What is the ACT and why does it matter to colleges and other scholarship providers? The ACT is a national college admissions examination. In detail, it measures students’ skills, knowledge, and potential across four areas:
Math
Science
English
Reading
The way the ACT scoring works is on a scale of 1–36. The scoring applies to each of the four sections. Your composite ACT score is an average of your 4 section scores.
How do you figure out if a scholarship has an ACT requirement? Each scholarship you find spells out who is eligible to apply. In addition, ACT scholarships may give out funds based on your academic standing.
These may spell out specific grades and test scores. But some also list test scores as optional. In this case (and if yours are above the norm) it may be useful to include them. Or, speak with someone from the scholarship committee for guidance.
So, what is a good ACT score for a scholarship? A “good” ACT score depends on the colleges and universities you want to apply to.
The highest possible score on the ACT is 36. The current national average ACT score is 21. This means some states have higher than average scores. Others by default, have lower scores. There are also different averages for each subject:
% of Graduates Tested
Average Composite Score
English Score
Math Score
Reading Score
Science Score
60
21.0
20.3
20.7
21.4
21.0
To find more ACT scholarships you can also make a list of colleges you want to apply to. Then see if they list any merit scholarships. If that doesn’t help, you can back track and check the school’s financial aid page.
10 ACT Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2024
There are hundreds of merit based awards that look at your ACT test scores. Some ACT score scholarships could help lower your school debt. Check out these ten scholarships based on ACT that you can apply for now.
Jackie Robinson Scholarship
Paul Psongas Scholarship
CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
University of North Georgia Military Scholarship
5 Strong Scholarship
McConnell Scholarship for Future Leaders
NJCPA High School Scholarships
American Indian Education Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
The Anthony Muñoz Scholarship Fund
What ACT Scores Do Colleges Look for?
A score of 23 on the ACT is above the current national average. As such, it may make you a strong applicant at many universities. On the other hand, it may fall below the average score for accepted students at some selective colleges.
For example, scoring above 30 puts you in the 90th percentile of ACT test takers. As a result, you scored above 90 out of a hundred others who took the same test. If your ACT score is higher, then more options may be open to you.
A few examples of ACT score ranges for colleges and universities:
College or University
ACT Composite Score 75% Percentile
ACT Composite Score 25% Percentile
Duke University
33
35
Baylor University
26
31
Texas A & M University, San Antonio
17
19
Columbia University, NYC
33
35
Harvard University
33
35
University of Pennsylvania
32
35
Quinnipiac University
23
28
Santa Clara University
28
32
Loyola University Chicago
25
30
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
20
26
University of Colorado
25
31
Yale University
33
35
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
25
31
Can You Get Scholarships with a Below Average ACT score?
In many states, the average composite score is below 20. So, there may be scholarships available if you score a 21 on the ACT. For example, the CIA Undergraduate Scholarship pays $18,000 per year.
However, the score you need to get a scholarship depends on the college you apply to. The location (state) of the college may also play a role.
Let’s take a look at 13 states where the average ACT score is below 20:
State
Average Composite Score
Alabama
19.2
Alaska
19.8
Arkansas
19.4
Florida
19.8
Hawaii
19.0
Louisiana
19.5
Mississippi
18.6
Nevada
17.8
New Mexico
19.7
North Carolina
19.1
Oklahoma
19.4M
South Carolina
18.7
Tennessee
19.8
What is the Minimum ACT Score for Scholarships?
There may be many scholarships you qualify for with ACT scores in the low 20’s. It depends on which colleges you are looking at. Many colleges assess you on your score range.
For instance, scholarships by ACT score with common ranges are below. There are many more, but this shows that at each range, scholarships exist. Therefore, ACT scores from 26 to 30 may open up avenues that a range of 18-21 may not. Or, they may enable you to be eligible to receive more funds.
Why Consider Using ACT Scores for a Merit Scholarship?
More than 1.9 million people took the ACT test in 2018. One study reports that a decade ago, one of every 2,600 students got a perfect score. In 2018, one of every 500 students nailed a perfect score.
But you don’t have to get a perfect ACT score to get a merit scholarship. Otherwise, all 4 year colleges and universities in the United States accept ACT test scores.
Here are a few other reasons to use your ACT scores for merit scholarships:
Taking the ACT may help boost your chances of winning a scholarship from colleges and scholarship organizations.
Some colleges award scholarships based on your ACT scores. For example, Baylor University offer scholarships ranging from $40,000 to $84,000 based on a combination of test scores, class rank, and GPA.
Higher test scores may also lead to more scholarship dollars. For instance, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville offers $5,000 awards per year for ACT scores between 34 to 36.
Being rewarded for good grades is one way to make college more affordable. At last check, the average amount of scholarship and grant aid received by undergrads is $11,810.
Unlike a loan, you do not have to pay back ACT scholarship funds. Though you do have to abide by their terms. You should also strive to maintain a specific GPA.
Certain ACT/SAT scores may place you in the running for a full ride scholarship.
Recipients and finalists of the National Merit Scholarship may also be eligible for other awards and aid. The National Merit Scholarship looks at PSAT scores.
Which Test is Better for Scholarships?
Both ACT and SAT scores may be a factor for college admissions decisions and for awarding merit based scholarships.
In general, the ACT and SAT tests cover the same topics. Moreover, many colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Overall, for some students the decision boils down to one of comfort. You may want to take a full length practice test to help you decide or take both tests as many students do.
List of 2024 ACT Scholarships
Check out our list of over 1,115,253 ACT scholarships worth $5B.
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a career in accounting?
Funded by SOS Inventory, LLC., the Soar to Success Accounting Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to qualified students who demonstrate good grades, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.
Does everyone on your cleft team know you by name? Have you had to tell your friends, teachers, or coaches, “Sorry, I can’t. I have surgery that week.”? Do you still remember the conversation your parents had with you about bullying before you started school? Is your cleft your superpower?
If this sounds like you or someone you know, Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft charity, has a scholarship opportunity just for you. Founded in 1999, Smile Train innovated a unique “train the trainer” model that empowers healthcare workers the world over to make high-quality, comprehensive cleft care available to children in need in their own communities. We stand for the right to universal, local healthcare, the inherent dignity of all people, and fostering a truly global #CleftProud community. That’s why we started Smile Train’s College Scholarship Program: to help four cleft-affected American high school seniors each year receive a quality education and live their dreams.
Smile Train’s College Scholarship Program is open to all US-based high school seniors born with a cleft. Interested students will fill out the application below and write short essays on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and how being cleft-affected has impacted their lives.
At Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys, we fiercely advocate for victims of personal injuries across the state of Texas from our headquarters in San Antonio. While contending with giant insurance companies and corporations, we strive to provide compassionate and intelligent service to each of our clients. In short, we treat each case like it is our only case.
Our team spends nights and weekends working to obtain just outcomes for our clients, and we have a deep appreciation for dedication, determination, and hard work. Through our Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys Students in Need Scholarship, we aim to promote those ideals by supporting students who have overcome obstacles and demonstrated a need for financial assistance.
Therefore, we award scholarships of $2,000 in the Fall and Spring semesters to qualified students interested in a career in law who can demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
Brandon Wong & Associates is a San Antonio-based family law firm founded on the principles of hard work and quality of representation. As a firm that practices exclusively in the area of family law, we have accumulated the depth of experience necessary to handle everything from a straightforward, uncontested divorce to high-conflict cases involving multiple contested issues, as well as high-asset matters where complex property division issues need to be addressed. With our experience representing clients from all walks of life, we can address unique concerns related to issues such as military divorce, spousal support, or business valuations.
At Kanoski Bresney, we have over 40 years of experience representing injury victims throughout central Illinois, and we have obtained more than $400 million for our clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.
Write a 1,000-word essay about your experiences with distracted driving and your ideas for prevention and awareness among young drivers. Submit the essay along with an academic transcript, contact information, and a professional headshot using the form on our scholarship page.
The Vipin Agrawal Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to students from low-income and immigrant backgrounds. In order to create diversity in the industry and spark new innovations, it is important to platform diverse undergraduate students.
The Bayar Fellowship, established in 2020, is dedicated to finding, developing, and supporting the next generation of leaders.
We aim to empower high school students from marginalized communities and low income backgrounds by providing them with the fundamental tools necessary to become leaders in their communities.
The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C. provides strong DUI and criminal defense representation. Our firm brings together knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced attorneys and other legal professionals to successfully serve our clients.
Student must submit an essay of 500 to 1000 words on the following prompt: How has your experience as a Veteran or the child of a Veteran influenced your academic and career goals? How do you plan to use your education to make a positive impact in your community?” With the essay, student will also need to submit their most recent academic transcript, proof of military service for themselves or parent, a professional headshot, and contact information (name, address, phone number, email address).
Schwartz Injury Law is a personal injury firm located in Orland Park, Illinois serving individuals and families who have been injured in serious and negligent accidents.
Students must submit their contact information, proof of enrollment, and a professional headshot. Additionally, an application must include an original essay of 500-1000 words addressing the provided essay prompt.
At The Law Office of George J. Skuros, we have over 30 years of legal experience, and we have dedicated our practice to serving the needs of families in Chicago, Cook County, and the surrounding areas.
Using the form on our scholarship page, submit your essay, your current academic transcript, a professional headshot of yourself, and contact information.
