Scholarships for incoming freshmen at Arizona State University

I'm an incoming freshman exploring scholarship opportunities at Arizona State University. I'd love to know which scholarships are specifically available for incoming first-year students. What are the main criteria for these scholarships, and are they mostly merit-based or need-based? Any advice on how to stand out in the application process would be super helpful as I prepare to apply.

Arizona State University offers several scholarships for incoming first-year students, with diverse criteria including academic merit, financial need, and special interests or characteristics.

One of the prominent merit-based scholarships is the New American University Scholarship. This is a renewable award that comes in several levels, from Provost's through President's, with differing amounts and criteria. These scholarships are automatically awarded to eligible students, with no separate application required. Criteria primarily include GPA and test scores (if you've taken any tests, as ASU is test-optional).

ASU also has the Obama Scholars Program, which is a need-based program for Arizona residents. It's intended to bridge the gap between a student's resources (from the FAFSA) and the cost of attendance. To stand out for this, you'd want to ensure your FAFSA properly reflects your financial need.

Being a good candidate for scholarships isn't just about academics; it's also about demonstrating your commitment to the ASU community, so think about how you're already involved in your own community, and express your enthusiasm to continue that involvement at ASU.

In addition to these university-wide scholarships, various ASU colleges offer college-specific scholarships (like the W.P. Carey School of Business Scholarships), so check the specific college you're interested in to see if they have their scholarships.

Remember to also keep an eye out for external scholarships. There are plenty of databases available online where you can filter scholarships by criteria.

When applying for scholarships, standing out often involves more than just meeting the criteria. Take your time with each application, do your research on the scholarship, and craft it like you would a college application – with attention to detail, showcasing your strengths and aspirations that align with the mission of the scholarship.

And of course, apply early and apply often. The more scholarships you apply to, the higher your chances of winning. Good luck!