National Scholars Awards
National Merit Semifinalists, Finalists & Scholars, and National Hispanic Scholars
Please note: The qualifications for each award include the general criteria listed below the individual award descriptions.
National Merit Semifinalists, Finalists, and Scholars Accordion Closed
Amount: Covers 100 percent of tuition; does not cover fees or other expenses. $1,000 stipend provided each year for the first two years of attendance. National Scholars Award winners also receive automatic entry into NAU Honors College.
Selection/How to Apply: Be designated as one of the following by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and follow the necessary instructions for each award:
- National Merit Semifinalists must send an electronic copy of their National Merit Semifinalist Letter of Merit to National.Scholars@nau.edu.
- National Merit Finalists must designate Northern Arizona University as their first choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1, and should register their interest with the university by emailing National.Scholars@nau.edu.
- National Merit Scholars who have been awarded National Merit $2500 Scholarships or corporate sponsored National Merit Scholarship must designate Northern Arizona University as their first choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 1, and should register their interest with the university by emailing National.Scholars@nau.edu.
Multiple scholarship awards:This award cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships.
National Hispanic Scholars Accordion Closed
Amount: Covers 100 percent of tuition; does not cover fees or other expenses. $1,000 stipend provided each year for the first two years of attendance. National Scholars Award winners also receive automatic entry into NAU Honors College.
Selection/How to Apply:
- Be designated as a National Hispanic Scholar by the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
- Send an electronic copy of their National Hispanic Recognition Program Certificate to National.Scholars@nau.edu.
Multiple scholarship awards: This award cannot be combined with other tuition scholarships.
General criteria
Required of all scholarships unless noted otherwise in individual award elements.
- Citizenship: Students must meet Arizona Proposition 300 Public Program eligibility requirements.
- First Degree: May only be used for a student’s first baccalaureate degree.
- Tuition Only: Covers 100 percent of tuition; they do not cover fees or other expenses.$1,000 stipend provided each year for the first two years of attendance. Additional tuition costs greater than the amount originally awarded that result from excess hours are the student’s responsibility. For example: students who come to NAU with dual enrollment credits may reach the 145 credit limit sooner and must pay the difference in tuition costs.
- Deadline: The offer of admission to the university must be accepted and the enrollment deposit must be paid by May 1 for the following academic year. Certain exceptions may allow this deadline to be extended to June 1. The award must be used beginning in the fall of the year following designation as a National Merit Semifinalist, National Merit Finalist, National Merit Scholar (NMSC or corporate award), or National Hispanic Scholar.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students are considered for these awards upon the submission of the appropriate documentation required by each specific award. A separate application is not required.
- These awards are not applicable to attendance through Online Community Campuses or the Personalized Learning Program.
Renewal Criteria
- Renewable for four consecutive academic years, applied to the fall and spring semesters only, provided the student meets the renewal criteria each year.
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA .
- Maintain full-time course enrollment.
- Complete enough credit hours each academic year to progress to the next academic level (30 credits to be a sophomore; 60 credits to be a junior; 90 credits to be a senior).
Note: Repeated courses do not count toward the academic level progression requirement.
Reinstatement
- If you have circumstances preventing you from meeting any of the renewal criteria, submit a Scholarship Reinstatement Request by the priority date for the applicable semester. Submission of this request does not guarantee award reinstatement.
Education Abroad and Student Exchange
NAU National Scholars Awards may be applied toward tuition for most education abroad and exchange programs but cannot be used for faculty-led or provider programs. Contact us if you are considering studying abroad or participating in an exchange program.