KU Scholarships
In-state freshman merit scholarships, fall 2022
| Name | GPA (based on 4.0 scale) | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chancellor | 3.95+ | $20,000 ($5,000 per year) |
| Traditions | 3.85 to 3.94 | $16,000 ($4,000 per year) |
| Crimson & Blue | 3.70 to 3.84 | $12,000 ($3,000 per year) |
| Rock Chalk | 3.5 to 3.69 | $8,000 ($2,000 per year) |
| Jayhawk | 3.25 to 3.49 | $4,000 ($1,000 per year) |
National Merit Finalists (Kansas residents only)
Kansas students who are designated as National Merit Finalists and have selected KU as their number one college choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, will have $1,000 per year added to their award. Renewal criteria is the same as other merit-based aid
Out-of-state freshman merit scholarships, fall 2022
| Name | GPA (based on 4.0 scale) | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| KU Excellence | 3.95+ | $64,000 ($16,000 per year) |
| KU Distinction | 3.85 to 3.94 | $56,000 ($14,000 per year) |
| KU Achievement | 3.70 to 3.84 | $48,000 ($12,000 per year) |
| KU Performance | 3.5 to 3.69 | $40,000 ($10,000 per year) |
| KU Access | 3.25 to 3.49 | $32,000 ($8,000 per year) |
Eligibility
- These scholarships are given to domestic students who enroll in at least 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semester immediately following their high school graduation.
- GPA is based on a 4.0 scale. KU will use either the weighted or unweighted GPA — whichever benefits the student most — after a student’s sixth high school semester. GPA will be confirmed upon receipt of a final, official high school transcript. (An unofficial transcript can be sent at time of application.)
- Students who apply by the Dec. 1 scholarship deadline have until Feb. 1 to update their application with an improved seventh-semester GPA for scholarship consideration.
- Awards are offered based on preliminary or self-reported academic information, but all awards are contingent upon receipt of the official, final high school transcript verifying the requirements have been met. The award will be withdrawn if all requirements have not been fulfilled.
Renewal
- Student must maintain a 3.25 KU GPA and complete at least 27 hours per academic year, which can include any summer coursework taken at KU.
- Scholarships are given for a student’s first bachelor’s degree or eight semesters of enrollment, whichever comes first.
Need-based aid
Incoming freshmen who file the FAFSA by Feb. 1 and demonstrate financial need will be considered for our Jayhawk Access Grant. If awarded, this grant will be included in the student’s financial aid overview, available in early March.
Transfer scholarships
Renewable scholarship - $6,000 ($2,000/yr)
3.5 cumulative college GPA
Renewable scholarship - $3,750 ($1,250/yr)
3.25 cumulative college GPA
All-state Kansas Academic Team - $1,000 (non-renewable)*
3.5 cumulative college GPA
Phi Theta Kappa - $500 (non-renewable)
3.5 cumulative college GPA
There's no separate application for these scholarships.
Transfer scholarships are offered to qualifying students who enroll during any semester. These scholarships may be renewed for up to three years. Students can only receive one of these scholarships at a time.
*If you are named to the All-State Kansas Academic Team or are a Phi Theta Kappa scholar, the one-time scholarship can be combined with other scholarships. The Phi Theta Kappa scholarship is only available for transfer students.
Eligibility requirements
To receive the scholarship, you must
- submit a complete admission application (by May 1 for fall semesters and Dec. 1 for spring semesters).
- submit an official transcript (by June 30 for summer and fall semesters or by Jan. 6 for spring semesters).
- have completed 24 transferable college credit hours.
- not have earned a bachelor's degree previously.
- ask your Phi Theta Kappa advisor to submit a PTK Membership Verification Form by July 1 for the fall semester or Jan. 6 for the spring semester (if seeking the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship).
- not have previously attended KU as a degree-seeking student.
Students who start in the summer will receive their scholarship in the fall.
Renewal criteria
To renew the scholarship, you must complete 27 KU hours and earn a cumulative 3.25 KU GPA.
Renewable scholarship - $6,000 ($2,000/yr)
3.5 cumulative college GPA
Renewable scholarship - $3,750 ($1,250/yr)
3.25 cumulative college GPA
Midwest Student Exchange Program - $35,466 ($11,822/yr)
3.25 cumulative college GPA and live in a participating state: Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin.
Phi Theta Kappa - $35,466 ($11,822/yr)
3.25 cumulative college GPA
There's no separate application for these scholarships.
Visit scholarship detail pages for more specific requirements on the Midwest Student Exchange Program.
Transfer scholarships are offered to qualifying students who enroll during any semester. These scholarships may be renewed for up to three years. Students can only receive one of these scholarships at a time.
The Phi Theta Kappa and Midwest Student Exchange scholarship are only available for transfer students.
Eligibility
To receive the scholarship, you must
- submit a complete admission application (by May 1 for fall semesters and Dec. 1 or spring semesters).
- submit an official transcript (by June 30 for summer and fall semesters or by Jan. 6 for spring semesters).
- have completed 24 transferable college credit hours.
- not have earned a bachelor's degree previously.
- ask your advisor to submit a PTK Membership Verification Form by July 1 for the fall semester or Jan. 6 for the spring semester (if seeking the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship).
- not have previously attended KU as a degree-seeking student.
Students who start in the summer will receive their scholarship in the fall.
Renewal
To renew the scholarship, you must complete 27 KU hours and earn a cumulative 3.25 KU GPA. These scholarships may be renewed for up to three years.
Aid-related deadlines
Other KU scholarships
Students with specific backgrounds and experiences may qualify for the following scholarships. Awards may require criteria, deadlines, and steps beyond submission of a KU application.
- Raise.me Scholarship: For Kansas and out-of-state students.
- Hixson Opportunity Award: For Kansas students who have faced significant personal challenges as well as financial hardship.
- J.L. Cleland GLBTQIA+ Non-Discrimination Scholarship: For any student who has experienced discrimination, bullying, and/or violence based on support for GLBTQIA+ persons.
- Midwest Student Exchange Scholarship: For out-of-state transfer students from Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin.
External scholarships
Students can find private aid in a variety of ways. You may be eligible for scholarships based on academics, high school activities, or community service. You may belong to an organization or have a special interest that qualifies you for a scholarship. Maybe your parents' employer offers assistance.
Earning one or two of these scholarships can make a big difference, so a little research can pay off. Start with the scholarship resources found on KU's Financial Aid & Scholarships website. Keep in mind that applying for external scholarships is up to you and not associated with your application to KU.