Guaranteed Scholarships for College Freshmen: What to Know

I've heard that some colleges offer guaranteed scholarships for incoming freshmen. Can anyone explain how these work and recommend schools that offer them? It seems like a good option to secure some funding.

Guaranteed scholarships are indeed beneficial for students as they usually don't rely on a separate application process and are awarded automatically based on fixed academic or other qualifications. They're typically associated with objective metrics such as GPA and standardized test score thresholds. These scholarships can significantly offset the cost of attendance and can make attending certain schools more viable and affordable.

A few colleges offer guaranteed scholarships. For example, the University of Alabama awards automatic merit-based scholarships to incoming in-state and out-of-state freshmen who meet certain GPA and standardized test score thresholds. An in-state student, for example, can receive from $4,000 per year up to full tuition for four years, based on their high school GPA and ACT/SAT score.

Another example is Texas Tech University, which also offers assured scholarships to incoming freshmen based on their high school ranking and standardized test scores. If a student has a certain class rank and a certain score on the ACT or SAT, they can receive an assured scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $9,000.

Don't forget to note the deadlines for these scholarships. For many, you need to apply and be accepted by a certain date. Also, remember to maintain your academic performance as most of these scholarships require you to maintain a certain GPA throughout your college career to continue receiving the scholarship.

Make sure to research each college's policy and requirements for these scholarships as they can differ greatly from one institution to the next. It could indeed be a great way to offset the cost of college, especially if you already meet the criteria established by the school.