Known as the Copper State, Arizona students may have the chance to see some green for college. Scholarships for Arizona residents can help students pay for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and other educational expenses. With great sites like the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and the Barringer Crater, Arizona is home to 57 colleges and universities. A wealth of scholarship opportunities exist for Arizona students. Take a look below!
$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Maricopa County, Arizona. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, SAT/ACT scores of 1250 or higher, ACT scores of 28, and must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate juniors and seniors and graduate students in Arizona who are enrolled full time.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Yuma, AZ who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Applicants must plan to major in business at a college or university in Arizona.
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$5,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Sedona, Cottonwood or Flagstaff High Schools in Verde Valley, AZ. Applicants must be majoring in art or art education and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
The Doughton Scholarship is available for adult re-entry students who have at least one dependent. Applicants must attend a community college in Maricopa County.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The William Bennett, W7PHO, Memorial Scholarship is open to international and U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are licensed radio amateurs (general class or higher) and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must reside in the areas covered by the ARRL Northwest, Pacific, or Southwest divisions.
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Over 250,000 students attended one of Arizona’s three public universities in 2024 including Arizona State University (ASU), University of Arizona (UofA), and Northern Arizona University (NAU). Thousands more attended one of Arizona’s private universities including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott and Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
Understanding Scholarships in Arizona
Before we take a look at scholarships in Arizona, it’s important to know how much you can expect to pay in tuition so you have a better idea why scholarships are key to making college more affordable for Arizona students.
Average tuition for Arizona residents attending ASU or UofA as an undergraduate can expect to pay just under $ 14,000 in tuition and fees per year. Students who attend Arizona’s other public 4 year university can expect to pay just under $ 12,000 in 2024-25. If you are living on-campus at any of Arizona’s public universities, you will likely pay an extra $ 16,000 for room and board. If you are attending a private school in Arizona like Grand Canyon University, you can expect a total cost of attendance of nearly $ 34,000 in 2024-25 including room and board.
While many Arizona college students will qualify for state, federal, and school grants as well as other types of financial aid like work study, the majority of students will still experience a gap between the financial aid they receive and the cost of attendance. This is why so many students in Arizona rely on scholarships to make up the difference.
Scholarship Programs for Arizona Students
How to pay for college can be daunting, especially with the rising cost of tuition. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarship programs available for students in Arizona that can help make college dreams a reality. Whether you’re a high school senior preparing for your next academic journey or a current college student seeking additional funding, there are a variety of grants and scholarship programs tailored to meet diverse student needs and backgrounds.
List of Scholarships for Arizona Residents and Future Students
Here are some of the top scholarship programs Arizona students apply for:
Arizona Community Foundation Scholarships
The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) is a great resource for students looking for scholarship funding. With over 150 different scholarships available, ACF caters to students pursuing different fields of study and their scholarship awards can be used at accredited schools throughout the United States versus only in Arizona. ACF’s application process is streamlined, allowing students to apply for multiple scholarships with just one application.
Flinn Foundation Scholarship
The Flinn Foundation Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that awards 20 scholarships each year to Arizona’s top performing high school seniors who plan to attend one of Arizona’s public universities. The Flinn Scholarship covers the full cost of recipients, tuition, fees, room and board, and even study abroad programs! In addition to scholarship funding, Flinn Scholars have access to mentors and leadership development training.
Dorrance Scholarship
First-generation college students in Arizona have a unique opportunity through the Dorrance Scholarship Program. To be eligible, recipients must have at least a 3.0 GPA and minimum test scores of 1110 in the SAT or 22 on the ACT. The scholarship is awarded to 60 high school seniors each year who have demonstrated financial need. The typical scholarship award is $ 12,000 per year and it is a renewable scholarship. As is the case with the Flinn Foundation Scholarship, recipients must attend one of Arizona’s public universities.
AzLEAP Grants
The Arizona Board of Regents offers AzLEAP grants to students who have a demonstrated need. The maximum annual award is $ 2,500 and AxLEAP grants can only be used at one of Arizona’s public universities.
Other Private Scholarships in Arizona
Thousands of private scholarships are available to Arizona students who are pursuing higher education at any level. Many private scholarship programs allow recipients to use scholarship awards at any accredited college or university in the United States. You can access and apply to many of these scholarships right here on unigo.com!
Federal Grants
Arizona students who meet certain income criteria are U.S. citizens pursuing an undergraduate degree may also be eligible to receive federal grants to pursue their education. The most popular grant program being the Pell Grant.
School Grants and Scholarships for Arizonians
Virtually all of Arizona’s colleges and universities offer institutional grants and scholarships in order to make college more affordable. These grants and scholarships may be awarded based on merit, need, or both. Schools often use these grants and scholarships to help recruit new students and retain existing students – even if your family income is higher or you don’t have the highest grades.
Tips for Landing Scholarships and Grants in Arizona
Applying for scholarships and grants can be competitive, but with the right strategy, you can increase your chances of success:
- Start Early: Begin your scholarship search and begin applying for scholarships as soon as possible.Many scholarships have deadlines well before the academic year starts.
- Get Organized: Keep track of deadlines, required documents, and application requirements. Using a spreadsheet or calendar can help you manage your scholarship applications effectively.
- Tailor Your Responses: Customize your essays and personal statements to align with the specific criteria and mission of each scholarship you apply for.
- Ask for Recommendations: Strong letters of recommendation from your teachers, counselors, or community leaders can really help distinguish your scholarship application.
- Highlight Your Achievements: Make sure to showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, and future goals.
- Complete the FAFSA: Many scholarship programs in Arizona require recipients to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be considered. You will also need to complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for any federal student aid programs including Pell and other grants. Most schools also use the FAFSA, in whole or in part, to determine the amount of institutional aid or grants they will award you.
How about student loans?
Your first priority should be to apply for private scholarships as well as school and state-based grants as grants and scholarships typically do not need to be repaid. You may find, however, that grants and scholarships may not cover all your educational expenses. This is where federal and private student loans can make up the gap.
Federal student loans are typically less expensive and have more favorable terms compared to private loans, however, all student loans do need to be repaid so that is an important consideration when thinking about student loans. All federal student loans and many private ones do require you and your family to complete the FAFSA.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff