Keene State is a small public liberal arts college in southwest New Hampshire, about 2,600 undergrads, and part of the same university system as UNH and Plymouth State. It admits about 9 out of 10 applicants, the average freshman GPA is around a 3.16, and test scores are optional. Only about 6% of last fall’s freshmen even sent an SAT, so don’t read much into the SAT range above.
Here’s the part most families miss: 43% of Keene’s freshmen come from out of state, and Keene prices its merit to keep it that way. An out-of-state student usually gets $3,000 to $5,000 a year more in automatic merit than a New Hampshire student with the same grades.
🏆 Full tuition available (Red & White Scholarship & The New Hampshire Promise)
Average Net Price
$19,997/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$2,000 to $12,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
21 opportunities
10 automatic · 1 competitive · 10 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
GPA tiers only; no test scores needed
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional (merit ignores scores)
Automatic merit ignores test scores
Competitive awards have a no-test path
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: TBD • FAFSA: Mar 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Red & White Scholarship & The New Hampshire Promise
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
NEBHE
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Keene State (Read This First)
Merit is first-come, first-served. There’s no separate application and no test score needed, but amounts within each GPA range vary, and Keene says awards go out first-come, first-served. Apply in the fall, not in March.
The “Promise Award” and the “New Hampshire Promise” are two different things. The Promise Award is Keene’s lowest GPA merit tier. The New Hampshire Promise is the new free-tuition program for NH families earning up to $100,000.
The New Hampshire Promise covers tuition only. Fees ($3,184), a standard room, and the full meal plan still add up to about $17,800 a year. It also needs a 2.7 GPA and starts with fall 2027 freshmen.
The out-of-state “In-State Tuition Promise” is one sentence with no rules attached. Keene says out-of-state students will never pay more than in-state tuition, but doesn’t explain how. Ask Keene to show it as a line on your aid offer before you count on it.
Valedictorian or salutatorian? Make the school send proof. The Red & White Scholarship pays full tuition, but only with official confirmation sent straight from the high school. Renewal terms aren’t published, so get them in writing.
March 1 is Keene’s FAFSA deadline, not a suggestion. Filing also earns a $500 award for first-years, even if you think you earn too much for aid.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Keene State College is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).
Do you need test scores for scholarships at Keene State College? Keene's automatic merit tiers use high school GPA only, so no ACT or SAT is needed. White Mountain Scholars asks for a 1350+ SAT or National Merit Commended status.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: N/A; SAT: 860-1240.
Average net price? About $19,997/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes. It participates in NEBHE.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Keene State College: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in November 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Keene State College has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$600 to $1,500 more than the in-state total below.$900 to $2,100 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$30,158
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$15,532
Housing & meals (typical)
$14,626
Total billed cost
$30,158
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$42,826
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$28,200
Housing & meals (typical)
$14,626
Total billed cost
$42,826
That is $12,668 more per year than New Hampshire residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $19,997 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
New England Regional Student Program: Residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont who major in Holocaust & Genocide Studies or Sustainable Product Design & Innovation pay a regional tuition rate of $19,756 for 2026-27 instead of the $25,016 out-of-state rate, about $5,260 less. Those are the only two Keene majors on the regional list.
Keene's "In-State Tuition Promise": Keene's tuition page says out-of-state students will never pay more than in-state tuition, but it does not publish how that is calculated or what conditions apply. Treat it as something to confirm line by line on your aid offer, not as an automatic waiver.
Where the real out-of-state savings come from: Keene's automatic merit pays out-of-state students $5,000 to $12,000 a year depending on GPA, and a $5,000 Target Program Scholarship is available to out-of-state students in 11 named majors.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Keene State College
Why do I see two different housing totals on Keene’s website?
The numbers above use a standard double room ($9,040) and the unlimited Owl Access meal plan ($5,586). Keene’s billing summary uses a premium double ($10,500) with the smaller Hootie’s Choice plan ($4,886) instead. Same school, different room. Singles, suites, and Pondside apartments run from $10,300 to $11,560 a year.
What does the “In-State Tuition Promise” mean for out-of-state students?
Keene’s tuition page says out-of-state students will never pay more than in-state tuition. It doesn’t explain the math. Out-of-state tuition is $12,668 higher than in-state, and Keene’s top automatic merit is $12,000, so ask Student Financial Services to show exactly which awards close that gap on your offer.
Can New England students get a tuition discount?
Only in two majors. Residents of CT, ME, MA, RI, and VT who major in Holocaust & Genocide Studies or Sustainable Product Design & Innovation pay $19,756 in tuition instead of $25,016 through the New England Regional Student Program. Every other out-of-state student relies on merit.
Will the New Hampshire Promise make Keene free?
It makes tuition free for eligible NH families starting in fall 2027. Fees, housing, meals, and books are still on you, which is roughly $17,800 a year living on campus before books and personal costs.
What costs aren’t on the bill?
Keene budgets about $3,750 a year for books, supplies, parking, and personal expenses. Nursing students also pay a $551 tuition differential in each of their four clinical semesters.
Is the average net price really about $20,000?
Yes. The latest federal data puts Keene’s average net price around $19,997 for freshmen who get grants or scholarships. Families earning under $30,000 paid closer to $12,200, and families over $110,000 paid closer to $22,900.
📅 Keene State Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)
Fall of senior year: Apply early. Merit is decided from the admission application and handed out first-come, first-served.
When the FAFSA opens: File it with code 002590. That’s how you get the $500 FAFSA award and, for NH families, the New Hampshire Promise.
March 1: Keene’s FAFSA deadline for full aid consideration.
Every spring after that: Returning students fill out the endowed scholarship application, typically due in early April.
Parent rule of thumb: at a first-come school, the earliest date you can get the application in is your real deadline.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at Keene State College
Keene’s merit is about as simple as it gets: four tiers based on high school GPA, with no essay, no separate application, and no test score. Every admitted first-year lands in one of the tiers. The catch is that out-of-state students get noticeably more at every level, and awards go out first-come, first-served.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Full TuitionAutomatic
Red & White Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
Full Tuition
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Valedictorians and salutatorians only
Incoming first-year valedictorians and salutatorians from any accredited U.S. public, private, or charter high school who graduated within the past 12 months. The high school must send official confirmation of the designation directly to Keene State. Equivalency designations are not accepted.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene calls this its newest scholarship. It covers tuition only, not the $3,184 in mandatory fees, housing, or meals. Keene has not published renewal terms, whether it applies at the out-of-state rate, or whether it replaces the GPA merit tier, so ask admissions to confirm all three in writing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Class valedictorians and salutatorians, including students from small high schools where class rank is the standout credential. It pays full tuition, so it is worth $12,348 a year to a New Hampshire student and up to $25,016 to an out-of-state student if Keene applies it at the out-of-state rate.
Full TuitionAutomatic
The New Hampshire Promise
📅 Deadline: March 1 (FAFSA) ✓ Renews
Full Tuition
✔ Stackable
⚠ NH residents, family income up to $100,000
🏫 2.7+ GPANew Hampshire residents admitted to Keene with a total family income of up to $100,000 (with typical assets), a FAFSA on file, and full-time enrollment as a first-time undergraduate. First-years need a 2.7 or higher high school GPA. Graduates of a New Hampshire community college associate degree also qualify as transfers. Begins with students entering in fall 2027.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Tuition is covered by stacking federal, state, and Keene grant aid until the tuition bill hits zero, so Pell, the Governor's Scholarship, and Keene merit usually count toward the Promise rather than on top of it. It does not cover mandatory fees, housing, meals, books, or summer and January courses.
💡
Strategic Detail
Starts with the fall 2027 entering class. Current Granite Guarantee students keep that award. Renewed each year based on the FAFSA, academic standing, and full-time status, and it follows a student who transfers to UNH or Plymouth State. Not the same thing as Keene's merit Promise Award, which is the lowest GPA tier.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: New Hampshire families earning $100,000 or less whose student has at least a 2.7 GPA. That income line reaches a lot of middle-income families who never qualified for the Pell-only Granite Guarantee it replaces.
Automatic
President's Award (New Hampshire)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$6,000–$9,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPAHigh school GPA of 3.5 to 4.0. The exact amount within the range depends on GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with Keene's Housing Grant, Visit Scholarship, and FAFSA award, plus talent, STEM, or nursing awards. For New Hampshire Promise students it counts toward the tuition the Promise covers.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 3.0 college GPA. Awarded first-come, first-served, so applying early in the fall matters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New Hampshire students with A-minus to A averages. Keene's freshmen average a 3.16 GPA, so this tier goes to the top slice of the class.
Automatic
President's Award (Out-of-State)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$9,000–$12,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPAHigh school GPA of 3.5 to 4.0. The exact amount within the range depends on GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with the out-of-state Housing Grant ($2,500), Visit Scholarship, FAFSA award, Target Program Scholarship, and talent, STEM, or nursing awards. It is also the required base for White Mountain Scholars.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 3.0 college GPA. Awarded first-come, first-served, so applying early in the fall matters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students with A-minus to A averages. At $9,000 to $12,000 a year, it covers most of the $12,668 gap between out-of-state and in-state tuition.
Automatic
Dean's Award (New Hampshire)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2.7 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAHigh school GPA of 3.0 to 3.49.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with Keene's Housing Grant, Visit Scholarship, and FAFSA award, plus talent, STEM, or nursing awards. For New Hampshire Promise students it counts toward the tuition the Promise covers.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 2.7 college GPA. Awarded first-come, first-served.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New Hampshire students with a B to B-plus average, which is right around Keene's typical freshman.
Automatic
Dean's Award (Out-of-State)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2.7 GPA, 4 yrs)
$8,000–$8,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAHigh school GPA of 3.0 to 3.49. The exact amount within the range depends on GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with the out-of-state Housing Grant ($2,500), Visit Scholarship, FAFSA award, Target Program Scholarship, and talent, STEM, or nursing awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 2.7 college GPA. Awarded first-come, first-served.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students with a B to B-plus average. Paired with the $2,500 out-of-state Housing Grant, a typical out-of-state freshman sees $10,500 or more in year one.
Automatic
Enrichment Award (New Hampshire)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.4+ GPAHigh school GPA of 2.4 to 2.99.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with Keene's Housing Grant, Visit Scholarship, and FAFSA award. For New Hampshire Promise students it counts toward the tuition the Promise covers.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 2.5 college GPA. Awarded first-come, first-served.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New Hampshire students with a C-plus to B-minus average. Guaranteed money with no test score, for students many schools would offer nothing.
Automatic
Enrichment Award (Out-of-State)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000–$7,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.4+ GPAHigh school GPA of 2.4 to 2.99. The exact amount within the range depends on GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with the out-of-state Housing Grant ($2,500), Visit Scholarship, FAFSA award, and Target Program Scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 2.5 college GPA. Awarded first-come, first-served.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students with a C-plus to B-minus average. This is where Keene's out-of-state generosity shows most: up to $7,500 a year for grades that earn little elsewhere.
Automatic
Promise Award (New Hampshire)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Admitted students with a high school GPA below 2.4.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with Keene's Housing Grant, Visit Scholarship, and FAFSA award.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 2.0 college GPA. Despite the name, this is not the New Hampshire Promise.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted New Hampshire students with GPAs under 2.4. The four GPA tiers cover every GPA, so this is the floor every admitted first-year starts from.
Automatic
Promise Award (Out-of-State)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Admitted students with a high school GPA below 2.4.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. It stacks with the out-of-state Housing Grant ($2,500), Visit Scholarship, FAFSA award, and Target Program Scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renews for up to eight semesters (ten with a double major) with full-time enrollment, steady degree progress, good conduct standing, and a 2.0 college GPA. Despite the name, this is not the New Hampshire Promise.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted out-of-state students with GPAs under 2.4. It pays two and a half times the in-state version of the same tier.
Data last verified Nov 3, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: Students get one GPA tier, the highest they qualify for. Keene’s community awards (Housing Grant, Visit Scholarship, FAFSA award) stack on top of it.
Automatic Merit FAQs (Keene State College)
What GPA do you need for each Keene State merit tier?
3.5 to 4.0 for the President’s Award, 3.0 to 3.49 for the Dean’s Award, 2.4 to 2.99 for the Enrichment Award, and below 2.4 for the Promise Award. Within the President’s, out-of-state Dean’s, and out-of-state Enrichment ranges, a higher GPA means more money.
Do ACT or SAT scores matter for Keene merit?
No. Merit is based on GPA only. The only Keene award that asks for a test score is White Mountain Scholars, a separate award for top out-of-state students.
Why do out-of-state students get more than New Hampshire students?
Out-of-state tuition is $12,668 higher, and Keene uses merit to close part of that gap. A 3.6 student from Massachusetts gets $9,000 to $12,000 a year, while the same student from New Hampshire gets $6,000 to $9,000.
Is the “Promise Award” the same as the New Hampshire Promise?
No, and this trips people up. The Promise Award is Keene’s lowest merit tier ($2,000 in-state, $5,000 out-of-state). The New Hampshire Promise covers full tuition for NH families earning up to $100,000 with at least a 2.7 GPA, starting with fall 2027 freshmen.
Does Keene merit stack with the New Hampshire Promise?
Not in the way most families hope. The Promise works by adding up federal, state, and Keene grants until tuition hits zero, so your merit usually counts toward that total. What’s left on the bill is fees, housing, and meals.
How does the Red & White Scholarship work?
Valedictorians and salutatorians from any accredited U.S. high school get full tuition, as long as they graduated within the past 12 months and the high school sends official confirmation directly to Keene. Keene hasn’t published renewal rules, so ask for them in writing.
How do you keep Keene merit after freshman year?
Stay full-time (12+ credits), keep making progress toward your degree, stay in good disciplinary standing, and hold a college GPA of 3.0 (President’s), 2.7 (Dean’s), 2.5 (Enrichment), or 2.0 (Promise). Awards renew for up to eight semesters, or ten with a double major.
Can transfer students get Keene merit?
Yes. Keene considers both first-year and transfer applicants for merit, and NH community college graduates can also qualify for the New Hampshire Promise.
Keene State doesn’t run a big essay-and-interview scholarship competition. Its biggest awards, the Red & White Scholarship and the New Hampshire Promise, are automatic. The one true competitive award for incoming students is White Mountain Scholars, and it’s built for top out-of-state students only.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at Keene State?
Aid Type
Stacks with Merit?
Keene Parent Translation
GPA Merit Tiers
N/A
Students get one tier, the highest their GPA earns.
Housing, Visit & FAFSA Awards
Yes
Small, easy money on top of merit. Live on campus, book a real visit, file the FAFSA.
White Mountain Scholars
Yes
Requires the out-of-state President’s Award, so it’s designed to sit on top of it.
Red & White Scholarship
Unclear
Keene hasn’t said whether it replaces the GPA tier. Ask before you compare offers.
New Hampshire Promise
Absorbs it
Your Pell, state grants, and Keene merit count toward free tuition. The leftover bill is fees, room, and meals.
If your student is chasing a high-stakes interview scholarship, Keene isn’t the place for that. What Keene does well is guaranteed money that shows up without extra work, which is honestly what most families need.
App Required
White Mountain Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$11,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ Out-of-state top students only
🏫 3.9+ GPA✎ ~1350 SATU.S. citizens living outside New Hampshire with a 3.9 or higher high school GPA and either a 1350+ SAT or National Merit Commended or Finalist status. Must also have received Keene's President's Award. Transfers need a 3.70 college GPA. Classroom participation and activities must be documented through Common App essays and teacher recommendation letters. Financial need is not required.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Requires the out-of-state President's Award, so it is built to sit on top of it rather than replace it.
📄
How to Apply
After admission, sign in to Keene's AcademicWorks scholarship portal with your KSC username and complete the General Application. Students are considered automatically from that application.
💡
Strategic Detail
Endowed by Richard H. White '59. Keene lists the award as $11,000 without saying whether that is per year or total, and publishes no renewal terms or deadline. Ask Student Financial Services before counting on it past year one.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students near the top of their class with a strong SAT and interests in education or the humanities. The endowment was created to recruit the strongest students from outside New Hampshire, so expect very few awards.
Data last verified Nov 3, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs (Keene State)
Who qualifies for the White Mountain Scholars Program?
U.S. citizens living outside New Hampshire with a 3.9+ GPA and either a 1350+ SAT or National Merit Commended or Finalist status, who also received Keene’s President’s Award. Keene gives preference to education, English, foreign language, social science, and arts and humanities majors.
How do you apply for White Mountain Scholars?
After admission, sign in to Keene’s AcademicWorks scholarship portal and complete the General Application. Keene considers students automatically from that application, and it also reads the Common App essays and teacher recommendations.
How much is White Mountain Scholars worth?
Keene lists it at $11,000 but doesn’t say whether that’s per year or total. Ask Student Financial Services before you build a four-year budget around it.
Does Keene State have a full-ride scholarship?
Not for typical incoming freshmen. The closest options are the Red & White Scholarship (full tuition for valedictorians and salutatorians) and the New Hampshire Promise (full tuition for eligible NH families). Neither covers housing or meals.
What should students prepare to stand out?
For White Mountain, the Common App essay and teacher letters do the heavy lifting. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder help organize both.
Keene hands out several small awards for things families can just do. None are big on their own, but together they can be worth $2,000 to $4,000 in year one.
Book an official, registered campus visit ($1,000).
File the FAFSA with code 002590 before March 1 ($500 for first-years).
Plan to live on campus ($1,000 NH / $2,500 out-of-state Housing Grant).
If you’re out of state, check the Target Program major list ($5,000).
Arts students: schedule the audition or portfolio review (up to $3,000).
Parent translation: the families who get the most from Keene aren’t always the ones with the best grades. They’re the ones who checked every box.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These are the awards that don’t show up in the merit chart but stack right on top of it. Some just take a visit or a form; others are tied to a major or a talent.
Automatic
Housing Grant
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$1,000–$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Must live on campus
Live in a Keene State residence hall. $1,000 for New Hampshire residents, $2,500 for out-of-state students.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with any GPA merit tier and the other community awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene does not say whether it continues after the first year. Check the aid offer and ask before budgeting it for all four years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Almost every first-year, since 91% of Keene freshmen live on campus. Out-of-state families get the bigger version.
Automatic
Visit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$1,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ Official campus visit required
Incoming students who complete an official, registered visit to the Keene State campus.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with any GPA merit tier and the other community awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
One-time $1,000 award, the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Families who book a registered tour. Students who just walk the campus on their own can miss it, so register through admissions.
Automatic
KSC FAFSA Award
📅 Deadline: March 1 (FAFSA) Non-Renewable
$500
✔ Stackable
Incoming first-year students who complete the FAFSA and enroll at Keene State.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with merit and the other community awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
First-year only. Keene treats March 1 as its FAFSA deadline.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any incoming first-year who files the FAFSA, regardless of income. Families who skip the FAFSA because they assume they earn too much leave this on the table.
Automatic
Target Program Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Out-of-state, listed majors only
Out-of-state students who declare one of the listed majors. Applied toward tuition.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the out-of-state GPA merit tier and Housing Grant.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene does not publish renewal terms or what happens if a student changes majors. Ask before switching out of an eligible major.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students who already know they want one of these 11 majors, several of which are new programs Keene is working to grow.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
New England Regional Student Program (Tuition Break)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews
$5,260/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ CT, ME, MA, RI, VT residents in two majors
🎓 All UndergradResidents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Vermont who enroll in Holocaust & Genocide Studies or Sustainable Product Design & Innovation.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applies as a lower tuition rate, so merit is counted on top of it.
💡
Strategic Detail
Billed regional tuition is $19,756 for 2026-27 versus $25,016 out-of-state. Keene's scholarship page describes the break as up to $5,141; the billing table works out to $5,260. The regional rate generally depends on staying in the eligible major.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New England students set on one of Keene's two regional majors, especially Holocaust & Genocide Studies, which Keene pioneered.
App Required
Talent Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Audition or portfolio required
First-time incoming students majoring in art and design, music, theatre and dance, or film studies.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with GPA merit and the community awards.
📄
How to Apply
Complete an audition or submit work, depending on the program. Music applicants schedule an audition after applying. Start with your admissions counselor.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renewable for three more years with departmental approval, which usually means staying in the major and meeting a minimum GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Arts students who audition or submit a portfolio early. Students who apply but never schedule the audition are not considered.
Automatic
STEM Award
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Eligible science majors only
Incoming first-year students who declare an eligible science-related major.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with GPA merit and the community awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene does not publish renewal terms for this award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-years who declare an eligible science major at admission. Keene does not post the major list, so ask admissions which majors qualify this year.
Automatic
Nursing Award
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Nursing program admission required
🏫 3.3+ GPAHigh school GPA of 3.25 to 4.0 and admission to Keene's nursing program.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with GPA merit and the community awards. Note that pre-licensure nursing students pay a $551 tuition differential in each of their four clinical semesters.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene does not publish renewal terms for this award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
B-plus and stronger students who are admitted directly into nursing.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Endowed & Annual Gift Scholarships (Returning Students)
📅 Deadline: Early April Non-Renewable
$500–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Returning students only
🎓 All UndergradCurrent Keene students applying for the following year. Individual funds have their own criteria, such as major, class year, first-generation status, or financial need.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with merit in most cases, but it counts toward total aid, which cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Sign in to Keene's AcademicWorks portal when the application opens in the spring and complete the General Application, plus any extra questions for specific funds. It is typically due in early April.
💡
Strategic Detail
Most listed awards run $500 to $5,000, and availability changes each year with fund performance. Recipients hear over the summer. Some funds are also awarded through department picks and aid file reviews.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Returning students who actually fill out the spring application. Many funds are tied to education, safety, biology, business, the arts, or first-generation status, and the applicant pool is small.
Automatic
International Student Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies Non-Renewable
$8,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Non-U.S. residents only
Non-U.S. residents attending Keene State. Can help with tuition, housing, and student fees.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applied toward tuition, housing, and fees.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene does not publish renewal terms for this award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Degree-seeking international students admitted to Keene.
App Required
Army & Air Force ROTC Scholarships (through UNH)
📅 Deadline: Varies ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Military service commitment
Students who join Army or Air Force ROTC, which Keene offers in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Military scholarships usually stack with Keene merit, but check the award letter for any adjustment.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for a national ROTC scholarship in high school or contact the UNH units after enrolling.
💡
Strategic Detail
Keene does not host ROTC on campus. Award amounts and terms are set by the Army or Air Force, not Keene.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students willing to commit to military service after graduation and to train with the UNH units.
Data last verified Nov 3, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ (Keene State)
Which majors get Keene’s $5,000 Target Program Scholarship?
Out-of-state students in Construction Safety Sciences, Exercise Science, Physical Education (Child & Youth Physical Activity), Social Media, Theatre (BA), Sport & Recreation Management, Music Technology, Anthropology/Sociology, Communication & Philosophy, Legal Studies, and Data Analytics.
Does the Housing Grant renew every year?
Keene doesn’t say. It’s listed with first-year awards, so treat years two through four as a question for Student Financial Services, not a given.
Can returning students apply for more scholarships?
Yes. Keene’s endowed and annual gift scholarships open to returning students each spring through the AcademicWorks portal, usually due in early April. Most awards run $500 to $5,000, and many are tied to a major or first-generation status.
What New Hampshire state aid can Keene students get?
NH residents can receive the Governor’s Scholarship and UNIQUE grants, both awarded from the FAFSA with no separate application. Keene’s own page lists UNIQUE amounts higher than the state’s latest published rules, so go by your aid offer. See our New Hampshire aid guide.
Can Vermont students use their state grant at Keene?
Yes. Keene says Vermont students can use the VT Incentive Grant while enrolled full time, if they meet VSAC’s rules.
Keene has an honors program, not a separate honors college. The Morris-August Honors Program is open to any major and swaps most of the regular general education requirements for small, discussion-heavy honors courses. The standout feature is that every honors student takes a faculty-led trip abroad.
How students get in: Keene’s catalog says applicants with a 3.75+ high school GPA are invited, and spots fill first-come, first-served.
What it involves: Seven honors courses over four years, most in the first two. 20 of the 24 honors credits also count toward general education.
The big perk: Honors Global Engagement, a course with an international trip in the spring of sophomore or junior year.
Honors Scholarships & Travel Funding
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
Keene doesn’t publish a separate honors scholarship amount. The program is named for the Morris Foundation, whose gifts support honors scholarships and travel, and Keene says scholarship funds are currently available for the study-away trip.
Keep-It Note: Honors students need a 3.5 cumulative GPA and a “BC” or better in every honors course. Keene’s catalog says students dropped from the program also lose any honors scholarship funds, so this is money that rides on grades.
Other Perks That Matter
Priority registration: Easier to get the classes you need on time.
Honors housing: First-years can live together in The Commons.
Pairs with merit: A 3.75+ student is already in the President’s Award tier.
Honors Program FAQs (Keene State)
Do you have to apply separately to Keene’s Honors Program?
Keene’s catalog says students with a 3.75 or higher high school GPA are invited when they apply, and spaces fill first-come, first-served. Contact admissions early if your student is interested.
Does the Honors Program come with a scholarship?
Not a fixed one. The main financial perk is help paying for the required study-abroad trip. A strong honors student is usually already getting the President’s Award.
Is study abroad really required?
Yes. Honors Global Engagement includes a faculty-led international trip in the spring of sophomore or junior year. Students can also design their own study abroad with honors approval.
Can any major join?
Yes. The program works with every major, including nursing and the sciences, and most honors courses are finished in the first two years.
Keene State started out in 1909 as a school for training teachers, and it still feels like a place built around teaching. Classes are small, there are no giant lecture halls, and most of what students study connects to a real job: teaching, workplace safety, health, the arts, or business.
Nationally Known Program: Holocaust & Genocide Studies: Keene offered the first undergraduate major in Holocaust and genocide studies in the country back in 2009. It’s backed by the Cohen Institute, which grew out of one of the oldest Holocaust resource centers in the U.S. Students from five New England states pay a reduced regional tuition rate in this major.
Safety & Occupational Health: A program built around keeping workers safe on job sites, with required internships. Keene also offers Construction Safety Sciences, one of only a few programs like it in New England.
Education: Teacher preparation is still one of Keene’s largest programs, which makes sense for a school founded to train teachers.
Film, Theatre & Music: The arts make up a bigger share of Keene degrees than any other field. Arts majors can also compete for talent scholarships.
Psychology and Business: Two of Keene’s most popular majors, each about a tenth of all degrees.
Nursing: A pre-licensure program with its own merit award for strong students. Budget for the $551 tuition add-on in each clinical semester.
🔗 Official Keene State College Links
These are Keene State’s own pages. Use them to double-check costs, scholarship amounts, and deadlines before you make a decision, because colleges update these every year.
Keene State is one of the few public colleges that actually works harder to win out-of-state students than in-state ones. If your student is a B student from Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New York, Keene’s automatic merit plus the Housing Grant can take thousands off the sticker price with no test score and no essay. If you live in New Hampshire and earn $100,000 or less, the New Hampshire Promise changes the math starting with the fall 2027 class.
The catch is that Keene’s best deals come with fine print. Merit is first-come, first-served, the Promise covers tuition only, and the out-of-state “In-State Tuition Promise” isn’t spelled out anywhere. Apply early in the fall, file the FAFSA by March 1, book an official visit, and ask Keene to put every promise on the aid offer in writing. Do that, and Keene can be one of the more affordable small colleges in New England.
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Leo Dimilo
Leo built CollegeReadyParent after walking through the college money maze with his own daughter. He digs through each college’s official pages so middle-income and first-generation families can see the real numbers in plain English, with no paywall and no sales pitch. More about Leo →
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