Merit Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
EKU’s Fall 2026 Scholarships Put Students First
Clear. Accessible. Affordable. EKU’s new scholarships are built for you to succeed.
Every Student. Every Time.
Eastern Kentucky University’s Fall 2026 merit scholarships ensure financial aid dollars support new first-time freshmen in the greatest way – all new in-state, first-time freshmen admitted to EKU are eligible for a scholarship award! No other comprehensive regional university in the state makes the same promise.
As the Commonwealth’s School of Opportunity, EKU is dedicated to serving Kentucky families first. Your success is what makes Kentucky great and we’re investing in you!
It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to accessible, high-quality education making sure that we continue to be one of the most affordable public universities in Kentucky. See exactly what you qualify for with our new scholarship levels.
Eastern Experience Scholarships
|
Scholarship
|
GPA
|
ACT/SAT
|
Award Amount/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regent’s Award |
3.8+ |
28+ ACT or 1310+ SAT |
$9,000 |
|
President’s Award |
3.8 – 4.0 |
None required |
$7,000 |
|
One Eastern Award |
3.4 – 3.79 |
None required |
$5,000 |
|
Excellence Award |
3.0 – 3.39 |
None required |
$3,000 |
|
Promise Award |
2.0 – 2.99 |
None required |
$1,000 |
Disclaimer: GPA is unweighted. GSP with 28 or higher ACT or 1310 or higher SAT receive the Regent’s Award regardless of GPA. EKU Honors and GSP receive the President’s Award regardless of GPA. GSE, GSA and Rogers scholars receive One Eastern Award regardless of GPA. These merit scholarship awards are for in-state, on-campus, first time freshman only.
BookSmart: Affordable Textbooks for Every Student
As a college student, you have to have textbooks, but you don’t have to pay full price. EKU BookSmart offers discounted textbooks and a delivery method that couldn’t be easier. Textbooks and course materials are provided at only $26 per credit hour. That’s about $780 per year, a significant discount compared to the national average of $1,250 per year for textbooks.
This predictable fee keeps costs transparent and maximizes our commitment to affordability, accessibility and student success.
Why It Matters
Key Resources
Guides & Tutorials
Important Dates
Transfers with less than 24 transfer hours earned will be considered for new Freshman Scholarships until funds are exhausted.
