For students who are attending university in another state, the non-resident tuition costs can be a shock — when that’s the case, the best scholarships for out-of-state students are a great option. These scholarships, which are usually issued by a specific institution, are designed to cover some or all of the difference between in-state and out-of-state costs. That way, it’s more affordable to attend the college of your choice, regardless of residency.
Featured Programs
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1. BG Success Scholarship for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility
– Not a resident of Ohio
– Meet one of the following minimums: 3.0 GPA, 20 ACT, or 1040 SAT
– Incoming freshman
For non-Ohio students who want to attend Bowling Green State University, the BG Success Scholarship for Out-of-State Students can help cut costs. This award provides $4,000 to each winner, which is enough to cover half of the extra non-resident tuition costs. There’s no need to fill out a separate application; incoming freshmen are automatically considered when they apply for admission at BGSU.
2. Mānoa Academic Merit Scholarship
Eligibility
– Incoming freshman
– Enrolling the semester after high school graduation
– Enrolled full-time
– GPA of 3.0 or higher
– ACT of 25 or higher or SAT of 1200 or higher
The Mānoa Academic Merit Scholarship gives non-Hawaii residents $3,000 to help with the cost of tuition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa; it’s also available to residents. Winners automatically get this scholarship every year, as long as their GPA stays at 3.0 or higher and they maintain a 12-credit load every fall and spring semester. Submit an admission for application to UH Manoa by January 5th to be considered.
3. International Merit Award Scholarship
Eligibility
– Freshman or transfer student
– International non-resident
Get a discount on tuition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa with the International Merit Award Scholarship. Winners get an award that totals 150 percent of the resident tuition rate; after it’s subtracted from the resident tuition, the final costs are close to what in-state students pay. It’s possible to get this award every year by maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher and by taking 12 credits each fall and spring. There’s no application deadline; students are automatically considered when they apply for admission.
4. Boise State University Incoming Nonresident Student Scholarships
Eligibility
– Minimum GPA of 3.0 (Treasure), 3.2 (WUE), or 3.9 (Gem)
– Minimum test ACT/SAT 19/990 (Treasure), 21/1060 (WUE), or 26/1230 (Gem)
– Non-Idaho resident
Boise State University offers three different scholarships to help students who live outside of Idaho: the Gem Scholarship, the WUE Scholarship, and the Treasure Scholarship. They provide $15,000, $12,886, and $7,000 per year, respectively. To apply, simply complete the BSU scholarship application by December 15th for the fall semester and October 1st for the spring semester. Keep in mind that students in Nursing, Pre-Nursing, Radiological Science, Pre-Radiological Science, online programs, and self-supported programs are not eligible.
5. Mississippi State University Freshman Non-Resident Academic Excellence Scholarship
Eligibility
– 3.00 GPA or higher
– Minimum ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 1160
– Not a resident of Mississippi
Out-of-state students who are planning to attend Mississippi State University are automatically considered for the Freshman Non-Resident Academic Excellence Scholarship. The amount of the award varies dramatically based on test scores. The smallest amount is $8,000 given over four years for students with ACT scores of 24-26 or SAT scores of 1160-1250. The highest award is $22,000 over four years; students need an ACT of 35-36 or an SAT of 1530-1600 to qualify.
6. Mississippi State University Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility
– GPA of 3.0 or higher
– ACT of 24 or higher or SAT of 1160 or higher
– Not a resident of Mississippi
The Mississippi State University Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship has the potential for big savings on non-resident tuition. This award is based on GPA and ACT or SAT scores. The minimum award is $28,000 over four years; the maximum is $58,000 over four years. There’s no need to fill out a separate application; simply apply for admission before the MSU deadline.
7. Mississippi State University Freshman Non-Resident Colvard Future Leader Scholarship
Eligibility
– GPA of 3.5 or higher
– ACT of 26 or higher or SAT of 1230 or higher
– Not a resident of Mississippi
Get additional help with tuition with the Mississippi State University Freshman Non-Resident Colvard Future Leader Scholarship. This award is designed for students with strong test scores and exceptional academic achievements in high school. The smallest award is $6,000, and the largest is $14,000; both are spread over four years. This scholarship can also be stacked with the Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship and Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship. Apply for admission to be considered.
8. University of Toledo Out-of-State Scholarships
Eligibility
– GPA of 2.75 or higher
– Minimum 20 ACT or 1030 SAT
– Non-Ohio resident
The University of Toledo offers a variety of scholarships to students who are coming from out of state. The amount that’s awarded is based on a matrix with the student’s high-school GPA on one axis and the ACT/SAT scores on the other. For example, a student with a GPA of 3.8 or higher and an ACT of 35+ or an SAT of 1530+ would get $14,500. A student with a GPA of 2.75-2.99 and an ACT of 20-22 or an SAT of 1030-1120 would get $9,500. Each scholarship is renewable for four years with a minimum 2.75 GPA and 27 credits per year. To be considered, submit transcripts and scores by February 1st.
9. Utah State University Nonresident Freshman Scholarships
Eligibility
– Non-Utah resident
– U.S. citizen or permanent resident
– First-time student at USU
Utah State University offers four levels of nonresident tuition scholarships; you apply for them automatically when you apply for admission. The highest level is the Presidential, which covers 100 percent of the tuition and fees for four years. The Dean’s level covers 90 percent of tuition for two years, and the Waiver covers 70 percent of tuition for one year. If you live within 100 miles, you can get 50 percent tuition for one year. After that, USU encourages students to gain Utah residency to qualify for lower rates. Apply for admission by January 10th.
10. Michigan Technological University Leading Scholar Award
Eligibility
– High school senior
– Non-Michigan resident
Get all of your tuition covered at Michigan Technological University with the Leading Scholar Award. It also comes with room and board, plus $1,000 to go toward fees or books. To apply, fill out an application and submit a response to an essay question by October 15th. In addition, students need to get a nomination letter. This scholarship can be renewed as long as the winner maintains a 3.25 GPA, acceptable behavior, and full-time enrollment.
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11. Michigan Technological University National Scholars Program Scholarships
Eligibility
– U.S. or Canadian resident
– Not a Michigan resident
– First-year or transfer student
– 3.0 minimum GPA
Attend MTU on a National Scholars Program Scholarship, and receive between $8,000 and $15,000 per year. This scholarship is automatically given to students who meet the GPA and test score requirements; award amounts vary based on individual scores. This award is renewable each year based on full-time enrollment and GPA. In addition, students must live in the dorms for their first and second years.
12. Ball State Scholars Award
Eligibility
– Enrolled as full-time, degree-seeking student at Ball State University
– GPA of 3.5 or higher
The Ball State Scholars Award recognizes exceptional students. It’s open to both resident and non-resident students and covers tuition, fees, room, and board. Keep in mind that the total amount varies based on other scholarships. To maintain this scholarship, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students apply for scholarships automatically as long as they apply for admission by December 1st.
13. Kent State University Scholarships for Freshmen Outside of Ohio
Eligibility
– U.S. citizen
– Non-Ohio resident
– Plan to enroll full-time at Kent State University
– 3.25 GPA or higher
– Minimum 21 ACT or 1060 SAT
For non-Ohio residents who are entering Kent State University, there are a variety of scholarships available to help cover costs. There’s no need to complete a separate application — students are automatically considered when they apply for admission by April 1st. The most significant scholarship is the President’s Achievement Award, which provides up to $12,500 each year.
14. The University of Akron New Akron Advantage Award
Eligibility
– Non-Ohio resident
– Minimum 3.0 GPA
– Minimum 20 ACT or 1020 SAT
The University of Akron’s New Akron Advantage Award is given automatically to students who meet the basic criteria. The amounts vary; usually, students get between $12,500 and $15.500. These funds are used to reduce your tuition, and they’re renewable as long as you maintain good academic standing with the university. There’s no application deadline — just apply to the university.
15. University of Missouri Black & Gold Scholarship
Eligibility
– Not a resident of Missouri
– U.S. citizen or permanent resident
– Enrolling at MU in the fall after high school graduation
– ACT of 25+ or SAT of 1200+
– Parent (biological, step, or adoptive) that graduated from the University of Missouri
Do you have a parent who went to the University of Missouri? You may be eligible for the Black & Gold Scholarship, which comes in two levels. Level 1 winners get their nonresident tuition waived for four years; Level 2 comes with a half-tuition waiver. Apply to the university to apply for this award.
16. Colorado State Scholarships for Entering Non-Resident Freshmen
Eligibility
– Starting in the fall or spring
– Enrolled in on-campus classes
– First-time freshman
Students who apply for admission at Colorado State University also apply for five non-resident scholarships. The biggest is the Presidential Academic Recognition Scholarship, which provides $40,000 per year. Other options include the Native American Legacy award of $18,000 and the $4,000 Honors Scholarship. Apply to CSU by February 1st.
17. College of Charleston Merit Scholarships Non-Resident Awards
Eligibility
– GPA of 3.0 or higher
– Minimum ACT of 25 or SAT of 1200
Incoming non-resident students at the College of Charleston can qualify for the non-resident awards, which range from $10,000 to $20,000 per year. The higher your GPA and test scores, the higher the possible scholarship. To be considered, apply for admission by February 15th.
18. DC Tuition Assistance Grant
Eligibility
– Washington D.C. resident
– Attending an approved institution
For students who live in Washington D.C., the DC Tuition Assistance Grant makes it more affordable to attend college outside of the District. This grant pays the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition each year, up to $10,000 per year. To qualify, students must be planning to attend one of the approved institutions. Apply between February 1st and June 30th.
19. Academic Common Market Scholarships
Eligibility
– Reside in a participating Southern Regional Education Board state
– Attend an eligible program
Academic Common Market Scholarships are designed to reduce tuition costs for students who are looking for specialized programs that aren’t available in their state. This award is available to students in the 15 Southern Regional Education Board states, and applies to more than 1,900 programs. Apply for admission by your chosen institution’s deadline; then, contact the ACM state coordinator to receive the award.
20. The University of Kansas Jayhawk Generations Scholarship
Eligibility
– First-time freshman
– Parent, grandparent, or guardian who graduated from The University of Kansas
Cut the cost of attendance at The University of Kansas with the Jayhawk Generations Scholarship. This legacy award goes to students with KU alumni in the family. It provides a partial tuition waiver, so students can enjoy in-state tuition. Renew this award every year by maintaining a 3.25 GPA and taking at least 30 credit hours.
When you want to attend an out-of-state college, the increased tuition for non-residents can be an obstacle. By applying for the best scholarships for out-of-state students at your top-choice schools, you can reduce debt and enjoy a more reasonable cost of attendance.
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