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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Eastern Kentucky University
Decision sheet

Kentucky · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Beginning Fall 2026, EKU's 'Eastern Experience' model gives every admitted in-state, on-campus, full-time freshman an automatic merit scholarship of $1,000-$9,000/year based on a published unweighted-GPA (plus optional test) grid — no application needed — but those awards do NOT stack with any other scholarship or tuition waiver.

More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 10 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

Regent's Award (Eastern Experience)

$9,000 · Published amount

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.8+ unweighted · SAT: 1310+ · ACT: 28+ (or 1310+ SAT)

Eligibility: In-state, on-campus, first-time freshman only. GSP students with 28+ ACT or 1310+ SAT receive the Regent's Award regardless of GPA.

Renewal: Renews with a 3.2 EKU GPA, 24 earned EKU hours, full-time enrollment. Awarded for 8 continuous semesters.

Other terms: Highest tier. Requires BOTH the GPA floor and the test score. Automatically applied — no separate application.

https://www.eku.edu/tuition-and-aid/merit-scholarships/

President's Award (Eastern Experience)

$7,000 · Published amount

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.8 – 4.0 unweighted · ACT: None required

Eligibility: In-state, on-campus, first-time freshman only. EKU Honors and GSP students receive the President's Award regardless of GPA.

Renewal: Renews with a 3.2 EKU GPA, 24 earned EKU hours, full-time enrollment. Awarded for 8 continuous semesters.

Other terms: No test score required. Note the overlap with the Regent's Award: a 3.8-4.0 GPA student WITHOUT a 28 ACT/1310 SAT lands here at $7,000, not $9,000.

https://www.eku.edu/tuition-and-aid/merit-scholarships/

One Eastern Award (Eastern Experience)

$5,000 · Published amount

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.4 – 3.79 unweighted · ACT: None required

Eligibility: In-state, on-campus, first-time freshman only. GSE, GSA and Rogers scholars receive the One Eastern Award regardless of GPA.

Renewal: Renews with a 3.0 EKU GPA, 24 earned EKU hours, full-time enrollment. Awarded for 8 continuous semesters.

Other terms: No test score required. Automatically applied.

https://www.eku.edu/tuition-and-aid/merit-scholarships/

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Outside scholarships reduce loans and/or work-study first; institutional grants are only reduced if required to prevent an over-award.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/eastern-kentucky-university/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.