First-Time Freshmen Scholarships for Fall 2025
First-time freshmen refers to either graduating high school seniors or students who have not earned any college credit after high school graduation (with the exception of summer credit at the institution of Fall entry).
To be considered for automatic scholarships, students must plan to enroll full-time at WKU in the Summer or Fall semester of 2025, which will require a complete application with the Admissions Office.
For full scholarship consideration, students must be admitted by December 31st, 2024. Scholarship offers must be accepted by May 1st, 2025.
Scholarship offers are limited and will be offered pending timely application and availability of funds.
Automatic, Non-Competitive Scholarships
Students with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA (regardless of their state of residency) qualify for Academic Scholarships.
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Requirements |
Award |
|---|---|
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$7,500 per year | $30,000 total over four years |
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$3,500 per year | $14,000 total over four years |
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$2,500 per year | $10,000 total over four years |
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$1,500 per year | $6,000 total over four years |
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$1,000 per year | $4,000 total over four years |
Cumulative, unweighted high school GPA is used for all scholarship eligibility. Superscores are not considered.
Most Academic and Supplemental Scholarships renew automatically with a 2.50 overall GPA until the earlier of four years or receipt of a bachelor’s degree.
Should a student be determined eligible for any full-tuition waiver mandated by the state and funded by the university, all scholarships offered upon admittance to WKU will be upgraded to meet the requirements of the full-tuition waiver. Students may not receive both a university scholarship and a full-tuition waiver simultaneously. Students may receive other cash scholarships such as third-party, foundation, or other externally-funded scholarships.
Please note that your scholarship may be partially funded using foundation awards.
Review important additional information and application requirements at the link below:
View Full Details About Merit Scholarships
Supplemental Scholarships for Kentucky Residents
Supplemental Scholarships can stack as part of a student's total aid offer, not to exceed overall Cost of Attendance.
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Award |
Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
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$1,500 per year | $6,000 total over four years |
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$1,500 per year | $6,000 total over four years |
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$1,500 per year | $6,000 total over four years |
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$1,500 per year | $6,000 total over four years |
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First-time, full-time freshmen from Kentucky who receive Pell Grant assistance and Kentucky College Access Program Grant, and have at least a 3.00 cumulative unweighted high school GPA |
WKU provides as last-dollar scholarship that guarantees 100% tuition coverage |
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Graduates of the Gatton Academy at WKU or the Craft Academy* |
$10,000 per year | $40,000 total over four years |
*The Gatton Academy and Craft Academy Scholarship require a 3.00 collegiate GPA for
renewal.
**These scholarships will be offered to eligible students until funds are exhausted.
Most scholarships renew automatically with a 2.50 collegiate GPA until the earlier of four years or receipt of a bachelor’s degree.
Should a student be determined eligible for any full-tuition waiver mandated by the state and funded by the university, all scholarships offered upon admittance to WKU will be upgraded to meet the requirements of the full-tuition waiver. Students may not receive both a university scholarship and a full-tuition waiver simultaneously. Students may receive other cash scholarships such as third-party, foundation, or other externally-funded scholarships.
Learn more about each scholarship and review important additional information by clicking the scholarship name above.
Supplemental Scholarships for Out-of-State Students
Supplemental Scholarships can stack as part of a student's total aid offer, not to exceed overall Cost of Attendance.
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Award |
Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
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$1,500 per year |
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for residents of any state that borders Kentucky |
Students will receive a scholarship that ensures final tuition charges do not exceed the in-state tuition rate (amount varies) |
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Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship* for out-of-state students not receiving the Border State Scholarship but are receiving any institutional scholarship |
Students will receive a scholarship that ensures final tuition charges do not exceed the TIP tuition rate (amount varies) |
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for non-resident children, step-children, or grandchildren of WKU Alumni |
Students will receive a scholarship that ensures final tuition charges do not exceed the in-state tuition rate (amount varies) |
*These awards cannot be received simultaneously.
**NOTE: Only students being assessed the Tuition Incentive Program tuition rate are eligible to receive the Border State Scholarship or the WKU Family Scholarship. Only students being assessed the Non-Resident tuition rate may be eligible to receive the Tuition Incentive Program scholarship. Students receiving tuition waivers and/or additional tuition-specific (i.e. Military rate) are not eligible for the Border State, Tuition Incentive Program, or WKU Family Scholarships.
Should a student be determined eligible for any full-tuition waiver mandated by the state and funded by the university, all scholarships offered upon admittance to WKU will be upgraded to meet the requirements of the full-tuition waiver. Students may not receive both a university scholarship and a full-tuition waiver simultaneously. Students may receive other cash scholarships such as third-party, foundation, or other externally-funded scholarships.
Most Supplemental Scholarships renew automatically with a 2.50 collegiate GPA until the earlier of four years or receipt of a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about each scholarship and review additional information by clicking the scholarship name above.
Competitive Scholarships
Cherry Presidential Scholarship
The Cherry Presidential Scholarship is WKU's top academic award and requires additional application requirements. Cherry Presidential Scholarship recipients receive up to $16,000 per year for a total of $64,000 over four years.
Eligibility & Application
Students with a minimum 3.8 unweighted high school GPA and a minimum composite 30 ACT (1360 SAT) qualify to compete. (Superscores not considered)
All students that meet the criteria and are admitted by December 1st, 2024 will be invited to compete for the Cherry Presidential Scholarship. Click the button below for additional information and requirements.
Additional Information and Requirements
Through the generosity of WKU's worldwide network of alumni and friends, over 1,400 additional scholarships are available to incoming and returning students. For more information about about these scholarships, visit the link below.
TopDollar Scholarships - Information and Requirements
Army ROTC offers a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to outstanding students who are interested in the Army as a profession. Scholarships may be awarded for periods of two, three, or four years.
TOPDollar Scholarship Source
A single scholarship application for all scholarship opportunities that are available for students at Western Kentucky University.
Not a First-Time Freshman?
WKU offers scholarships options for every type of student.
Contact Us
Student Financial Assistance
317 Potter Hall
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11018
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1018
- 270-745-2755
- 270-745-6586
- fa.help@wku.edu
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