Scholarships for First-Year Students

Award amounts and requirements

Listed GPAs are weighted.

Trustee

$10,000 per year
Minimum 33+ ACT or 1450+ SAT
GPA: 3.80-4.00

Regents

Annual amount: $8,000
28-32 ACT or 1300-1440 SAT
GPA: 3.80-4.00

Provost

Annual amount: $5,000
No ACT or SAT requirement
GPA: 3.80-4.00

Carr

Annual amount: $4,000
GPA: 3.50-3.79

University

Annual amount: $3,000
GPA: 3.30-3.49

Deans

Annual amount: $2,500
GPA: 3.00-3.29

Opportunity

Annual amount: $1,000
GPA: 2.75-2.99

• Highest test score will be used for Awarding Academic Achievement Scholarships.  Test scores may be submitted up to the start of fall semester classes

• Awarded at the time of admission

• Students qualify for only one Academic Achievement Scholarship

• Awards are for up to four years at Murray State

• Scholars must meet GPA and academic progress requirements each year to renew

• Awards are calculated and capped at 12-15 hours per semester.

• Cannot be combined with Presidential Fellowship, Marvin D. Mills Scholarship, GSP/GSA/GSE/CHA Scholarships, or National Merit Finalist Scholarship

• Scholarships are awarded in combination with other aid and are not to exceed the cost of attendance.

Academic Achievement Scholarships are renewable for four consecutive years, or until the bachelor's degree is obtained, whichever occurs first. In order to renew this scholarship recipients must:

• Maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA
• Enroll full-time (at least 12 credit hours per semester)
• Earn at least 24 credits hours within the academic year (fall & spring semesters combined)

Deadline to Apply

December 1, 2023

• Students must be admitted before they can access the scholarship application.

• Students must submit official transcript and official test scores to the Admissions Office prior to December 1, 2023.

Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:

• A minimum of 28 ACT composite score (or minimum of 1300 SAT Verbal and Math Combined Score)

• AND a 3.7 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Selection Information

Students meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to the Presidential Fellowship competition (date to be determined). Honors Day will give students a chance to learn more about the programs on Murray State’s campus geared towards high-achieving students, including the University’s Honors College. Honors Day is held as a part of Admitted Student Weekend.  Students attending Honors Day will also write essays (before attending the competition) and attend group interviews. Based upon application materials, essays, and group interviews, a select group of the students who attend Honors Day will be invited back for final, individual Presidential Fellowship interviews in February. Students must attend the competition to be considered for the Presidential Fellowship.

Presidential Fellowships cover the cost of tuition, on-campus housing (double-occupancy rate), and a meal plan. The fellowship is awarded for four consecutive years, summers excluded. In order for the fellowship to be renewed yearly, recipients must maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA, full-time status, participate in the Honors College, and participate in research in the appropriate academic discipline. Presidential Fellowships cannot be combined with any other Murray State scholarships.

Students will be emailed more information regarding the competition after they submit the General Scholarship Application and official transcripts (to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions).

The Presidential Fellowship cannot be combined with Academic Achievement Award, Marvin D. Mills Scholarship, GSP/GSA/GSE/CHA Scholarships, or National Merit Finalist Scholarship.

Complete the Murray State General Scholarship Application before December 1. If your GPA and test scores meet the requirements, you will be invited to participate in the Presidential Fellowship competition.

The competition includes writing an essay and completing a group interview at Honors Day. Honors Day is part of Admitted Student Weekend and will give you a chance to learn more about the Honors College.

After Honors Day, applications, essays and group interviews will be evaluated and finalists will be invited back to campus for individual interviews.

• Maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA

• Enroll full-time (at least 12 credit hours per semester)

• Earn at least 24 credits hours within the academic year (fall & spring semesters combined)

• Participate in the Honors College

Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:

• A minimum of 24 ACT composite score or 1160 SAT total score

• AND a 3.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Award Covers

• Tuition cost equal to Kentucky cost of tuition

• On-campus housing (double occupancy)

• Meal plan

• Awarded for up to four years at Murray State, or until a Bachelor's degree is obtained (whichever occurs first)

• Highest test score will be used for Awarding Academic Achievement Scholarships.  Test scores may be submitted up to the start of fall semester classes

• Awarded at the time of admission

• Students qualify for only one Academic Achievement Scholarship

• Awards are for up to four years at Murray State, or until Bachelor's degree is obtained (whichever occurs first)

• Percentages are calculated and capped at 12-15 hours per semester

• Scholars must meet GPA and academic progress requirements each year to renew

• Academic Achievement Scholarships can be applied to direct costs (tuition, on-campus housing, meal plan charges, etc.)

• Cannot be combined with Academic Achievement Award, Presidential Fellowship, GSP/GSA/GSE Scholarships, or National Merit Finalist Scholarship

• Scholarships are awarded in combination with other aid and are not to exceed the cost of attendance

Revisions (up or down) will be made based on final official high school GPAs and test scores (ACT or SAT) received by Murray State University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Renewal requirements

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA

• Enroll full-time (at least 12 credit hours per semester)

• Earn at least 24 credits hours within the academic year (fall & spring semesters combined)

• Complete Mills Multicultural Center requirements

• Participate in the Emerging Scholars Institute

Gold Leadership

Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:

• a 3.2 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

• a 21 ACT composite score or 1060 SAT total score

Award Covers

• $6,000 annually - can pay toward any direct cost, non-penalty fees (i.e. tuition, on-campus housing, meal plan, etc.)

• Awarded for up to four years at Murray State, or until a Bachelor's degree is obtained (whichever occurs first)

• Scholars must meet requirements listed below each year to renew

Renewal requirements

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative Murray State GPA

• Enroll full-time (at least 12 credit hours per semester)

• Earn at least 24 credits hours within the academic year (fall & spring semesters combined)

• Complete Mills Multicultural Center requirements

• Participate in the Emerging Scholars Institute

Blue Leadership Award

Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:

• 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Award Covers

• $2000 annually - can pay toward any direct cost, non-penalty fees (i.e. tuition, on-campus housing, meal plan, etc)

• Awarded for up to four years at Murray State, or until a Bachelor's degree is obtained (whichever occurs first)

• Scholars must meet requirements listed below each year to renew

Renewal requirements

• Maintain a 2.75 cumulative Murray State GPA

• Enroll full-time (at least 12 credit hours per semester)

• Earn at least 24 credits hours within the academic year (fall & spring semesters combined)

• Complete Mills Multicultural Center requirements

• Participate in the Emerging Scholars Institute

Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program (GSP), Governor's School for the Arts (GSA), Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) and Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA) Scholarships

 

Award amounts

GSP, GSA, GSE, CHA

• Full in-state tuition scholarship - Students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative high school GPA & minimum 25 ACT Composite score

GSA Competitive (six available)

• Full in-state tuition scholarship - GSA Alumni majoring in art, music, or theatre who have an ACT Composite Score 18-24 and a 3.3 or above cumulative high school GPA. Contact the appropriate academic department for more information.

Renewal requirements

• 2.75 cumulative GPA

• Full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hour per each fall and spring semester)

• Completion of at least 24 credit hours combined from the fall and spring semester

 

GSP/GSA/GSE/CHA Scholarships cannot be combined with Academic Achievement Scholarships, Presidential Fellowships, Marvin D. Mills Scholarships or National Merit Finalist Scholarships.

Alumni know that students at Murray State University will receive a life-changing education while being supported throughout their journey by a special community, dedicated faculty and caring staff.

The Murray State Alumni Legacy Tuition Grant provides in-state tuition to eligible out-of-state undergraduate children and grandchildren of Murray State graduates.

No tuition.  Our promise.

Through the Murray State Promise, eligible first-time freshmen and new transfer students who meet the below qualifications will be eligible to attend Murray State, tuition-free.  Murray State is committed to providing both access and affordability.

Who is eligible

• Kentucky resident

• Entering Murray State as a first-year student or new transfer student

• Eligible for and receive the Federal Pell Grant

• Enroll and complete at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester at Murray State

 

Learn more about the Murray State Promise.

Award covers

The Murray State Promise tuition program provides scholarship assistance for eligible first-year and new transfer students.

Our promise is to provide scholarship assistance to help pay for tuition and mandatory fees if the student's combined federal, state, institutional and private gift aid total is less than the cost of Murray State's tuition (12-15 hours).

Online fees, course fees, tuition above 15 hours, and other costs such as housing, meals, books, etc. are not covered.

Renewal requirements

This scholarship is renewable for students who continue to meet the eligibility guidelines.