Who qualifies for the Academic Common Market (ACM) at EKU?

Residents of participating SREB states qualify only if their major is not offered in their home state. Students must apply through their home state's ACM office and receive approval from EKU.

How much can families save with ACM at EKU?

For 2025–2026, ACM reduces out-of-state tuition ($12,000) to the in-state rate ($10,440), saving about $1,560 per year on tuition.

Do I need a separate application for ACM?

Yes. Students must apply through their home state's ACM office and coordinate with EKU's Academic Common Market coordinator by stated deadlines.

Do I need to apply separately for EKU automatic merit scholarships?

No. Students are automatically considered when admitted by the priority deadline (March 1) and must accept by June 1.

Does EKU superscore the ACT for scholarships?

No. EKU uses the highest single ACT composite score for scholarship consideration.

Can EKU merit scholarships be stacked with ACM?

No. If a student accepts the ACM tuition waiver, it replaces institutional merit scholarships.

Do Hidden Gem awards require separate applications?

Some do—such as ROTC or study abroad awards. Others like BookSmart and Colonel Commitment apply automatically when you enroll or file the FAFSA.

Can Hidden Gem awards stack with automatic merit at EKU?

EKU generally does not allow stacking of multiple institutional scholarships. Need-based programs like Colonel Commitment replace merit awards.

Is EKU Honors admission automatic with certain GPA or test scores?

No. Admission is by separate, competitive application that includes essays. Strong academics help, but writing and leadership also matter.

Does EKU Honors add time to a degree?

No. Honors is designed as a minor completed alongside your major, with courses that count toward general education.

What is the EKU Honors deadline?

Priority deadlines are typically in mid-January (for example, January 15 for fall entry). Final dates are posted on EKU’s Honors website each year.

Eastern Kentucky University Scholarships (2025–2026)

← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Kentucky state aid

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit scholarships and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem awards worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack EKU aid the smart way

📊 Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance Rate: ~98%
Middle 50% ACT: 19–25
Middle 50% SAT: 960–1210
Average GPA (HS): 3.4

Source: EKU Common Data Set 2023–24 & College Board BigFuture. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

EKU at a Glance

🏆 Top merit covers most in-state tuition: EKU’s Presidential Scholarship is worth $8,000 per year (≈ 75–80% of in-state tuition). Additional aid like KEES or Pell can close the gap.

Average Net Price

$10,852

Federal average after grants & scholarships

Automatic Merit (OOS)

$3,000–$8,000 / yr

Awarded automatically based on GPA & ACT/SAT

Typical Qualifiers

GPA 3.0–4.0 • ACT 22+ / SAT 1100+

Higher tiers for 3.8+ GPA and ACT 27+

Superscore Policy

ACT: No • SAT: No

EKU uses single best test date

Key Deadlines

Scholarship priority: Feb 1 • FAFSA: Mar 1

Apply early for full merit consideration

Honors College

Yes • Competitive • Separate application

Full-tuition scholarships + research opportunities

Full-Tuition / Full-Ride

Automatic: No • Competitive: Yes

Honors & selective awards may reach full tuition

Residency & Waivers

Academic Common Market • Border State Waivers

Reciprocity discounts for eligible states & majors

* Scholarship bands approximate based on official merit criteria + recent recipient data; actual cutoffs may vary with funding and applicant pool.

Intro FAQs

Are EKU scholarships automatic with admission?
Yes. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for EKU Merit Scholarships ($3,000 – $8,000 per year) based on GPA and test scores.

Does EKU’s top merit cover full tuition?
Not entirely. The $8,000 Presidential award covers about 75–80% of in-state tuition (~$10,448). Students often use KEES, Pell Grants, or other aid to bridge the gap.

Can out-of-state students qualify for in-state tuition?
Yes. EKU offers Border State Waivers and participates in the Academic Common Market for specific majors.

Does EKU superscore the ACT or SAT?
No. EKU uses the highest composite from a single test date for admission and merit review.

When is the scholarship deadline?
Apply for admission by February 1 for full merit consideration and file the FAFSA by March 1 for maximum state and federal aid.

Does EKU have an Honors College?
Yes. The Honors College offers competitive full-tuition scholarships, priority registration, research opportunities, and specialized housing through a separate application.

Sources:
Merit Scholarships — https://scholarships.eku.edu/merit
Border State Waivers — https://admissions.eku.edu/border-state
Tuition & Fees — https://businessaffairs.eku.edu/tuition-fees
Financial Aid & Deadlines — https://scholarships.eku.edu/
Honors College — https://honors.eku.edu/
Common Data Set 2023–24 — https://ir.eku.edu/common-data-set
College Scorecard — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?156620-Eastern-Kentucky-University
College Board BigFuture — https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/eastern-kentucky-university
College Scorecard — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?156620-Eastern-Kentucky-University IPEDS / NCES Data Center — https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=156620

💰 Cost of Attendance at Eastern Kentucky University

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees (12–18 credits)	$10,440	$12,000
Housing & Meals	$12,662	$12,662
Books & Supplies	$600	$600
Transportation	$2,100	$2,100
Personal Expenses	$2,500	$2,500
Total (before aid)	$28,302	$29,862

Average Net Price: $10,852 (U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard/NCES). This is what families actually paid on average in a year after scholarships and grants — no loans included. Data year: latest available.

Regional Tuition Savings: EKU participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM). Out-of-state students in approved majors can pay in-state tuition if their home state doesn’t offer that major. • Example: Out-of-state tuition $12,000 vs. in-state $10,440 → save about $1,560 per year on tuition. • It’s application-based: students must apply through their home state’s ACM office and secure EKU approval. • Cannot be combined with EKU merit scholarships — ACM replaces them.

Cost & Waiver FAQ

Who qualifies for ACM? Residents of participating SREB states, but only if their major isn’t offered in their home state.

How much can families save? At EKU, ACM now saves around $1,560 per year by dropping out-of-state tuition down to the new in-state rate.

Do I need to apply separately? Yes. You must apply through your home state’s ACM office and EKU’s Academic Common Market coordinator by the stated deadlines.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
Merit Tier 1 (KY Residents)	$8,000/yr	3.8–4.0 GPA + ACT 28+	No	Yes – 3.2 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	Top students with near-perfect GPA and high ACT	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Merit Tier 2 (KY Residents)	$5,000/yr	3.8–4.0 GPA + ACT 24–27	No	Yes – 3.2 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	High-A students with solid ACTs (24–27)	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Merit Tier 3 (KY Residents)	$1,500/yr	3.4+ GPA	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	B+/A- average students, test-optional	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Merit Tier 4 (KY Residents)	$1,000/yr	3.0–3.39 GPA	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	Solid B average students	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Scholar I (Nonresident)	$7,000/yr	4.0 GPA + ACT 34+	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	Top-of-class 4.0 students with very high ACTs	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Scholar II (Nonresident)	$5,000/yr	4.0 GPA + ACT 33	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	Very high GPA and ACT 33	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Scholar III (Nonresident)	$3,000/yr	4.0 GPA + ACT 31–32	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	Top students with 4.0 and ACT over 30	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Scholar IV (Nonresident)	$1,000/yr	4.0 GPA + ACT 29–30	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	4.0 GPA and ACT just under 30	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)
Scholar V (Nonresident)	$500/yr	4.0 GPA only	No	Yes – 3.0 GPA and 24 EKU credits/yr	Top GPA earners without ACT	March 1 (priority); June 1 (accept)

Note: GPA and ACT ranges are taken directly from EKU’s scholarship tables. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and annual credit/GPA minimums. Merit awards cannot stack with Academic Common Market (ACM) tuition waivers.

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do I need to apply separately? No. You are automatically considered if admitted by the priority deadline (March 1). You must accept by June 1.

Does EKU superscore the ACT? No—EKU uses the highest single composite score for scholarship consideration.

Can I stack merit with ACM? No. The Academic Common Market waiver replaces institutional merit scholarships.

Are test scores required? Most tiers require ACT, but 3.0–3.39 and 3.4+ GPA tiers are test-optional.

Sources:
https://scholarships.eku.edu/
https://success.eku.edu/merit-scholarship-policies-guidelines
https://scholarships.eku.edu/terms-and-conditions/
https://success.eku.edu/apply/
https://scholarships.eku.edu/timeline/

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (competitive, limited slots)

These are the university’s most competitive (essay/interview) awards—often limited in number and larger than standard merit. For 2025–2026, Eastern Kentucky University does not publish a campus-wide flagship competitive scholarship separate from automatic merit. We’ll re-check before each cycle opens.

Scholarship	Award Amount	What Makes It Competitive	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?
—	—	No university-wide competitive scholarships published for 2025–26	—	—	—

Flagship (Competitive) Scholarship FAQ

Does EKU offer a campus-wide flagship (competitive) scholarship? Not for the 2025–2026 cycle based on current public information. EKU’s major awards are admission-based (automatic merit). We will re-verify each year.

Where should competitive students look instead? Check the Honors section (selective admission with annual Honors scholarship) and the Hidden Gems for study abroad, ROTC, and need-sensitive programs. Departmental scholarships are handled within colleges and programs and will appear in their own section (not here).

Can flagship/competitive awards (if added later) stack with automatic merit or ACM? EKU’s policy limits stacking of institutional scholarships and notes that ACM replaces institutional merit. Any future flagship award would follow those stacking rules unless EKU states otherwise.

Are essays, interviews, or portfolios required? Typical competitive (flagship) scholarships at other universities require them; EKU has not published a university-level competition this cycle. If EKU adds one, expect additional materials and firm deadlines.

Sources:
https://scholarships.eku.edu/
https://success.eku.edu/merit-scholarship-policies-guidelines/
https://scholarships.eku.edu/terms-and-conditions/
https://scholarships.eku.edu/major-awards/

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the automatic merit tiers, EKU has several lesser-known programs that save families real money. These “hidden gems” are often need-based, identity-driven, or tied to special programs like ROTC, study abroad, or local partnerships.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
BookSmart Free Textbooks	≈$1,200/yr value	All undergraduates, automatic benefit	No	Yes (each term)	Every EKU student; removes book costs from the bill	Rolling
Army ROTC Scholarships	Full tuition or $12k room & board + $1,200 books + $420/mo stipend	Qualified ROTC cadets meeting academic, fitness, and leadership standards	Yes – Army ROTC board	Yes, with performance	Leadership students in Justice, Safety, STEM, Aviation programs	National deadlines/rolling
Education Abroad Awards	$1,500–$2,500 (one-time)	Study abroad participants; some limited to Honors/major-specific	Yes – Education Abroad or Honors	No	Applicants with strong proposals; Honors often favored	Spring cycle; check study abroad calendar
Madison County Promise	$1,000/yr	Madison County (KY) residents; HS GPA 2.5–2.9	No	Yes, if GPA maintained	Local students who stay enrolled full time	Match merit deadline (March 1 priority)
Colonel Commitment	Covers 100% of tuition & required fees (gap filler)	Kentucky residents; Pell-eligible; 3.0 HS GPA	No (auto with FAFSA)	Yes, while Pell-eligible and full time	Low-income KY families who file FAFSA	Match merit deadline (March 1 priority)
Opportunity Scholarship	$1,000–$3,000/yr	KY residents; HS GPA ≥2.5; ACT 18+; financial need	No (auto with FAFSA)	Yes, if GPA maintained	Students with moderate academics and clear need	Match merit deadline (March 1 priority)
Maroon Madness Scholarship	Varies (need-based, funds availability)	First-time freshmen; demonstrated financial need	Yes – FAFSA + EKU Scholarship Portal	Depends on funding	Students who apply early through EKU portal	March 1 (EKU portal)
Trailblazer Scholarship	Varies	First-generation, first-time freshmen; FAFSA; essay + rec letter	Yes – EKU Scholarship Portal	Yes, if GPA and FAFSA maintained	First-gen students who complete all steps	March 1 (EKU portal)

Disclaimer: Award ranges and GPA/ACT cutoffs are from EKU’s published materials. Amounts for Maroon Madness and Trailblazer depend on available funding/applicant pool.

Dr. Rodney Gross Diversity Scholarship: Supports students who actively promote diversity.
Alumni Legacy Scholarships: For children, grandchildren, or spouses of EKU alumni with campus involvement.
EKU Excellence Award: Competitive, considers National Merit Semifinalists.
Marching Band Scholarships: $500/yr for all Marching Colonels; higher for drumline/leadership.
Departmental & Foundation Scholarships: Donor-funded awards via EKU Foundation; major, county, or need. See portal for options.

Hidden Gem FAQ

Is a separate application needed? Some (ROTC, study abroad) require extra steps. BookSmart and Colonel Commitment are automatic with enrollment or FAFSA.

Can these stack with merit? Most institutional scholarships cannot be stacked. Need-based awards like Colonel Commitment replace merit.

Who benefits the most? First-gen and Pell-eligible students from Colonel Commitment; ROTC for leadership/military. BookSmart helps all students.

Are these renewable? Most renew if eligibility is maintained. Study abroad/research awards are one-time.

Sources:
https://scholarships.eku.edu/
https://success.eku.edu/merit-scholarship-policies-guidelines/
https://scholarships.eku.edu/timeline/
https://scholarships.eku.edu/current-students/
https://catalogs.eku.edu/financialaid/

🎖️ Honors College

For high-achieving students, the EKU Honors Program offers a chance to push further. Admission is competitive and requires essays, recommendations, and a separate application—but the payoff is small classes, dedicated faculty mentoring, and experiences that go far beyond a typical degree.

What a Typical EKU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA 3.5+ and ACT 26+ are common among admitted students, alongside a rigorous course load, strong writing, leadership, and clear academic focus.
EKU does not publish strict cutoffs; these ranges are based on program guidance and recent cohorts.

Perks of EKU Honors:

Priority course registration each semester
Small, seminar-style Honors courses that count toward general education
Faculty mentoring and required thesis/creative project
Honors Living Learning Community (optional)
Enhanced opportunities for study abroad, service, and research

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
EKU Honors Program Scholarship	$1,500/yr	First-time freshmen admitted into EKU Honors Program	Yes – separate Honors Program application (essays required)	Yes – up to 4 years with continued Honors standing	High-achieving first-year students (GPA 3.5+ and ACT 26+ are typical)	Early Action: Nov 10 Final: Jan 15

Study Abroad Awards: Competitive funding ($1,500–$2,500) for Honors students who participate in global programs.
Conference Travel Grants: Awards for research presentation at conferences like NCHC.
National Merit Semifinalists/Finalists: Automatic admission to Honors and eligibility for the EKU Excellence Award.

Honors FAQ

Is admission automatic if I meet GPA/test cutoffs? No. Admission requires a separate application and essays. Strong grades help, but writing and leadership count.

Does Honors add time to your degree? No. The program is designed as a minor completed alongside your major; key courses count toward general education.

What’s the deadline? Early Action is usually Nov 10; the final deadline is Jan 15. Always check EKU Honors for annual updates.

Do Honors students get scholarships? Yes, all admitted students receive $1,500 per year in renewable Honors Program aid. Additional awards are available for study abroad and research.

Sources:
https://honors.eku.edu/
https://scholarships.eku.edu/
https://catalogs.eku.edu/financialaid/

⭐ College Specialty

Eastern Kentucky University has built its reputation around applied, career-ready programs that serve Kentucky and beyond. Families often hear about EKU’s strengths in safety, aviation, and health sciences—but the university also shines in unique ways that give graduates a direct pipeline into essential industries.

🔥 Standout Program: EKU’s Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology program is one of only a handful nationwide with ABET-ETAC accreditation. Graduates are recognized statewide for professional licensure pathways and nationally for leadership in life-safety engineering.

Forensic Science: EKU hosts one of just 18 undergraduate programs in the U.S. accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
Aviation: Kentucky’s only FAA-approved university flight training program, with new facilities and airline pathway agreements.
Emergency Medical Care: EKU’s EMC program is the longest-accredited in Kentucky and the second-longest nationally, preparing advanced paramedics and EMS leaders.
Justice & Safety Programs: Consistently ranked among the best public safety and homeland security programs in the region, with strong ties to state and federal agencies.