Kansas State is a big, friendly land-grant university in Manhattan, Kansas, and for most students getting in is not the hard part. A 3.25 GPA or a 21 ACT assures admission, and about 87 percent of applicants were admitted for fall 2025. The real story at K-State is the scholarship money, and the rules are completely different depending on whether your family lives in Kansas or somewhere else.
GPA 3.25+ (best weighted or unweighted); tests optional
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 1 • FAFSA: Dec 1
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
Special Waivers Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Kansas State (Read This First)
Out-of-state families: GPA is the whole ballgame. The Wildcat Nonresident Award looks only at your student’s best GPA, weighted or unweighted. A 3.90 or higher drops tuition to the in-state rate, which is worth about $19,101 a year. No ACT or SAT needed.
Kansas families: test scores still matter. The top in-state award ($5,000 a year) needs a 27+ ACT. A Kansas student with a 3.95 GPA and no score on file gets $3,000 instead.
Dec. 1 does double duty. Apply for admission by Dec. 1 to lock in scholarship consideration, and file the 2027 to 2028 FAFSA by Dec. 1, which is also K-State’s FAFSA priority date.
Three more dates to put on the fridge. Dec. 15 for competitive and honors (Campbell) applications, Feb. 1 for the K-State Scholarship Network (KSN), and Apr. 1 as the last day new grades or scores can raise an automatic award.
Only one “general” award per student. K-State gives each student the single highest automatic award they qualify for. Competitive awards and KSN money are where the stacking happens.
The Salina campus plays by its own rules. K-State Salina (aviation, drones, robotics) has its own competitive scholarships, including one worth $25,000 a year.
No MSEP here. K-State is not on the current Midwest Student Exchange list, so don’t count on that discount. For most out-of-state students, the Wildcat Nonresident Award is the better deal anyway.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Kansas State University is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 20-27; SAT: 1040-1260.
Average net price? About $20,527/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes. Institutional waivers are available.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Kansas State University: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Kansas State University 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
$500 to $1,300 more than the in-state total below.$900 to $2,200 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$26,348
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$13,132
Housing & meals (typical)
$13,216
Total billed cost
$26,348
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$44,662
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$31,446
Housing & meals (typical)
$13,216
Total billed cost
$44,662
That is $18,314 more per year than Kansas residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $20,527 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
Wildcat Nonresident Award: Out-of-state freshmen are automatically considered for a discount on the nonresident portion of tuition, based on GPA alone (no ACT or SAT needed). A 3.90+ GPA brings tuition down to the in-state rate (about $19,101 a year off). A 3.75 to 3.89 GPA takes 80% off the nonresident premium, 3.50 to 3.74 takes 60% off, and 3.25 to 3.49 takes 50% off. Apply by the Dec. 1 priority date.
Missouri architecture students: Under the Kansas-Missouri reciprocal tuition agreement, selected Missouri residents admitted to K-State's architecture, interior architecture and product design, or landscape architecture programs can be granted in-state tuition. The number of waivers is capped, so confirm details with the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
K-State is not on the current list of Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) schools.
The Out-of-State Price Tag Is Not the Real Price
On paper, out-of-state tuition and fees run about $18,000 more than in-state. In practice, most out-of-state students with a 3.25 GPA or better are automatically knocked down by 50% to 100% of that gap through the Wildcat Nonresident Award. At a 3.90 or higher, your student pays tuition at the Kansas rate. Missouri students headed into architecture-related programs may also qualify for in-state tuition through a separate Kansas-Missouri agreement. Always confirm the latest numbers on K-State’s official pages.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Kansas State University
How is K-State tuition calculated?
By the credit hour. For 2026 to 2027, undergraduate tuition is $367.50 per credit hour for Kansas residents and $1,004.19 for nonresidents, plus mandatory fees. K-State’s estimate assumes 15 hours a semester. Some colleges, like Business, add their own fees, so your student’s bill can vary a little by major.
Can an out-of-state student really pay in-state tuition?
Yes, if their best high school GPA is 3.90 or higher. The Wildcat Nonresident Award covers 100% of the nonresident premium at that level. Lower GPAs still get a big chunk: 80% off at 3.75 to 3.89, 60% off at 3.50 to 3.74, and 50% off at 3.25 to 3.49. It renews for four years with a 3.0 college GPA.
Does K-State take part in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)?
Not currently. K-State is not on MHEC’s list of participating MSEP schools. Families from Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota and other MSEP states should look at the Wildcat Nonresident Award instead, which is usually a bigger discount than MSEP would be.
We live in Missouri. Is there a special deal?
For architecture students, possibly. Under the Kansas-Missouri reciprocal tuition agreement, selected Missouri residents admitted to K-State’s architecture, interior architecture and product design, or landscape architecture programs can be granted in-state tuition. The number of waivers is limited, so ask the College of Architecture, Planning & Design early.
Does my student have to live on campus?
Yes, first-year students are required to live on campus. K-State’s estimate uses the median room cost, but housing ranges from about $6,110 to $10,190 a year and meal plans run $4,790 to $5,610, so your choice of hall and plan can move the bill by a few thousand dollars.
Is the average net price what we’ll actually pay?
Think of it as a ballpark. It’s the average paid by first-year students who received grants or scholarships, after that aid. Your number depends on your income and your student’s merit award. K-State’s net price calculator will give you a more personal estimate in about 10 minutes.
When should we file the FAFSA?
By Dec. 1. That’s K-State’s priority date for the 2027 to 2028 FAFSA, and some need-based awards (including the Alumni Legacy Scholarship) depend on it. K-State’s federal school code is 001928.
Dec. 1: Apply for admission. At K-State, the admission application is the automatic scholarship application. Also the FAFSA priority date.
Dec. 15: Competitive and Campbell (honors) scholarship applications due at 5 p.m. Central.
Feb. 1: K-State Scholarship Network (KSN) application due for incoming freshmen.
Apr. 1: Last day for seventh-semester grades and official test scores to raise your automatic award.
Parent rule of thumb: get the admission application in before Thanksgiving. Everything else at K-State builds on it.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at Kansas State University
K-State reviews every admitted student for automatic money. No essays, no extra forms. Your student’s best GPA (weighted or unweighted) counts, and K-State superscores the ACT and SAT. There are two separate grids: Kansas residents are placed using GPA plus test score, while out-of-state students are placed on GPA alone through the Wildcat Nonresident Award. Apply by Dec. 1 to be guaranteed consideration.
What a 3.90 GPA Is Worth at K-State
Student
Test score
Automatic award (per year)
Kansas resident
None sent
$2,000 (Limestone)
Kansas resident
23 to 28 ACT
$4,000 (Royal Purple)
Kansas resident
29+ ACT
$5,000 (University Scholar)
Out-of-state
Doesn’t matter
About $19,101 (Wildcat Nonresident, tuition at the in-state rate)
The out-of-state number is bigger because it is erasing the nonresident premium, not because K-State likes out-of-state students more. The net effect is that a strong out-of-state student pays about what a Kansas family pays.
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.
Automatic
University Scholar Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.9+ GPA✎ ~29 ACT✎ ~1330 SAT3.85+ best GPA with a 29+ ACT (1330+ SAT), or 3.95+ best GPA with a 27-28 ACT (1260-1300 SAT). Kansas residents only.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university scholarship or award, so this replaces any lower tier. Competitive, KSN and departmental awards can be added on top, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 per year, $20,000 over four years. This is the top automatic award for Kansas residents and the one tier that needs a test score. K-State superscores the ACT and SAT and uses your best GPA, weighted or unweighted. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year. Five-year architecture students may get extra renewal time; K-State lists this two different ways, so confirm with the college.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Kansas residents with a 3.85+ GPA and a 29+ ACT, or a 3.95+ GPA and a 27+ ACT. A 3.95 student with no test score on file gets $3,000 instead, so one good test day can be worth $8,000 over four years.
Automatic
Royal Purple Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$4,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.7+ GPA3.95+ GPA with a 21-26 ACT; 3.85-3.94 GPA with a 23-28 ACT; or 3.70-3.84 GPA with a 29+ ACT (SAT equivalents accepted). Kansas residents only.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university scholarship or award. Competitive, KSN and departmental awards can be added on top, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$4,000 per year, $16,000 over four years. Awarded automatically from the admission application. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong-GPA Kansas students with a mid-range test score. A student sitting at 3.90 with a 27 ACT lands here; two more ACT points would move them to University Scholar.
Automatic
Wildcat Traditions Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA3.95+ GPA with no test score (or 20 or below); 3.85-3.94 GPA with a 21-22 ACT; 3.70-3.84 GPA with a 21-28 ACT; or 3.50-3.69 GPA with a 29+ ACT. Kansas residents only.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university scholarship or award. Competitive, KSN and departmental awards can be added on top, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 per year, $12,000 over four years. Fully automatic. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is where a lot of high-GPA Kansas students who skip testing end up. A 3.95 with no score gets $3,000; the same student with a 21 ACT would move up to $4,000.
Automatic
Limestone Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA3.70-3.94 GPA with no test score (or 20 or below); 3.50-3.69 GPA with a 21-28 ACT; or 3.25-3.49 GPA with a 27+ ACT. Kansas residents only.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university scholarship or award. Competitive, KSN and departmental awards can be added on top, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000 per year, $8,000 over four years. Fully automatic. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solid B-plus to A-minus Kansas students, and higher-GPA students who did not send a test score.
Automatic
1863 Landmark Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA3.50-3.69 GPA with no test score (or 20 or below), or 3.25-3.49 GPA with a 26 or below ACT or no score. Kansas residents only.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university scholarship or award. Competitive, KSN and departmental awards can be added on top, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year, $4,000 over four years. The entry tier of the Kansas resident grid. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Kansas students with a 3.25 to 3.69 GPA who did not test high enough (or at all) to reach the next tier.
Automatic
Wildcat Nonresident Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$9,551–$19,101/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPANon-Kansas residents (domestic or international) at the Manhattan or Salina campus, 12+ credit hours. GPA only, no ACT/SAT considered. 3.90+ = 100% of nonresident premium ($19,101/yr); 3.75-3.89 = 80% ($15,281); 3.50-3.74 = 60% ($11,461); 3.25-3.49 = 50% ($9,551). Values are estimates based on 30 credit hours.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Counts as the student's one general university award. Competitive, KSN and regional alumni awards can be added on top, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
This is the biggest automatic award at K-State, and it is only for out-of-state students. It discounts the nonresident portion of tuition by 50% to 100% based on GPA alone. Renews for up to four years with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year (up to five years for five-year architecture programs).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any out-of-state student with a 3.25+ best GPA, weighted or unweighted. At 3.90 or higher, your student pays the same tuition rate as a Kansas resident.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Impact Award
📅 Deadline: May 1 (summer/fall); Dec 1 (spring) ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 3 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 TransferKansas resident transfer students with a 3.5+ cumulative college GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university transfer award. A Phi Theta Kappa award and KSN awards can be added on top.
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 per year, $9,000 over three years. Automatic for qualifying Kansas transfers who apply by the priority date. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: In-state community college and four-year transfers with strong college grades.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer 1863 Landmark Award
📅 Deadline: May 1 (summer/fall); Dec 1 (spring) ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 3 yrs)
$1,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 TransferKansas resident transfer students with a 3.00-3.49 cumulative college GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students earn only one general university transfer award. A Phi Theta Kappa award and KSN awards can be added on top.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,500 per year, $4,500 over three years. Automatic for qualifying Kansas transfers who apply by the priority date. Renews with a 3.0 K-State GPA, full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: In-state transfers with a B average. A 3.5 or higher moves the student up to the $3,000 Transfer Impact award.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Phi Theta Kappa Award
📅 Deadline: May 1 (summer/fall); Dec 1 (spring) Non-Renewable
$1,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
A one-time bonus that is added on top of the general transfer award (Transfer Impact, Transfer 1863 Landmark, or the Wildcat Nonresident Award), up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000, one time. No essay or extra form. Just check the PTK box on the admission application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members during their last semester before K-State and have a 3.5+ cumulative college GPA.
Data last verified Oct 14, 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 receive one general university scholarship or award, whichever is highest. Kansas resident awards are for Kansas residents only; out-of-state students are considered for the Wildcat Nonresident Award instead. Award values are for students entering summer or fall 2027.
Automatic Merit FAQs (Kansas State University)
When do we need to apply to get automatic money?
By Dec. 1. Applying for admission by that date is what guarantees review for the University Scholar, Royal Purple, Wildcat Traditions, Limestone, 1863 Landmark and Wildcat Nonresident awards.
Does K-State superscore the ACT or SAT?
Yes. K-State takes the best section scores across test dates. For the ACT, it calculates the composite both with and without Science and uses whichever is higher.
My out-of-state student hasn’t taken the ACT. Is that a problem?
No. The Wildcat Nonresident Award does not consider test scores at all. A 3.25 or higher best GPA is all it takes to get 50% or more off the nonresident premium.
We live in Kansas and my student has a 3.95 but no test score. What happens?
They get the Wildcat Traditions Scholarship, $3,000 a year. Sending a 21 to 26 ACT would move them to $4,000, and a 27+ would move them to $5,000. That’s why testing is still worth it for Kansas students.
Can the award go up after we apply?
Yes. Send the seventh-semester transcript and any new official scores so they arrive by Apr. 1 of senior year, and K-State will re-check for a higher tier.
How do these renew?
Freshman awards renew for up to four years with a 3.0 K-State GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and 24 K-State credit hours each fall/spring year. Students in five-year architecture programs may get extra time. K-State’s page describes this two different ways, so ask the college.
What about transfer students?
Kansas transfers get the Transfer Impact Award ($3,000 a year with a 3.5+ college GPA) or the Transfer 1863 Landmark Award ($1,500 a year at 3.0 to 3.49). Phi Theta Kappa members with a 3.5+ add a one-time $1,000. Out-of-state transfers with a 3.25+ college GPA get 50% to 100% off the nonresident premium. Apply by May 1 for fall or Dec. 1 for spring.
Do these awards work at every campus?
Kansas resident awards apply on the Manhattan, Salina and Olathe campuses. The Wildcat Nonresident Award applies on the Manhattan and Salina campuses. K-State Online has its own scholarships.
K-State’s big competitive awards on the Manhattan campus all run through one selective scholarship portal, and every application is due Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Central. Several of them invite finalists to an interview and recognition day on Feb. 5, 2027, and families are encouraged to come. The Salina campus has a separate list that mostly works off the Dec. 1 admission application.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at K-State?
Aid Type
Stacks with Merit?
K-State Parent Translation
Automatic (general university) awards
One only
Your student gets the single highest award they qualify for, either from the Kansas grid or the Wildcat Nonresident Award.
Manhattan competitive awards
Designed to add on
K-State describes these as coming “in addition to” general awards. Still, read the award letter carefully.
Campbell Engineering supplement
Yes
Engineering majors chosen as Campbell Scholars get extra money from the College of Engineering, bringing the total to $10,000 a year.
KSN, departmental and regional alumni awards
Usually yes
These are the gap fillers. One KSN application by Feb. 1 puts your student in the running.
Need-based grants
Usually
File the FAFSA by Dec. 1. Total aid from all sources can’t go over the cost of attendance.
The competitive list has something for very different kids. The Presidential and Vanier awards are for the top of the class. Edgerley-Franklin, Kassebaum and Civic Leadership reward service and leadership more than raw scores; the Civic award doesn’t even list a GPA or test minimum. If your student is looking at aviation, drones or robotics at K-State Salina, check that campus’s list too. It includes the biggest award at any K-State campus.
🏫 3.9+ GPA✎ ~32 ACT✎ ~1450 SAT👥 ~2 winners/yr32+ ACT or 1450+ SAT, 3.85+ best GPA, extraordinary leadership, admitted for fall. Open to all residencies.
✚
Stacking & Combining
K-State lists competitive awards as coming in addition to general university awards. Confirm the final package on the award letter; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission, then complete the Presidential Scholarship application in the selective scholarship portal by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15. Finalists attend an on-campus or virtual interview on Feb 5, 2027.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
$20,000 per year, $80,000 over four years. K-State calls this its largest and most selective award. Renewal requires a 3.5 K-State GPA. Winners also get help applying for the Truman and other national scholarships.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Two students a year with top scores and a leadership record that clearly stands out. The interview day decides it.
App Requiredkansas residentcollege of business
Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 15 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$20,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Kansas residents admitted to the College of Business
🏫 3.9+ GPA3.85+ best GPA, preference for 32+ ACT or 1450+ SAT, extraordinary leadership, Kansas resident, admitted to K-State and the College of Business for fall 2027.
✚
Stacking & Combining
K-State lists competitive awards as coming in addition to general university awards. Confirm on the award letter; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission and to the College of Business, then complete the Best of Kansas application in the selective scholarship portal by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15. Finalists interview on campus Feb 5, 2027.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
$20,000 per year, $80,000 over four years. Renews with a 3.5 GPA as long as the student stays in the College of Business.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top Kansas students who are sure they want business. It is the College of Business's largest award, and the on-campus interview decides it.
Automaticsalina campus
Vanier Family Presidential Scholarship (K-State Salina)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$25,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Full-time students at the K-State Salina campus only
🏫 3.9+ GPA✎ ~32 ACTIncoming undergraduates enrolled full-time at K-State Salina with a 32+ ACT and 3.85+ GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Confirm with K-State Salina how this combines with general university awards; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$25,000 per year, $100,000 over four years, the largest award on any K-State campus. Renews with a 3.5 K-State GPA and full-time enrollment at Salina. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee an award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top-scoring students headed to the Salina Aerospace and Technology campus (aviation, drones, robotics and similar programs).
Automaticsalina campus
Vanier Family Bluemont Scholarship (K-State Salina)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Full-time students at the K-State Salina campus only
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~32 ACTIncoming undergraduates enrolled full-time at K-State Salina who meet ANY one of: 32+ ACT, 3.8+ GPA, or top 10% of graduating class.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Confirm with K-State Salina how this combines with general university awards; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 per year, $40,000 over four years. Renews with a 3.5 K-State GPA and full-time enrollment at Salina. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee an award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-GPA students choosing Salina. Unlike the Presidential, a 3.8 GPA alone can qualify.
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~5 winners/yr3.5+ best GPA, strong community service record, must participate in leadership studies. Low-income and first-generation students are encouraged to apply.
✚
Stacking & Combining
K-State lists competitive awards as coming in addition to general university awards. Confirm on the award letter; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission, then submit the Edgerley-Franklin application and one letter of recommendation by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15. Finalists interview on Feb 5, 2027.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 per year, $20,000 over four years, renewable with a 3.0 K-State GPA. Winners join the Leadership Scholars Program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Up to five students a year who have actually taken on problems in their community, not just joined clubs. First-gen and lower-income students are specifically welcomed.
Automaticsalina campus
Vanier Family Leadership Scholarship (K-State Salina)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Full-time students at the K-State Salina campus only
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~26 ACTIncoming undergraduates enrolled full-time at K-State Salina with a 26+ ACT, 3.8+ GPA, and strong leadership in school or community.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Confirm with K-State Salina how this combines with general university awards; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 per year, $20,000 over four years. Renews with a 3.5 K-State GPA and full-time enrollment at Salina. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee an award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Salina-bound students with good scores and a real leadership record.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Onlysalina campusprofessional pilot
Marian W. "Dolly" Hardman Endowment (K-State Salina)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000–$8,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Professional pilot majors at K-State Salina only
🎓 All UndergradUndergraduates enrolled full-time in the professional pilot degree option at K-State Salina.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Confirm with K-State Salina how this combines with other awards; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 to $8,000 per year, $20,000 to $32,000 over four years. Renews with a 3.5 K-State GPA and full-time enrollment at Salina.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Future pilots. Flight training is expensive, so this one is worth chasing for any student in the professional pilot program.
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~21 ACT✎ ~1060 SAT👥 ~40 winners/yrAdmitted to Immersive Systems Design, Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Machine Learning & Autonomous Systems, or Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at K-State Salina; full-time; 3.25+ GPA OR 21+ ACT OR 1060+ SAT; one letter of recommendation.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Confirm with K-State Salina how this combines with other awards; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission to one of the four eligible Salina programs by Dec 1 and submit one letter of recommendation from an educator, counselor, administrator or mentor.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
$6,000 the first year, then $3,000 a year, $12,000 total. Renews with a 3.5 K-State GPA and full-time enrollment at Salina.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Tech-minded students in four specific Salina programs. With 40 awards (10 per program) and modest requirements, the odds are much better than most competitive awards.
App Required
Nancy Landon Kassebaum Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 15 · 📢 Results: mid-Jan Non-Renewable
$5,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.6+ GPA✎ ~26 ACT✎ ~1240 SAT👥 ~5 winners/yr26+ ACT or 1240+ SAT, 3.6+ best GPA, commitment to a career in public service (government or nonprofit). Any major.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award that comes in addition to general university awards. Confirm on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission, then complete the Kassebaum application by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15. Finalists interview on Feb 5, 2027.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000, freshman year only. Named for former U.S. Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker. Winners get support from K-State's assistant dean for prestigious scholarships when applying for the Truman Scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Up to five students a year who can show they are headed toward government or nonprofit work, in any major.
App Required
Civic Leadership Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 15 · 📢 Results: mid-Jan Non-Renewable
$2,000–$4,000
✔ Stackable
👥 ~3 winners/yrExemplary record of community service. No minimum GPA or test score is listed.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award that comes in addition to general university awards. Confirm on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission, then submit the Civic Leadership application and letters of recommendation by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15. Finalists interview on Feb 5, 2027.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Freshman-year award of $2,000 to $4,000 by placing. No GPA or test minimum, which makes it one of the more open competitive awards. Winners also join civic leadership activities and an intro leadership class.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Seniors who started or ran a service project with lasting impact. Three places are awarded: $4,000, $2,500 and $2,000.
Data last verified Oct 14, 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.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
When are the competitive applications due?
Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Central for the Manhattan campus awards (Presidential, Vanier Best of Kansas, Edgerley-Franklin, Kassebaum and Civic Leadership). Students must also have submitted the K-State admission application. Salina awards mostly use the Dec. 1 admission and scholarship priority date.
How hard is the Presidential Scholarship to get?
Very. Only two are awarded each year. It’s $20,000 a year ($80,000 total) and requires a 32+ ACT or 1450+ SAT, a 3.85+ GPA, standout leadership, and an interview. It renews with a 3.5 college GPA.
What’s the Vanier Best of Kansas Scholarship?
The College of Business’s top award, also $20,000 a year. It’s only for Kansas residents admitted to the College of Business, with a 3.85+ GPA and preference for a 32+ ACT. Students must stay in Business to keep it.
Is there a big award for the Salina campus?
Yes. The Vanier Family Presidential Scholarship at K-State Salina is $25,000 a year ($100,000 total) for students with a 32+ ACT and 3.85+ GPA who enroll full-time in Salina. There’s also a $10,000 Bluemont award that a 3.8 GPA alone can qualify for, plus awards for pilots and tech majors.
My student is more of a leader than a test-taker. Is there anything for them?
Yes. Civic Leadership ($2,000 to $4,000) has no GPA or test minimum. Edgerley-Franklin ($5,000 a year for four years) needs a 3.5 GPA and a strong service record, and K-State specifically encourages low-income and first-generation students to apply.
What is the Kassebaum Scholarship?
A one-time $5,000 award for up to five students headed toward government or nonprofit careers, in any major. It needs a 26+ ACT and 3.6+ GPA. Winners also get help applying for the national Truman Scholarship.
Does K-State offer a National Merit package?
We could not find a current National Merit Finalist package on K-State’s scholarship pages. Top scorers should focus on the Presidential, Vanier and Campbell awards instead.
What should my student prepare?
Applications include written responses, and some need letters of recommendation. Families can use our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder to get organized well before Dec. 15.
🧠 Parent Strategy: Don’t Skip the “Second Application”
Getting admitted gets your student the automatic award. It does not put them in the running for K-State’s donor and department money. That happens through the
K-State Scholarship Network (KSN), which opens once your student is admitted.
Watch for the admission email, then log into KSN.
Fill out the profile completely: intended major, activities, hometown, family background. KSN uses all of it to match awards.
Submit by Feb. 1 (incoming freshmen).
Look for the confirmation email in your student’s K-State inbox and save it.
Parent translation: several of the regional alumni scholarships below are picked straight from KSN. Skip it and your student is not even in the pool.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These aren’t automatic, but they usually add on top of merit money. Some depend on where you live, some on family ties to K-State, and some on what your student plans to do.
📍 Where You Live Can Be Worth Money
If you live in…
Award
How to get in the pool
Greater Kansas City (KS or MO side)
$3,000 (27 renewed for 3 more years)
Separate Wabash CannonBall KC application by Dec. 1, 3.5+ GPA
Colorado
$5,000/yr, renewable
KSN by Feb. 1, 3.25+ GPA
Houston area
$5,000, one year
KSN by Feb. 1, 3.25+ GPA
North Texas
$5,000, one year
KSN by Feb. 1, 3.25+ GPA
Oklahoma
$2,000, one year (about 4 awarded)
Check the K-State alumni relative box on the admission app
Out-of-state students can usually pair these with the Wildcat Nonresident Award. The dates above come from the most recent cycle, so confirm on the alumni association’s pages.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: National Army and Air Force ROTC scholarship windows (varies by branch) ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition/stipend
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with K-State merit and KSN awards, up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the national Army or Air Force ROTC scholarship process and contact K-State's ROTC office early in senior year.
💡
Strategic Detail
K-State has Army ROTC (Wildcat Battalion) and Air Force ROTC on campus. An Army ROTC scholarship can cover tuition and fees, or the student can apply it to room and board, capped at $6,000 per semester. Service commitment required.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students committed to serving as officers who meet the academic and fitness standards.
App Requiredkansas city area
Wabash CannonBall Kansas City Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Greater Kansas City high school seniors
🏫 3.5+ GPAHigh school senior living in Johnson, Miami or Wyandotte County, Kansas, or Jackson, Cass, Clay or Platte County, Missouri; 3.5+ GPA (weighted or unweighted); 12+ credit hours.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of merit awards, up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission by Dec 1 and submit the separate Wabash CannonBall Kansas City online application by 11:59 p.m. on Dec 1.
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 for freshman year, funded by the Kansas City alumni gala. 27 renewal scholarships continue for the remaining three years. Missouri-side students also qualify for the Wildcat Nonresident Award, so this can stack with a big tuition discount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Kansas City-area seniors on both sides of the state line. Renewal is competitive: freshman winners can reapply, and 27 are chosen to keep it for three more years.
Automaticcolorado resident
Wabash CannonBall Colorado Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Colorado high school seniors
🏫 3.3+ GPAHigh school senior living in Colorado; admitted to K-State for fall; 3.25+ GPA (weighted or unweighted); 12+ credit hours.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of merit awards, including the Wildcat Nonresident Award, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 per year, renewable for three more years with a 3.0 GPA, funded by the Denver alumni gala and golf tournament.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Colorado seniors who complete KSN on time. Many Colorado families never hear about it.
Automatichouston area
Wabash CannonBall Houston Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 Non-Renewable
$5,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ Houston-area high school seniors
🏫 3.3+ GPAHigh school senior in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery or Waller County, Texas; admitted for fall; 3.25+ GPA; 12+ credit hours.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of merit awards, including the Wildcat Nonresident Award, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 for freshman year ($2,500 per semester), non-renewable. Funded by the Houston alumni gala.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Houston-area seniors who finish KSN by the deadline.
Automaticnorth texas area
Wabash CannonBall North Texas Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 Non-Renewable
$5,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ North Texas high school seniors
🏫 3.3+ GPAHigh school senior in the North Texas area; admitted for fall; 3.25+ GPA (weighted or unweighted); 12+ credit hours.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of merit awards, including the Wildcat Nonresident Award, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$5,000 for freshman year ($2,500 per semester), non-renewable. Funded by North Texas alumni events.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Dallas-Fort Worth area seniors who finish KSN by the deadline.
Automaticoklahoma resident
Oklahoma License Plate Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 Non-Renewable
$2,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ Oklahoma high school seniors; preference to children and grandchildren of K-State alumni
👥 ~4 winners/yrHigh school senior living in Oklahoma; incoming freshman or first-time transfer in any major; 12+ credit hours. Preference to children and grandchildren of K-State alumni.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of merit awards, including the Wildcat Nonresident Award, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000 for one year ($1,000 per semester), non-renewable. Funded by K-State license plates sold in Oklahoma.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Oklahoma legacy students who checked the alumni box on their application. About four are awarded each spring.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
College/Departmental Awards
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Generally added on top of merit awards, up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
After admission, create and submit a KSN profile by Feb 1 (freshmen). Watch your K-State email for the confirmation.
💡
Strategic Detail
One KSN profile matches students to donor-funded and college or department scholarships across all K-State campuses. Amounts vary. Most are one-year awards, so continuing students reapply through KSN each year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who complete KSN fully and on time. Many families skip it because it happens after admission.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Marching Band / Music Ensemble Awards
📅 Deadline: Music Audition Day Feb 3, 2027; other area-specific dates TBA Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with merit and KSN awards, up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Schedule an audition through the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. The main audition day is Feb 3, 2027.
💡
Strategic Detail
The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers general music, ensemble and academic scholarships through auditions. K-State does not publish award amounts.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who audition. Ensemble scholarships are not limited to music majors, so ask about them even if your student plans another major.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Proud to Be First Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Oct 1 Non-Renewable
$500–$750
✔ Stackable
⚠ For enrolled first-generation K-State students
🏫 2.0+ GPA🎓 All UndergradFirst-generation status, enrolled full-time (part-time considered in special cases), 2.0+ GPA. Open to immigrant students who cannot file the FAFSA. Can only be received once.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of other aid, up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Qualtrics application with an essay of up to 750 words and one professional reference by Oct 1.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$500 to $750, awarded each November during First-generation Student Celebration Week. This is for students already at K-State, so it is a sophomore-year opportunity for incoming freshmen.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-gen students who write a personal essay about their identity and plans to give back. K-State says AI-written essays are excluded.
Data last verified Oct 14, 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.
Money the college does not control. Federal programs, city promise funds, foundations, and employers. The college may help you apply, but someone else writes the check, and these almost always stack with the college's own awards.
Outside MoneyAutomatic
K-State Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 Non-Renewable
$2,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~150 winners/yrChild or grandchild of a K-State graduate. Incoming freshmen need a 3.0+ GPA; first-year transfers need a 3.6+ GPA with 24 credits. Financial need required. 12+ credit hours per semester.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of merit awards, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000 for one year, about 150 awarded each spring. Funded by the K-State license plate program. Not every qualifying student receives it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Legacy students with demonstrated financial need who checked the alumni box and filed the FAFSA.
Data last verified Oct 14, 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
What exactly is KSN and when is it due?
It’s K-State’s general scholarship application. One profile matches your student to donor-funded and department awards across all campuses. Incoming freshmen should submit by Feb. 1; transfers and international students by Mar. 15.
My parent went to K-State. Does that help?
It can. The Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship is $2,000 for freshman year, with about 150 awarded each spring. Your student needs a 3.0 GPA, must check the alumni relative box on the admission application, and must file the FAFSA, because financial need is required.
Are there band or music scholarships for non-majors?
Yes. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers ensemble scholarships through auditions, and they are not limited to music majors. The main audition day is Feb. 3, 2027. K-State doesn’t publish amounts, so ask when you schedule.
How much can ROTC cover at K-State?
K-State has Army and Air Force ROTC on campus. An Army ROTC scholarship can pay tuition and fees, or the student can put it toward room and board, capped at $6,000 a semester. It comes with a service commitment.
Is there anything for first-generation students?
Yes, once they’re enrolled. The Proud to Be First Scholarship ($500 to $750) is for current first-gen K-State students, with applications due Oct. 1 each year. For freshman year, first-gen students should apply for the Edgerley-Franklin Leadership Scholarship and complete KSN.
Will these reduce my student’s other aid?
Usually they add on top, but total aid can’t go over the cost of attendance. If your family qualifies for need-based aid, ask the financial aid office how an outside or donor award will be packaged.
K-State’s honors option is the University Honors Program (UHP). It’s a program, not a separate honors college, with about 710 students and a home base in the newly renovated Boyd Hall. Honors students take smaller, discussion-heavy classes, finish a faculty-mentored honors project, and get pushed toward research, study abroad and national scholarships.
How to apply: Answer “yes” to the Honors question on the K-State admission application, and the Honors application shows up in your student’s to-do list.
Who gets in: Reviewed holistically, with no set GPA or test cutoff. UHP looks for students who will keep a 3.5 college GPA and enjoy challenging classes.
The money deadline: Dec. 15 for the Campbell Scholarship, which requires the Honors application.
Honors Scholarships
App Requiredengineering majorshonors program
Robert E. Campbell Scholarship – Engineering Scholar
📅 Deadline: Dec 15 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Engineering majors selected as Campbell Scholars
🏫 3.5+ GPAMust meet every Campbell Scholarship requirement (3.5+ GPA, University Honors Program member) and be enrolled in one of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering's 14 undergraduate programs.
✚
Stacking & Combining
The $10,000 includes the $6,000 Campbell Scholarship plus a College of Engineering supplement. Added on top of general university awards, up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission, complete the University Honors Program application, and submit the Campbell Scholarship application by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester) for engineering majors, renewable with a 3.5 K-State GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Engineering students who are selected as Campbell Scholars. There is no separate application; the Campbell application covers both.
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~35 winners/yr3.5+ best GPA from high school or transfer institution; admitted for summer or fall; must join the University Honors Program. Domestic, international and transfer students eligible.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added on top of general university awards, up to cost of attendance. Engineering majors selected as Campbell Scholars receive an extra College of Engineering supplement.
📄
How to Apply
1) Apply for admission. 2) Answer yes to the University Honors Program question and complete the Honors application. 3) Complete the Campbell Scholarship application by 5 p.m. Central on Dec 15.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$6,000 per year, $24,000 over four years, renewable with a 3.5 K-State GPA. First-year Campbell Scholars live in honors housing in the Strong Complex.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
About 35 students a year out of 300+ applicants. Strong grades matter, but so does real interest in the honors community, since scholars live together and are expected to lead.
Data last verified Oct 14, 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.
Award amounts reflect students entering summer or fall 2027 and can change year to year.
Why the Campbell Scholarship matters: About 35 Campbell Scholars are picked each year from 300+ applicants. That’s selective, but far better odds than the two-per-year Presidential Scholarship. It pays $6,000 a year for four years, and first-year Campbell Scholars live together in honors housing in the Strong Complex. Engineering majors get a College of Engineering supplement that brings it to $10,000 a year.
Honors Perks Beyond Money
Grand Challenges: A yearly interdisciplinary project where honors students tackle one big real-world problem with community partners.
Honors project: A faculty-mentored project tailored to your student’s goals.
Experiences: Undergraduate research, teaching assistantships, internships, study abroad and academic competition teams.
University Honors Program: FAQs (Kansas State)
Is it an Honors College?
No. K-State calls it the University Honors Program. Students stay in their regular college (Engineering, Business and so on) and add honors coursework on top.
Is there a GPA or ACT cutoff?
Not for incoming freshmen. Applications are reviewed holistically. The Campbell Scholarship does require a 3.5 best GPA, and transfers need a 3.5 to join UHP.
Do Honors students automatically get scholarship money?
No. Honors admission and the Campbell Scholarship are separate. Your student has to submit the Campbell application by Dec. 15 to be considered.
Can out-of-state students apply for Campbell?
Yes. It’s open to domestic, international and transfer students. An out-of-state Campbell Scholar can also hold the Wildcat Nonresident Award.
What does it take to keep the Campbell Scholarship?
A 3.5 K-State GPA and active involvement in honors events. Scholars are expected to take leadership roles and act as ambassadors for the program.
K-State has been a land-grant university since 1863, and you can still feel it. This is a school built around practical, career-ready majors, with deep ties to the industries that run the middle of the country. Business, agriculture and engineering together account for close to half of the bachelor’s degrees K-State awards.
Only-at-K-State Program: Grain Science and Industry is one of very few places in the world where students can earn a bachelor’s degree in bakery science, milling science, or feed science. It sounds niche, and it is, which is exactly why employers in the food and grain industries come looking for these graduates. If your student likes chemistry and wants a clear job path, this is worth a look.
Agriculture: About one in eight K-State bachelor’s degrees is in agriculture, including animal sciences, agronomy and agricultural economics.
Business: The largest share of degrees on campus. The College of Business also funds its own top scholarship for Kansas students.
Engineering: The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering offers 14 undergraduate programs and adds its own money for engineers who win the Campbell Scholarship.
Architecture and design: Architecture, interior architecture and product design, and landscape architecture are five-year professional master’s programs, so students finish with the degree they need for licensure.
Aviation at K-State Salina: The Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus offers professional pilot training, uncrewed aircraft (drones), robotics and other tech programs, with scholarships of its own.
A path toward veterinary school: K-State is home to a College of Veterinary Medicine. Vet med is a professional program students enter after undergrad, so pre-vet students major in something like animal sciences first.
🔗 Official Kansas State University Links
Use K-State’s official pages below to double-check deadlines, award amounts and costs. Scholarship rules change from year to year, so these are always the final word.
Here’s the big picture on Kansas State. If you live outside Kansas, this is one of the most straightforward out-of-state deals in the country: a 3.90 GPA gets your student in-state tuition, no test required, and even a 3.25 cuts the out-of-state premium in half. If you live in Kansas, the automatic awards are smaller, so it pays to send a good ACT score, go after the competitive awards by Dec. 15, and fill out KSN by Feb. 1.
Either way, K-State rewards families who get the admission application in by Dec. 1 and don’t stop there. Add in practical programs like grain science, aviation at Salina, agriculture, engineering and business, plus regional alumni money from Kansas City to Houston, and K-State can be a lot more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.
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Leo Dimilo is the founder of CollegeReadyParent. He went through the college money maze with his own daughter and built this site so middle-income and first-generation families can see real costs and real scholarship rules, with no paywall.
More about Leo →
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