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University of Arizona · Tucson
UA has one of the most robust automatic scholarship programs in Arizona — students who meet merit criteria receive award notifications alongside their admission letter. Here's what incoming Wildcats qualify for and how to find additional outside funding.
The University of Arizona is Arizona's flagship research university, located in Tucson. UA is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) — a selective group of 71 top research institutions in the US and Canada. It enrolls roughly 47,000 students and has particular strengths in astronomy, optics, agriculture, and health sciences. UA's Wildcat Excellence and Achievement Awards are merit-based automatic scholarships that require no separate application for most students. Students from lower-income backgrounds may qualify for both merit and need-based stacking that can cover most tuition costs.
Key institutional scholarships at UA
These are UA-specific programs — most are automatic or require only an admission application. Layer them with the outside scholarships below.
GPA: 3.0+ unweighted
Automatic for Arizona residents meeting GPA and test-score benchmarks — no separate application. Renewable each year with satisfactory academic progress.
GPA: 3.8+ unweighted
Higher-tier automatic merit award for the strongest incoming AZ resident applicants. Combined with other aid, this can make UA significantly more affordable than out-of-state alternatives.
Arizona's most prestigious merit scholarship — $20,000+ per year for outstanding AZ high school seniors. Flinn Scholars choose from UA, ASU, or NAU. Highly competitive; apply in the fall of your senior year.
Additional funding for students accepted into the UA Honors College. Stacks with the Achievement Award and outside scholarships.
Find more funding
Scholarships by background — open to all UA students