Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to EKU Foundation Scholarships

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) provides various avenues for students to finance their education. Among these are the EKU Foundation scholarships, offered through the generosity of donors and administered by the University Scholarship Office and individual colleges and departments. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the requirements and application process for these scholarships, empowering prospective and current EKU students to pursue their academic dreams.

EKU: A School of Opportunity

Eastern Kentucky University is dedicated to serving Kentucky families first. As the Commonwealth’s School of Opportunity, EKU is committed to accessible, high-quality education making sure that we continue to be one of the most affordable public universities in Kentucky.

Eligibility and Criteria

All admitted EKU students are encouraged to apply for the numerous Foundation Scholarships available. Many EKU Foundation scholarships are based on academic credentials such as major, grade point average, grade classification, or ACT scores, or other criteria such as high school, county, or state. While some scholarships are need-based and may require data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), not all of them do. You can still complete a Foundation Application without submitting a FAFSA.

Academic Credentials

Academic credentials play a significant role in determining eligibility for many EKU Foundation scholarships. These credentials may include:

Major: Some scholarships are specifically designated for students pursuing particular fields of study.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A strong GPA can enhance your chances of securing a merit-based scholarship.
Grade Classification: Scholarships may be targeted toward students in specific academic years (e.g., freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors).
ACT Scores: Standardized test scores, such as ACT scores, may be considered as part of the eligibility criteria.

Other Criteria

In addition to academic credentials, other factors may influence scholarship eligibility:

High School: Some scholarships are exclusively available to graduates of specific high schools.
County or State: Certain scholarships may prioritize students from particular counties or states.
Need-Based: Some scholarships consider the applicant's financial need, as determined by information provided in the FAFSA.

Application Process

Applying for EKU Foundation scholarships involves a straightforward process:

Application: Be sure to log in to the application with your EKU Single Sign-On credentials. Yes, you can start the application and come back to submit it at a later time.
Recommendation Letters: If the application does not specify, you can select any one of importance that can speak about your work and character.
Thank You Letter: Some scholarships do require a personalized thank you letter to the scholarship donor.

Please note: once submitted, you are unable to log back into the application.

Understanding Merit Scholarships

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! These merit scholarship awards are for in-state, on-campus, first time freshman only.

Awards are based unweighted high school GPA and composite ACT scores.

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.

Read also: Unlocking Artistic Potential

Merit Scholarships are awarded for 8 continuous semesters.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have earned less than 24 transfer hours may be considered for new freshman merit scholarships.

Transfer Credit

EKU accepts almost all forms of transfer credit. Successfully completed coursework (earning a D- or higher) from universities or community colleges whose accreditors are recognized by the US Department of Education and credit from military occupational specialties and basic training can be used to complete your EKU degree requirements. First check our Transfer Course Equivalency Database to see if your courses have already been evaluated.

KCTCS (the Kentucky Community & Technical College System) and EKU enjoy a close relationship and share much of the same introductory coursework. We have created pathways that lead from a KCTCS credential to an EKU bachelor’s degree. These pathways should be used in conjunction with a professional transfer advisor from EKU and your KCTCS campus. Don’t see your program?

Financial Aid and Cost of Attendance

All academic-based scholarships and outside agency scholarships are required to be reported as part of your financial aid package. You may not exceed the cost of attendance as determined by Big E Central.

Since EKU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at EKU is $24,665 for in-state students in KY, and $35,355 for out-of-state students. The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation.

The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to.

Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at EKU. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college.

To assist as many students as possible, EKU does not make multiple institutional scholarship awards. If you have already qualified for an academic award through a different category of eligibility (merit scholarships, EKU staff scholarships, tuition discounts, etc.), you will receive the award with the greater monetary value.

BookSmart

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.

Admissions and Standardized Tests

Students need to apply for admission to be considered for listed scholarships. 1039 is the median SAT score and 21 is the median ACT score for admitted students at EKU. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically.

Eastern Kentucky University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection.

Additional Information

50% of students who start at Eastern Kentucky University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 8% less than the national median. The median income of students 10 years after starting at Eastern Kentucky University is $45,795. Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. Graduates of EKU take out a median of $22,500 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking.

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