Question #1: What criteria does BYU use to award academic scholarships?
For new incoming freshman scholarships, we will award academic scholarships according to a matrix of composite ACT scores and unweighted high school grade point averages. Based on previous years' applicant pools, we anticipate awarding approximately 400 four-year, full LDS tuition scholarships; 400 one-year, full LDS tuition scholarships; and 1000 one-year, half LDS tuition scholarships using the Freshman Matrix.

For transfer students, we rank applicants by their college grade point average. For transfer students with fewer than 30 credit hours, we also consider high school grade point averages and composite ACT/SAT scores. Beginning at the top of the ordered list, we award scholarships until the funds allocated for transfer students are exhausted.

For continuing students, we award academic scholarships following a similar procedure, except that we rank applicants in their respective colleges by total and BYU grade point averages. We allocate a portion of the budgeted scholarship funds for each college approximately equal to the percentage of full-time students enrolled in its programs. Beginning at the top of the rank-ordered list of each college, we award scholarships until funds are exhausted. The cutoff for a college, then, is the point where the monies run out. Consequently, cutoffs will vary from college to college and from year to year.


Question #2: What scores do students need to qualify for scholarships?
Remember, scholarship cutoffs vary from year to year. For new freshman students entering BYU in the 2008-09 academic year, we will award according to the published criteria located on the freshman scholarship matrix. While we cannot predict what the cutoffs will be for transfer and continuing students next year, the table at the end of the page gives the 2007-08 cutoffs. This may provide an idea of the strength of the applicant pool.


Question #3: With respect to freshman scholarships, does BYU take into consideration that some students simply do not test as well as others on national standardized tests?
We understand that neither a composite ACT/SAT score nor a high school grade point average can perfectly describe past achievement and predict future success. Still, they provide a commonly accepted and reasonable measure to assess students' academic preparation and ability relative to others in a population. Furthermore, our research suggests that the two indicators combined provide a better assessment than either criterion by itself. Consequently, new incoming freshman students qualify for scholarships on the strength of both their composite ACT/SAT scores and high school grade point averages. To be fair and consistent, we apply the same procedures and criteria to all applicants for academic scholarships. We will not negotiate individual evaluative scales, conditions, or criteria.


Question #4: Does BYU consider the difficulty of my courses in making scholarship decisions?
We hope prospective students will enroll in challenging courses in high school to prepare to be successful in an academically rigorous program at BYU. However, for scholarship purposes, we do not weight high school grades based on the difficulty of the courses, including those that carry honors, AP, or IB designation. For transfer and continuing students, we do not consider the rigor of college courses either.


Question #5: Do extracurricular activities factor into scholarship decisions?
We believe extracurricular activities enhance education and personal development. While the majority of scholarships are awarded on academic merit alone, a number of private awards, including some prestigious ones, consider service, leadership, and participation in extracurricular activities, among other criteria.


Question #6: Does BYU give scholarship preference to students from certain states?
Except for a few private scholarships established by donors specifically to assist students from certain counties, states, regions, and countries, BYU does not consider geography in making scholarship decisions.


Question #7: Is there a gender quota for scholarships?
A few private scholarships specify gender as a criterion, but university scholarships, with the exception of the Gordon B. Hinckley Presidential Scholarship, are awarded to qualified students regardless of gender. The Gordon B. Hinckley Presidential Scholarship is awarded annually to 25 young women and 25 young men.


Question #8: Do LDS students receive preference for scholarships?
Other than the Gordon B. Hinckley Presidential Scholarship and a few private scholarships, membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a requirement and does not give candidates preference. However, the value of most university scholarships is based on LDS tuition.


Question #9: Are there need-based scholarships that I could apply for in the future?
The majority of university scholarships are merit-based, but we offer a limited number of need-based grants as well. United States citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply by completing the online scholarship application accessible from the Route Y Interchange page by the appropriate deadline. For consistency, we also require applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As with other awards, the demand for need-based scholarships exceeds the number available.


Question #10: Does BYU offer scholarships for students with disabilities?
Generous donors have established a few private scholarships to assist students with disabilities. To be considered, complete the online scholarship application, accessible from the Route Y Interchange page; submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and provide documentation of the disability from a licensed professional to the University Accessibility Center, 1520 WSC, Provo, UT 84602, (801) 422-2767 . (801) 422-0436 TTY


Question #11: What scholarship opportunities are available for international students?
Brigham Young University values the unique experiences, talents, and perspective that international students contribute to our student body. To be admitted to BYU, international students must demonstrate to the federal government and the university that they have sufficient resources to sustain them through the duration of their program of study. Because the university's financial resources are limited, we rely upon students, their families, and other sponsors to meet the costs of education. A limited number of scholarships have been established to assist international students who are close to graduation and who suffer unanticipated financial reversals. Additionally, all students, regardless of nationality, are eligible to apply for academic scholarships. To receive consideration, complete the online scholarship application, accessible from the Route Y Interchange page, by the appropriate deadline.


Question #12: Does BYU award scholarships based on ethnicity?
To promote greater diversity and to better reflect the membership of the Church, the university provides a number of scholarships and grants to undergraduate students of different ethnic backgrounds, who qualify on the basis of academic merit and/or financial need. Candidates must be United States citizens or permanent residents. To apply, complete the online scholarship application accessible from the Route Y Interchange page and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information, contact Multicultural Student Services, 1320 WSC, Provo, UT 84602, (801) 422-3065.


Question #13: Is it easier to receive continuing student scholarships for spring and summer terms than fall and winter?
Historically, fewer students apply for continuing student scholarships for spring and summer terms than for fall and winter semesters. Fewer students and the university's incentives to encourage timely graduation have reduced the competition for scholarship funds, allowing many students to qualify for spring/summer awards who might not be competitive for fall/winter scholarships. Spring/summer awards do not count toward the eight-semester scholarship limit.


Scholarship Matrix

Transfer Student Cutoffs, 2007-08
Scholarship	Average Transfer GPA
Brigham Young Scholarship – Full LDS Tuition	3.93
Brigham Young Scholarship – Half LDS Tuition	3.83

Continuing Student Cutoff, 2007-08
College	GPA Full Tuition	GPA Half Tuition
Biology and Agriculture	3.89	3.72
Marriott School of Management	3.92	3.78
David O. McKay School of Education	3.92	3.77
Engineering and Technology	3.86	3.62
Fine Arts and Communications	3.88	3.69
Humanities	3.91	3.76
Kennedy Center	3.91	3.72
Nursing	3.92	3.78
Health and Human Performance	3.87	3.68
Physical and Mathematical Sciences	3.90	3.67
Family, Home, and Social Sciences	3.89	3.69
Open Major	3.91	3.73
Weighted Average	3.90	3.71