Select Page

In-State Freshmen

Two students pose at a tailgate

Merit Scholarships

Scholarship Name Eligibility Requirements Annual Award Semester Award Renewal EKU GPA
Merit Tier 1 3.8 – 4.0 GPA and ACT 28+ In-State Tuition** In-State Tuition** 3.0
Merit Tier 2 3.8 – 4.0 GPA $6,000 $3,000 3.0
Merit Tier 3 3.3 – 3.79 GPA $4,000 $2,000

2.8 (0-59 SCH)

3.0 (60+ SCH)

Merit Tier 4 3.0 – 3.29 GPA $3,000 $1,500

2.8 (0-59 SCH)

3.0 (60+ SCH)

Madison County Promise

2.5 – 2.9 GPA

(Must be from Madison County)

$1,000 $500

2.8 (0-59 SCH)

3.0 (60+ SCH)

(SCH=student credit hours)
*unweighted GPA and composite ACT – EKU does not accept ACT superscores

**does not include fees, room or board

GSP participants will automatically be awarded the Merit Tier I Scholarship.

GSA and GSE participants will automatically be awarded the Merit Tier 2 Scholarship.

EKU Merit Scholarships are subject to terms and conditions in accordance with policies and guidelines.


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.


Opportunity Scholarship

Students who are Kentucky residents, have a minimum 2.5 high school GPA, 18 composite on the ACT and demonstrate financial need as determined by the 2023 – 2024 FAFSA receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. This cannot be awarded to a student with a Merit Tier Scholarship.


Note: The Opportunity Scholarships are one time awards.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

The scholarships listed below may require separate applications and may have different deadlines. Follow the links for more information.