National Scholar awards (National Merit and National Recognition)

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

Arizona residents: National Merit Finalists $15,000 per year ($60,000 over four years); National Recognition awardees $10,000 per year ($40,000). Nonresidents: National Merit Finalists and National Recognition awardees $17,500 per year for eight semesters ($70,000).

Deadline

National Merit Finalists select ASU first choice with NMSC by May 1. Nonresident awards require admission to and enrollment in Barrett, The Honors College (the page's Barrett date is March 15, 2026).

How to apply

National Merit Finalists: select ASU as first choice with NMSC by May 1. Nonresidents (both programs): be admitted to and enroll in Barrett, The Honors College.

What you'll need

• No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission

Who can apply

Incoming first-year National Merit Finalists and College Board National Recognition Program awardees. NMSC requires entrants to be US citizens or US lawful permanent residents intending to become citizens.

Good to know

Page dates are for the fall 2026 cycle. ASU also lists the Michelle Brown-Hollin Scholarship for out-of-state National Rural and Small Town Recognition awardees (3.25 GPA, Barrett admission).