{"answer":"The states with a published statewide award set GPA lines from 2.0 (California's Cal Grant B) up to 3.7 (Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship), and test lines from an SAT 920 or ACT 17 (Louisiana's TOPS Tech) up to an SAT 1390 or ACT 31 (TOPS Excellence). Many of the largest programs set no test score at all.","as_of":"October 2026","date":"2026-10-15","dek":"The table holds every program we track in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, with the award, the GPA line, the test line, any income ceiling and a link to the state agency's own page.","faq":[{"a":"Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship covers 100% of in-state public-college tuition for a 3.7 core GPA plus an SAT 1200 or ACT 25 in a single sitting.","q":"Which state scholarship pays full tuition?"},{"a":"Georgia's HOPE Scholarship, New York's Excelsior Scholarship, Indiana's 21st Century Scholars, Oklahoma's Promise and Tennessee Promise all set no SAT or ACT bar.","q":"Do state scholarships require an SAT or ACT score?"},{"a":"Indiana's 21st Century Scholars requires enrolling in the program in 7th or 8th grade, and the award can reach up to 100% of public-college tuition and fees for four years.","q":"When do we have to sign up for Indiana's 21st Century Scholars?"}],"findings":[{"h":"Georgia and Louisiana pay the most for a test score.","p":"Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship covers 100% of in-state public-college tuition for a 3.7 core GPA plus an SAT 1200 or ACT 25 in a single sitting. Louisiana stacks academic tiers. The top one, TOPS Excellence, pays tuition and fees up to $12,000 a year for a 3.50 core GPA with an SAT 1390 or ACT 31."},{"h":"The biggest programs ask for no test at all.","p":"Georgia's HOPE Scholarship, New York's Excelsior Scholarship, Indiana's 21st Century Scholars, Oklahoma's Promise and Tennessee Promise all set no SAT or ACT bar. Several set no GPA bar either. What they ask for instead is income, timing or paperwork: Excelsior needs a household AGI at or under $125,000."},{"h":"Indiana and Oklahoma ask families to sign up years before college.","p":"Indiana's 21st Century Scholars requires enrolling in the program in 7th or 8th grade, and the award can reach up to 100% of public-college tuition and fees for four years. Oklahoma's Promise takes applications any time in grades 8 through 12, while family income is under the cap. It then pays full public-college tuition for a 2.5 GPA and the required 15-unit curriculum. Miss that window and the money is gone."}],"license":"CC BY 4.0 \u2014 quote with attribution to Test Prep Gurus (High School Reach)","method":"Each row is one program as the state agency that runs it publishes it, with that agency's page linked on the row. The figures are the 2026-27 requirements, and the award column holds the maximum a state lists rather than what a given student receives. The table covers the states we track rather than every state, and it mixes merit awards, need-based grants and promise programs, because families run into all three under the same heading. Rows are grouped by state.","question":"What GPA and test score does my state's scholarship require?","related":[{"label":"Merit scholarships by college","url":"/merit-scholarships"},{"label":"Bright Futures 2026-27: the exact GPA, test and service hours","url":"/research/bright-futures-2026-27"},{"label":"Texas automatic admission for 2027","url":"/research/texas-top-10-percent-2027"},{"label":"SAT vs ACT: which test to take","url":"https://www.prepgurus.com/sat-vs-act"}],"sections":[{"h2":"Merit, need and promise are not the same thing","paragraphs":["The table mixes three kinds of award, because families meet all three under the same name. A merit award turns on grades or a test score: Zell Miller, the TOPS tiers, KEES, West Virginia's PROMISE, Tennessee HOPE and Bright Futures. A need award turns on family finances: Cal Grant C, the Frank O'Bannon Grant and the TEXAS Grant. A promise award turns on signing up early and sticking to a plan: Excelsior, Oklahoma's Promise, Tennessee Promise and 21st Century Scholars.","Texas's Top 10% Automatic Admission is here because families ask about it in the same breath, but it is not money. It is guaranteed admission to a Texas public university, and UT Austin caps it at the top 5%."]},{"h2":"Where the GPA is measured matters more than the number","paragraphs":["Georgia uses a core-course GPA the state works out itself, not the GPA on a transcript. Louisiana uses a core GPA too. Tennessee HOPE uses a weighted GPA. Kentucky's KEES is measured one year at a time. A student banks $125 to $500 for each high-school year with a 2.5 or better. A weak sophomore year costs money a strong senior year cannot pay back.","The test lines are just as exact. Zell Miller's SAT 1200 or ACT 25 has to come from one sitting, so a superscore does not count. KEES pays a bonus from an ACT 15 or SAT 810 up to $500 at an ACT 28 or SAT 1340. Tennessee HOPE takes either path, a 3.0 weighted GPA or an ACT 21 or SAT 1060."]},{"h2":"What a family should do with this","paragraphs":["Start with your own state's rows and open the source link. The amounts and the rules change most years. These are flat cutoffs: a tenth of a point under the line pays the smaller award.","If a test score is in play, plan the test dates around it. Zell Miller, the TOPS tiers, West Virginia's PROMISE and Tennessee HOPE all pay more for a higher score. If no test is in play, the GPA and the deadline are the whole task.","Then read the strings. Excelsior asks a graduate to live and work in New York for as many years as the award was received. Tennessee Promise asks for a mentor meeting and 8 hours of community service each term."]}],"slug":"state-merit-scholarships","sources":[{"label":"California Student Aid Commission -- Cal Grants","url":"https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants"},{"label":"Georgia Student Finance Commission -- HOPE Scholarship","url":"https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-scholarships/hope-scholarship/"},{"label":"Georgia Student Finance Commission -- Zell Miller Scholarship","url":"https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-scholarships/zell-miller-scholarship/initial-academic-eligibility/"},{"label":"Learn More Indiana -- 21st Century Scholars","url":"https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/"},{"label":"Indiana Commission for Higher Education -- Frank O'Bannon Grant","url":"https://www.in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/frank-obannon-grant/"},{"label":"Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority -- KEES","url":"https://www.kheaa.com/web/scholarships-grants.faces"},{"label":"Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance -- TOPS","url":"https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/scholarships-grants/tops/"},{"label":"New York State Higher Education Services Corporation -- Excelsior","url":"https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program"},{"label":"Oklahoma's Promise -- student requirements","url":"https://okpromise.org/student-requirements.shtml"},{"label":"CollegeForTN -- Tennessee HOPE Scholarship","url":"https://www.collegefortn.org/tennessee-hope-scholarship-3/"},{"label":"CollegeForTN -- Tennessee Promise","url":"https://www.collegefortn.org/tnpromise/"},{"label":"Texas Education Agency -- automatic college admission","url":"https://tea.texas.gov/educators/graduation-information/automatic-college-admission"},{"label":"Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board -- TEXAS Grant guidelines","url":"https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-publication/guidelines-manuals/texas-grant-fy-2025-guidelines/"},{"label":"Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board -- Texas First","url":"https://www.highered.texas.gov/the-texas-first-program/"},{"label":"College Foundation of West Virginia -- PROMISE Scholarship","url":"https://www.cfwv.com/financial-aid/promise-scholarship/how-it-works/"},{"label":"Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance -- Bright Futures","url":"https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN"}],"tables":[{"columns":[{"fmt":"str","key":"state","label":"State"},{"fmt":"str","key":"name","label":"Program"},{"fmt":"str","key":"award","label":"Award"},{"fmt":"str","key":"gpa","label":"GPA required"},{"fmt":"str","key":"test","label":"Test required"},{"fmt":"str","key":"income","label":"Income rule"},{"fmt":"str","key":"note","label":"Also note"},{"fmt":"url","key":"url","label":"Source"}],"h2":"State scholarship programs, with the GPA and test score each requires","intro":"One row per program. The last column links to the state agency's own page for that program.","note":"Each program as the state agency that runs it describes it, for the 2026-27 year. Award amounts are the maximum the state lists, not what any one student receives, and cutoffs and dollar figures change every year with each state budget, so the linked page governs. An empty cell means the program sets no rule of that kind. The table covers the states we track, not every state, so a state missing here is not a state without aid.","rows":[{"award":"Up to $14,436/yr (UC)  -  $6,084/yr (CSU) tuition & fees","gpa":"3.0 high-school GPA (or 2.4 in college)","income":"Income & asset ceilings by family size","kind":"hybrid","name":"Cal Grant A","note":"Recent grads who meet every criterion get a guaranteed (entitlement) award","state":"CA","summary":"Covers UC/CSU tuition & fees for CA residents with a 3.0 GPA who fall under the income ceilings.","test":null,"url":"https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants"},{"award":"$1,648/yr access award (year 1), plus tuition in later years","gpa":"2.0 high-school GPA","income":"Lower income & asset ceilings than Cal Grant A","kind":"hybrid","name":"Cal Grant B","note":null,"state":"CA","summary":"For lower-income CA students with a 2.0+ GPA -- a living-cost access award in year one, plus tuition in later years.","test":null,"url":"https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants"},{"award":"Up to $1,094-$2,462/yr + book allowance","gpa":null,"income":"Same ceilings as Cal Grant A","kind":"need","name":"Cal Grant C","note":"For occupational / vocational / technical training","state":"CA","summary":"For CA residents in career-technical programs -- need-based, no GPA gate.","test":null,"url":"https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants"},{"award":"A set percentage of in-state public-college tuition","gpa":"3.0 (GSFC core-course GPA)","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"HOPE Scholarship","note":"Requires 4 rigor credits; maintain a 3.0 in college","state":"GA","summary":"Covers a set share of public-college tuition for Georgia grads with a 3.0+ core GPA -- no test score or income limit.","test":null,"url":"https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-scholarships/hope-scholarship/"},{"award":"100% of in-state public-college tuition","gpa":"3.7 (GSFC core GPA) -- or 3.0 for a named valedictorian/salutatorian","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"Zell Miller Scholarship","note":"The 3.0 val/sal path needs no test score; 3.3 is the separate in-college maintenance GPA","state":"GA","summary":"Top tier: full public-college tuition for a 3.7 GPA plus a single-sitting SAT 1200 / ACT 25. Named valedictorians and salutatorians qualify at a 3.0 with no test.","test":"SAT 1200 / ACT 25 in a single sitting (waived on the val/sal path)","url":"https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-scholarships/zell-miller-scholarship/initial-academic-eligibility/"},{"award":"Up to 100% of public-college tuition & fees (4 years)","gpa":"2.5 cumulative + Core 40 diploma","income":"Income-qualified (about $222k for a family of 4, class of 2026)","kind":"promise","name":"21st Century Scholars","note":"Must enroll in the program in 7th or 8th grade","state":"IN","summary":"Income-qualified promise: sign up in 7th-8th grade, then earn it with a 2.5 GPA and a Core 40 diploma. Covers up to full public-college tuition.","test":null,"url":"https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/"},{"award":"Need-based tuition & fees grant (varies by college type)","gpa":null,"income":"Need-based (FAFSA)","kind":"need","name":"Frank O'Bannon Grant","note":"File the FAFSA by April 15; enroll full-time","state":"IN","summary":"Indiana's main need-based grant -- awarded on FAFSA financial need with no GPA or test gate.","test":null,"url":"https://www.in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/frank-obannon-grant/"},{"award":"Up to ~$2,500/yr of college (banked $125-$500 per HS year + a test bonus)","gpa":"2.5+ each high-school year ($500/yr at a 4.0)","income":"No income limit on base or test award","kind":"merit","name":"KEES (Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship)","note":"Free/reduced-lunch students can add AP/IB supplements","state":"KY","summary":"Kentucky banks a scholarship for each year you keep a 2.5+ GPA -- bigger for higher GPAs -- plus a one-time ACT/SAT bonus.","test":"Bonus: ACT 15+ / SAT 810+ (max $500 at ACT 28+ / SAT 1340+)","url":"https://www.kheaa.com/web/scholarships-grants.faces"},{"award":"Public-college tuition","gpa":"2.50 core GPA","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"TOPS Opportunity","note":null,"state":"LA","summary":"Entry tier -- Louisiana public-college tuition for a 2.5 core GPA and SAT 1030 / ACT 20.","test":"SAT 1030 / ACT 20","url":"https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/scholarships-grants/tops/"},{"award":"Tuition + $400/yr stipend","gpa":"3.25 core GPA","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"TOPS Performance","note":null,"state":"LA","summary":"Tuition plus a $400/yr stipend for a 3.25 core GPA and SAT 1130 / ACT 23.","test":"SAT 1130 / ACT 23","url":"https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/scholarships-grants/tops/"},{"award":"Tuition + $800/yr stipend","gpa":"3.50 core GPA","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"TOPS Honors","note":null,"state":"LA","summary":"Tuition plus an $800/yr stipend for a 3.5 core GPA and SAT 1260 / ACT 27.","test":"SAT 1260 / ACT 27","url":"https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/scholarships-grants/tops/"},{"award":"Tuition & fees up to $12,000/yr","gpa":"3.50 core GPA","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"TOPS Excellence","note":"New top tier (class of 2024-25 onward)","state":"LA","summary":"Top tier (new for 2024-25): tuition and fees up to $12,000/yr for a 3.5 core GPA and SAT 1390 / ACT 31.","test":"SAT 1390 / ACT 31","url":"https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/scholarships-grants/tops/"},{"award":"Up to 2 years of technical / vocational tuition","gpa":"2.50 core GPA","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"TOPS Tech","note":"For non-academic / career-technical programs","state":"LA","summary":"Career-technical tier -- up to two years of vocational tuition for a 2.5 core GPA and SAT 920 / ACT 17.","test":"SAT 920 / ACT 17","url":"https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/scholarships-grants/tops/"},{"award":"Free SUNY/CUNY tuition (last-dollar, up to $5,500/yr)","gpa":null,"income":"Household AGI <= $125,000","kind":"promise","name":"Excelsior Scholarship","note":"Stay on-track (30 credits/yr); live & work in NY afterward for the years you received it","state":"NY","summary":"Tuition-free SUNY/CUNY for NY families under $125k AGI -- no GPA or test gate, but you must stay on track and live in New York after graduating.","test":null,"url":"https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program"},{"award":"Full public-college tuition","gpa":"2.5 (overall grades 9-12 + the required curriculum)","income":"Family AGI <= $60k-$80k by family size at sign-up","kind":"promise","name":"Oklahoma's Promise (OHLAP)","note":"Apply any time in grades 8-12; a second $100k cap is checked before college","state":"OK","summary":"Income-qualified promise: apply in grades 8-12 while family income is under the cap, finish the 15-unit college-prep curriculum with a 2.5 GPA, and get full public-college tuition.","test":null,"url":"https://okpromise.org/student-requirements.shtml"},{"award":"$4,500-$5,700/yr (4-yr)  -  $3,200/yr (2-yr)","gpa":"3.0 weighted GPA","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"Tennessee HOPE Scholarship (TELS)","note":"Qualify by either path; enroll within 16 months of graduating","state":"TN","summary":"Lottery-funded merit award -- qualify with EITHER a 3.0 weighted GPA OR ACT 21 / SAT 1060. No income limit.","test":"OR SAT 1060 / ACT 21","url":"https://www.collegefortn.org/tennessee-hope-scholarship-3/"},{"award":"Free community / technical college (last-dollar)","gpa":null,"income":"No income limit","kind":"promise","name":"Tennessee Promise","note":"Apply senior year; FAFSA, mentor meeting, 8 hrs community service/term","state":"TN","summary":"Tuition-free community or technical college for any TN grad -- no GPA, test, or income requirement.","test":null,"url":"https://www.collegefortn.org/tnpromise/"},{"award":"Guaranteed admission to a Texas public university (not a $ award)","gpa":"Top 10% class rank (UT Austin caps at top 5%)","income":null,"kind":"auto-admit","name":"Top 10% Automatic Admission","note":"Must finish the required college-prep curriculum (Distinguished plan)","state":"TX","summary":"Graduate in the top 10% of your Texas public-HS class and finish the required curriculum for automatic admission to TX public universities (UT Austin caps at the top 5%).","test":null,"url":"https://tea.texas.gov/educators/graduation-information/automatic-college-admission"},{"award":"Up to $16,182/yr (tuition & required fees)","gpa":"No GPA gate to qualify (3.0 / top-third = priority)","income":"Need-based (federal Student Aid Index)","kind":"need","name":"TEXAS Grant","note":"Enroll within 16 months of HS, >=3/4 time, in a bachelor's program","state":"TX","summary":"Texas's flagship need-based grant -- no GPA gate to qualify (a 3.0 or top-third rank just gives priority when funds run short).","test":null,"url":"https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-publication/guidelines-manuals/texas-grant-fy-2025-guidelines/"},{"award":"Scholarship equal to the TEXAS Grant amount","gpa":"3.0","income":null,"kind":"merit","name":"Texas First Early Completion Scholarship","note":"Graduate at least a semester early with the Distinguished plan","state":"TX","summary":"Graduate at least a semester early with the Distinguished plan plus a 3.0 GPA and an 80th-percentile test (or top-10% rank) for a TEXAS Grant-sized scholarship.","test":"SAT/ACT at the 80th percentile OR top-10% class rank","url":"https://www.highered.texas.gov/the-texas-first-program/"},{"award":"Up to $5,500/yr toward tuition & fees","gpa":"3.0 (both core and overall)","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"PROMISE Scholarship","note":"WV public or private HS grads; full-time first-year enrollment","state":"WV","summary":"Pure-merit award up to $5,500/yr -- needs a 3.0 GPA (core and overall) plus SAT 1080 / ACT 21.","test":"SAT 1080 / ACT 21","url":"https://www.cfwv.com/financial-aid/promise-scholarship/how-it-works/"},{"award":"75%-100% of in-state public-college tuition (by tier)","gpa":"3.0 weighted (Medallion) / 3.5 weighted (Academic Scholar)","income":"No income limit","kind":"merit","name":"Bright Futures (FAS & FMS)","note":"Use our Bright Futures calculator for exact GPA, test & service thresholds","state":"FL","summary":"Florida's merit scholarship pays 75-100% of in-state tuition by tier. Use our Bright Futures calculator for the exact GPA, test, and service-hour cutoffs.","test":"SAT/ACT + community-service hours (varies by tier)","url":"https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN"}]}],"title":"State Merit Scholarships and the GPA and Test Score Each One Requires","updated":null,"url":"https://highschoolreach.com/research/state-merit-scholarships"}