Merit scholarships for a 21 ACT
A student with an ACT score of 21 meets the published ACT threshold at 49 colleges in our verified dataset. 12 of those colleges guarantee the award automatically for students who meet the full published criteria; 37 automatically consider students, with amounts that are not guaranteed. For each college we show the top published award an ACT of 21 reaches, with every remaining condition — most awards also require a minimum GPA, printed on each row. All figures come from the colleges' own published pages, verified 2026-11-02.
Guaranteed automatic awards
Each award below is labelled guaranteed automatic because the college's own page explicitly says the award is automatic for students who meet the published criteria. Amounts are exact published figures. The award shown is the top published award at this college that the band on this page reaches — its remaining conditions (GPA, residency, deadlines) are on its row.
| College — top award | Min GPA | Min SAT | Min ACT | $/year | 4-yr total | Residency | Deadline | Separate app? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University Anderson, SC Dean's Scholarship Guaranteed — published by the college | 3.0 | 1020 | 20 | $14,000 | $56,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, MN Bethany Grant Guaranteed — published by the college | 2.8 | 1040 | 20 | $10,500 | $42,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Cottey College Nevada, MO Automatic Academic Scholarship Guaranteed — published by the college | 2.6 | 1060 | 21 | $8,000 | $32,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Welch College Gallatin, TN Leadership Award Guaranteed — published by the college | — | 1060 | 21 | $4,000 | — | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL Opportunity Scholarship Guaranteed — published by the college | 2.3 | 940 | 18 | $3,000 | $12,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN Firehawk Scholar Guaranteed — published by the college | 3.0 | 1000 | 19 | $1,500 | $6,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK Green & White Scholars Guaranteed — published by the college | 3.25 | — | 20 | $1,400 | $5,600 | in-state | February 1 (December 1 early deadline) | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Mississippi State University Starkville, MS Freshman Academic Scholarship Guaranteed — published by the college | 3.0 | 1060 | 21 | $1,000 | $4,000 | in-state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS Great Gorilla Scholarship Level 5 Guaranteed — published by the college | 2.85 | — | 20 | $1,000 | $4,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Dakota State University Madison, SD Achievement Champion Scholarship Guaranteed — published by the college | 3.0 | 1060 | 21 | $1,000 | $4,000 | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA Promise Scholarship - Blue Level (with test scores) Guaranteed — published by the college | 3.0 | 1050 | 20 | $1,000 | $4,000 | both | May 1 (priority) | Yes | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Destination Wisconsin Scholarship Guaranteed — published by the college | 2.75 | 980 | 19 | $1,000 | $4,000 | out_of_state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
Automatically considered — amount not guaranteed
For the awards below, the college automatically considers students who meet the published criteria, but the amount is not guaranteed. Figures shown are the college's published amounts a student may be awarded — read the official source for how selection and funding work.
| College — top award | Min GPA | Min SAT | Min ACT | $/year | 4-yr total | Residency | Deadline | Separate app? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Dallas Irving, TX Academic Achievement Award Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.0 | 1000 | 20 | $28,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $112,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| LaGrange College Lagrange, GA Hilltop Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.2 | 1070 | 21 | $16,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $64,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Maurelian Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.25 | 1030 | 20 | $16,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | — (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, WI Collegiate Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.1 | 1030 | 20 | $15,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $60,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Jupiter C Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 4.0 | 1060 | 21 | $13,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $52,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | out-of-state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL President John Massey Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.2 | — | 21 | $12,500 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $50,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA Warhawk Out-of-State Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 2.5 | 1060 | 21 | $12,100 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $48,400 (published figure — not guaranteed) | out-of-state | Priority admission May 1, 2026; qualifying scores by May 31, 2026 | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC Valedictorian Scholars Consideration — amount not guaranteed | — | 1000 | 21 | $10,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $40,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | Unknown | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Faulkner University Montgomery, AL President's Award Consideration — amount not guaranteed | — | 1030 | 20 | $10,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | — (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Dillard University New Orleans, LA Dean's Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3 | 1060 | 21 | $10,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | — (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR Dean's Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | — | — | 20 | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $32,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO Presidential Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.5 | 1060 | 21 | $5,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $20,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Lamar University Beaumont, TX Distinguished Scholars Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.65 | 1080 | 21 | $5,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $20,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Alabama A & M University Normal, AL AAMU Heritage Gold Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.25 | — | 17 | $5,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | — (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Miles College Fairfield, AL Dean's Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.2 | 1050 | 20 | $5,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $20,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR Dean's Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.5 | 1060 | 21 | $5,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $20,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | March 1 | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Academic Scholarship Level 3 Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.5 | 1060 | 21 | $4,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $16,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | Levels 4-6: February 1. Levels 1-3: the page shows August 15 in its deadlines section and July 1 in its policies section | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| North American University Stafford, TX Academic Merit Scholarship (Stafford) Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 2.76 | 1050 | 20 | $4,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $16,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, AR Academic Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | — | — | 20 | $4,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $16,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA Academic Excellence Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.5 | 1060 | 21 | $3,500 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $14,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | Priority December 15; credentials considered until May 1, 2027 | Yes | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Freshman Admission Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.75 | 1060 | 21 | $3,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $12,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | December 1 | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Delaware State University Dover, DE DSU GAP Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 2.75 | 920 | 17 | $3,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $12,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | out-of-state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences Canton, OH Faculty Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.2 | — | 21 | $3,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | — (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR Green & White Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 2.5 | — | 19 | $3,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $12,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Eastern New Mexico University Portales, NM New Mexico Freshman Academic Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | — | 1030 | 20 | $2,600 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $2,600 (published figure — not guaranteed) | in-state | Priority: August 1 (fall), January 3 (spring) | Unknown | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Wichita State University Wichita, KS Freshmen Merit Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.0 | 1060 | 21 | $2,500 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $10,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | out-of-state | December 1, 2026 (priority admission) | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Crimson Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.4 | — | 21 | $2,500 (published figure — not guaranteed) | — (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Provost's Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 4.5 | 1060 | 21 | $2,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | in-state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Northern State University Aberdeen, SD WolfPACT Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.75 | 1030 | 20 | $2,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | March 1 (priority) | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Northwestern State University Natchitoches, LA Opportunity Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.5 | — | 20 | $2,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | in-state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OH Blue & Gray Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.2 | 1060 | 21 | $2,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | February 1, 2027 (priority) | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA Blue & Gray Award Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.0 | 1000 | 20 | $2,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | in-state | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| University of West Alabama Livingston, AL Tiger Achievement Award Consideration — amount not guaranteed | — | 1060 | 21 | $2,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $8,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | April 15 | Yes | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| Emporia State University Emporia, KS Presidential Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.0 | — | 21 | $1,250 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $5,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA Academic Choice Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.75 | 1030 | 20 | $1,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $4,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 | |
| Lewis-Clark State College Lewiston, ID Dean Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 3.0 | 1020 | 20 | $1,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $4,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | in-state | March 1 priority deadline | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
| University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA Academic Scholarship Consideration — amount not guaranteed | 2.75 | 1030 | 20 | $1,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | $4,000 (published figure — not guaranteed) | both | July 15 | No | Official source Verified 2026-11-02 |
Common questions
How many colleges guarantee a merit scholarship at a 21 ACT?
12 colleges in our verified dataset guarantee an award automatically at an ACT of 21, when the student also meets the award's other published conditions such as its GPA minimum. 37 more colleges consider students automatically at this score, but their amounts are not guaranteed.
Is the award shown the most an ACT of 21 can earn at each college?
Yes — for every college we show the top published award whose ACT threshold is 21 or lower. A higher score can reach higher tiers at the same college; the college's own page, linked from every row, shows its full grid.
Where do these amounts come from?
Every figure is taken from the college's own published merit page and was verified on 2026-11-02. MeritChart does not use aggregator data, and colleges change their grids — always confirm on the official source before applying.
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How to read this page: figures come only from the college's own published pages. Class A = guaranteed automatic (the college publishes the promise). Class B = automatic consideration — amount not guaranteed. Every figure links to its official source with a verification date. Full methodology →
Not affiliated with any college. Awards are determined by each college; your official award letter is final.