Arizona State University Renamed Scholarship Program

The institution has rebranded the former Obama Scholars Program to ASU Promise Plus for students.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Scholarships

Screen-print poster illustration of a brass graduation tassel over desert agave leaves, representing academic financial support in Arizona. — Arizona State University has renamed its long-standing financial aid program to ASU Promise Plus, continuing support for undergraduate students in the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should public universities keep political names for their student financial aid programs?

Arizona State University has renamed its long-standing financial aid initiative from the Obama Scholars Program to ASU Promise Plus. The program provides continued support for undergraduate students meeting specific financial requirements.

Why it matters

Universities periodically evaluate and update program titles to better align with evolving institutional priorities and the specific student populations they serve.

The program covers tuition and fees for full-time students for up to four years. Eligibility is restricted to Arizona residents with a maximum family income of $42,400.

The players

Arizona State University

This is a public research university based in Arizona that provides various academic and financial aid programs to state residents.

The details

This initiative remains focused on supporting first-year full-time students who are Arizona residents. The rebranding effort follows the school's periodic review process intended to reflect current student demographics and service goals.

2009: The university initially named the program the Obama Scholars Program.
September 23, 2026: The university announced the renaming to ASU Promise Plus.

Culture Shift

This renaming follows the documented trend of institutions updating legacy program titles to align with modern institutional branding strategies. Such changes allow universities to refine how they present financial aid resources to prospective and current students.

Current and prospective students should note that while the name has changed, the eligibility requirements for the tuition assistance remain tied to a $42,400 family income cap. Applicants can continue to seek four years of support under the updated ASU Promise Plus banner.

The takeaway

Students should prioritize verifying their eligibility status under the new program name to ensure they remain on track for tuition support. Maintaining accurate records of family income is essential for securing aid under this financial threshold.