SAT Scholarships 2024: Eligibility, Documents Required, List of Colleges

Students who do well on the SAT have a better chance of getting into top universities in the United States and Canada. But it’s not only that, they also get considered for the SAT Scholarship. The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT exam is a standardised test, so getting scholarships for it can be very helpful to Indian students. However, it’s important that they have a high GPA in school as this greatly affects their chances of receiving scholarships from top institutions. In this blog, we will talk about the different SAT Scholarships that are available for Indian students and also explain who can qualify for these scholarships along with the amount given.

Many universities offer an option of not submitting SAT scores, which means their SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory for undergraduate admissions. Therefore, the Sat scholarship is available for all and you can get a scholarship without the submission of the SAT scores as well. 

What are the SAT Scholarships?

SAT scholarship is a type of funding that is offered to students for their exceptional performance in the SAT exam. Those who have a competitive score on the SAT in comparison to other applications received at the university are offered an SAT-based scholarship.

The universities might not require the SAT result as the sole indicator of your ability to study at the university. The eligibility criteria for SAT scholarships will be taken into account with other key factors like GPA, extracurriculars, etc. 

Scholarships for the SAT exam are offered by universities, countries of origin, countries of study, and external fundraisers. Therefore, you should know the different types of SAT scholarships, so that you can get a benefit from them.

What Are The Different Types Of SAT Scholarships?

The different types of the SAT scholarship are as follows:

Types of SAT Scholarships	Description
Merit-based SAT Scholarship	SAT merit scholarships are based on the candidate’s SAT score. People with very strong academic performance and high SAT scores can apply for these scholarships.
National Merit SAT Scholarships	There are also those applicants who get scholarships based on their scores. At the same time, it is mandatory to know that they are in high school in their home country. Almost around USD 2,500 is offered to applicants yearly.
Need-based SAT Scholarships	This scholarship is awarded to those who scored high on the SAT and need a scholarship.
Military SAT Scholarships	These scholarships are available for applicants who are from a military background and have a good SAT score.
Athletic SAT Scholarship	To recognize athletes, even scholarships are offered.
Identity-based SAT Scholarship	These scholarships are available to students from underrepresented communities for their outstanding performance on the SAT.

Scholarships for the SAT are often available for undergraduate study abroad. In certain instances, candidates are chosen at random for an SAT scholarship. In particular, however, candidates must submit an FAFSA to be considered for the award.

What SAT score do you need to receive an SAT scholarship?

As an international student, the eligibility criteria for the SAT scholarship is based on the applicant’s score. Applicants with SAT scores between 1300 and 1500 are eligible for SAT testing scholarships. The general rule is that the higher the SAT score, the higher the chance of receiving an SAT scholarship. Some colleges may release SAT scores before or after admission, and students who fall within these limits may be eligible for scholarships. Therefore, candidates must achieve good SAT results to maintain their chances of receiving a scholarship.

SAT Scholarship for Indian Students

There is a special scholarship for high scores on the SAT for Indian students abroad.

Indian Scholars Program

The College Board, which conducts the SAT, offers merit-based scholarships for the needs of income-qualified Indian students at participating universities. Applicants with SAT scores of 1300 or higher are eligible to receive this scholarship. However, the scholarship amount will be based on the student’s family’s annual income.

Some students are eligible for a full tuition waiver after graduation if their family income is less than INR 8 lakh.

How to apply for the India Scholars Program? 

Indian students can apply for the Indian Scholars program while they seek admission to various universities that accept SAT scores, as well as when they register for the SAT exam. Colleges will then select scholarship recipients from a pool of income-qualified students with SAT scores of 1300 or higher as well as students who meet all other admissions criteria.

List of Colleges offering SAT scholarships

Different colleges offer scholarships based on SAT scores to Indian students. The maximum number of SAT scholarships are also offered at well-funded US universities. Below is a list of colleges that offer SAT scholarships to students in the United States:

University	SAT Score Requirement	Name of SAT Scholarship Offered	Scholarship Amount Offered
Alabama State University	1420 – 1600	Presidential Academic Scholarship	Full Ride Scholarship
	1360 – 1410	UA Scholar	USD 24,000 (annually)
Idaho State University	1420 and above	Presidential Scholarship	USD 7,500 (annually)
Houston University	1400	Tier One Scholarship	Full tuition (annually)
Texas State University	1420 and above	President’s Honor Scholarship	USD 48,000 (annually)
University of Nevada	1390 – 1600	Presidential Scholarship	USD 8,000 (annually)
University of Tennessee	1300 – 1600	Tennessee Explore Scholarship Program	USD 26,000 (4-year award total)
Texas Tech University	1401 – 1600	Presidential Scholarship	USD 5,000 – USD 9,000 (one-time payout)
Colorado Christian University	1320	Trustee’s Scholarship	USD 16,000 (annually)

All these American universities also take into account other parameters such as previous academic performance. An overall review of a candidate’s application can help them qualify for SAT-based scholarships.

Other Scholarships

Scholarship Name	SAT Score Required	Amount Granted
Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Asian ERG Scholarship	1500	$2000
Deana’s Wish Memorial Scholarship	1100	$2000
Matt Logies Memorial Scholarship	1500	$5000
Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program	1070	$4000
MSLP Governor’s Best And Brightest Scholarship	1440	$2000
CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program	1000	$18,000

What are SAT Scholarship Eligibility Criteria?

To qualify for the SAT Scholarship, international applicants need to:

• Score on the higher end of the scale on the SAT
• Have a GPA good, approximately above 3.2 on the SAT on a 4.0 scale

• Strong academic record in high school
• Timely application for admission
• In some cases, must timely submission of the FAFSA (for US admissions only)
• Documents required to receive the SAT Scholarship – To apply for the SAT Scholarship, the following documents are required:
• SAT scores and a Transcript
• Passport copy
• GPA
• Invitation letter/confirmation of registration
• Student visa

Important Advice for Obtaining SAT Scholarships

Those who wish to apply for SAT scholarships should consider the following advice:

Examine the colleges that offer scholarships based on SAT scores and financing type (annual or one-time).

1. Verify your eligibility based on your country of origin and admission requirements.
2. Aim for a SAT score of 1300 or higher.
3. Ensure that the university receives applications and SAT results on time.
4. Please provide any additional documentation that may be required as soon as possible.
5. Official submission of SAT score reports is advised, and a copy should always be available.
6. Therefore, following these guidelines will assist students in obtaining SAT scholarships to pursue their studies overseas.

Discount on SAT Registration for Indian Students

Under the College Board Indian Scholars Programme, Indian children from low-income households can register for the SAT for less money. Indian high school students who meet the requirements can qualify for discounted SAT registration. However, each student receives a single discount voucher. The coupon may be used by applicants at the time of application. To learn more about the discount value,

• A 90% SAT registration discount is available to those whose household income is less than INR 8 lakhs.
• A 50% SAT registration discount is available to households with incomes between INR 8 lakhs and INR 15 lakhs. 

Conclusion

SAT scholarships are available to ease your academic journey abroad. SAT scholarships are financial aid for students who excel in the SAT exam, available to international and domestic students in the USA, UK, and Canada. They range from USD 2,500 to USD 28,000. Various types of scholarships exist, including merit-based, national merit, need-based, military, athletic, and identity-based. Indian students who want to study abroad can also apply for merit-based scholarships. Students can apply for scholarships based on their family’s annual income or merit. 

FAQs

What does the SAT cutoff mean?

SAT cutoff is the minimum score required by colleges for admission. It’s a crucial benchmark to ensure applicants meet academic standards.

How do colleges determine the SAT cutoff?

Colleges set SAT cutoffs based on program competitiveness and past applicant scores. It varies from college to college.

Is SAT cutoff the only admission criteria?

No, SAT cutoff is one of many factors. Colleges also consider essays, extracurriculars, and interviews for a holistic review.

Can SAT cutoff change yearly?

Yes, SAT cutoffs can change yearly based on the college’s admission goals and applicant pool.

What if I miss the SAT cutoff by a few points?

Missing the cutoff doesn’t always mean rejection. Some colleges offer flexibility based on other strong aspects of your application.