Applying for scholarships is easy! After you're admitted to Murray State, you'll only need to complete two forms to be considered to receive a scholarship from Murray State - the Murray State General Scholarship Application and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
1. Apply for admission to Murray State and receive your acceptance information. When you're accepted, you will receive a myGate username and password. You will need that information to apply for scholarships.
2. Complete the Murray State General Scholarship Application before the deadline (February 5, 2024). Submit the application before December 1, 2023 to be considered for the Presidential Fellowship.
3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application opens December 2023.
4. Check your postal mail and email for your award letter. Award letters are usually sent in mid-March.
5. Accept your awards before June 20, 2024.
4.00 to 3.80
AND
33+ ACT or 1450+ SAT
4.00 to 3.80
AND
28-32 ACT or 1300-1440 SAT
4.00 to 3.80
No ACT/SAT required
Academic Achievement Scholarships are awarded when you are admitted. Scholarship amounts are based on GPA (Trustee and Regents scholarships require ACT/SAT scores) and range from $1,000 to $10,000. The minimum GPA to receive an Academic Achievement Scholarship is 2.75. Academic Achievement Scholarships are eligible for renewal.
Award amounts and requirementsListed GPAs are weighted.
$10,000 per year
Minimum 33+ ACT or 1450+ SAT
GPA: 3.80-4.00
Annual amount: $8,000
28-32 ACT or 1300-1440 SAT
GPA: 3.80-4.00
Annual amount: $5,000
No ACT or SAT requirement
GPA: 3.80-4.00
Annual amount: $4,000
GPA: 3.50-3.79
Annual amount: $3,000
GPA: 3.30-3.49
Annual amount: $2,500
GPA: 3.00-3.29
Annual amount: $1,000
GPA: 2.75-2.99
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:
Many of our scholarships are eligible for renewal if you meet certain guidelines. If you qualify for renewal, you will continue to receive the award for a maximum of four consecutive years while you are enrolled at Murray State. Check with Student Financial Services for complete information about scholarship renewal and official guidelines for all of our scholarship awards.
Presidential Fellowships are awarded to high-achieving students. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, on-campus housing (double-occupancy rate), and a meal plan. Presidential Fellowships are eligible for renewal. Note - The deadline to apply for the Presidential Fellowship is December 1, 2023
Award amounts and requirementsDecember 1, 2023
Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:
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.
Selection processComplete 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.
Renewal requirementsThe Marvin D. Mills Scholarship is a competitive Leadership scholarship that covers tuition up to the in-state rate, housing and dining.
Award amounts and requirementsWho is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:
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 requirementsLeadership scholarships are available at two different levels - blue and gold and range from $2,000 to $6,000. Both scholarships are eligible for renewal.
Gold LeadershipWho is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:
Who is eligible
Graduating high school seniors with:
If you participated in the Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE), the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts (GSA), the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) or the Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA), you may be eligible for a scholarship. These scholarships are eligible for renewal.
GSP, GSA, GSE and CHA ScholarshipsGSP/GSA/GSE/CHA Scholarships cannot be combined with Academic Achievement Scholarships, Presidential Fellowships, Marvin D. Mills Scholarships or National Merit Finalist Scholarships.
The Alumni Legacy Tuition Grant offers out-of-state children and grandchildren of Murray State alumni tuition at the in-state rate. The Murray State Promise provides tuition assistance to first-year and new transfer students who are residents of Kentucky.
Alumni Legacy Tuition GrantAlumni 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.
Murray State PromiseNo 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.
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.
This scholarship is renewable for students who continue to meet the eligibility guidelines.
Murray State is able to award millions of dollars to students each year because of the generosity of alumni and donors who appreciate the value of a Murray State education. These privately-funded scholarships are commonly referred to as competitive awards. Apply using the General Scholarship Application.
Eligibility for competitive scholarship categories may include:
Official award amounts, regulations and eligibility requirements for all scholarships are determined by Student Financial Services at Murray State University.