KU Freshman Scholarships
In-state freshman merit scholarships
| 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) |
* Scholarship information is reviewed each year and subject to change
** In-state merit scholarships are awarded when a student is granted residency for tuition-purposes only – not for reciprocity. The scholarships above cannot be stacked with Missouri Tuition Reciprocity for architecture students.
*** Students enrolling in an exclusively online bachelor’s degree program are not eligible for these scholarships. If you are interested in financial aid, please file a FAFSA for financial aid eligibility.
National Merit Finalists
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 and international freshman merit scholarships
| 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) |
* Scholarship information is reviewed each year and subject to change
National Merit Finalists
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
Eligibility
- Must submit a complete application for admission by December 1, including an official or unofficial transcript.
- We award scholarships based on a student’s GPA. KU will use either the weighted or unweighted GPA (on a 4.0 scale) — whichever benefits the student most — after the student’s sixth high school semester.* If your school uses a different scale, it will be converted to a 4.0 format. Please note that KU uses a weighted GPA if it a school-wide policy and the weighted GPA is listed on the transcript for all students.
- These scholarships are awarded to domestic students who enroll in at least 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semester immediately following their high school graduation.
- If you feel your application warrants additional review, please contact your admissions representative.
Renewal
- Student must maintain a 3.0 KU GPA and be enrolled full-time.
- Scholarships are given for a student’s first bachelor’s degree or eight continuous semesters of enrollment, whichever comes first.
*We do not review at seventh semester or upgrade scholarships after admission, or round GPA to the nearest tenth.
Need-based aid
Incoming freshmen who file the FAFSA by February 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 late April.
Scholarships for transfer students
KU also offers institutional scholarships specific to transfer students. See our Transfer Scholarships page for more information about opportunities and eligibility.
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.
- 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.
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.