ASL Double Major Merit Aid (Scholarship Search)

To find an affordable college for an American Sign Language (ASL)-related double major, first confirm that the school offers a major, allows a second major, and is institutionally accredited. Then get a written credit plan and compare four-year net cost, scholarship renewal rules, and aid limits. An advertised merit award matters only if you can keep it and finish both majors on time.

College planning can feel risky when a large scholarship seems to settle the cost question. It may not. A second major can add required courses or semesters, and a scholarship may have limits on how long it pays. I help families focus on the full degree plan and written aid terms before they commit.

This guide uses “ASL-related major” to mean a bachelor’s major in ASL, Deaf Studies, ASL-English interpreting, or a closely related field. A minor, certificate, or set of language classes is not the same thing. Program names and rules vary, so check the current catalog and ask the school to confirm its information.

ASL-related programs, admissions standards, and merit scholarship eligibility

This section helps you check whether a college offers the right kind of ASL-related major and whether its merit awards fit your situation. Merit aid is money a college awards based on its own criteria, which may include grades, test scores, or other factors. Rules differ by school and can change.

Start by searching college catalogs, not just general search results. Confirm that the program is a major leading to a bachelor’s degree. Then check whether the school permits students to complete that major alongside your intended second major. Ask both departments whether admission to either program has extra steps or requirements.

Verify institutional accreditation using the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database. CHEA can provide a supplementary check. Accreditation is a check on the institution, not proof that every program meets the requirements of a particular profession. If you plan to enter a regulated career, check for any relevant program accreditation or state requirements separately.

For each merit scholarship, save the current official terms. Record:

• Eligibility rules, including GPA or test-score criteria
• Whether you are considered automatically or need a separate application
• Application deadlines and required materials
• Award amount and whether it is renewable
• Renewal GPA, enrollment status, and duration limits
• Whether it can be combined with other awards
• Whether the award can change if you add a major or take extra time

There is no universal GPA cutoff, award amount, or stacking policy. “Stacking” means combining more than one scholarship or grant. Ask the financial aid office how each award interacts with need-based aid, departmental awards, and other assistance. Request the answer in writing.

Transfer students, students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, and international applicants should check separate rules before applying. Transfer awards may use different criteria or deadlines. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree may have limited eligibility for some types of federal aid. International students generally should ask each school what institutional funding is open to them and whether they can submit the required aid forms.

Next step: Make a shortlist only after you confirm the major, double-major policy, accreditation, and award terms.

Double-major curriculum, credit requirements, and degree-completion planning

A degree audit is a written map of the courses and credits you need to graduate. For a double major, it should show both majors, general education, prerequisites, shared courses, and residency rules. A bachelor’s degree commonly requires about 120 semester credits, but each college’s catalog controls the actual total and degree rules.

Ask the school for a sample four-year plan or an individual degree audit. If you have transfer credits, ask the registrar or adviser to review them. Do not assume a course will count toward both majors just because it seems related. Schools set their own rules for shared credits and how many courses must be unique to each major.

Request a term-by-term plan. It should include courses that are prerequisites, courses offered only in certain terms, and any internship, student teaching, or supervised practice required by the program. Ask what happens if a required class is full or does not run that year. Course conflicts can turn a four-year plan into a longer one.

Do not treat “about 120 credits” as a promise that both majors fit within that total. Only the school can confirm the requirements for your chosen programs and catalog year. A written audit is especially important if you are transferring or changing majors after enrollment.

Next step: Compare the school’s term-by-term plan with the scholarship’s maximum number of funded terms.

Merit aid, FAFSA, and net cost comparison

Net cost is the estimated cost left after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the published cost. It is a better comparison than tuition alone or the size of a merit award. Use each college’s net price calculator, then compare the official financial aid offer with the full cost of completing both majors.

Submit the FAFSA by the federal, state, and college deadlines that apply to you. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile for their own aid decisions. Check each school’s instructions, since filing one form does not replace another when both are required.

Ask whether a merit award reduces need-based grants, whether departmental awards can be added, and whether aid changes after the first year. Confirm the number of terms covered and the renewal GPA. Federal, state, and college aid can have different rules. Federal aid also has program-length and satisfactory academic progress limits; ask the financial aid office how your course plan affects your eligibility.

This table uses made-up figures only to show how to compare offers. It is not a prediction of actual tuition or aid.

The equal first-year net cost does not settle the choice. Find out whether the awards renew, whether they cover the same number of terms, and whether the double-major plan adds costs. Compare four-year or full-completion estimates, including likely annual cost changes and any extra term. Ask for a revised estimate if a course conflict could extend your studies.

Next step: Put every offer into one comparison sheet and label estimates separately from confirmed award terms.

Academic success, advising, campus access, and student experience

Good planning includes more than admission and funding. ASL-related study can involve language learning, Deaf culture, interpreting, or other academic goals, depending on the program. Ask what the major teaches and how it connects with your second field. A course list and adviser meeting can help you see whether the combination fits your goals.

Before enrolling, speak with advisers from both majors. Ask how often you should meet, who checks your full degree plan, and how the school handles conflicting required courses. Find out what student support is available for tutoring, disability access, and academic advising. For transfer students, ask which office makes the final decision on transfer credits.

I watch for a common planning gap: students get separate answers from two departments, but no one confirms that the combined plan works term by term. Ask one adviser or the registrar to confirm the full plan, including shared credits and graduation requirements. Keep copies of the approved plan and scholarship terms.

Two planning scenarios

These are illustrative scenarios, not reports about named students or schools.

Scenario one: first-year applicant. A student finds a school with an ASL-related major and a renewable merit award. Before accepting, the student asks for a double-major audit and discovers that a required course for the second major is offered only in one term. The family asks the department how that affects the graduation timeline and confirms whether the award covers the possible extra term.

Scenario two: transfer applicant. A transfer student has completed general education courses and hopes they will shorten the degree. The student asks for a transfer-credit review and a plan covering both majors. The college confirms which courses transfer, which count toward the majors, and which credits must be completed in residence. The student then compares the remaining cost, not just the scholarship amount.

Next step: Get the academic plan and aid conditions from the offices responsible for them, not from informal estimates alone.

Career pathways, professional preparation, and employment outcomes

An ASL-related major may support different goals, but a major by itself does not confirm that you meet the requirements for a specific job. Career preparation can depend on the program, additional training, certification, state rules, and employer needs. Ask the department what graduates study next and what credentials, if any, are needed for your intended work.

If you are considering interpreting, teaching, or another profession with specific standards, check the relevant professional and state requirements. Ask whether the degree includes supervised practice, internships, or other required experience. Do not assume that a major title alone qualifies you for certification or employment.

Compare both majors as a combined academic plan. Ask whether required courses, fieldwork, or placement schedules overlap. Request current career information from the department and ask how it defines outcomes, such as employment, further study, or certification. If the school shares graduate data, check the time period and how many graduates responded.

Next step: Confirm professional requirements with the relevant credentialing body or state agency before using them to choose a program.

Frequently asked questions about ASL double majors and merit aid

These answers cover common search questions about finding an ASL-related major, pairing it with another major, and evaluating merit scholarships. Always verify current policies with the college. Catalogs, aid deadlines, and award terms can change from year to year.

Can I double major in ASL and another subject?
Often, colleges allow double majors, but each school sets its own rules. Confirm that both programs are majors and request a written plan showing requirements for each.

Does an ASL minor count as an ASL major?
No. A minor is a smaller course program and is not equivalent to a bachelor’s major. Check the current catalog for the exact credential offered.

Do colleges give merit scholarships for ASL majors?
Some colleges may offer general merit awards, but eligibility is set by each institution. Do not assume an ASL major has a separate scholarship; check official award pages and ask the financial aid office.

Is there a standard GPA for merit aid?
No. GPA rules vary by scholarship. Check both the initial award criteria and the GPA required to renew it.

Can a merit award pay for both majors?
It depends on the award’s terms. Ask how many terms it covers and whether it can be combined with other scholarships or grants.

Will a double major cost more?
It may, especially if required courses extend the time to graduation. Ask for a degree audit and a full completion-cost estimate before deciding.

Can transfer students receive merit aid?
Some colleges offer transfer merit awards, but rules, deadlines, and award amounts vary. Ask whether transfer credits or prior enrollment affect eligibility.

Can a student with a previous bachelor’s degree receive aid?
Rules differ by aid program and institution. Some federal undergraduate aid is limited for students who already earned a bachelor’s degree. Ask the college to review your specific status.

Do international students qualify for merit scholarships?
Some institutional scholarships may be open to international applicants, but eligibility differs. Check each college’s official rules and ask what forms are required.

What should I compare before accepting an offer?
Compare net cost through graduation, renewal requirements, award duration, stacking rules, and the confirmed course plan for both majors. Get unclear terms in writing.

A sound choice is one you can afford and complete, with an ASL-related major that matches your goals. Confirm the program, degree plan, accreditation, scholarship conditions, and total cost before you accept an offer.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)