As a prized form of aid, a full tuition scholarship allows you to attend college almost free. Most full tuition scholarships pay the cost of attendance. Or, tuition and some fees.
Many full tuition scholarships are merit awards. To get one, you might need a high GPA, class rank, test scores, athletic ability or artistic talent.
Science and research skills could parlay into a full tuition award too. Regeneron Talent Search awards from $2,000 to $250,000.
Winners may also need a strong track record outside school. Qualities like being a good leader or volunteer.
There are ones set aside for minority students, and certain majors too. One is the USDA 1890 Scholars Program. To apply, you a 3.0 GPA or higher. Also, plans to study food, agriculture or natural resources at an 1890’s college.
When not based only on merit, providers look at unmet financial need. These usually ask for details about family income from your FAFSA. The United Negro College Fund offers a few like this.
Full Ride vs. Full Tuition Scholarships
The terms full ride and full tuition do not always mean the same thing. The difference lies in what each award pays for.
Full ride scholarships pay for tuition, fees and many extras. Like books, room and board, travel and a laptop. Plus, some cover the expenses for all four years of an undergrad degree
Full tuition scholarships pay only tuition and some fees. So, you need to cover housing, books etc. And, they may fund one year only
How Much Money Might I Save With a Full Tuition Scholarship?
A full tuition scholarship may save you thousands of dollars in tuition and fees. The amounts vary by type of school, state and how many years of funding you get.
The NCES tracks the costs of attending both public and private schools in the US. It breaks these costs down into three areas. Tuition and fees, room, and board.
Using their most recent data, tuition / fees at a public in state school is $9,037 per year. A full tuition scholarship for four years would save you an average of $36,148.
For a private out of state school, these costs average $30,731 per year. A full tuition scholarship for all four years would save you an average of $122,924.
Average Costs of College in the U.S.
Type of School
Tuition and Fees
Room
Board
Total
Public 4 Year (In state)
$9,037
$6,227
$4,786
$20,050
Private 4 Year (Out of state)
$30,731
$6,967
$5,441
$43,139
With student debt at a record high of $1.4 trillion in the first quarter of 2019, that’s money in your bank. Unlike a loan, you don’t pay scholarships back if you abide by the terms.
Top 11 Full Tuition Scholarships
Many colleges offer full tuition scholarships to incoming freshman. But schools are not the only sources. Widen your net with these 11 full tuition scholarships.
This award is available for students who are legal residents of the state of New York and who plan to attend one of the following colleges/universities in the state of New York: Barnard College, Baruch College, Brooklyn College, Columbia University, Fordham University, Long Island University (Brooklyn campus), New York University, Pace University, Polytechnic University, St. Francis College, or St. John’s University.
This scholarship is for high school seniors who have caddied, successfully and regularly, for two or more years at a Western Golf Association (WGA) member club. Eligible students must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have taken the ACT; students must also attend an eligible college as defined by the Evans Scholars Foundation.
This award is available for West Virginia high school seniors who are planning to attend an eligible West Virginia public or private college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and have a composite ACT score of 22 or higher or a combined SAT score of 1020 or higher.
The Colorado Garden Foundation Full Ride Scholarship is available for students pursuing a degree in horticulture, landscape horticulture, floriculture, turf grass management, botany, entomology, plant pathology, landscape design, or landscape architecture. Click here to learn more and apply today!
The Colorado Garden Foundation Graduate Scholarship is available for graduate students in the field of horticulture, landscape horticulture, floriculture, turf grass management, botany, entomology, plant pathology, landscape design, or landscape architecture. Click here to learn more and apply today!
The Colorado Garden Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship is available for applicant who are pursuing a degree in horticulture, landscape horticulture, floriculture, turf grass management, botany, entomology, plant pathology, landscape design, or landscape architecture. Click here to learn more and apply today!
The Business Professionals of America Scholarship is available for students pursuing careers in business management, information technology, finance, accounting, office administration, and other business-related career fields. Recipient is selected based upon participation in organization and transcripts.
The Microsoft Scholarship Program is available for full-time undergraduate students at a college or university in the United States, Canada, or Mexico Applicants must be studying computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Southern Methodist University offers full tuition scholarships based on academic merit and community service to admitted first year students. Applicants need a 3.3 GPA to be considered and to renew for later years.
Since 2008, Dr Pepper has awarded over $10,000,000 in tuition to help students reach their biggest goals. The Dr Pepper AFS Tuition Giveaway is open only to legal residents of the U.S. and District Columbia who are 17 years of age or older. Grand Prize Winner will receive one $2,500 Tuition Award and each First Prize Winner will receive one $1,000 Tuition Award. The Total ARV of the Prizes is $4,500.
