Financing Your Education

Initial scholarships for new students at Augustana University

This chart provides examples of initial scholarship awards for new, first-year domestic students based on: ACT composite score/SAT composite score (New SAT: Reading/Writing + Math), and Cumulative High School GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Augustana also awards scholarships based on leadership, service, talent, and other factors.

Augustana University is committed to making quality higher education affordable.

We also know that families want to understand – early on in the college search process – what the investment looks like. Providing a preview of our new student scholarship criteria and award ranges is intended to highlight a simplified process for students and families.

As a prospective student, you can see – at a glance – the initial scholarships you will qualify for based on commonly used academic metrics.

Thanks to support from our loyal donors, we're proud to offer new students initial scholarships based on two components: ACT/SAT composite score and cumulative high school GPA. A student’s initial scholarship may also be combined with other Augustana scholarships that recognize leadership, service, and talents in a variety of areas.

Two areas of note: 

  • Augustana's scholarship model has significant impact on students in South Dakota. Here, those meeting the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements of a 3.0 GPA and 24 ACT will receive a minimum scholarship award of $13,000 annually.
  • Top scholars will receive $18,000 annually. Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (4.0 scale) and 27 or higher on the ACT (1210 SAT: CR +M) may earn additional scholarships through Augustana’s Distinguished Scholars program. 

Financing a college education is a concern for most families; therefore, we are committed to assisting students and parents in finding the resources to make an affordable investment. 100 percent of Augustana's students receive merit and/or need-based financial assistance, with more than $33 million awarded last year in scholarships, grants, loans, and work study.

At Augustana, 100 percent of students receive academic, talent and/or need-based financial assistance. The average overall financial aid award (scholarships, grants, work-study and loans) for the Augustana Class of 2020 was $26,592.

Calculate your out-of-pocket expense, after scholarships and grants, with our  for prospective students.

Augustana is a true educational value, representing an investment with significant lifetime returns. (See Why Augustana?) Many people are surprised at how low the net cost to attend Augustana can be, thanks to the following factors.

  • Institutional aid. The scholarships and grants that Augustana awards reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Ninety-five percent of Augustana students receive institutional gift aid that does not have to be repaid.
  • Other financial assistance. Sixty-seven percent of Augustana students qualify for federal loans and grants, and work-study jobs on campus also supplement our students’ financial aid packages.
  • Timely degree completion. Eighty-six percent of our recent graduates completed their degrees within four years. Timely graduation equals big savings. Consider not only the additional year of tuition, room, and board you will likely spend should you select a public university, but also consider the lost year of salary. Upon graduation, Augustana boasts a consistently high job placement rate.
  • Lighter debt load. As a result of these factors, Augustana students often graduate with total repayable loan amounts that are comparable to those of students attending public universities.

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 Augustana University's Codes:

  • FAFSA: 003458
  • ACT: 3902
  • SAT: 6015

 FAFSA Filing Dates:

  • March 1st - for new students, please file your FAFSA as soon as you're able
  • May 1st for continuing students