Current Students

Two EKU students study together at a table

Current Student Scholarships

 

Retention Grant awards are grants based on need that will be used to help pay down outstanding balances so students can register for classes. They are conditional upon registering for and remaining in classes for the following semester. They cannot be used to pay down balances without registering for courses. Students who are graduating in the current term are not eligible for Retention Grants. Because Retention Scholarship funds are limited, not all students who apply can receive an award.
 
Recipients:
Degree-seeking students that entered EKU in either the summer or fall of the current year as a first-time freshman and are returning the fall of next year who have at least a 2.0 EKU grade point average with a grade of C or better in all coursework.

Learn more about Alumni Legacy Scholarships and Tuition. Future and current students of Eastern Kentucky University whose parents, step-parents, grandparents or spouse graduated from EKU may apply.
The College of Education scholarships cover several academic programs including leadership, education and applied human sciences, and special education.
The Dr. Rodney Gross Diversity Scholarship is based on a holistic evaluation of academic achievement, including high school/college grade point average and test scores, a personal essay, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation.
EKU Foundation Scholarships are awarded through the EKU Scholarship Office at college and department levels. All admitted EKU students are encouraged to apply. There are hundreds of EKU Foundation Scholarships.
Applicants for Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Scholarships must be a resident of Kentucky, majoring in criminal justice, law enforcement, or police administration, pursuing an AA, BS, or MS degree.
James A. Wells, Sr. Veteran Scholarships are for U.S. active duty military personnel, veterans, reservists, and spouses, and children of someone who has served in the U.S. military.

The O’Donnell Scholarship provides an opportunity for persons aged 65 and older to become students at Eastern Kentucky University by enrolling in any courses listed available via myEKU.

Acceptance is based upon available space and may require the consent of the instructor or pre-requisites. O’Donnell Scholars may audit classes (with no exams, papers or other assignments required), take classes for credit but not work toward a degree, or take classes for credit and be a degree candidate. When O’Donnell Scholars are non-degree candidates, there is no requirement regarding previous educational attainment to audit a course or take a course for credit. However, to work toward a degree, the O’Donnell Scholar must meet the same admissions criteria as any other university student. There is no limit on the number of semesters a person may enroll.

O’Donnell Scholars are responsible for the cost of any required materials, parking permits and applicable income taxes. Tuition and fees are paid through funds authorized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Federal Direct Student Loan Program guidelines require that the O’Donnell Scholarship be considered “financial aid” and be included in a student’s total financial aid award. The amount of the tuition and fees is included when calculating the total dollar amount of financial aid to which a student is entitled. The tuition is considered taxable income when classes are not taken toward a degree (audited or non-degree credit). Continuing education courses are excluded from the O’Donnell Scholarship Program because of the special provisions under which they are administered.

The admission application deadlines are as follows: August 1 for the fall semester, December 1 for the spring semester, April 15 for the first summer session and May 15 for the second summer session.

In order to qualify, you must be 65 a month prior to the beginning of the term in which you plan to enroll.

Note that after you apply for Admissions and are admitted, you are flagged as an O’Donnell Scholar. Then you are ready to register for classes and the scholarship will be on your account automatically by the end of the first week of classes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email EKU Scholarship Coordinator Amanda McCracken at amanda.mccracken@eku.edu.