Morehead State University Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

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

Navigating college costs in Kentucky can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. This guide breaks down Morehead State University’s scholarships and tuition in plain English—so families, especially first-gen parents, can see real numbers, real options, and how to cut the bill. Don’t forget to also check our Kentucky state aid guide for programs that can stack with MSU awards.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Morehead State University

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits)	$10,444	$16,812
Housing & Meals	$11,470	$11,470
Books & Supplies	$600*	$600*
Total (before aid)	$22,514 + travel/personal	$28,882 + travel/personal

Average Net Price: $10,017 (2022–23). This is what families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships—loans not included.

Regional Discounts & Waivers:
• Ohio Reciprocity — Eligible Ohio counties pay $11,444 instead of $16,812, saving about $5,368 per year.
• Academic Common Market (ACM) — MSU participates in the Academic Common Market, letting students from partner states pay in-state rates if their major isn’t offered back home.

Who qualifies? Ohio students from certain counties qualify automatically; ACM requires you to major in an approved program not offered in your state.

How much can you save? Ohio reciprocity cuts over $5,000 a year. ACM drops tuition all the way to the in-state rate (over $6,000 savings each year).

Is it automatic? Ohio reciprocity is automatic with residency proof. ACM requires a separate application through your home state’s higher education office.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

These are admission-based awards. MSU evaluates GPA and (if submitted) test scores; no separate scholarship application is required for the awards listed here.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility (Plain English)	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Non-Resident Merit — Tier 1	$10,000/yr	Typical profile: ~3.75 GPA & ACT 28 (or SAT equivalent). First-time freshmen from outside Kentucky.	No	Yes (keep full-time; renewal GPA published by MSU)	Top OOS academics in the pool (rigor + strong ACT/SAT if submitted).
Non-Resident Merit — Tier 2	$7,000/yr	Typical profile: ~3.50 GPA & ACT 24 (or SAT equivalent). First-time OOS freshmen.	No	Yes	Solid 3.5–3.7 GPA range with mid-20s ACT/SAT.
Non-Resident Merit — Tier 3 (*)	$5,000/yr*	Typical profile: ~3.0 GPA & ACT 21 (or SAT equivalent).* First-time OOS freshmen.	No	Yes	Good academics with ACT low-20s or comparable SAT.*
Reciprocity Merit — Tier 1 (Ohio-eligible)	$7,000/yr	OOS freshmen from MSU’s approved Ohio counties; ~3.75 GPA & ACT 28.	No	Yes	Top Ohio-county applicants (high GPA + strong test if submitted).
Reciprocity Merit — Tier 2 (Ohio-eligible)	$4,000/yr	OOS freshmen from approved Ohio counties; ~3.50 GPA & ACT 24.	No	Yes	Competitive Ohio-county students with mid-20s ACT/SAT.
Kentucky Resident Merit (tiers)	Published tiers by GPA/ACT (exact amounts pending page capture)	First-time Kentucky freshmen; awards scale by GPA and (if submitted) test score.	No	Yes	Strong GPAs (3.5+) and rigorous coursework land higher tiers; confirm exact bands Phase 2.
Alumni Family Scholarship	Up to $1,000/yr	Child, grandchild, or spouse of a Morehead State alumnus. Considered automatically at admission.	No	Yes	Legacy families with solid academics; many admitted students qualify if they have an alumni tie.
SOAR Higher Scholarship	Full Tuition	Residents of Virginia or West Virginia; minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA and ACT 21 (or SAT equivalent).	No	Yes (maintain GPA; full-time)	Qualified students from VA/WV meeting the GPA+ACT bar. A key discount program for those states.
Governor’s Scholars / Arts / Entrepreneurs Alumni Award	Up to full tuition (amount depends on GPA & ACT)	Kentucky residents who completed the GSP, GSA, or GSE summer programs.	No	Yes	Alumni of KY governor’s programs with strong academics.
Rogers Scholar Award	Scholarship + Housing Stipend (exact $ varies)	Rogers Scholar program alumni entering MSU as freshmen.	No	Yes	Rogers Scholar alumni with good academics and program completion certificate.

Notes: Wide ranges are driven by GPA, test scores (if submitted), and residency/program participation. Items marked with (*) are estimates awaiting MSU’s full tier table confirmation.

Do I need to submit test scores? MSU is test-optional for admission, but ACT/SAT can affect automatic merit and placement. If you have strong scores, include them to maximize merit consideration.

Do they superscore? MSU does not publish an official superscore policy on its scholarship pages. Submit your highest official scores; if you’ve tested multiple times, ask Enrollment Services how they’ll evaluate section highs for scholarships.

Can I stack these with Ohio Reciprocity or other waivers? Some tuition waivers (like reciprocity or SOAR Higher) may not stack with top nonresident merit. Your award letter will spell out which combination applies.

Priority dates? Apply for admission early; Dec 1 is the priority date tied to many scholarships and Honors. MSU Foundation/departmental awards have a Jan–Mar priority window with final deadlines in June.

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (competitive university-wide)

These are MSU’s competitive (flagship) scholarships at the university level—selective awards that typically require extra steps like essays, interviews, or portfolio materials. This section uses “competitive scholarships” language so families (and search engines) understand that “flagship” = highly selective merit at the university level.

Scholarship	Award Amount	What Makes It Competitive	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?
Eagle Opportunity Scholarship	Full Tuition	Highly selective; requires a separate application and review process.	First-time freshmen with strong academics and leadership/service record.	Yes — separate Eagle Opportunity application	Yes (maintain GPA & full-time enrollment)
YMCA Eagle SOAR Scholarship	Full Tuition	Limited slots; competitive review of application materials.	Incoming freshmen affiliated with YMCA Eagle SOAR program.	Yes — separate application required	Yes (renewal criteria published by MSU)

What makes these “flagship” or competitive? They are selective, university-wide awards that go beyond automatic GPA/test review. They require a full application and are limited to a small number of recipients.

What are the deadlines? Most flagship scholarships align with MSU’s Dec 1 priority date. Always check the application portal for the exact year’s deadline.

Do they stack with automatic merit? Typically, flagship awards replace or cap other merit offers. Read your award letter carefully to understand how aid is combined so it doesn’t exceed the Cost of Attendance.

Who actually wins? Students with top-end GPAs, strong test scores (if submitted), and clear leadership/service involvement—often with compelling essays or program ties—are the best positioned for these competitive awards.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond automatic merit and flagship awards, Morehead State has a handful of “hidden gem” opportunities—niche scholarships and programs that parents often overlook. These can stack with other aid and sometimes make the difference in affordability.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Eagle Assurance Scholarship	Covers any remaining tuition & mandatory fees after Pell Grant and other aid	Kentucky residents with Pell Grant eligibility, minimum 2.8 GPA, and living on campus	No (automatic if eligible)	Yes (must maintain Pell eligibility, GPA, and on-campus housing)	Low-income Kentucky students who qualify for Pell and meet GPA/residency rules
Volgenau Scholars Program	Significant award (up to full tuition; varies by funding)	Students majoring in math or science education; preference for first-gen, Pell-eligible, or from specific MSU service counties	Yes — separate program application	Yes (if program participation and GPA maintained)	Education majors with financial need or regional ties; strong fit for first-gen students
MSU Foundation Scholarships (Need-Based)	$500–$5,000+ depending on donor fund	Matched through MSU’s portal; financial need is the primary factor if no other donor-specific criteria are met	Yes — MSU Foundation portal (Jan–Jun cycle)	Yes (varies by donor)	Students with unmet need who apply early and complete FAFSA
Eagle Leader Scholarship	Award amount varies; typically $1,000–$2,500/yr	Students with demonstrated leadership; minimum 2.85 GPA and ACT 21	Yes — application required	Yes (maintain GPA and leadership participation)	Active student leaders with solid academics and extracurricular involvement
Alumni Family Scholarship	Up to $1,000/yr	Child, grandchild, or spouse of a Morehead State alumnus; financial need considered	No (automatic consideration with admission)	Yes	Legacy families with FAFSA on file and demonstrated need
Army ROTC Scholarships	Full tuition & fees, $1,200/yr books, $420/mo stipend	Cadets meeting Army ROTC standards (academics, fitness, leadership)	Yes — national or campus-based ROTC application	Yes	Qualified cadets, especially Nursing/STEM students, with strong fitness and academics
Education Abroad Scholarship	$1,000 one-time	Students approved for MSU study abroad	Yes — through Education Abroad office	No	Students with a well-planned program and strong academic standing
Undergraduate Research Fellowship (URF)	$9.00–$10.50/hr (paid research job)	Students who secure a faculty mentor and commit to research	Yes — URF application	Yes (if mentor relationship continues)	Motivated students interested in faculty-guided research

Disclaimer: Award amounts for the Eagle Leader Scholarship and Volgenau Scholars Program vary by funding; ranges shown here reflect typical awards. Confirm exact amounts with MSU’s scholarship office. GPA/ACT cutoffs are based on published criteria where available; items marked with ranges should be verified annually.

Departmental Scholarships: Available across majors (music, theatre, dance, sciences, etc.); audition or departmental application often required.
Marching Band Awards: Audition-based; amounts vary by instrument and need of th

Do these stack with other scholarships? Yes, most hidden gem awards (ROTC, research, donor funds) can be combined with merit or need-based aid up to the Cost of Attendance.

How do I find donor or identity-based awards? Through the MSU Foundation scholarship portal, which opens in January. A single application can match you to multiple awards.

Are these awards renewable? ROTC and URF can be renewed if requirements are met; Education Abroad is a one-time stipend; donor scholarships vary by fund.

What’s the timeline? Foundation applications run Jan–Jun (priority by Mar 15). ROTC and URF are rolling, tied to program entry. Education Abroad is tied to program deadlines.

⭐ College Specialty

Morehead State University may be smaller than some flagship campuses, but it has carved out a national reputation in a few standout fields. Families looking at MSU often hear about its space science labs or its strong professional programs that feed Kentucky’s workforce.

Best-Known Program:
🚀 Space Science & Aerospace Engineering — MSU operates one of the nation’s leading undergraduate space science programs, complete with its own Space Science Center and CubeSat satellite missions.

Veterinary Technology: Among the first four-year vet tech programs in Kentucky, with upgraded facilities in 2025 and strong career placement statewide.
Nursing (BSN & RN-to-BSN): Consistently ranked a top Kentucky nursing program for NCLEX pass rates and workforce readiness.
Education: Recognized regionally for producing teachers, especially in STEM and rural education pipelines.

🎖️ Honors College

Morehead State’s Honors College—formally the George M. Luckey, Jr. Academic Honors Program—offers high-achieving students a tight-knit learning community with the perks and resources of a larger university. It’s the home of MSU’s most competitive scholarship and provides a pathway for students aiming at graduate school, research, or leadership-heavy careers.

What a Typical Honors Student Looks Like:
GPA in the 3.7–4.0 range, strong ACT/SAT (if submitted), AP/dual credit or advanced coursework, and leadership/service involvement. Admission is by application with essays, a writing sample, and an interview.

Perks That Matter:

Priority registration for classes
Dedicated Honors housing in Fields Hall
Small, seminar-style courses with faculty mentorship
Undergraduate research funding and support for study abroad
Capstone thesis project with faculty guidance

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
George M. Luckey, Jr. Honors Scholarship	Full Ride: tuition & fees, Honors housing, meal plan, book stipend, plus one-time $1,500 study abroad allowance	Incoming freshmen admitted to the Honors College with outstanding academics, leadership, and a commitment to rigorous study	Yes — requires essay, letter of recommendation, portfolio/sample work, and interview	Yes — must remain in Honors and meet GPA/program requirements	Top-end applicants: near-perfect GPAs, strong test scores if submitted, advanced coursework, and significant leadership/service records

Is admission automatic? No. You must apply separately to the Honors College and to the Honors Scholarship, with a December 1 priority deadline.

Does Honors add time to your degree? No. MSU designs Honors to fit within a four-year plan, though the thesis and research components require careful planning with an advisor.

What makes this scholarship different? It’s MSU’s most prestigious and comprehensive award, covering nearly every cost of attendance plus a study abroad stipend.

Who typically earns it? Students with 4.0-level GPAs, advanced AP/dual enrollment, leadership roles, and polished essays/interviews stand out in the review process.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Morehead State proves that a regional Kentucky university can still offer big opportunities. From automatic aid and full-tuition flagship awards to hidden gems like Eagle Assurance and ROTC, families have real ways to bring the sticker price down. And with standout programs in space science, nursing, and education, MSU gives students both affordability and strong career pathways. If your student is a high-achiever, a first-gen trailblazer, or somewhere in between, there’s a scholarship here that can make the numbers work.

✅ Last updated: September 25, 2025