Get rewarded for your high school academic achievement with Eastern Kentucky University’s merit scholarships! Ranging from $1,000 up to the full in-state tuition amount per year, many scholarship levels are based solely on high school GPAs of 3.0 or higher, or 2.5 or higher for Madison County residents. For the highest scholarship award, both your high school GPA and ACT score are used to determine eligibility. Merit scholarships are available for new incoming freshmen and automatically applied. Don’t miss out on these opportunities – you must be admitted to EKU by February 1 for merit scholarship consideration.
Merit Scholarship Levels for Kentucky Students
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Requirements | Annual Award | Semester Award | Renewal EKU GPA |
| Merit Tier 1 | 3.80 – 4.0 GPA* and ACT 28+ | In-State Tuition** | In-State Tuition** | 3.0 |
| Merit Tier 2 | 3.80 – 4.0 GPA* | $6,000 | $3,000 | 2.5 |
| Merit Tier 3 | 3.30 – 3.79 GPA* | $4,000 | $2,000 | 2.5 |
| Merit Tier 4 | 3.0 – 3.29 GPA* | $3,000 | $1,500 | 2.5 |
*unweighted GPA
**does not include fees, room or board
- For scholarship renewals, students must be enrolled full-time.
- Scholarships are awarded for up to four (4) years, or eight (8) semesters.
Additional Scholarships
The Madison County “Promise”
EKU is proud of the long-standing partnership with our larger community, and we want students from our county to succeed. Now, many students can attend EKU for an even more affordable rate. Madison County, Kentucky residents with a 2.5-2.9 GPA qualify for a $1,000 scholarship.
The “Colonel Commitment” Scholarship
Kentucky residents who are Pell Grant-eligible may receive this scholarship, which will cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for first-year students who have a 3.0 high school GPA. This scholarship is intended to act as “gap funding” for any student who has exhausted all avenues of federal, state and institutional scholarship and grant assistance and still has a remaining balance for tuition and required fees.
Access Scholarship
EKU is committed to a welcoming and inclusive environment. The Access Scholarship awards $1,000 to in-state, diverse students who have earned a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher and a composite ACT score of 16 or higher; or have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher regardless of ACT score.
Opportunity Scholarship
Students who are Kentucky residents, have a minimum 2.5 high school GPA, have an 18+ composite on the ACT, and demonstrate financial need as determined by the 2022-2023 FAFSA receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.