The starting point
WKU automatically awards merit scholarships of $1,000–$7,500/year (no test score required for most tiers) to any freshman with a 3.0+ GPA, with competitive Cherry Presidential awards up to $16,000/year for 3.8+ GPA / 30+ ACT students.
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 18 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.
Academic Scholarship — Tier 1 (3.80–4.00 GPA + 30 ACT / 1360 SAT)
$7,500 per year | $30,000 total over four years · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.80–4.00 unweighted cumulative high school GPA · SAT: 1360 (superscores not considered) · ACT: 30+ composite (superscores not considered)
Eligibility: Complete application package (admitted + official transcript + test scores) on file by December 31, 2025. Full-time enrollment required.
Renewal: Automatically renewable with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (at the end of the spring semester). Renewable for up to eight (8) semesters of full-time undergraduate study or until receipt of a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. Requires full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours each semester).
Other terms: No residency requirement. Award applies regardless of in-state or out-of-state status. Scholarship may be partially funded using foundation awards. Scholarship offers are limited and will be offered pending timely application and availability of funds.
https://www.wku.edu/financialaid/scholarships/2627awards/2627merit.php
Academic Scholarship — Tier 2 (3.80–4.00 GPA, no test score required)
$3,500 per year | $14,000 total over four years · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.80–4.00 unweighted cumulative high school GPA · SAT: None required · ACT: None required
Eligibility: Complete application package (admitted + official transcript) on file by December 31, 2025. Full-time enrollment required.
Renewal: Automatically renewable with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (at the end of the spring semester). Renewable for up to eight (8) semesters of full-time undergraduate study or until receipt of a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. Requires full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours each semester).
Other terms: No residency requirement. Students with 3.80–4.00 GPA who also meet the 30 ACT / 1360 SAT threshold are upgraded to Tier 1 ($7,500). No test score needed to qualify at this tier.
https://www.wku.edu/financialaid/scholarships/2627awards/2627merit.php
Academic Scholarship — Tier 3 (3.50–3.79 GPA)
$2,500 per year | $10,000 total over four years · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.50–3.79 unweighted cumulative high school GPA · SAT: None required · ACT: None required
Eligibility: Complete application package (admitted + official transcript) on file by December 31, 2025. Full-time enrollment required.
Renewal: Automatically renewable with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (at the end of the spring semester). Renewable for up to eight (8) semesters of full-time undergraduate study or until receipt of a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. Requires full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours each semester).
Other terms: No residency requirement. No test score required.
https://www.wku.edu/financialaid/scholarships/2627awards/2627merit.php
