Academic Achievement
Innovative and Exemplary Programs

Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) High Honors Tuition Scholarship a.k.a. AIMS Scholarship

Program Criteria | Award | Reference Materials  |  Resources | Contact Information | NEWS

Award

The Arizona Board of Regent’s High Honors Tuition Scholarship (a.k.a. – AIMS Scholarship) is a university academic merit scholarship administered by the Arizona Department of Education. Qualified students will receive a full state university tuition scholarship (in-state tuition only) valid beginning the first fall semester following graduation¹ from high school. The scholarship must be claimed by the first spring semester following graduation from high school. The scholarship is fixed² and renewable for an additional three years based upon university-determined criteria. The actual dollar amount of the scholarship will vary based upon the tuition charged by the state university in which they have enrolled.

There is no application for this scholarship. Students are identified and certified to the Arizona Department of Education by their high school during their senior year.

¹ - Graduation is defined by successful completion of all high school course requirements and testing.

² - Fixed – the value of the award is set at the cost of tuition the fall semester following the students’ high school graduation and does not increase each year.

Scholarship Criteria

In order to qualify for this tuition scholarship, students must have Arizona residency with lawful immigration status (as defined by the University Admission Office), AND meet the academic criteria listed below.

Beginning with the class of 2009, home school students are eligible to receive the High Honors Tuition Scholarship (AIMS Scholarship). Students officially enrolled in home schooling in Arizona must meet the same academic and residency requirements for this scholarship, which includes taking and exceeding on the AIMS test by the end of their 6th semester of high school coursework.

Part 1

Students must complete all 16 Core Competency Courses by graduation with a B* or better in each unit of credit awarded or receive an acceptable score (see Table 1) on the Advance Placement (AP) test or a 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test for that subject area.

The 16 Core Competency Courses as defined by the Arizona Board of Regents Tri-University Admission requirements are: 4 units English; 4 units Math; 3 units Lab Science; 2 units Social Science; 2 units Foreign Language; and 1 unit Fine Arts.

* A "C" in a weighted course in any credit bearing unit of a core course does not convert to a "B". The grade is as reflected on the student's transcript.

- If a student receives a "C" in a core course he/she must complete one of the following options to remain eligible:

• Retake the unit of credit and receive a "B" or better
• Take an additional unit of credit in that subject matter and receive a “B” or better
• Receive an Acceptable Score (See Table 1) on the Advance Placement (AP) Test or a 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test for that subject area

AND

Part 2

Students must meet at least ONE of the following academic requirements:

• Option 1 - GPA: A CORE GPA of 3.50 IN THE 16 CORE COMPETENCY COURSES on an un-weighted 4.00 scale or for those districts which use a 5.00 scale for IB/AP/Honors courses, an equivalent CORE GPA on a weighted scale that meets or exceeds the value in Table 2.
• Option 2 - Class Rank: Student is in the top 5% of high school graduating class upon graduation.

AND

Part 3

Students must meet at least one of the following assessment options:

• Option 1: EXCEED Standards on all 3 of the AIMS Tests by the end of junior year.
• Option 2: EXCEED Standards on 2 of the AIMS HS Tests by the end of your junior year and MEET Standards on 1 of the AIMS HS Tests. Additionally, student would need to receive a minimum score of 3 on two Advanced Placement tests or a minimum score of 4 on two International Baccalaureate exams. AP/IB exams can be taken during the senior year. For additional information, see FAQ #9.

Back To Top

Award

Qualified students will receive a full state university tuition scholarship (in-state tuition only) valid for one year following graduation from high school. The scholarship is fixed and renewable for an additional three years based upon university-determined criteria. The actual dollar amount of the scholarship will vary based upon the tuition charged by the state university in which they have enrolled.

- The university may choose not to award a scholarship to any student who receives other scholarship assistance from the university.

* Fixed – the value of the award is set at the cost of tuition the fall semester following the students’ high school graduation and does not increase each year.

Submission Process

Back To Top

Reference Materials

Back To Top

Resources

• Financial Aid Resources
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
• www.fastweb.com
• www.salliemae.org
• www.nelliemae.org
• www.salliemae.com
• University/Scholarship Opportunities
• Arizona State University
• ASU High Honors Tuition Scholarship Information
• Northern Arizona University
• NAU High Honors Tuition Scholarship Information
• University of Arizona
• U of A High Honors Tuition Scholarship Information
• Arizona Board of Regents
• College Board/Advanced Placement
• International Baccalaureate

Contact Information

Academic Achievement Division
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin 21
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Tel: (602) 542-4391
Fax: (602) 542-3100
Program Project Specialist: Shannon Tucker
Email: Shannon.Tucker@azed.gov

This page was last updated on
Thursday, March 11, 2010.