Scholarships That Require an ACT Score

If you took the ACT, your score could be your ticket to thousands of dollars in free college money. Many scholarships require an ACT score as part of their eligibility requirements. Some require you to have a specific minimum required score, while others simply require you to submit your score report. Whether you scored a 21 or a perfect 36, there are plenty of scholarships waiting for you to apply!

About ACT

ACT transforms college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and realize their potential. Built on more than 65 years of research, students, job seekers, educators, schools, government agencies and employers in the United States and around the world trust ACT’s learning resources, assessments, research and work-ready degrees to help people achieve their education and career goals at every stage of life. Visit act.org.

Browse this list of scholarships that ask for your ACT score as part of the application.

Hansen, the leaders of tomorrow

Supplier: Dane G. Hansen Foundation

Reward amount: Up to $40,000
ACT score: 23 or more

The Hansen Leaders of Tomorrow Award provides $10,000 per year for four years to Kansas high school seniors who demonstrate strong moral character, leadership and diligence in their academics and extracurricular activities.

Goshen County Commissioner’s Scholarship

Supplier: Goshen County Commissioners

Reward amount: $1,000

Wyoming County Commissioners Scholarships are available to students planning to attend one of Wyoming’s seven community colleges or the University of Wyoming. The scholarships are not specific to high school graduates. Non-traditional students are eligible. This includes graduate students, professional program students, and independent students. Applicants must reside in Goshen County, Wyoming.

Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund Scholarship

Supplier: Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund

Reward amount: $24,000
ACT score: 24 or more

Over the past 75 years, the Alworth Memorial Fund has awarded a total of $55 million in scholarships to more than 5,400 students in northeastern Minnesota. Applicants must pursue a STEM major.

Catch the Dream Scholarship

Supplier: Catching the dream

Reward amount: Up to $5,000

The goal of Catching the Dream is to recognize and reward outstanding student achievement. This supplemental scholarship is intended to assist Native American students who have a quarter degree or higher and are enrolled members of an American tribe. All awards are based on merit, academic achievement and ambition.

Catching the Dream Scholarship – Summer Semester (March deadline)

Catching the Dream Scholarship – Fall Semester (April deadline)

Engebreston Foundation Scholarship

Supplier: Engebreston Foundation

Reward amount: $20,000

The Engebretson Foundation offers a one-year $20,000 scholarship to a high school senior demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, financial need and leadership potential.

Ohio Engineers Foundation Scholarship

Supplier: Ohio Engineers Foundation / Ohio Society of Professional Engineers

Reward amount: Up to $2,500

The Engineers Foundation of Ohio Scholarship supports Ohio high school students entering ABET-accredited engineering programs, with scholarships of up to $2,500 for those who demonstrate academic achievement and commitment to the engineering profession.

Daniel G. Calugar Foundation Merit Scholarship Program

Supplier: Daniel G. Calugar Foundation Merit Scholarship Program

Reward amount: $10,000

The Daniel G. Calugar Foundation is proud to offer the Academic Achievement Scholarship, providing ten outstanding freshmen entering college during the upcoming fall semester the opportunity to receive $10,000 each to apply toward their tuition. This scholarship program aims to recognize academic excellence, motivation and clear career goals.

Celler Legal PA Career Skills Scholarship Program

Supplier: Celler Legal, Pennsylvania

Reward amount: $1,000

Celler Legal is offering a financial award in the amount of $1,000 to Florida high school seniors and freshmen seeking to earn a degree at an accredited four-year university, college, or community college in Florida. Established in 2016, the program will continue each year to support exceptional young students who seek to hone their career and career skills with the goal of using their education to serve their community.

McKee Scholarship

Supplier: McKee Scholarship Committee

Reward amount: Varies

The McKee Scholarship supports fatherless high school students in select Pennsylvania counties, providing varying scholarship amounts to those who have financial need and plan to attend a four-year college full-time.

The Flinn Scholarship

Supplier: Flinn Foundation

Reward amount: Tuition, fees, room and board

Valued at more than $130,000, the Flinn Scholarship covers tuition, fees, room and board at a public university in Arizona. The award includes study abroad and mentoring opportunities for exceptional Arizona seniors.

Watson Brown Scholarship

Supplier: Watson-Brown Foundation

Reward amount: Up to $6,000

The Watson-Brown Foundation awards up to $6,000 per year to students in select counties in Georgia and South Carolina to attend accredited four-year colleges in the United States.

Amarillo Area Foundation Scholarships (TX)

Supplier: Amarillo Area Foundation

Reward amount: Varies

The Amarillo Area Foundation offers numerous scholarships to students in the Texas Panhandle, varying by award, eligibility and institution.

Supplier: Western Nevada Community Foundation

Reward amount: Up to $5,000

Community Foundation of Western Nevada (NV) scholarships support Western Nevada students attending college in the United States. Scholarships are awarded based on both merit and need.

Navy League Foundation Scholarship

Supplier: Navy League Foundation

Reward amount: Up to $20,000

Awarding up to $20,000, the Navy League Foundation provides scholarships to high school seniors who are dependents or descendants of current or former members of the U.S. maritime services, including the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.

Susanna and Lucy DeLaurentis Charitable Foundation Memorial Scholarship

Supplier: The Susanna and Lucy DeLaurentis Charitable Foundation

Reward amount: $1,000

The Susanna and Lucy DeLaurentis Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors enrolled in college who have superior academic and extracurricular achievement and who are struggling with a chronic illness or other serious physical or mental health condition.

The Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship

Supplier: Youth Foundation

Reward amount: $5,000

Established in 1968, the Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship is awarded to exceptionally deserving high school seniors with demonstrated financial need, for up to four years of undergraduate college education. Hadden Scholars must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university established in the United States.

Adoption STAR Scholarship Program

Supplier: STAR adoption

Reward amount: Varies

Through its scholarship program, Adoption STAR recognizes college-bound individuals who have been adopted by providing them with scholarships.

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Tips for Applying for Scholarships Based on ACT Scores

1. Know what you need to submit.
Check the scholarship’s ACT threshold before applying. Some have specific section score requirements (like Math 29+), not just composite scores.

2. Take the ACT again if you are close to the threshold.
Even a one-point increase could qualify you for thousands of dollars in additional funding.

3. Link your ACT score to strong supports.
Letters of recommendation, personal essays, and resumes can help you stand out.

4. Apply to national and local scholarships.
Local and regional awards often have fewer entrants, giving you a better chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This blog post provides educational information about personal finance and is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

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