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Top US State Scholarships to Apply for After High School

Updated: Dec 3

Everyone loves talking about Ivies and flashy national awards, but your own state might quietly be offering you thousands of dollars a year if you hit certain GPA / test score / residency requirements.

These are state merit (and merit-ish) programs: scholarships and grants funded by state governments, usually only for in-state residents, and often predictable if you know the rules early.

We’ll walk through some of the biggest, best-documented examples and include reference URLs for each so you can verify details and track updates.


US State Scholarship programs after High School

1. Georgia - HOPE & Zell Miller Scholarships


Georgia’s HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships are classic GPA-based lottery programs for in-state students.


HOPE Scholarship - 3.0 HOPE GPA + Rigor

Key features for entering freshmen at Georgia colleges:


  • You must graduate from an eligible Georgia high school (or equivalent).

  • You need at least a 3.0 “HOPE GPA”, which is calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) based on core academic courses.

  • You must complete at least 4 academic “rigor” credits from the approved rigor course list (advanced math, science, foreign language, AP/IB/DE, etc.).

  • In college, you generally need a 3.0 HOPE GPA at specific checkpoints (30, 60, 90 attempted hours and at the end of each spring) to keep the award.

The award covers a significant portion of in-state tuition at public colleges and a fixed amount at eligible private colleges.


Zell Miller Scholarship - 3.7 HOPE GPA + Test Score

Zell Miller is the “honors version” of HOPE. To qualify right out of high school, you must:


  • Meet all HOPE requirements, and

  • Graduate with at least a 3.70 HOPE GPA, and

  • Have a qualifying SAT or ACT score (e.g., many institutions note 1200 SAT or 25 ACT as the benchmark), or be your high school’s valedictorian or salutatorian (details vary and are defined in GSFC rules).

In college, Zell Miller Scholars must keep about a 3.3 GPA to retain the award.

At public universities, Zell Miller typically covers full standard in-state tuition (fees and housing are separate).


Reference URLs (Georgia):



2. Florida - Bright Futures (FAS & FMS)


Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program is another big merit system, funded by the Florida Lottery. It rewards Florida high school graduates for academic achievement plus documented service/work hours.


Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)

For FAS, the top tier, requirements include:

  • An overall weighted high school GPA (typically around 3.5 in required courses).

  • A specific set of 16 college-prep credits (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language).

  • At least 100 hours of:

    • Volunteer service, or

    • Paid work, or

    • A combination of both.

  • Meeting or exceeding the minimum SAT/ACT scores listed in the current Bright Futures handbook.

Award: FAS usually covers close to 100% of tuition and applicable fees at Florida public universities and a set amount at private institutions.


Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)

FMS is a step down from FAS, with slightly lower GPA/test requirements and generally 75% of tuition and eligible fees at public institutions.

Students must still complete the required high school coursework and a minimum number of volunteer/work hours (often 75 for FMS).


Reference URLs (Florida):



3. Tennessee - HOPE Lottery Scholarship (TELS)


Tennessee’s main merit program is the HOPE Scholarship, funded by the Tennessee Education Lottery and often referred to under the broader TELS (Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship) umbrella.


Basic Entry Criteria

For a traditional high school graduate, common entry criteria include:

  • Being a Tennessee resident attending an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution.

  • Either:

    • A 3.0+ high school GPA, or

    • A 21+ ACT composite (or 1060+ SAT equivalent).


There are alternate routes for homeschool and GED students, as well as pathways using dual enrollment credits (e.g., at least two dual enrollment courses totaling 6+ hours with a minimum 3.0 college GPA can sometimes substitute for the test score requirement).


Maintaining the Scholarship

Once in college, students must maintain certain TELS GPA benchmarks (e.g., 2.75 after 48 attempted hours, 3.0 at later checkpoints, with some “provisional” rules) to keep the scholarship.

Award amounts vary by institution and credit load but generally provide a few thousand dollars per year toward tuition at Tennessee public and some private institutions.


Reference URLs (Tennessee):



4. Kentucky - KEES (Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship)


Kentucky takes a different approach: you earn money every year of high school based on your GPA and test scores, then use that pot of money in college.


How KEES Works

The KEES program provides scholarships to Kentucky students who attend a certified Kentucky high school and earn at least a 2.5 GPA each year.


From the official brochure:

  • With a 2.5 GPA, you earn about $125 for that year.

  • With a 4.0 GPA, you earn about $500 for that year.

  • You can also earn additional awards for:

    • ACT/SAT scores

    • Advanced Placement (AP)

    • International Baccalaureate (IB)

    • Cambridge Advanced International (CAI) exams


Your annual KEES award in college is the sum of the amounts you accumulated for each high school year plus any test bonuses. You can then use KEES at eligible Kentucky colleges if you enroll at least half-time and meet ongoing GPA requirements.


Reference URLs (Kentucky):


5. New Mexico - Opportunity Scholarship (Tuition-Free Model)


New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship has drawn attention because it can make in-state college tuition-free for many residents.


According to the New Mexico Higher Education Department and public institution pages:


  • The Opportunity Scholarship is available to New Mexico residents attending eligible public institutions.

  • It can cover up to 100% of tuition and required fees, plus up to a limited amount per credit for course-specific fees (e.g., some colleges list up to $50 per credit hour for course fees).

  • It is available for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, with caps on covered credits (e.g. up to 9 credits in summer at some schools).

  • Students must typically maintain around a 2.5 college GPA and meet credit-completion rules to stay eligible.

Many institutions note that eligible students are automatically awarded the Opportunity Scholarship once they meet residency and enrollment requirements; there may be no separate paper application beyond institutional processes.


Reference URLs (New Mexico):



6. California - Cal Grants (Merit + Need Hybrid)


California’s Cal Grant program is officially need-based, but there are clear minimum GPA requirements and guarantees for eligible students, so it acts like a hybrid merit/need system.

The California Student Aid Commission describes Cal Grants as state-funded grants for low- and middle-income Californians, with different types (Cal Grant A, B, C).


Cal Grant A

For high school seniors and recent grads, typical features include:

  • Minimum 3.0 high school GPA (university track).

  • California residency and citizenship/eligible noncitizen criteria.

  • Enrollment at least half-time in a program leading to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

  • Meeting income and asset ceilings set by CSAC.

Cal Grant A helps pay tuition and fees at UC/CSU and provides a fixed tuition award at qualifying private colleges.


Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is more targeted at lower-income students, with:

  • Minimum 2.0 high school GPA.

  • Strict income and asset ceilings.

  • A living-allowance grant in the first year (for books, supplies, transportation, sometimes housing), and then tuition/fee support in later years.


Reference URLs (California):



7. Washington - Washington College Grant (WA Grant)


Washington’s main state program is the Washington College Grant (WA Grant), which is technically need-based, but broad enough that for many families it functionally makes in-state college tuition free.

Key points from the Washington Student Achievement Council and partner institutions:


  • WA Grant can be used for college, job training, or apprenticeships at approved Washington institutions.

  • To apply, students must complete the FAFSA or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

  • For 2025-26, an eligible student from a family of four with income $78,500 or less can receive a full award, which typically makes tuition at public institutions effectively free.

  • Even families of four making up to $131,000 can still get partial grants, with amounts scaled to income, family size, and institution type.


Students must meet ongoing program requirements and satisfactory academic progress in college to keep receiving the grant.


Reference URLs (Washington):



8. South Carolina - LIFE Scholarship


What it is:

The LIFE (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence) Scholarship is a merit-based program for South Carolina residents attending eligible in-state colleges. It’s designed to reward strong high school performance and support timely college completion.


Core merit criteria (entering freshmen at four-year institutions):

Most institutional and state summaries agree on this pattern:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen/eligible noncitizen and SC resident.

  • Must graduate from an eligible South Carolina high school (or meet the SC residency rules for out-of-state graduation).

  • Must meet 2 out of 3:

    1. 3.0+ cumulative high school GPA (SC Uniform Grading Policy).

    2. 1100+ SAT (critical reading + math) or 24+ ACT (many institutions now list 22 ACT for current years; check the latest year’s requirement).

    3. Top 30% of high school graduating class.


Award: At four-year schools, many institutions list the LIFE Scholarship as up to $5,000 per year (often including a book allowance) for up to eight terms, subject to renewal rules (3.0 LIFE GPA + average 30 credit hours per year).


Reference URL (LIFE Scholarship):

You can also cross-reference with:



9. South Carolina - Palmetto Fellows Scholarship


What it is:

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is South Carolina’s premier statewide merit scholarship, aimed at the most academically strong seniors and usable only at eligible four-year SC institutions.


Key academic paths (entering freshmen):

There are two main ways to qualify:

Standard criteria (with class rank):

  • Top 6% of class at the end of 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.

  • 1200+ SAT (math + critical reading) or 27+ ACT (some current documentation shows ACT 25+ for recent cohorts; check current year details).

  • 3.5+ cumulative GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Policy.


Alternate criteria (no rank):

  • 1400+ SAT (math + critical reading) or 32+ ACT (sometimes shown as 31+ for recent years).

  • 4.0+ cumulative GPA (SC UGP).


Award:State and institutional pages consistently note:

  • Around $6,700 for freshman year.

  • Around $7,500 per year for sophomore–senior years (subject to state appropriations).

Students must maintain about a 3.0 GPA and 30 credit hours per academic year to renew.


Reference URL (Palmetto Fellows):



10. Louisiana - TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)


What it is:

TOPS is Louisiana’s flagship state merit-based scholarship program, administered by LOSFA. It offers several tiers (Opportunity, Performance, Honors, Excellence) with different GPA and ACT/SAT thresholds.


Core pattern for TOPS Opportunity Award (baseline tier):

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet Louisiana residency requirements.

  • Must complete the TOPS Core Curriculum (currently 19 units; scheduled to move to 20 units for the class of 2028).

  • Minimum TOPS Core GPA: 2.50 (unrounded, based only on TOPS core courses).

  • Minimum ACT composite of 20 (or equivalent SAT score, and at least the state average, whichever is higher).

  • Must file the FAFSA (or the state’s alternative application).


Higher tiers (Performance, Honors, Excellence) require higher TOPS Core GPAs and higher ACT/SAT scores (e.g., Performance: ~3.25 core GPA and 23 ACT; Honors: ~3.50 core GPA and 27 ACT; Excellence with even higher thresholds).


Award: TOPS typically covers tuition at Louisiana public institutions up to set amounts for each tier; private institutions receive fixed semester amounts. Actual dollar values per semester are published by LOSFA and institutions each year.


Reference URLs (TOPS):



11. West Virginia - PROMISE Scholarship


What it is:

The PROMISE Scholarship is West Virginia’s statewide merit-based scholarship for residents, covering a significant portion of in-state tuition at eligible WV institutions.


Core academic profile (typical recent criteria):

The official and institutional pages summarize the program as:

  • West Virginia residency (student and parent/legal guardian) for 12 consecutive months before the deadline.

  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.0 in both:

    • The overall cumulative GPA, and

    • The PROMISE “core” academic coursework.

  • Minimum standardized test score, such as:

    • Around 21+ ACT composite, with minimum section sub-scores, or

    • Equivalent SAT scores (exact thresholds are published each year).


Award:Recent official statements describe the PROMISE Scholarship as paying up to $5,500 per year (or the cost of tuition and mandatory fees if lower) for up to four years or completion of a bachelor’s degree.


Reference URLs (PROMISE):



12. Oklahoma - Oklahoma’s Promise


What it is:

Oklahoma’s Promise is a statewide tuition scholarship program that combines income limits with academic and conduct requirements, a hybrid of need and merit, but with very explicit GPA/course standards.


Core structure (for high school students signing up):

From the official program page:

  • Must come from a family that meets specified income requirements (limits published yearly).

  • Must sign up by the end of 11th grade (or 12th grade in some cases) while attending an Oklahoma high school.

  • Must complete the Oklahoma’s Promise high school curriculum.

  • Must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in core courses (and usually a 2.5 overall GPA).

  • Must meet good conduct expectations (no serious disciplinary issues or criminal behavior).

If students meet these requirements and later attend an eligible Oklahoma public college, Oklahoma’s Promise pays their tuition (does not typically cover fees, books, etc.).


Reference URLs (Oklahoma’s Promise):



13. Arkansas - Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship


What it is:

The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is a statewide lottery-funded program that provides scholarships to Arkansas residents pursuing higher education at eligible institutions. It has a broad reach but still includes explicit academic expectations.


Core features:

  • Funded in large part by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

  • Available to a range of students:

    • Recent high school graduates,

    • Current college students,

    • Adults returning to college.

  • Requires Arkansas residency and enrollment at an eligible Arkansas institution.

  • Uses minimum high school GPA and/or test scores (or college GPA for returning students). Exact thresholds and award ladders are published in the current year’s rules and application materials.


Award: Award amounts vary by student type and year in school, and are set by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education for each academic year.


Reference URLs (Arkansas Academic Challenge):



14. Nevada - Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship


What it is:

Nevada’s Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship (GGMS) is a merit-based program designed to keep high-achieving Nevada high school graduates in-state for college.


Typical academic profile:

State and institutional sites describe the scholarship as for:

  • Nevada high school graduates meeting specific GPA and course requirements (e.g., minimum 3.25 GPA in a defined set of core courses; exact thresholds published in current regulations).

  • Nevada residents attending eligible in-state colleges.

  • Often requires completion of the Millennium core curriculum and timely college enrollment after graduation.


Award:

  • Scholarships can total up to $10,000 in tuition across a student’s college career.

  • Paid per credit hour (e.g., one common institutional description is $80 per credit hour for 12-15 credits per semester) at eligible schools.


Reference URLs (Nevada Millennium):



15. Mississippi - Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)


What it is:

The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) is a merit-focused grant for high-achieving Mississippi residents attending in-state, approved public and private not-for-profit colleges and universities.


Core academic expectations:

According to the official state pages and regulations:

  • Must be a Mississippi resident.

  • Must attend an eligible Mississippi college or university (public or approved private non-profit).

  • Must demonstrate strong academics, often summarized as:

    • 3.5+ high school GPA (or equivalent college GPA for some applicants), and

    • A specified minimum ACT score (commonly cited as around 29, though exact current cutoff is defined in the regulations for each award cycle).


Award: MESG provides additional funding on top of other aid to recognize and retain top academic performers in-state; it is often highlighted alongside MTAG and HELP as one of Mississippi’s “big three” state aid programs.


Reference URLs (MESG):


16. How to Track Down Your Own State’s Programs


Not every state is as generous as Georgia or New Mexico, but nearly every state has at least some combination of:

  • Merit-based lottery scholarships

  • Need-based state grants with GPA floors

  • Mixed programs that combine GPA, residency, and income


To find them:

  1. Search for:

    “[Your state] higher education student aid”“[Your state] lottery scholarship”“[Your state] merit scholarship college”


  2. Look for official state or agency domains, e.g.:

    • “.gov” or “.state.xx.us”

    • State-specific agencies like:

      • Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)

      • Florida Department of Education / Bright Futures

      • KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority)

      • California Student Aid Commission (csac.ca.gov)

      • Washington Student Achievement Council (wsac.wa.gov)


  3. Once you’re on an official site, note:

    • GPA and test-score requirements

    • Course rigor requirements (if any)

    • Service/work hours (like Bright Futures)

    • Residency duration rules

    • Deadlines (FAFSA / state applications, GPA verification deadlines, etc.)


Top US State Scholarships to Apply for After High School

State merit and merit-ish scholarships may not have the hype of “full-ride to an Ivy,” but for in-state students they can be the difference between:

  • “I guess I’ll take out big loans…” and

  • “My tuition is mostly (or completely) covered.”

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