Apply for scholarships now, thank yourself later

The ASU Scholarship Portal for the 2026-27 academic year is now open. To help you get started, we asked the Financial Aid and Scholarship Services team to share their helpful tips and advice to guide you through the process. Check out their advice before you apply - you'll thank yourself later.

What advice do you have for students applying for scholarships?

Be mindful of deadlines! Most scholarship deadlines occur between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2026. There are exceptions to this, but most scholarships will follow this standard timeline, as donors generally like to select recipients before the coming school year. Students who begin their scholarship search after these deadlines will find fewer opportunities.

Start early and use ASU’s Scholarship Universe to your advantage. The platform matches you with scholarships based on your background, major and interests, helping you discover opportunities you might not find on your own. You can also see each scholarship’s application opening date and deadline, making it easier to plan and stay on track. Keep your profile up to date and check back regularly, as new scholarships are added throughout the year

Will taking classes remotely affect scholarship eligibility?

Many ASU students are now taking classes through a variety of learning modalities, including iCourses. Unless you've switched to ASU Online, you may still search for scholarship opportunities specific to your ground campus location (Tempe, West, Polytechnic or Downtown Phoenix).

In addition to using Scholarship Universe, we encourage students to take advantage of our many existing financial aid resources. Filing a FAFSA is the first step to be considered for federal and institutional aid, as well as need-based scholarships.

What should students prepare before they start applying for scholarships?

Prepare an updated resume with your volunteer and internship experience, including student involvement from the past year. Some students have had success in drafting a personal statement that outlines their background, goals and contributions they hope to make in society after college. They can then tailor it to specific scholarship opportunities or essay prompts.

It's a good idea to get a second pair of eyes on your essay before you submit it. Take advantage of ASU's Writing Center, they can help you submit your best application.

What about letters of recommendation?

Some scholarships require recommendations, so it's always a good idea to have one or two people in mind who know you in a professional capacity, such as professors, advisors, employers or community organization leaders.

It is also important to give recommenders plenty of notice before a scholarship deadline, so they have time to draft a thoughtful letter. We usually recommend two to three weeks. When making your request, be prepared to share a current resume, personal statement and details about the scholarship to help them write a strong, tailored recommendation.

What kind of scholarships are in the portal?

You'll find general scholarships by college, and for both residents and nonresidents, such as the NextGen Scholarship and The College First Generation Scholarships. We also have a Pathways for the Future Award that is offered to Arizona residents in a variety of degree programs.

Good luck, Sun Devils! If you have more questions, ASU offers support throughout the application process. Now it's time to get started!