offers merit- and need-based scholarships to qualified students of Native American heritage. Learn more.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Offers merit- and need-based scholarships to qualified Hispanic American students. Learn more.
Horatio Alger Association
Offers scholarships to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives and have demonstrated financial need. Learn more.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Offers scholarships to qualified students with demonstrated financial need. Learn more.
The Jackie Robinson Foundation
Offers scholarships and leadership development to minority students. Learn more.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Offers scholarships to qualified African American students with demonstrated financial need. Learn more.
Miscellaneous Scholarship Opportunities
College Board Scholarships
Applying to college is a complicated process, so College Board created Opportunity Scholarships, a program that guides you through it. It doesn't require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Instead, it rewards your effort and initiative. Complete key steps along your path to college for a chance to earn scholarships.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Youth Awards was founded in 1998 by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Now entering its 20th year, the Youth Awards honors Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, and Technology & Engineering. Learn more.
Flinn Scholars
Seniors are selected from among 800-plus applicants for a package of support covering four years of tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals at one of Arizona’s public universities. And a fully-funded group seminar abroad. And further funding for international study, an internship, and personalized mentoring from brilliant faculty, community leaders, Flinn Foundation staff, and Flinn Scholar alumni. The benefits go on. The application is available at www.flinnscholars.org.
Jefferson Scholarship
The Jefferson Scholarship is the premier undergraduate scholarship at U.Va. Valued at more than $280,000 for an out-of-state student, it is awarded based on merit and covers the entire cost of attendance for four years at U.Va. In addition, the Scholarship provides a number of enrichment opportunities, including a study abroad experience: https://www.jeffersonscholars.org/scholarship.
Earn to Learn Scholarship
Established in 2013, Earn to Learn is the largest and most successful matched savings scholarship program in the country. Qualifying students who deposit $500 into a savings account annually receive an 8:1 match for a total of $4,500 per year for tuition, fees, and other approved educational related expenses. The Earn to Learn Scholarship is available to students planning on attending Pima Community College or another In-state community college with future plans on attending an In-state 4-year University. The application is available at https://files.constantcontact.com/516c6672201/b9064de1-e02d-437d-be6e-63aa9126a5fa.pdf
BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship
Students are often faced with ethical dilemmas in school, at work, or within their social circles. When faced with a situation or circumstance where there is a choice to be made, how will they respond? This essay prompt challenges students to dive into inner-conflict, while describing resolution tactics for their unique encounters with ethics and integrity with consideration for overall impact as it relates to community. Five students in Greater Arizona will be awarded with scholarship prizes. To apply for the scholarhip: https://www.bbb.org/pacific-southwest/student-scholarship/torch-award-scholarship/