Frequently Asked Questions

If students graduate high school in May or June of their senior year and have been awarded a scholarship, will they lose their scholarship if they enroll at another postsecondary institution the summer prior to enrolling at Auburn in the fall?

Students who graduate in May or June of their senior year and enroll summer term at another postsecondary institution receive their Freshman Scholarship as awarded beginning fall term when they enroll at Auburn. These students are not penalized for summer enrollment prior to enrolling at Auburn.

If students graduate high school in December or January of their senior year, are they eligible for scholarship consideration?

Students who graduate in December or January of their senior year and enroll at Auburn the spring term immediately following high school graduation may be considered for Freshman Scholarships for the upcoming academic year beginning fall term. Students who enroll at another postsecondary institution the spring term following high school graduation and prior to enrollment at Auburn are transfer students and ineligible for Freshman Scholarship consideration. If already awarded, the scholarship will be rescinded. These students may still receive General Scholarship consideration as transfer students, but not as new first-time freshmen.

If students graduate high school a year early in May or June of their junior year, are they eligible for scholarship consideration?

Students who graduate in May or June of their junior year and enroll at Auburn the summer or fall term immediately following high school graduation receive consideration for Freshman Scholarships. Students who enroll at another postsecondary institution the fall or spring term following high school graduation are automatically transfer students and ineligible for Freshman Scholarship consideration.

If students take a gap year between high school graduation and their freshman year at Auburn, are they eligible for scholarship consideration?

Students who wish to take a gap year, a year off between high school graduation and enrollment at Auburn, should apply for admission for the following fall term. Eligibility for admission and Freshman Scholarships will be evaluated with the applicants for the following year, and students are subject to the scholarship requirements and award amounts for that year. Students who enroll at another postsecondary institution during a gap year are automatically transfer students and ineligible for Freshman Scholarship consideration.

Is there a minimum test score or high school GPA that guarantees an incoming freshman will receive a scholarship?

Spirit of Auburn Scholarships are four-year, renewable scholarships automatically awarded to Alabama residents with a minimum 28 ACT or 1250 SAT score and a 3.5 high school GPA at three levels. Although not guaranteed, Academic Scholarships are four-year, renewable scholarships awarded among non-residents with a minimum 29 ACT or 1290 SAT score and a 3.5 high school GPA at three levels. Students must have the minimum test score and high school GPA to receive consideration at each level for both of these scholarships.

Does Auburn combine ACT or SAT subject scores from different test dates for the purpose of awarding scholarships to incoming freshmen?

Auburn only uses the highest composite ACT score or total SAT score from a single test date. A "superscore" in which subject scores from different test dates are combined is not considered. Testing reports from testing agencies are evaluated by Admission Processing. For more information regarding test score, please contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at (334) 844-6425 or admissions@auburn.edu.

Does Auburn consider the writing score on the ACT or SAT for the purpose of awarding scholarships to incoming freshmen?

Auburn does not currently consider the writing score on the ACT or SAT test for the purpose of awarding scholarships.

Can a new test score or high school transcript be sent after the December 1 Freshman Scholarship priority deadline?

While it is possible updated test scores and high school GPAs received after the Freshman Scholarship priority deadline of December 1 may be considered in the awarding of Freshman and General Scholarships, we are unable to guarantee a scholarship will be awarded or increased as a result. Depending on the student’s major, updated test scores and high school GPAs may be considered in the awarding of Departmental Scholarships. While we do not specifically encourage students to continue testing, we encourage students to submit new scores if they elect to continue testing.

What is the likelihood a student will receive a General or Departmental Scholarship?

Each General and Departmental Scholarship has unique criteria with geographic location (high school, city, county, state), academic achievement, financial need, and academic major the most common considerations. For General Scholarships, priority consideration is given to incoming freshmen who meet the Freshman Scholarship priority deadline of December 1 and have not previously been recognized with a scholarship valued at resident tuition or greater. Students with a test score at or above the average test score of Auburn's most recent freshman class are more likely to receive an award. Departmental Scholarship availability and requirements for consideration vary by college/school and department.

How much can a student expect to receive if awarded a General or Departmental Scholarship?

General Scholarships are awarded at an average of $1,500 for one year, and Departmental Scholarships are awarded at an average of $2,000 for one year. Award amounts vary based on available funding for each scholarship.

If a student does not receive a scholarship as an incoming freshman but performs well as a current student, what are the chances s/he will receive a General or Departmental Scholarship in future academic years?

Approximately 50% of General Scholarships state a preference for an incoming freshman recipient, making the process for awarding these scholarships very competitive for current students. The number of General Scholarships for which any student is considered may be limited if financial need or geographic location is also a consideration. Current students should contact the college/school and department in which they are majoring to inquire about Departmental Scholarship opportunities.

Is leadership and/or community service a consideration when awarding General or Departmental Scholarships?

Leadership and/or community service may be considered in the awarding of General Scholarships to incoming students based on information provided on the application for admission. Leadership and/or community service is also considered for a limited number of Additional Documentation General Scholarships for which students are required to submit resumes of activities. Colleges/schools and departments that require a separate application may consider leadership and/or community service in the awarding of Departmental Scholarships.

How do scholarship recipients receive their scholarship funds?

Scholarships are applied as credits on the student’s university billing account on a semester basis. In compliance with federal guidelines, financial aid and scholarships cannot physically disburse to the student's billing account until 10 days before each semester begins. If at any time credits on the bill exceed university charges (i.e. tuition, fees, on-campus housing), a refund can be issued for the difference. Refunds are issued as direct deposits to the checking or savings account of the student's choice, which can be set up through the student’s tiger i account.

What does a four-year renewable tuition scholarship include?

For students enrolling Summer or Fall 2012, tuition scholarships include tuition for 12 or more hours for National Scholars Presidential, Spirit of Auburn Presidential, and Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarships awarded to Alabama residents. In the event tuition increases, tuition scholarships will be increased accordingly. Registration fees, other mandatory fees, differential tuition for professional programs, and program fees in specific colleges and schools are not included.

What are the requirements to renew a four-year Freshman Scholarship?

Freshman Scholarship recipients must earn a minimum of 24 Auburn credit hours from fall to spring semester of each academic year and achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative, unadjusted Auburn GPA by the end of each spring semester to be eligible for renewal of their scholarship for the next academic year. Freshman Scholarship Guidelines are provided with the student’s award letter and posted on the Scholarship Channel of the student’s tiger i account by scholarship type. FERPA prohibits university officials from providing academic information for currently or previously enrolled Auburn students to anyone other than the student.

How does participation in the Cooperative Education Program affect scholarship award(s)?

Scholarship funds are not available for academic terms when a student is participating in the Auburn University Cooperative Education Program. Scholarship funds will be applied to the next term when the student will be enrolled full time, until all semesters of eligibility have been used. For more information on available programs, please visit Cooperative Education Program, call (334) 844-5410, or email durbinkm@auburn.edu.

How does participation in the Auburn Abroad Program affect scholarship award(s)?

Scholarship funds may be applied to study abroad program fees when a student participates in an Auburn University faculty-led program through Auburn Abroad and will earn a minimum of 12 Auburn credit hours. For more information on eligible programs, please visit Auburn Abroad, call (334) 844-5001, or email auab@auburn.edu.

For National Scholars Presidential, Spirit of Auburn Presidential, and Academic Presidential Scholars, how and when is the technology stipend applied?

The technology stipend is available the first fall semester enrolled and applied as a one-time credit on the student’s university billing account. While the technology stipend is intended for the purchase of any technology needs the student may have, it may also be used for other educational expenses.

For National Scholars Presidential Scholars, how and when is the enrichment experience stipend applied?

The enrichment experience stipend is available for one semester after the second year of study and applied as a one-time credit on the student’s university billing account. Students must be National Scholars Presidential Scholarship eligible, and requests are subject to approval. The Presidential Scholarship Enrichment Experience Stipend Guidelines provide more information.

For National Scholars Presidential Scholars, how and when is the on-campus housing stipend applied?

The on-campus housing stipend is available up to eight semesters and applied as a credit to the student's university billing account each year the student lives on campus. The stipend is divided in two equal payments for the fall and spring semester. The on-campus housing stipend is based on the double room rate in The Quad. In the event the double room rate in The Quad increases, the stipend will increase accordingly. The stipend is not available if at any time the student is no longer National Scholars Presidential Scholarship eligible, is unable to secure on-campus housing, or chooses to live off-campus. Housing availability and assignments are determined by the Department of University Housing. The Office of University Scholarships verifies eligibility to receive the stipend each semester by confirming with the Department of University Housing that the student is living on-campus. For more information on how to apply for housing or housing availability, please visit Department of University Housing, call (334) 844-4580, or email housing@auburn.edu.