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Scholarships & Fee Waivers
University scholarships help reduce the cost of attendance by applying financial support to eligible student accounts. SUNO-administered awards may include institutional scholarships, program/department scholarships, foundation/donor-funded scholarships, and state-administered aid posted at SUNO, i.e. TOPS.
Important: SUNO scholarships are limited and require a completed application for consideration.
Types of SUNO Scholarship Opportunities
Internal Scholarships
University Fellow (STEM Majors Only)
GPA: 3.75 – ACT: 22 – SAT: 1150
Tuition, Fees, Room & Board, for 1-year
Must maintain a term GPA of 3.25, and students are required to re-apply each year. We will re-evaluate after each semester.
Chancellor’s Scholarship
GPA: 3.60 – ACT: 20+ – SAT: 1000+
Tuition, Room & Board, for 1-year
Must maintain a term GPA of 3.25, and students are required to re-apply each year. We will re-evaluate after each semester.
SUNO First Generation Award
GPA: 3.0
One-time $2,500 for 1-year ($1,250 for fall and $1,250 for spring)
Out-Of-State Fee Waiver
GPA: 3.0
Must maintain a term GPA of 3.0, and students are required to re-apply each year.
New and transfer students may apply. Students are required to maintain 15 credit hours per semester. We will re-evaluate after each semester.
Evening & Weekend College Scholarship
Spring 2026 ONLY
The scholarship award amounts vary based on number credits hours enrolled:
6 credit hours = $1000 scholarship
9 credit hours = $1500 scholarship
12 credit hours = $2000 scholarship
How to Apply for University Scholarships and Out-of-State Fee Waivers
Step 1 — Complete the FAFSA (mandatory)
SUNO encourages students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year.
Step 2 — Complete the SUNO Scholarship Application
Students must complete all sections of the application and enter N/A where a section does not apply. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Be prepared to provide:
- Student and contact information
- Major/expected graduation date
- Whether you have completed the FAFSA
- A list of all aid already awarded and all aid you have applied for (loans, grants, scholarships, etc.)
Step 3 — Upload required documents (as applicable)
Attach documentation requested in the application, such as:
- ACT scores (if applicable)
- SAT scores (if applicable)
- Transcript (official for incoming freshman/transfer or unofficial from Banner, as applicable)
*International Students: International Students will follow the same process, and will submit the SUNO application. On the application please indicate you’re an International Student, and you will not be required to complete a FAFSA.
What Happens After You Apply
SUNO follows a consistent process to help students receive decisions early enough to enroll on time, and to prevent delays in posting awards.
In general, you can expect:
- Eligibility review (admission/enrollment status, GPA/standing, credit hours, and any scholarship-specific requirements)
- Selection and award notification (students receive an award letter with terms and conditions)
- Posting to your student account in Banner as early as possible before the term begins (Banner is the official record of your student account)
Key Student Policies (Read This)
Scholarships apply to your student account (Banner) and may be adjusted
- Scholarships are posted to the student account and coordinated with Financial Aid.
- Awards may be adjusted to comply with Cost of Attendance and other aid rules.
- Awards may be reduced/canceled if you do not enroll, withdraw, or become ineligible.
SUNO scholarships are added after gift aid and do not create refunds
Scholarships will be added after gift aid (grants, scholarships, GO Grant, TOPS, SEOG, etc.) has been applied, and scholarships will not award a refund.
What Does My Scholarship Cover?
Your award letter will clearly state award amount, term(s), and exact coverage (what charges are included/excluded).
SUNO uses standard coverage options:
- Tuition Only (mandatory/course fees remain the student’s responsibility unless stated)
- Tuition + Mandatory Fees (university-wide mandatory fees for the term)
- Full Cost: Tuition + Mandatory Fees + Housing/Meal Plan aka Room & Board (up to defined limits, if applicable)
- Other Defined Coverage (must list included/excluded fees)
Note: Fees can sometimes be assessed after an award posts; if that occurs, you may temporarily see a balance until final adjustments are made.
Renewals and Continued Eligibility
If your scholarship is renewable, eligibility is reviewed each term (GPA, credit hours, program status, and satisfactory academic progress, as applicable).
Scholarships vs. Stipends
Scholarships help pay educational charges and support enrollment. Stipends are not scholarships and cannot be used to pay tuition/fees or to complete enrollment; stipends are processed after enrollment and may have tax implications.
Questions, Appeals, and Support
Questions should start with the awarding office/unit listed on your award letter. If an issue cannot be resolved at the unit level, it may be escalated through the university’s scholarship oversight process (Scholarship Coordinator, Financial Aid, Bursar, etc.), with final decision authority resting with the VCAA and/or Chancellor.