ASU Out-of-State Scholarships (Aid Guide)
ASU’s main merit-aid option for eligible incoming nonresident first-year students is the New American University (NAMU) scholarship. Your award is not guaranteed by a GPA or test score, and the amount can change by entry year. Apply by the current priority date, review your offer and renewal terms, and budget for costs the scholarship does not cover.
If you are comparing ASU with other colleges, the advertised scholarship amount may look like the deciding factor. It is only one part of the decision. You need to know whether you qualify, what ASU actually offers you, what it costs to attend, and what you must do to keep the award.
I often see families start with a scholarship estimate and build a budget around it. A safer plan starts with ASU’s official offer and current cost figures. The steps below help you move from eligibility checks to a realistic cost and renewal plan.
ASU nonresident merit scholarships: what to know
ASU’s New American University scholarship is its principal merit-aid route for eligible incoming first-year students who are not Arizona residents. It is based on academic achievement and available funding. The actual offer depends on the entering year and your profile, so use ASU’s current tools and your award notice rather than assuming a published maximum will apply.
ASU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. That accreditation does not set scholarship eligibility or guarantee an award. The terms in your scholarship notice, along with ASU’s current rules for your entry year, control your eligibility and renewal.
“Nonresident” generally means you do not qualify for Arizona resident tuition under the university’s residency rules. Your residency classification can affect tuition and aid, so check your status with ASU rather than relying on where you hope to live while studying.
| Aid or tool | What it may do | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| New American University scholarship | Provide merit aid for eligible incoming first-year nonresidents | Your actual offer, entry-year terms, renewal rules |
| ASU scholarship estimator | Help estimate possible scholarship eligibility | It is an estimate, not an award notice |
| FAFSA | Help determine eligibility for federal and other need-based aid | Whether you are eligible and whether ASU requests more documents |
| External scholarships | Add funding from sources outside ASU | Deadlines, restrictions, and how awards affect other aid |
Transfer students should look at ASU’s separate transfer scholarship options. First-year NAMU information may not apply to them. Confirm your applicant type with ASU if you have earned college credit after high school, since classification can affect which awards you can pursue.
Check eligibility and apply by the right date
Eligibility means meeting ASU’s current rules for a scholarship, including applicant type and academic review. The first step is to confirm that you are applying as an incoming first-year student and that you meet the current admission and scholarship requirements. ASU may consider submitted test scores, but a GPA or score should not be treated as a guaranteed award threshold.
Calculate your academic record using the method ASU specifies. Your school’s GPA scale, course work, and any required records can affect how your application is reviewed. If you are unsure how ASU will read a transcript or dual-enrollment course, ask admissions before you make a scholarship estimate.
Apply for admission by the scholarship priority date listed for your entry term. January 15 has been used as a priority date in some cycles, but it is not a date to assume for every year. Check ASU’s current deadline page for your term, then submit the application and required records early enough to resolve missing items.
A practical application sequence is:
- Confirm your applicant type, intended term, admission requirements, and scholarship criteria.
- Submit the ASU admission application by the current priority date.
- Send all required records and follow the current policy for reporting test scores.
- Check your ASU portal for missing documents and messages.
- Review your scholarship notice when it arrives; do not treat an estimate as a final offer.
Deadlines can change, and an application may not be complete when you submit it if required records are missing. Keep copies of confirmations and check the portal regularly. If the priority date is unclear, ask ASU directly and save the response.
Calculate the real out-of-state cost
Cost of attendance is ASU’s estimated yearly budget for education and living costs. It can include tuition and fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Your actual spending may differ, but the estimate gives you a fuller view than tuition alone.
Start with the current cost of attendance for your campus, program, housing plan, and academic year. Subtract only aid that is confirmed in your offer. Then add any costs that do not fit ASU’s estimate, such as travel home, if relevant to your family.
Estimated annual gap = current cost of attendance − confirmed grants and scholarships − other funding you can reasonably use.
This is a planning estimate, not a bill. Loans can help cover a gap, but they must be repaid. Work income is not guaranteed, so avoid treating a future job as certain funding before you have a workable plan.
| Budget step | Use this figure | Avoid this mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Start with annual cost | ASU’s current cost-of-attendance figures for your situation | Using an old estimate or tuition alone |
| Subtract confirmed aid | The award in your official notice and confirmed grants | Subtracting an estimator’s possible award |
| Add other resources | Savings, family support, or awards you have secured | Counting unapproved loans or uncertain work income as grants |
| Compare options | Net cost and likely four-year cost at each school | Choosing by scholarship headline or sticker price alone |
To compare colleges, use the same method for each one. Check whether the aid is renewable, whether tuition may change, and whether your housing and travel plans are realistic. A large first-year award may still leave a high annual gap, while a smaller award with clear renewal terms may be easier to plan around.
Submit the FAFSA if you are eligible and complete any documents ASU requests. FAFSA is separate from merit scholarship review; filing it does not guarantee a NAMU award. It may help determine eligibility for federal aid and other forms of assistance. Also review ASU’s current net-price tools, then compare their estimates with your actual financial aid offer.
Keep the award and plan your degree
Renewal means meeting the conditions required to receive an award in later years. NAMU awards commonly require at least a 3.00 cumulative ASU GPA and 30 ASU credit hours per academic year. Your own award notice controls: confirm its GPA, credit, enrollment, timing, and other conditions before relying on these common benchmarks.
A cumulative GPA is the average across the ASU courses included in your record. ASU credit hours are credits earned at ASU, and the annual credit requirement is not always the same as simply enrolling in enough classes. Ask an adviser how withdrawals, repeated courses, summer classes, or transfer credits affect your progress and award.
A planning example can make the risk clear. Suppose a student receives an award and expects it to renew, but completes fewer than the required ASU credits during the year. The student may face a funding change even if the first-year budget worked. This is a planning scenario, not a claim about a specific student or award.
Before each term:
- Check your degree map with an academic adviser and track completed ASU credits.
- Review your GPA and course load before changing or dropping classes.
- Ask how a change in enrollment may affect scholarship eligibility.
- Read ASU’s notices and your award terms each year, since your controlling conditions matter.
- Contact the scholarship office promptly if your grades or circumstances may put renewal at risk.
Degree planning affects both your academic progress and your budget. Courses that count toward your major can help you stay on track, while unnecessary credits may add time and cost. Ask about internship and career resources related to your field, but do not treat future employment as a guaranteed way to pay current expenses.
Frequently asked questions
These answers summarize the main points for nonresident students considering ASU merit aid. Scholarship rules can vary by entering year and applicant type, so verify deadlines and conditions on ASU’s current pages and in your official notice. For decisions about your specific file, contact ASU rather than relying on a general guide.
What is ASU’s main scholarship for nonresident first-year students?
The New American University scholarship is ASU’s principal merit scholarship route for eligible incoming first-year nonresidents. Eligibility and award amounts depend on current criteria, the student’s academic profile, entry term, and available funding. Check your official award notice for the amount offered.
Is the NAMU scholarship guaranteed if I meet a certain GPA?
No. Do not treat a GPA or test score as a guaranteed award threshold. ASU reviews academic achievement under its current criteria, and award availability and amounts can vary. Use ASU’s current scholarship estimator for planning, but wait for an official offer before building a budget around aid.
When should I apply to be considered for ASU merit aid?
Apply by the scholarship priority date ASU lists for your entering term, and submit all required records. January 15 has been used in some cycles, but the date can change. Confirm the deadline for your year and check your ASU portal for missing items.
Does the FAFSA determine my merit scholarship?
No. FAFSA is a separate financial-aid process and is not the same as merit scholarship consideration. File it if you are eligible, and complete any additional documents ASU requests. FAFSA may help determine eligibility for other aid, but submitting it does not guarantee a NAMU award.
How much will my scholarship cover?
Your official offer shows the amount ASU awards you. It may not cover the full difference between resident and nonresident costs, or your full cost of attendance. Compare the award with ASU’s current cost figures and calculate the remaining annual cost before deciding.
What GPA and credits are commonly needed to renew NAMU?
NAMU awards commonly require at least a 3.00 cumulative ASU GPA and 30 ASU credit hours per academic year. These are common benchmarks, not a substitute for your award terms. Check your notice for the rules that apply to your award and entry year.
Can transfer students receive the same scholarship?
Transfer students should investigate ASU’s separate transfer scholarship options. The first-year NAMU route may not apply to them. Confirm your applicant classification with ASU and review the current transfer eligibility rules, deadlines, and award conditions before estimating your aid.
Is the scholarship estimator a confirmed offer?
No. An estimator provides a planning estimate, not a final award. The amount you can count on is the one stated in your official scholarship notice, subject to its terms. Recheck your offer and cost of attendance before making an enrollment decision.
What should I do if I may not meet renewal requirements?
Review your award conditions and contact ASU’s scholarship office and academic adviser promptly. Ask how your GPA, completed credits, or enrollment change affects eligibility and whether any next steps are available. Do not assume an exception or continued funding without confirmation from ASU.
How do I compare ASU’s offer with another college?
Compare each school’s current cost of attendance minus confirmed grants and scholarships, then review renewal rules and likely expenses. Include housing, meals, fees, travel, and other costs that apply to you. Do not compare scholarship headlines or tuition figures alone.
Your next step is to verify your applicant type and entry-year deadline, submit a complete admission application, and wait for ASU’s official award details. Then build a budget from current cost figures and confirmed aid. Before enrolling, make sure you understand the renewal conditions and have a plan for the remaining cost.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
