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Make Your Dreams Affordable

Advancing your education is one of the smartest career decisions you can make. EKU offers all the resources you need to plan for your future. We are committed to helping you finance your education in an informed and responsible manner. Learn about financial aid, scholarship opportunities and determine the best options for you.

EKU’s Big E Central is your one-stop shop for financial aid, student accounting and student record needs. Paying for school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let us help you find the best option available to help you achieve your educational goals.

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Key Resources

Student Portal
Parent Portal

Guides & Tutorials

Important Dates

  • March 1
  • Last day for students to be admitted to be considered for Merit Scholarships, Out of State Discount, and Scholar awards
  • Application Deadline for:
    Rodney Gross Diversity Scholarship
  • Trailblazer First Generation Scholarship
  • Foundation Scholarship
  • April 15
    Transfer Scholarships Transcript Deadlines for Summer Session
  • June 1
  • Last day to accept Merit Scholarships & Out of State Discount, Rodney Gross Scholarship, and New Horizon Scholarship
  • Last day to be admitted to be considered for Madison County Promise
  • June 15
    Transfer Scholarships Transcript Deadlines for Fall Semester
  • June 30
  • Deadline for EKU to have received high school transcripts and ACT scores for merit upgrades
  • November 15
    Transfer Scholarships Transcript Deadlines for Spring Semester
  • November 22
    Out of State Discount acceptance deadline for Out of State Spring Transfers

Transfers with less than 24 transfer hours earned will be considered for new Freshman Scholarships

  • June 15
    Deadline to be admitted for Fall
  • June 22
    Deadline to accept for Fall
  • November 15
    Deadline to be admitted for Spring
  • November 22
    Deadline to accept for Spring

Contact Information

Big E Central

Whitlock Building
Room 210

Mailing Address:
521 Lancaster Avenue
CPO 60
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-2361
bigecentral@eku.edu

Cost of Attendance Overview

Fall 2024 & Spring 2025

Full-Time On-Campus Tuition & Fees

Cost for the Academic YearIn-StateOut-of-State & International
Tuition$10,020Out of State: $11,120/year**
International: $20,930
Fees$1,260$1,260
Housing & Meals$12,268$12,268
Required Textbooks$0$0
Personal*$2,100$2,100
Transportation*$1,564-$2,576$2,576

Note: International students are also responsible for $1,200 in insurance costs.
*These costs represent estimates and will not be charged by EKU.
**Most full-time out-of-state students qualify for the Out-of-State Rate of $11,120/year.

The housing costs included in the cost of attendance table are based upon the weighted average of a double-occupancy room on campus. Specific rates depend on which residence hall a student selects. Residence room rates range from $3,016 per semester to $4,719 per semester.

View All Housing Options

The meal plan costs included in the cost of attendance table are based upon the seven-day meal plan (three meals per day). Specific rates depend on which meal plan a student selects.

All full-time undergraduate students under the age of 21, having earned fewer than 60 credit hours, or less than four academic semesters, are required to choose one of the residential meal plans. If you do not enroll in a meal plan, the minimum plan (five-day all access with 300 flex) will be assigned to you at the beginning of the semester.

All other EKU undergraduate students with at least two credit hours of on-campus courses are required to participate in a flex program. If you do not enroll in a meal plan, the minimum plan ($300 flex) will be assigned to you at the beginning of the semester. Students assigned to this plan may request a refund of any unused flex dollars at the end of the academic year.

View the Full List of Meal Plans

Part-Time On-Campus Tuition & Fees

In-StateOut-of-State & International
Tuition$418
per credit hour		$872
per credit hour
Special Use Fee$75
per credit hour		$1,260
per year
Asset Preservation Fee$60
per credit hour		$60
per credit hour
Eastern Experience Fee+$450$450
Required Textbooks$0$0

+Does not apply to students taking less than 5 credit hours.

EKU’s online and graduate programs are charged per credit hour based on the program and campus.

Online Undergraduate Programs

ProgramTuition Per Credit Hour
Associate & Bachelor’s$443
RN-BSN$489

On-Campus Graduate Programs

ProgramTuition Per Credit Hour
Kentucky Residents
other than options below		$572
Non-Kentucky Residents
other than options below		$780
MBA$636
MA in Mental Health Counseling &
MA in Communication Disorders		$530
MAEd & MAT Programs$411*
MS in Athletic Training &
MFA in Creative Writing		$572
Psychology (PsyD)$702
Professional OTD – KY Residents$572
Professional OTD – Non-KY Residents$780

* EKU is offering active Kentucky teachers a discounted tuition rate of $411 per credit hour in appreciation of their dedicated service to youth. To see eligibility criteria and limitations, visit the College of Education & Applied Human Sciences for details.

Online Graduate Programs

ProgramTuition Per Credit Hour
Business Administration, Psychology (ABA Concentration) or Nursing$689
College of Education & Applied Human Sciences (Except MAT Non-Option 6)$411*
MAT Non-Option 6$530
Education (Ed.D.)$598
Nursing Practice (DNP) &
Post-Professional OTD		$702
All Other Online Graduate Programs$636

+Does not apply to students taking less than 5 credit hours.

Paying for College

EKU is dedicated to helping you make your academic goals more affordable. Almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid.

For more information about financial aid, contact the Big E Central office (Financial Aid + Student Accounting Services) at BigECentral@eku.edu or 859-622-2361.

Types of financial aid at Eastern Kentucky University include:

Grants are a type of financial aid support that do not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone; however, some grants also take into consideration academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status.

To determine your eligibility for federal grants, complete your FAFSA as soon as possible. Grants are available at the federal and state level.

Student loan programs provide long-term, low-interest loans to students demonstrating a need for financial assistance.

Loan funds are sent directly to EKU and applied to the student’s account. Federal student loans include benefits not typically offered with private loans, such as fixed interest rates and income-driven repayment plans. In addition, federal loans will not have to be repaid until a student graduates or changes enrollment to less than half-time.

There are two federal educational loan options:

  • Direct
  • Subsidized – These loans are based on financial need as well as annual and aggregate loan limits. Interest on these loans does not accrue for eligible periods of enrollment and stated grace periods. Both interest accrual and repayment begin six months after graduation or when a student is no longer enrolled at least half time.
  • Unsubsidized – These loans are based on annual and aggregate loan limits and are not based on financial need. Interest on these loans begins to accrue upon the first disbursement. Principal repayment begins six months after graduation or when the student is no longer enrolled at least half time.
  • PLUS Loans
  • Parent PLUS – These loans are available for parents of dependent undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half time and are meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements. Interest on these loans begins to accrue upon the first disbursement. The repayment period begins on the date the loan is fully disbursed. Loans are subject to a credit check.
  • Graduate PLUS – These loans are available for graduate or professional students who are enrolled at least half time and have exhausted their federal unsubsidized loan eligibility. Interest on these loans begins to accrue upon the first disbursement. The repayment period begins on the date the loan is fully disbursed. Loans are subject to a credit check.

Private loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government, instead they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.

The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study.

The student employment work-study program provides wages, in return for service, to assist you in achieving your goal of earning a college degree. The work study program at EKU has three purposes:

  • Provide on-campus employment for those eligible, enabling you to earn a portion of your expenses while pursuing a college education.
  • Acquire marketable skills as part of your educational process.
  • Gain academically related work experience, which provides value in your post-college years.

Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax free.

Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.

Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a specific program to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a minimum period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other proof of the educational expenses.

Contact your human resources department to learn if your employer offers a tuition assistance program.

Corporate Educational Partnership employees receive discounted tuition* for on-campus and online programs, from certificates through doctoral degrees, and Workforce Education & Training.

*The EKU Advantage is a scholarship for tax purposes and cannot be combined with any other EKU scholarships.

For information on veteran and active-duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at 859-622-2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.

A scholarship is a financial award given to students to help pay for their education. Scholarships are awarded by schools, universities, and other organizations, and are based on a variety of criteria, such as: academic achievement, financial need, or professional experience. Scholarships do not need to be repaid. The money can be used to cover tuition, books, room, board, and other educational expenses.

Find Your Scholarship

A scholarship is a financial award given to students to help pay for their education that do not need to be paid back. Scholarships are awarded by schools, universities, and other organizations, and are based on a variety of criteria, such as: academic achievement, financial need, or professional experience. The money can be used to cover tuition, books, room, board, and other educational expenses.

Merit scholarships make EKU even more affordable for first time students.* EKU recognizes the hard work and dedication needed to achieve at a high level. Get rewarded for your high school accomplishments with merit scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!

Scholarship LevelHigh School GPAACTAnnual Award
Merit Tier 13.8-4.028+$8,000
Merit Tier 23.8-4.024-27$5,000
Merit Tier 33.4+None Needed$1,500
Merit Tier 43.0-3.39None Needed$1,000
*Merit Scholarships are for eligible Kentucky residents only. Tier I and GSP scholarships will not include any additional tuition fees above 18 credit hours. Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • GSP participants are automatically awarded Merit Tier 1.
  • GSA and GSE participants are automatically awarded Merit Tier 2.
  • EKU Honors, GSP, GSE and GSA participants receive an additional $1,500 in merit awards.

Undergraduates from any U.S. state are eligible for Eastern Kentucky University’s out-of-state discounted tuition rate of $11,120 per year. High achieving students can get rewarded for their work and receive additional scholarships to make EKU even more affordable. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!

Scholarship LevelHigh School GPAACTAnnual Award
Scholar I4.034+$7,000
Scholar II4.033$5,000
Scholar III4.031-32$3,000
Scholar IV4.029-30$1,000
Scholar V4.0None Needed$500
*Merit Scholarships are for eligible Kentucky residents only. Tier I and GSP scholarships will not include any additional tuition fees above 18 credit hours. Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

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.
Award Amount: $1,000
Eligibility Requirements: Madison County, KY resident with a 2.5 – 2.9 high school GPA

Colonel Commitment
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 first-time freshman 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. This scholarship is for on-campus students only.
Award Amount:
Eligibility Requirements: On-campus, Pell Grant-eligible, Kentucky resident, first-time freshman with a 3.0 high school GPA

Opportunity Scholarship
Kentucky residents with a minimum 2.5 high school GPA, 18 composite on the ACT and demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA may receive additional scholarship funding to help them achieve their goals. This cannot be awarded in addition to a Merit Tier scholarship.
Award Amount: $1,000 – $3,000
Eligibility Requirements: On-campus, Kentucky resident, first-time freshman with a 2.5 high school GPA, 18 ACT and financial need

Trailblazer Scholarship
EKU’s Trailblazer Scholarship assists students seeking to become the first in their family to earn a college degree. Serving this population of students has been at the heart of Eastern’s mission for over a century, and this scholarship will help fill unmet needs many first-generation families experience when attempting to find affordable quality college options for their children. Awards will be made until funds are exhausted. The application deadline is March 1st: https://success.eku.edu/register/trailblazer
Award Amount: Up to $2,000
Eligibility Requirements: First generation, first-time freshman

Dr. Rodney T. Gross Scholarship
The Dr. Rodney T. Gross Scholarship program provides scholarships to applicants based on a holistic evaluation of academic achievement, including high school/college grade point average and test scores, a personal essay, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.
Award Amount: $2,000
Eligibility Requirements: On-campus, first-time, full-time freshman with a 2.5 high school GPA

Alumni Scholarships
One way EKU Alumni stay connected to current EKU students is through financial assistance. The EKU Foundation offers several annual scholarships to new and continuing students to aid in the cost of tuition and other fees.
Award Amount: varies based on scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: varies based on scholarship

Eastern Kentucky University values the education and experience students from other schools bring to their EKU experience. On-campus students who transfer to EKU with 24 earned college credits are eligible for the following scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, transfer scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!

Scholarship LevelHigh School GPAAnnual Award
Colonel Plus3.75+$4,000
Colonel3.50-3.74$3,000
Maroon Plus3.25-3.49$2,000
Maroon3.0-3.24$1,000
Students must have earned a minimum of 24 college credits to be eligible. Students must maintain an EKU GPA of 3.0+, be enrolled full-time, and earn a minimum of 12 credit hours to retain award. Maximum award is for three (3) academic years (fall and spring). Students enrolled in 100% online programs are not eligible. Students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are not eligible. Only in-state students are eligible. *Out of state transfer students, from any U.S. state, benefit from the Out of State Discounted Rate. Students must enroll full time to get the discount. Transfers with less than 24 transfer hours earned will be considered for New Freshman Scholarships.

EKU has a made a difference in thousands of lives. Donors who have experienced the life-changing effect an EKU education can have, now want to make a difference in your life. Thanks to their generosity, there are hundreds of scholarships available for EKU students.

Eligibility criteria ranges from GPA to county of residence to degree program and more. Simply fill out the foundation scholarship application and you’ll learn which scholarships you may be eligible for.

Scholarship Portal

These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from several groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. Third-party scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.

If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify Big E Central so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.

Outside scholarship opportunities can be found from a number of reliable online sources, including but not limited to:

Tuition & Aid FAQs

Financial aid can be confusing, but we’re here to help. Below are a few frequently asked questions. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for there, feel free to reach out to us directly at bigecentral@eku.edu.

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The amount of aid you’re eligible to receive is determined by the information reported by your family on your FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula to determine each student’s student aid index (SAI). Your SAI determines if you’re eligible for grants and loans.

If your natural parents are separated or divorced, use the income of the parent who provided the most financial support to you over the past 12 months.

If the parent you are reporting on the FAFSA has remarried, you must also include the stepparent’s financial information. Parent and stepparent should report themselves as married on the FAFSA.

You’ll receive an award notification once your financial aid package has been determined. New students will receive their notice in the mail. Continuing students will receive their notice in their EKU student email. If you have any questions about your award notification, contact EKU’s Big E Central.

The KEES program provides scholarships to students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA each year they attend a certified Kentucky high school. The better they do in high school, the more they can earn. They may also earn awards for ACT/SAT scores and Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) test scores. Home school and GED graduates may earn awards based on their ACT scores.

EKU will submit verification of your enrollment after the drop/add period for the semester. KEES money is then received by EKU in mid-September for the fall semester and mid-February for the spring semester. Once funds are received the KEES money will be applied to your account.

You may be considered independent if you meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Are, or will be, 24 years old by December 31 of the current award year
  • Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or currently serving active duty
  • Are married
  • Are in foster care, an orphan, or a ward of the court or were in foster care or a ward of the court at any time since age 13
  • Are, or were, an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence
  • Were determined to be an unaccompanied youth at risk of homelessness or who was declared homeless by your school district homeless liaison or the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program
  • Have a child or legal dependent for whom you provide more than half of their physical and financial support
  • Are enrolled in a graduate or professional program
  • Are, or were, in permanent custody or legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence

Students must be enrolled at least half time (6 hours for undergraduate and 4.5 hours for graduate students) in required coursework to receive most types of aid, including loans. However, students may receive a Pell Grant if they are enrolled in less than half time.

Parents and students should contact the agency managing their specific 529 plan for assistance. Most 529 account funds are released directly to the account owner. It is then the owner’s responsibility to pay the university bill in full.

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