Austin Peay is one of those schools where the money is simple—and that’s a good thing. The automatic merit is clearly tiered, renewable, and doesn’t require a complicated strategy. Add in Tennessee programs and the out-of-state award, and you can build a very predictable, affordable plan here without chasing long-shot scholarships.
This is a great fit for families who want clarity and control over cost. If your student is organized, applies early, and keeps grades up, APSU can turn into a low-stress, low-debt option. Use the breakdown below to map exactly what your student qualifies for and how to stack it the right way.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Austin Peay State University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21; SAT: 989.
Average net price? About $14,846/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Austin Peay State University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Category
In-State (Annual)
Out-of-State (Annual)
Tuition & Mandatory Fees*
$7,238
$10,694
Housing & Meals (Standard On-Campus)
$13,406
$13,406
Total (Direct Costs Before Aid)
$20,644
$24,100
*Figures reflect 2025–2026 full-time undergraduate enrollment (30 credit hours). Books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses—typically $4,000–$5,000 per year—are not included because they are indirect costs paid to off-campus vendors rather than directly to APSU.
Average Net Price: Families actually paid about $14,846 per year after scholarships and grants (2022–2023, College Scorecard). This figure excludes loans and varies by income.
Regional Discounts & Waivers:
• Academic Common Market (SREB) — students from participating Southern states can pay in-state tuition for approved majors not offered in their home state.
• Military Families: APSU grants in-state rates to military-affiliated students and dependents stationed at or near Fort Campbell.
• Governor’s Out-of-State Scholarship: an automatic $5,760 award for nonresident freshmen that offsets the out-of-state tuition differential.
Example: A Kentucky student majoring in Mechatronics could save about $5,700/year using ACM or the Governor’s Out-of-State Scholarship.
Cost FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition at APSU?
Tennessee residents, military-affiliated families, and out-of-state students approved through the Academic Common Market or receiving the Governor’s Out-of-State Scholarship.
How much can regional programs save?
About $5,700 per year—the difference between APSU’s in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
Do I have to apply for these discounts?
The Out-of-State Scholarship is automatic upon admission. ACM requires certification through your state’s SREB office, and military waivers require proof of active-duty orders or dependent status.
Sources:
APSU Student Account Services — Tuition & Fees (apsu.edu/student-account-services/tuition-and-fees.php)
APSU Financial Aid — Cost of Attendance (apsu.edu/financialaid/cost-of-attendance.php)
APSU Housing & Dining — Rates (apsu.edu/housing/)
Academic Common Market — SREB State Listings (sreb.org/academic-common-market)
APSU Out-of-State Scholarships — Governor’s Award (apsu.edu/scholarships/out-of-state.php)
College Scorecard — Austin Peay State University (collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?219602-Austin-Peay-State-University)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Automatic
Presidential
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
$6,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with other APSU freshman academic grid scholarships — Presidential, Dean's, Academic Achievement, Governor's Merit, and Governor's Excellence are mutually exclusive. Students receive the highest award their GPA qualifies them for.
💡
Strategic Detail
APSU's top automatic merit award — $6,000 per year for students with a 4.0 high school GPA. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 2.75 cumulative college GPA, full-time enrollment, and 75 service hours completed each semester. Amounts and criteria confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school — no test scores required. Course rigor can strengthen an application but isn't an eligibility factor. These are the students who walked away with straight A's and want that work recognized on day one.
Automatic
Dean's
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
$3,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.9+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Mutually exclusive with other APSU freshman academic grid scholarships. Students automatically receive the highest-tier award their GPA qualifies them for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Solid automatic award of $3,500 per year for students with a 3.85–3.99 high school GPA. No test scores required. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 2.75 college GPA and full-time enrollment. Amounts confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Freshmen who finished high school with very strong grades — GPAs typically in the top 10% of their class — whose APSU-calculated GPA lands between 3.85 and 3.99. These are the students who were a fraction of a point away from a perfect GPA.
Automatic
Academic Achievement
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.7+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Does not stack with other APSU freshman academic grid scholarships. The highest-qualifying award in the grid is applied automatically.
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000 per year automatic scholarship for students with a 3.70–3.84 high school GPA. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 2.75 college GPA and full-time enrollment. Amounts confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Freshmen with mostly A's and a few B's whose APSU-calculated GPA falls between 3.70 and 3.84. No test scores are required — this is purely a GPA-based award.
Automatic
Governor's Merit
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Part of the APSU freshman academic scholarship grid; cannot be combined with other grid awards. The highest-qualifying tier is applied.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,500 per year automatic scholarship for students with a 3.50–3.69 high school GPA. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 2.75 college GPA and full-time enrollment. Amounts confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong A/B students whose APSU-calculated GPA falls in the 3.50–3.69 range. No standardized test scores are required for this award.
Automatic
Governor's Excellence
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with higher-tier APSU freshman academic grid scholarships such as Presidential, Dean's, Academic Achievement, or Governor's Merit. Students receive the highest award their GPA qualifies them for.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year automatic scholarship for students with a 3.0–3.49 high school GPA. Open to any qualifying freshman — the live grid does not restrict to in-state students for this tier. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 2.75 college GPA and full-time enrollment. Amounts confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
B-average students with a 3.0–3.49 APSU-calculated GPA. No test scores required. The live scholarship grid does not restrict this award to Tennessee residents — any freshman who qualifies on GPA is considered.
Automatic
Kimbrough (limited)
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1200 SAT👥 ~Limited number of awards available each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Limited award for qualifying Tennessee residents; not stackable with other APSU freshman academic grid scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year limited scholarship for Tennessee in-state residents with a 3.0+ GPA and 25+ ACT. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 3.0 college GPA (higher than most grid awards) and full-time enrollment. Awards are limited — early application by February 1 matters. Confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Competitive in-state students who meet or exceed a 3.0 GPA and 25 ACT and apply by the priority deadline. Awards are limited in number, so stronger academic profiles rise to the top among eligible applicants.
Automatic
Governor's Out-of-State
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,760/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Offsets out-of-state tuition charges; does not combine with other institutional awards that also cover nonresident fees or other out-of-state tuition waivers.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,760 per year automatic scholarship for qualifying out-of-state freshmen with a 3.5+ GPA. Effectively offsets the out-of-state fee premium, making APSU a much more competitive price point for nonresident families. Renewable for up to eight semesters with a 2.75 college GPA and full-time enrollment. Confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Out-of-state freshmen with a 3.5+ high school GPA who apply by the priority deadline. This award brings nonresident costs meaningfully closer to in-state levels and is worth factoring into any cost comparison.
* 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: Priority consideration for all automatic merit ends February 1. Some awards (especially nonresident) may remain open on a rolling basis, but funds are limited. GPA tiers are set by APSU and renewal requires a 2.75 GPA/full-time status (3.0 for Kimbrough).
These university-level scholarships have limited spots and require extra steps beyond admission. They’re best for students who can show leadership, impact, and follow-through on applications and deadlines.
PELP may be stacked with APSU academic merit grid scholarships and other institutional awards, subject to cost-of-attendance limits. This is one of the few APSU awards where stacking is explicitly permitted — a 4.0 Presidential scholar accepted into PELP could receive $9,000 per year combined.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for freshman admission to APSU, then complete the separate PELP application by December 31. The PELP application includes leadership and service information, essays, and typically an interview component. Submit all materials before the December 31 deadline — this one runs earlier than the general scholarship deadline.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing academic performance, leadership potential, service involvement, and commitment to ongoing program participation.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 per year cohort-based leadership scholarship renewable for up to eight semesters. Requires a separate application by December 31, maintenance of a 3.5 college GPA, and active participation in PELP activities. Confirmed unchanged for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with 3.6+ GPAs and 23+ ACT scores who demonstrate genuine leadership and service — not just club membership, but real impact. The renewal GPA of 3.5 in college is demanding; this program rewards students who can sustain excellence alongside active program participation.
Automatic
Howell C. Smith Scholarship
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Limited number of scholarships each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Selection-based scholarship that may stack with certain institutional awards; exact stacking rules are outlined in individual offer letters. Like Presidential, Howell C. Smith scholars must complete 75 service hours per semester to retain the award.
💡
Strategic Detail
A limited, variable-amount scholarship reserved for top freshman admits. APSU does not publish fixed dollar amounts or exact eligibility thresholds — selection is entirely internal and holistic. Confirmed still listed for 2026-27.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: APSU's highest-caliber freshman admits — typically 3.8+ GPA, 26+ ACT, and strong leadership credentials. Selection is holistic and happens internally; there is nothing extra a student can submit, which is why applying early and completely is the only lever families can pull.
* 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.
*Eligibility ranges for the Howell C. Smith Scholarship are estimates based on prior patterns—3.8+ GPA and 26+ ACT are typical but not official minimums. Selection is holistic and based on top UWG admits.
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How competitive are these awards?
PELP: Leadership/service focus, fixed deadline, by application. Howell C. Smith: limited amount, goes to the highest academic profile freshmen each cycle.
Do these stack with automatic GPA awards?
Yes. These competitive awards stack with regular GPA-based merit. Out-of-State Scholarship is considered a fee offset and can stack as well.
Are interviews or essays required?
PELP: Yes, requires application and possibly an interview or responses. Howell C. Smith: Typically selection-based after file review; no direct app.
Any special test score rules?
Both PELP and competitive awards primarily look at GPA, rigor, and leadership. When scores matter, highest composite is used. Extracurricular engagement strengthens an application.
Beyond the main merit charts, APSU has niche programs that can cover major costs if you qualify. These are worth a closer look if you’re military-affiliated, planning to study abroad, or interested in ROTC pathways.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Military Spouse & Family Waivers
📅 Deadline: Rolling, aligned with registration and term start dates. ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Out-of-state fee waivers reduce nonresident tuition charges; MyCAA can provide up to $4,000 total for eligible spouses and may stack with institutional waivers and federal benefits.
📄
How to Apply
Submit proof of active-duty orders for a service member stationed at Fort Campbell and dependent or spouse documentation to APSU each term; eligible spouses may separately apply for MyCAA funding.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based waivers and benefits tied to military status and program rules rather than GPA.
💡
Strategic Detail
CRP notes that APSU waives an out-of-state fee amount around $5,760 for qualifying military families, and MyCAA can contribute up to $4,000 more for eligible spouses; details vary by military status.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Spouses and dependents of active-duty service members at Fort Campbell who submit documentation each term; MyCAA is limited to eligible military spouses in approved programs.
App Required
Purpose First Scholars (First-Gen Program)
📅 Deadline: July 15 Non-Renewable
$250
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Cohort size is limited each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-year learning community and book stipend that can stack with all other forms of aid.
📄
How to Apply
First-generation freshmen submit a Purpose First Scholars program application and accept a cohort seat before the priority deadline.
Selection criteria: Selection primarily based on first-generation status and timely application; continued participation expectations are program-based rather than GPA-based.
💡
Strategic Detail
Program provides a $250 textbook stipend plus structured mentoring and support in a first-year learning community for first-generation college students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-generation freshmen who apply early, are accepted into the cohort, and actively participate in the learning community and mentoring activities.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Study Abroad Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 1 Non-Renewable
$1,000–$2,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award that can stack with federal aid, HOPE, and institutional scholarships to help cover program costs.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for an APSU-led study abroad program and submit a study abroad scholarship application through the International Education Office by March 1.
Selection criteria: Evaluated on GPA, quality of essay, and alignment of the program with academic and personal goals.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
CRP highlights that most APSU study abroad scholarships fall in the $1,000–$2,000 range and support APSU-sponsored programs with competitive applications.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time students, usually with GPAs of 3.0–3.25 or higher, who submit strong applications for APSU-led study abroad programs by the deadline.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlygeographicserviceidentity_based
Tennessee STRONG Act
📅 Deadline: Within 45 days after the end of each term for which reimbursement is requested. ✓ Renews
Full Tuition
state tuition and mandatory fee reimbursement
✔ Stackable
⚠ Eligible Tennessee National Guard members can use the STRONG Act to have up to 100% of in‑state tuition and mandatory fees reimbursed at APSU after other aid; payment depends on Guard funding and does not cover housing or meals.
👥 ~Subject to annual state appropriations and individual credit-hour caps. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Pays remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other military and state aid, up to a state credit-hour cap; can stack with federal benefits but not exceed actual charges.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a STRONG Act application each term through the Tennessee National Guard and required APSU forms within 45 days of course completion.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based; awards made according to Guard status, academic progress, and remaining credit-hour entitlement.
💡
Strategic Detail
State-funded program that reimburses last-dollar tuition and mandatory fees at institutions like APSU for eligible Guard members, subject to service commitments and funding limits.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Tennessee Army and Air National Guard members in good standing who file term applications on time and meet state academic and service requirements.
Full TuitionApp Required
Army ROTC (Govs Guard Battalion)
📅 Deadline: October 13, January 19, and March 16 national board dates; campus-based awards on a rolling basis. ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA)
Full Tuition
tuition and fees or room and board plus stipend
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.5+ GPA👥 ~Limited number of national and campus-based ROTC scholarships each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers full tuition and fees or a capped room-and-board option plus a monthly stipend; interacts with other aid under Army and APSU rules and cannot duplicate tuition coverage.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for an Army ROTC national or campus-based scholarship, complete Army medical and fitness requirements, and contract as a cadet with the Govs Guard Battalion.
Selection criteria: Holistic Army review emphasizing academics, leadership, fitness, and commitment to commissioned service.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
At APSU, ROTC scholarships follow standard Army ROTC structures, allowing cadets to choose between tuition/fees coverage or a room-and-board benefit plus stipends.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Contracted Army ROTC cadets who meet academic, fitness, and service standards and complete applications by national or campus deadlines.
* 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.
Disclaimer: Award amounts and deadlines; double-check final program listings with APSU’s financial aid, Army ROTC, and individual program offices each year.
Music Scholarships: Audition-based for music majors/ensembles, deadlines vary by department (often Feb 1–Mar 1).
Departmental Awards: Check with your major’s department for travel, service, and academic awards; timelines may differ.
Austin Peay’s Honors Program is designed for high-achieving students who want a more personalized academic experience. Admission is by self-application, and the program creates a smaller, supportive community where students tackle challenging coursework and get access to extra mentoring and funding opportunities.
What a Typical APSU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA of 3.5 or higher, ACT score of 23+ (or equivalent SAT), strong writing and coursework rigor, and demonstrated leadership or service.
Perks that Matter:
Priority registration and academic advising
Smaller Honors-only seminars with faculty mentors
Opportunities for funded study abroad and research support
Dedicated Honors advising and community engagement
Automatic
Ed Irwin Endowed Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: February 1 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~23 ACT✎ ~1130 SAT👥 ~Limited number of recipients selected each cohort. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can typically be combined with APSU academic grid scholarships and other Honors awards, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
Endowed Honors scholarship with variable annual amounts; specific dollar values and renewal terms are not published and may change year to year. The Honors scholarships page does not list this award separately — it is awarded through internal program review.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top incoming Honors freshmen selected by the Honors Program based on academic record, writing quality, and overall application strength. Dollar amounts vary year to year and are not published in advance.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Honors Ambassadors
📅 Deadline: October 15 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA)
$500–$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Limited number of Ambassador and Lead Ambassador positions appointed annually. winners/yr🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stipends of $500 (Ambassador) or $1,000 (Lead Ambassador), distributed in the spring term, stack with other Honors and institutional scholarships. Positions are one-year but students may reapply in subsequent years.
📄
How to Apply
Current Honors sophomores and juniors in good standing submit an application to serve as Honors Ambassadors or Lead Ambassadors. Applications are due by October 15. Selected students mentor incoming freshmen and represent the program throughout the academic year.
Selection criteria: Selection based on leadership potential, prior Honors engagement, communication skills, and quality of application responses.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Ambassadors receive a $500 stipend (distributed spring); Lead Ambassadors receive $1,000 (also distributed spring). Available only to current Honors sophomores and juniors in good standing. Not automatically repeatable — students must reapply each year. Deadline is October 15.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Current Honors sophomores and juniors who are genuinely engaged in the program, comfortable mentoring peers, and willing to show up for recruitment events and freshman orientation. Lead Ambassador roles go to the students taking on the most coordination responsibility.
App Required
Honors Scholars Essay Contest
📅 Deadline: June 30 Non-Renewable
$1,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~23 ACT✎ ~1130 SAT👥 ~Up to 10 one-time $1,000 awards per year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time $1,000 award, disbursed as $500 in fall and $500 in spring, that stacks with all other institutional and Honors scholarships. Use of AI on the essay will result in automatic disqualification.
📄
How to Apply
Enroll as an APSU Honors freshman and submit your essay to Dr. Nichols at nicholst@apsu.edu by June 30. Send the essay as a Word document attached to the email — do not include your name or any identifying information on the essay itself (essays are scored anonymously). The 2026-27 prompt asks incoming freshmen to write a letter (750 words max) to the author of the last book they read.
Selection criteria: 40% Substance (clarity and depth of discussion), 30% Mechanics (grammar, typos, word usage), 20% Structure (transitions, logical order), 10% Polish (overall readiness and distinctive elements). Essays are scored anonymously.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One-time $1,000 award (split $500 fall/$500 spring) for incoming Honors freshmen who submit a winning essay by June 30. Disbursement is contingent on enrolling in HON 1045 in fall and HON 2220 in spring. Up to 10 awards available. AI use disqualifies entries automatically.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Incoming Honors freshmen — up to 10 winners — whose essays score highest across substance (40%), mechanics (30%), structure (20%), and polish (10%). The anonymous scoring process means every essay competes purely on merit.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Honors Study Abroad Scholarships
📅 Deadline: See Honors scholarships page for current application deadline. Non-Renewable
$500
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA👥 ~Up to 10 awards of $500 each year. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with other institutional and Honors scholarships, subject to cost-of-attendance limits. First-come, first-served — students planning study abroad should apply as early as possible.
📄
How to Apply
Honors students in good standing apply for Study Abroad support through the Honors Program. Up to 10 $500 scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students participating in approved Study Abroad programs. A minimum 3.25 GPA is required to apply.
Selection criteria: First-come, first-served among eligible applicants meeting the 3.25 GPA and Honors standing requirements.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to 10 one-time $500 Honors Study Abroad scholarships awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Requires a minimum 3.25 GPA and good academic standing in the Honors Program. Citizenship requirement (U.S. citizen or permanent resident) applies.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students with at least a 3.25 GPA who are participating in an approved Study Abroad program and submit their application before the 10 spots are filled. Early application is critical given the first-come, first-served structure.
* 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.
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply to the Honors Program following APSU admission. Applications are accepted year-round, but program and scholarship space is limited.
Does joining Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors classes align with degree/core requirements for on-time completion.
What’s the application timing?
Honors applications are rolling; to access scholarships or essay contests, submit as early as possible. Scholarship priority is Feb 1; essay contest May 2; Ambassadors Dec 31.
Does Honors come with extra money?
Honors offers unique awards, mentorship, and community. Most scholarships are competitive, essay/leadership-based, and may vary in amount year to year.
Sources:
Honors Program Scholarships – https://www.apsu.edu/honors/scholarships.php
Honors Ambassadors – https://www.apsu.edu/honors/ambassadorprogram.php
Application and deadlines – https://www.apsu.edu/honors/application.php
⭐ College Specialty
Parents often ask, “What is Austin Peay really known for?” While it may not be a massive research flagship, APSU has carved out strong reputations in health fields, military-connected education, and applied sciences. Its close ties to Fort Campbell make it one of Tennessee’s most military-friendly campuses, and programs like Nursing and Engineering Technology give students direct pipelines into high-demand careers.
Standout Program:
Nursing (BSN) — Austin Peay’s School of Nursing reports NCLEX pass rates consistently above 95% (including 98% in 2024), putting it among the strongest in Tennessee for preparing registered nurses.
Military-Affiliated Education: Recognized statewide as a leader in serving veterans and dependents; APSU was the first Tennessee campus to earn the VETS “Bravo” designation.
Engineering Technology & Mechatronics: ABET-accredited concentrations in Electrical, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Engineering Technology; programs align with Tennessee’s advanced manufacturing sector.
Fine Arts & Music: Strong regional reputation through the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (one of Tennessee’s state-designated Centers of Excellence).
Education: APSU is a top producer of licensed teachers in Tennessee, with strong placement in regional school districts.
🔗 Official Austin Peay State University Links
Use the official Austin Peay State University resources below to verify admissions details, scholarship policies,
costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for the most current deadlines and award terms.
Choosing Austin Peay State University can be a smart move for families looking for a balance of affordability, military-connected benefits, and strong career programs like Nursing and Engineering Technology. Between clear GPA-based scholarships, leadership awards like PELP, and hidden gems such as ROTC or Purpose First Scholars, there are multiple ways to bring the net price down and open doors to unique opportunities. With planning, most students can stack aid and graduate with less debt — a huge win for first-gen and budget-conscious families alike.
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10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
