Funding your future.
Explore resources to pay for tuition expenses for community college, university, or trade/technical programs.
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The FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students must complete to qualify to receive any financial aid from the federal government for education or training after high school. The FAFSA traditionally opens up on October 1 each year but students will not complete their form until their senior year. Filling out and submitting the FAFSA form is free and it provides students access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for tuition expenses at a community college, university, or trade/technical school. Completing the FAFSA form is the only way to qualify for the Pell Grant, which is money for educational expenses that does NOT need to be paid back. A completed FAFSA is used to not only qualify for financial aid at a postsecondary institution but is often required for many scholarship applications as well. Even if a student or parent believes that they will not qualify for a Pell Grant, it is incredibly important that they still fill it out and complete the process. Completing the FAFSA form can open the door to thousands of dollars in financial aid for education or training after high school from the federal government.
Completing the FAFSA is an essential step toward students accessing federal financial aid and positions students to be 84% more likely to pursue education or training the semester following high school. Under current federal law, submitting personal identifying information (PII), through the FAFSA, including a parent’s citizenship status, is protected, and used only for determining financial aid eligibility. For the latest information about FAFSA PII privacy, refer to the resources below:
Resources for Completing the FAFSA
Benji is an AI-powered chatbot that provides free 24/7 FAFSA support to help Arizona families fill out the FAFSA and access thousands of dollars of grants, loans, and scholarships to help pay for education after high school.
AZ FAFSA Hotline
The AZ FAFSA Hotline is a direct phone number students and families can call to speak with a live FAFSA expert and receive support anytime between 9AM - 3PM, Monday-Friday. 1-833-AZFAFSA (English)
1-833-MiFAFSA (Español)
College Connect Tempe offers virtual and in-person individualized support to assist students and families with FAFSA completion and helps them understand the payment options for education or training after high school.
College Depot at Phoenix Public Library offers virtual and in-person advising support to assist students and families with all action steps necessary to complete the FAFSA, as well as identify and apply for scholarships that can help pay for education or training after high school.
This website through the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) provides students and families with information to prepare for, apply to, enroll in, and pay for college at Arizona’s public universities.
This website through ABOR provides students and families with information, resources, and access to events that support FAFSA completion.
Metro Education Commission College and Career Access Center
The Center offers advising, workshops, and resources to help students and families with FAFSA completion as well as scholarship searches that can help pay for education or training after high school.
Northern Arizona College Resource Center
The NACRC offers virtual and in-person assistance to students and families, guiding them through FAFSA completion, as well as finding and applying for scholarships that can help pay for education or training after high school.
This site provides access to events and workshops related to the application process, financial aid information, and FAFSA completion at Arizona’s public universities.
Merit-Based Tuition Programs for Arizona Residents
Merit-based financial aid is awarded based on your academic achievements. It is not dependent on your financial need. Merit-based aid can be awarded by colleges, universities, and/or some local trade schools.
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ASU is committed to helping a greater number of academically qualified students graduate than ever before. The New American University Scholar awards are offered to outstanding freshmen as they pursue academic excellence at ASU.
The New American University Scholar awards include the following:
President’s Award
Provost’s Award
Dean’s Award
University Award
Scholarship award amounts may vary based on the campus a student is enrolled in – changes in program, residency, or campus may result in a scholarship amount adjustment.
Award criteria:
Minimum GPA – Competitive
FAFSA required – No
Must demonstrate need – No
Residency – Arizona resident
Enrollment status – Full-time
Academic level – Incoming first-year student
Renewable – Yes
Additional criteria – students automatically considered based on ASU application that includes all requested admission application materials
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General criteria
Citizenship – Students must meet Arizona Prop 300 Public Program eligibility requirements
First degree – May only be used for a student’s first bachelor’s degree
Enrollment – Must be a full-time student at the time of disbursement
Tuition only – Covers tuition only, fees or other expenses are not included
Campus – Must attend the Flagstaff Mountain campus
Eligibility criteria
Students are automatically considered upon admission
Renewal criteria
Renewable for up to eight semesters, applied to the fall and spring semesters only
Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
Maintain full-time course enrollment (12-credit hours or more)
Lumberjack Scholars Award
Must meet all above general and edibility criteria
Amount – covers 100% of NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus tuition (fall and spring) only
Selection – 3.75 to 4.0 unweighted core high school GPA
This award can be combined with other tuition scholarships as long it does not exceed the cost of tuition
President’s Award
Must meet all above general and edibility criteria
Amount – $9,000 per academic year (fall and spring)
Selection – 3.5 to 3.74 unweighted core high school GPA
This award can be combined with other outside tuition scholarships as long it does not exceed the cost of tuition – it cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships offered at NAU (exception is the President’s International Baccalaureate scholarship)
Dean’s with Distinction Award
Must meet all above general and edibility criteria
Amount – $6,500 per academic year (fall and spring)
Selection – 3.4 to 3.49 unweighted core high school GPA
This award can be combined with other outside tuition scholarships as long it does not exceed the cost of tuition – it cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships offered at NAU (exception is the President’s International Baccalaureate scholarship)
Dean’s Award
Must meet all above general and edibility criteria
Amount – $5,000 per academic year (fall and spring)
Selection – 3.0 to 3.39 unweighted core high school GPA
This award can be combined with other outside tuition scholarships as long it does not exceed the cost of tuition – it cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships offered at NAU (exception is the President’s International Baccalaureate scholarship)
Opportunity Award
Must meet all above general and edibility criteria
Amount – $2,500 per academic year (fall and spring)
Selection – Admitted to 2.99 unweighted core high school GPA
This award can be combined with other outside tuition scholarships as long it does not exceed the cost of tuition – it cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships offered at NAU (exception is the President’s International Baccalaureate scholarship)
Arizona Academic Decathlon
Must meet all above general and edibility criteria
Amount – $2,000 per academic year (fall and spring)
Availability – Up to eight consecutive semesters, fall and spring only, provided the student meets the renewal criteria each year (the number of semesters is contingent upon academic level when student transfers to NAU)
How to apply – The Arizona Academic Decathlon Association selects the recipients
Selection – Participation in the Arizona Academic Decathlon-either regional or state for two or more years required
This award can be combined with other outside tuition scholarships as long it does not exceed the cost of tuition – it cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships offered at NAU (exception is the President’s International Baccalaureate scholarship)
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Wildcat Tuition Awards
Must be a US citizen or permanent resident or demonstrate lawful immigration status
Must be classified as an Arizona resident
Must enroll in courses as a first-time, full-time, degree-seeking student
Must be pursuing the first bachelor’s degree
Must be used the semester immediately following high school graduation
Cannot be combined with the Arizona Tuition Award, National Scholar Tuition Award, or the National Merit Semi-Finalist Tuition Award
* All awards are based on 6th semester core unweighted high school GPA
Wildcat Distinction Award
4.0: $12,500 per year
3.90 to 3.999: $10,000 per year
Wildcat Excellence Award
3.75 to 3.899: $8,000 per year
3.50 to 3.749: $5,000 per year
Wildcat Recognition Award
3.25 to 3.499: $3,000 per year
3.00 to 3.249: $2,000 per year
2.75 to 2.999: $750 per year
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Available to incoming, first-year college students
Covers in-state/in-county tuition up to 15 credit hours (plus the $15 registration fee) per semester, fall and spring only
Eligibility requirements:
Demonstrate legal presence in the United States
Resident of Maricopa County while on scholarship
Demonstrate a final, unweighted high school GPA of 3.25 or higher
Apply to the program within two academic semesters of graduation from high school without having attended another accredited college or university before enrolling in a MCCCD campus (co-enrollment, dual enrollment, and summer session excluded)
Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources
Scholarships are a valuable form of financial aid that helps students pay for education or training after high school. Unlike student loans, scholarships don’t need to be repaid. Some scholarships are “renewable,” meaning they provide funding for multiple years. Finding scholarships can feel overwhelming, but these resources have been gathered to help Arizona students and families find trusted and free scholarship opportunities with ease.
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It is important to understand that scholarships, above and beyond those advertised within your school, should not have an application fee. If you find a scholarship that requires an application fee you should immediately connect with staff within the school or organization to research the validity of the scholarship prior to applying. Below are highly reputable scholarship resources that are recommended for consistent searches:
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Financial Aid for Diverse Student Populations (NAU-specific)
Transborder Scholarships (ASU-specific)
Apply for Aid: DACA or Dreamer Students (UA-specific)
The Dream.US National Scholarship for High School and College Students
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Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation Scholarship Program
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation Safety-Net Fund
Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program (junior students)
Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program (junior students)
Earn to Learn (institution-specific)
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Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program (junior students)
Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program (junior students)
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Earn to Learn (institution-specific)
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Human Rights Campaign LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship Database
Earn to Learn (institution-specific)
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Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program (junior students)
Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program (junior students)
OnlineSchools.org Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Earn to Learn (institution-specific)
Need-based financial assistance programs for AZ residents.
The College Affordability and Transparency Center, a tool provided by the US Department of Education, was designed to provide students and families with better information about college costs.
Need-based financial aid is determined by your financial situation and your family’s ability to pay for education or training after high school. This type of aid takes into account factors like your family’s income, assets, and the cost of attending the school. To qualify, you usually need to fill out forms like the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Need-based aid can include grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
Arizona Financial Aid Programs
University of Arizona
University of Arizona
Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona
ASU College Attainment Grant Program
Arizona State University
ASU President Barack Obama Scholars Program
Arizona State University
Coronado Foundation Promise Program
Any Maricopa Community College OR an Arizona certificate-granting, regionally accredited technical training/trade school
Northern Arizona University
Phoenix College
Mesa Community College
Additional Arizona Student Resources
Below are various educational opportunities, resources, and dual enrollment programs available for Arizona high school students as they navigate the post-high school exploration, planning, and enrollment processes.
Undocumented Pathways Educator Edition | Undocumented Pathways Applying to Higher Education | The Tribal College Dual Enrollment Program | Maricopa Community Colleges Hoop of Learning Program | Pima Community College Immigrant and Refugee Student Resource Center | The University of Arizona Immigrant Student Resource Center | Central Arizona College DREAMers Club | ASU DREAMzone | Jed Foundation | The Trevor Project | Campus Pride | CenterLink in the Community of LGBTQ Centers | PFLAG Resources | Native Student Outreach Access and Resiliency (SOAR) | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona – Native American Mentoring | Phoenix Indian Center Youth Programming