Scholarships for New Freshmen

Award amounts and requirements

Trustees

Annual amount: 100% Tuition plus $1,500 stipend
ACT or SAT: 33-36 or 1450-1600
GPA: 3.70-4.00

Regents

Annual amount: 80% Tuition plus $1,500 stipend
ACT or SAT: 33-36 or 1450-1600
GPA: 3.60-3.69

Annual amount: 80% Tuition plus $1,500 stipend
ACT or SAT: 30-32 or 1360-1440
GPA: 3.60-4.00

Provost

Annual amount: 60% Tuition plus $1,000 stipend
ACT or SAT: 30-36 or 1360-1600
GPA: 3.50-3.59

Annual amount: 60% Tuition plus $1,000 stipend
ACT or SAT: 28-29 or 1300-1350
GPA: 3.50-4.00

Carr

Annual amount: 45% Tuition
ACT or SAT: 26-27 or 1230-1290
GPA: 3.50-4.00

University

Annual amount: 20% Tuition
ACT or SAT: 26-36 or 1230-1600
GPA: 3.00-3.49

Annual amount: 20% Tuition
ACT or SAT: 24-25 or 1160-1220
GPA: 3.00-4.00

Deans

Annual amount: $1,500
ACT or SAT: 21-23 or 1060-1150
GPA: 3.00-4.00

Opportunity

Annual amount: $1,000
ACT or SAT: less than 21 or No ACT or less than 1060 or no SAT
GPA: 3.00-4.00

Rules and Regulations

• 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 Presidential Fellowship, Marvin D. Mills Scholarship, 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)
• Participate in the Honors College if receiving a Trustee Scholarship

Award Covers

• 100% Tuition
• On-campus housing (double occupancy)
• Meal plan

• Only available for new freshmen who entered Murray State Fall 2016 or later
• Awarded for up to four years at Murray State, or until Bachelor's degree is obtained (whichever occurs first)
• Scholars must meet requirements listed below each year to renew

Renewal requirements

• 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

Deadline to Apply

December 1, 2021

• Students must be admitted before they can access the scholarship application.
• If you submit the General Scholarship Application by the December deadline, you will also meet the February deadline since the same application is used for both deadlines.

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 March. 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) or until a Bachelor's degree is obtained, whichever occurs first. 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).

Alumni know that students at Murray State University will receive a life-changing, high-impact, total college experience as they pursue success, and are supported throughout their journey by a special community that includes dedicated faculty and 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.

Deadline to Apply

Students must submit the scholarship application by the deadline as advertised in the scholarship application system.

3 Types of Competitive Leadership Scholarships

• Marvin D. Mills Scholarship
• Gold Leadership Scholarship
• Blue Leadership Scholarship

Marvin D. Mills Scholarship

Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:

• A minimum of 24 ACT composite score
• AND a 3.2 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)
• Scholars must meet requirements listed below each year to renew

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 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

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 a 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 and Governor's School for the Arts Scholarships

There are two Scholarship Levels for Kentucky GSP and GSA Alumni who will be entering Murray State as new freshmen in the fall semester:

1. Full Tuition for students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative high school GPA & minimum 25 ACT Composite score
2. $1000 for students not meeting the full tuition requirements but who have an ACT Composite Score of at least an 18 and at least a 3.3 cumulative high school GPA

In addition, there are six competitive full-tuition scholarships for GSA alumni not meeting the 25 ACT and 3.5 GPA requirements but who have at least an 18 ACT and 3.3 GPA. Students must be majoring in art, music, or theatre to compete for one of these six tuition scholarships. Contact the appropriate academic department for more information.

 GSP/GSA Scholarships are awarded for four years (amount to be split in half for eight consecutive semesters) or until the first bachelor's degree is obtained, whichever occurs first.

Renewal requires the following:

• 3.25 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 Scholarships cannot be combined with the following scholarships:

• Academic Achievement Scholarships
• Presidential Fellowships
• Commonwealth Honors Academy Scholarships
• Marvin D. Mills Scholarships
• National Merit Finalist Scholarships

Students must complete the following to qualify for Murray State scholarships:

• Complete & meet admission application requirements
• Complete the Murray State scholarship application by the appropriate deadline

Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Program Scholarship

 Beginning with the entering freshmen of fall 2021, Murray State is will offer the following scholarship for GSE alumni who enter MSU as a new freshman:

 $1500 for students who have an ACT Composite Score of at least an 18 (960 SAT Math + Verbal score) and at least a 3.3 cumulative high school GPA

 GSE Scholarships are awarded for four years (amount to be split in half for eight consecutive semesters) or until the first bachelor's degree is obtained, whichever occurs first.

Renewal requires the following:

• 3.25 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

 GSE Scholarships cannot be combined with the following:

•  Academic Achievement Scholarships
• Presidential Fellowships
• Commonwealth Honors Academy Scholarships
• Marvin D. Mills Scholarships
• National Merit Finalist Scholarships

Students must complete the following to qualify for Murray State scholarships:

• Complete & meet admission application requirements
• Complete the Murray State scholarship application by the appropriate deadline

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!

Learn more about the Murray State Promise.

The Murray State Promise tuition program provides scholarship assistance for eligible first-time freshmen 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.

Qualifications

• Kentucky resident
• Entering Murray State as a first-time freshmen or new transfer student
• Admitted to Murray State (must occur before gaining access to the University’s scholarship application)
• Eligible for and receive the Federal Pell Grant
• Complete the Murray State General Scholarship Application by first day of semester
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by first day of semester
• Enroll and complete at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester at Murray State

New freshmen meeting the qualifications may receive the tuition assistance for four consecutive years or receipt of the bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.

Murray State has been the recipient of generous scholarship donations from numerous benefactors. Due to these generous donations, Murray State is able to award millions of dollars to students each year. These privately-funded scholarships are commonly referred to as competitive awards as they require students to submit the General Scholarship Application each year.  Students may access the General Scholarship Application from the Financial Aid/Scholarship section of their myGate portal.

There are different categories of competitive scholarships which include the following:

• Geographic/High School specific
• Department/Major related (Major must be declared on your official record with Murray State)
• Activity related
• Leadership
• Need-based
• Presidential Fellowship