Future Aggie FAQ
Can I put my scholarship on hold if I take a leave from USU?
Yes, in most cases.
- Institutional Academic Scholarships: Confirm eligibility in your acceptance email or letter. File a Deferment or Notification of Leave by the scholarship acceptance deadline. Once approved, your scholarship will be placed on hold until you return as long as it is within three years.
- Departmental Scholarships: Contact the department that awarded your scholarship.
- Private Scholarships: Contact the donor directly. Some donors manage holds themselves; others allow USU to hold the scholarship.
For questions, email scholarships@usu.edu.
What happens if I withdraw from my classes after the third week?
Your Institutional Academic Scholarship will not apply because it is based on enrollment. You will still be charged tuition and owe USU for any amount previously covered.
If withdrawal is due to extenuating circumstances such as a medical emergency or military service, contact the Scholarship Team and consider requesting an academic record adjustment or refund through the Office of the Registrar.
What are the requirements to receive scholarships?
- Institutional Academic Scholarships: Require strong academic achievement (GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and rigor scores) and full-time enrollment.
- Need-Based Scholarships: Require completion of the FAFSA to demonstrate financial need.
- Departmental and Donor Scholarships: May include additional criteria such as major or class standing.
USU scholarships cannot be awarded based on race, gender identity, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
Will my scholarship pay for online classes?
Institutional Academic Scholarships can pay towards in-state online classes, but not out-of-state online. For online courses, "in-state" indicates that you are residing in Utah while attending, even if you are considered a Nonresident of Utah. If you reside outside of Utah while attending, you are considered "out-of-state." Please note that your scholarship requirements still apply when you attend online.
For any other type of scholarship, contact scholarships@usu.edu.
Where can I find my scholarship requirements?
Your scholarship agreement was emailed to you with the subject line “USU Scholarship Acceptance.” If you cannot locate it, contact scholarships@usu.edu.
What are the eligibility requirements for Institutional Academic Scholarships?
- Submit a USU admission application (including fee) by deadline.
- Apply to the Logan Campus or a Statewide Campus (Out-of-State Online students do not qualify).
- Be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or eligible for a Nonresident Tuition Waiver.
- Have intent to graduate from USU in a qualifying degree program.
- Be a new first-time student (returning students, second bachelor’s, and graduate students do not qualify).
Students with USU Concurrent Enrollment are still eligible.
What are the deadlines for University scholarships?
- Deadlines vary by year, by campus, and by student type. Visit the Future Aggie Scholarship website for current deadlines.
Applying by the priority deadline guarantees consideration. Late applications will not be reviewed.
What test scores and GPA count for scholarships?
- ACT: Composite score only; super score is not accepted. USU’s on campus ACT is valid only at USU.
- SAT: ERW + Math on the 1600 scale; Writing portion is not included.
- GPA: Unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale; weighted GPAs above 4.0 will be recalculated to a 4.0 scale.
Are nonresident scholarships renewable?
Please refer to your award letter terms and conditions for the maximum number of terms available. Many nonresident tuition scholarships are only available for one year. Students are encouraged to gain Utah residency during their first year.
Can homeschool or GED students be considered?
Yes. Eligibility is evaluated case-by-case, with emphasis on ACT/SAT scores.
Can scholarships be combined?
- Tuition can only be covered once. Institutional Academic Scholarships are generally not stackable.
- Some scholarships can be combined, such as Sterling Scholar, National Merit, Involvement, and Resident Alumni awards.
- Some private scholarships and state awards may also be combined with USU scholarships. Please contact the Scholarship Office at scholarships@usu.edu for more details.
How do I accept my scholarship and by when?
Accept scholarships by paying the enrollment deposit or postponing enrollment by deferring admission. Deadlines are typically May 1 for fall and December 1 for spring. Eastern, Blanding, and Moab confirm via Enrollment Confirmation form.
What is the difference between deferral and notification of leave?
- Deferrals are for new students who have not enrolled in classes before the semester begins.
- Notifications of Leave are for those who have attended at least one semester at USU.
What is the Credit/GPA requirement to retain a multi-year institutional academic award?
Refer to the terms and conditions of the awards as posted on the Future Aggie Scholarship website.
Current Aggie FAQ
Can my scholarship be extended?
No. Institutional Academic Scholarships are awarded once at admission and cannot be extended or changed. However, once you have been admitted and have an A#, you may apply for other USU or private scholarships through USU’s scholarship portal.
What if I won’t meet my credit hour requirement?
If you can still graduate on time, you may appeal to reduce your credit requirement:
- Meet with your advisor and create a graduation plan in Degree Works.
- Ask your advisor to lock the plan.
- Submit an appeal to match your scholarship to your plan.
If this is your first time falling under the credit requirement due to a failed class, you may also appeal for probation if you had documentable extenuating circumstances.
Can I use my academic scholarship for summer term?
Not automatically. You can request its use for summer after registering. It will count as a full semester regardless of credit load—plan accordingly and consider reserving it for fall or spring.
Nonresident Waivers, Alumni Legacy Waivers, and WUE do not apply in summer, as tuition is at resident rates.
Requests may be submitted here: https://www.usu.edu/financial-support/scholarships/appeals
What if my GPA drops below requirements?
If it’s your first time falling below the GPA threshold, you can submit an appeal for probation once notified of cancellation. Appeal requests must be supported by documentable extenuating circumstances.
Will my scholarship cover over 18 credits?
If your scholarship pays full tuition, such as the Presidential or Ambassador, it will cover over 18 credits. USU will typically adjust payments, but emailing scholarships@usu.edu helps expedite the process.
Do Pass (P), D+, D, F Option classes count?
Yes, as long as you earn a “Pass.” If you fail the class, it could affect your earned hours and scholarship standing.
How is private scholarship money applied?
Funds are first applied to your account for tuition and fees. If there’s a surplus and the donor allows it, the balance is refunded to you via direct deposit or check.
What if I leave USU without filing a Notification of Leave?
Your scholarship is not guaranteed to be held. Contact scholarships@usu.edu to discuss options.
Why am I being charged international tax on my scholarship?
USU withholds taxes on non-qualified scholarship payments to international students (funds not used for tuition/fees). You may reclaim this by filing a U.S. tax return.
What if my departmental scholarship isn’t paying out?
Email scholarships@usu.edu for guidance. If you need fewer credits for your scholarship, we’ll help you contact the department for approval and process payment once confirmed.
How do I receive a Sterling Scholar scholarship?
USU provides scholarships to students who participate in the Utah Sterling Scholar Program. Submit your award or certificate through the process outlined on the Sterling Scholar website.
Scholarship Universe Questions
Do I have to be admitted to USU to use Scholarship Universe?
Yes. You must be admitted and have your A-number and password to log in.
What types of scholarships are available on Scholarship Universe?
Scholarships are offered by USU departments and external organizations. They may be based on academic merit, financial need, major, minor, hobbies, interests, or affiliations. All scholarships posted are from verified sources.
How often should I use Scholarship Universe?
Log in at least once a week to stay updated on new scholarships. During peak season (late fall through mid-spring), check more frequently.
Can I search for specific scholarships?
Yes. Use the search tool at the top of the website and filter by internal school scholarships, college, and department.
How many profile questions do I need to answer?
The more you answer, the more matches you’ll receive. Additionally, filling out these questions acts as a General Scholarship Application for any USU scholarships that don’t require individual applications. This means you are considered for more awards by filling out the questions, even if you don’t apply to anything else on Scholarship Universe. View and update them under the Questions tab or see Partial Matches on your dashboard.
What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?
USU awards millions of dollars annually, but scholarships are competitive. Apply to as many scholarships as possible to improve your chances. We recommend prioritizing applications for USU scholarships over private scholarships as they typically have a smaller applicant pool.
How do I request a letter of recommendation for a scholarship?
If a scholarship application requires a letter of recommendation, you can request it directly through the application. Ask your recommender before submitting and let them know to expect an email from Scholarship Universe with upload instructions.
Can I edit my application after submission?
No. Once submitted, essays and documents cannot be edited. Review all materials carefully before submitting.
When will I hear back about scholarships I applied for?
Review periods vary by department but generally begin after the deadline and finish in spring or early summer. If selected, you will receive an email with next steps, such as submitting a thank-you letter. However, applicants who are not selected to receive a scholarship are generally not notified.
How do I submit a thank-you letter or accept my award?
Complete these tasks directly in Scholarship Universe under the Action Required section of your dashboard.
How do I check if I’m subscribed to emails and texts?
Click your name in the upper right corner, select Profile, and review Communication Preferences.