LSU merit scholarships for 2027: the 3.5 GPA testing rule and earlier priority date
For LSU's 2027 entry terms, test-optional eligibility depends on cumulative weighted high-school GPA. Applicants below 3.5 must submit an ACT or SAT score; those at 3.5 or above may choose whether scores are considered for admission and university merit review.
This is an application-policy threshold, not a guaranteed scholarship cutoff. LSU evaluates the broader academic record and does not promise a fixed merit amount for reaching that GPA.
Choose the correct testing route
On a smaller screen, scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Cumulative weighted GPA | 2027 testing policy | Scholarship implication |
|---|---|---|
| Below 3.5 | ACT or SAT required | Provide the required score for admission and merit review |
| 3.5 or higher | May opt to include or exclude scores | Test-optional applicants remain eligible for university scholarship review |
| Applying for Louisiana TOPS | Separate state rules apply | LSU's test-optional choice does not remove TOPS requirements |
These distinctions come from LSU's 2027 testing FAQ. Honors applicants who qualify to apply test optional can still be considered for honors scholarships, including Stamps. Review eligibility for each program separately rather than treating admission flexibility as a universal waiver.
Use December 1 as the scholarship planning target
LSU's freshman application instructions for 2027 give December 1 as the scholarship priority deadline and February 1 for regular decision. The incoming scholarship page also lists December 1. However, the general financial-aid homepage still displays December 15.
Because the pages disagree, plan around the earlier December 1 date and ask admissions about any question affecting your own file. Do not treat the later homepage date as an extension. Finish required records promptly and check the portal; a submitted application and a complete academic record are separate tasks.
One application can start several reviews
LSU uses the Common Application for freshman admission and university merit scholarship consideration, and for Ogden Honors consideration when requested. The admissions instructions allow the application to be submitted before all supporting materials arrive; that does not eliminate those requirements.
Use the extra time to make the academic record accurate. If self-reporting, work directly from the transcript rather than memory, and follow the instructions for courses and grades. A mismatch can create avoidable follow-up work. Check that the testing choice on the application matches the option your GPA permits and the evidence you intend LSU to review.
Keep scholarship review separate from a confirmed price
A holistic process can produce different offers for students who share one headline statistic. Avoid using another student's award as your expected result. Build a budget using the university's current cost estimate and your own confirmed assistance, then show pending merit as a separate scenario.
For Louisiana residents, track TOPS and university aid independently until their combination is confirmed. Before accepting any offer, obtain renewal, enrollment and award-use terms. Sources checked October 29, 2026; the testing policy explicitly covers 2027 entry, while the deadline discrepancy remains visible. The offer guide helps compare complete packages when decisions arrive.