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Governor's Scholars Program

Scholarships

Scholarships Offered to Kentucky Governor's Scholars

The Governor’s Scholars Program is not a scholarship program, and therefore does not offer scholarships. The scholarship opportunities below are offered by Kentucky colleges and universities to students who have completed the five-week Governor’s Scholars Program. For the most up to date information, please contact the respective college or university.

  • Asbury University offers scholarships equal to 35% of tuition to students who graduated from Kentucky high schools and who attended either the Governor's Scholars Program, the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs, or the Governor's School for the Arts. Recipients of the Governor's Scholarship are not eligible for additional Asbury University merit or minority scholarships. This Scholarship will not, however, affect additional need-based Asbury aid or aid received from the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program or other external sources. This award is renewed for up to four years or eight semesters provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at Asbury University. Recipients of the Kentucky Governor's Scholarship will be invited to campus to compete for the Hughes (100% tuition) and Morrison (75% tuition) scholarships. Updated 2019
      
  • Bellarmine University offers a Governor’s Scholars Scholarship of $1500 per year to admitted incoming freshmen who have completed the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP). This $1500 per year scholarship is renewable and is offered in addition to any other institutional academic scholarship or merit award the student may otherwise receive. The Governor’s Scholars Scholarship award is only available for full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semester. Updated 2019
     
  • Berea College offers a Tuition Promise Scholarship (4-year value of $176,000) for each Governor's Scholar who enrolls. Updated 2019
     
  • Campbellsville University offers three full-tuition scholarships to students who participated in the Governor's Scholars Program. Application and essay required. Students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and 25 ACT/1140 SAT. Deadline to apply is November 1st. Updated 2019
     
  • Centre College offers a minimum scholarship in the amount of $22,000 to Governor's Scholars who have been admitted to Centre College, have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, are in the top 10% of their class, and an ACT composite of 28 or higher or an equivalent SAT-I score. This is only a minimum scholarship level; excellent students may qualify for a higher award. If a student wins a larger scholarship from Centre, this award does not "stack" - it will replace the scholarship of $22,000. Updated 2019
     
  • Eastern Kentucky University offers a $5,000 per semester scholarship renewable for 8 semesters to all Governor’s Scholars with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and an ACT composite of 25 or above. This scholarship is only available to incoming freshmen and is not awarded to all applicants who meet this criteria. Students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and remain enrolled with a full-time status. While Governor's Scholar Scholarships can not be combined with other academic awards, scholars with higher GPA's and ACT may qualify for other academic scholarships worth more than $5,000.
     
  • Georgetown College offers a $12,000 Governor's Scholar Scholarship per year, renewable for four years to each incoming freshman completing the Governor's Scholar Program. To maintain the scholarship the student must have minimum of a 2.8 GPA. While Governor's Scholar Scholarships can not be combined with other academic awards, Scholars with higher GPA's and ACT may qualify for other academic scholarships worth more than $10,000 per year.
     
  • Kentucky Christian University offers a $10,000 Presidential Scholarship (renewable) to Governor's Scholars who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and an ACT composite of 28 or above. This scholarship is available to incoming freshmen.
     
  • Kentucky State University offers a full Presidential Scholarship to all Governor’s Scholars with a minimum ACT score of 26 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). The award covers full tuition, room, board, books and fees. Other scholarships include an Excellence Scholarship with a minimum ACT of 24 and minimum GPA of 3.25 which covers the value of in-state tuition, ½ room and ½ board, Thoroughbred Scholarship to all Governor’s Scholars with a minimum ACT of 21 and minimum GPA of 3.0 which covers the value of in-state tuition, and a Service County Scholarship with a minimum GPA of 3.0, which cover the value of in-state tuition for residents in the following counties: Anderson, Franklin, Frankfort Independent, Henry, Eminence Independent, Owen, Scott, Shelby, and Woodford.
     
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College offers students who have participated in the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (GSE), Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA), and/or Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP), who have a 2.8 GPA or above, and a 21 ACT or above the Governor’s Scholars Scholarship. Ten scholarships with a value of $12,500/year, renewable for four years will be awarded. Students who have been awarded a Governor’s Scholars Scholarship must maintain a 2.8 GPA or above. Updated 2017
     
  • Lindsey Wilson College offers up to full-tuition, renewable scholarships to students with an ACT composite score of 24 or above. Students with a 23 or less receive up to one-half tuition. The students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and must be a first-time, full-time freshman. Scholarship renewal requires a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 and completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year. There is an unlimited number of scholarships available for Governor’s Scholars.
     
  • Midway College offers merit scholarships to all admitted students ranging from $6,000 - $11,000 per year. Updated 2019
     
  • Morehead State University offers a full tuition [$30,000 over four years] to all Governor's Scholars who apply for admission by March 15. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must submit a completed application packet, including admission application form, transcripts and test scores, by the March 15 priority application deadline. Be admitted to MSU for the 2014-15 academic year as a new incoming freshman or transfer student with fewer than 30 hours and meet all of following requirements: 1. Be a legal resident of Kentucky; and 2. Be an alumnus of the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) or Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts (GSA); and 3. Have at least a 3.5 unweighted high school GPA; and 4. Achieve a minimum 25 ACT composite score (1130 SAT composite verbal + math) . This scholarship cannot be awarded in addition to another academic achievement scholarship.
     
  • Murray State University offers Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program and Governor's School for the Arts alumni a renewable full tuition GSP/GSA scholarship if they have at least a 25 ACT composite score and a 3.5 cumulative GPA.  GSP/GSA alumni who have below a 25 ACT but at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA are eligible to receive a renewable GSP/GSA scholarship for $1000 per year. In addition, there will be six competitive full tuition scholarships for GSA alumni not meeting the 25 ACT and 3.5 GPA requirements.
    These GSP/GSA scholarships are awarded for four years (amount to be split in half for eight consecutive semesters) or until the first Bachelor’s degree is obtained, whichever occurs first, and require a 3.25 cumulative GPA to renew the scholarship. GSP/GSA scholarships cannot be combined with MSU’s Academic Achievement Scholarship or CHA scholarships. In order to qualify for any scholarships at Murray State, students must complete and meet the appropriate admission and scholarship processes and deadlines.
     
  • Northern Kentucky University awards full in-state tuition scholarships to Governor’s Scholars with 3.0 GPA and an ACT Composite score of 24 or higher, or SAT score of 1090 or higher. Scholarships are renewable for one academic year with maintenance of cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and completion of 24 credit hours during the prior academic year. After completion of 24 credit hours the scholarship is renewable for two academic years with maintenance of cumulative GPA of 3.25 and completion of 24 credit hours during prior academic year. This scholarship is only available to incoming freshmen.
     
  • Spalding University offers renewable academic merit awards to Governor's Scholars alumni ranging from $5,000 - $12,000 per year.  Candidates must have a minimum composite ACT of 20 or SAT 950 and a minimum high school GPA of 3.0.  Merit awards for incoming freshmen are for undergraduate study and renewable for up to four years provided the student maintains a GPA of at least 3.0 and full-time student status.
     
  • Thomas More College awards a $20,000 academic scholarship to Governor's Scholars. This is a value of $80,000 over four years. There is no minimum ACT/SAT/CLT score required. Application for admission to Thomas More University and certification of completion of the Governor's Scholars Program will serve as the application for this academic scholarship. Governor's Scholars may also apply for other institutional scholarships like the James Graham Brown Honors Program (full tuition guarantee if selected) or the Computer Information Systems Workship Program (full tuition guarantee if selected) and many others. Governor's Scholars are encouraged to contact their Enrollment Counselor at Thomas More University for more information about admission, scholarships, and campus life. Website: www.thomasmore.edu/admissions Updated 2019
     
  • Transylvania University offers a guaranteed minimum of $14,000 per year for Governor’s Scholars. Students who qualify for more scholarships and grant aid will receive the large amount.
     
  • Union College Governor’s Scholars can apply for this full tuition scholarship. Candidates must earn a 24 or better ACT or SAT equivalent and have a 3.0 or higher GPA. A FAFSA form is required.
     
  • University of the Cumberlands offers a competitive, automatic scholarship to all students who have participated in the Governor's Scholars Program, regardless of high school GPA and test scores. Updated 2019
  • University of Kentucky is pleased to provide the following scholarship opportunities to students that complete the Governor's Scholars Program:  The GSP Presidential Scholarship will be offered to GSP students that have a 3.50 unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale, and a minimum 31 ACT or 1420 SAT* (M+EBRW).  All other GSP students will receive a GSP Provost Scholarship.  Students must apply and have qualifying scores on file by January 15, 2016.  Therefore, the December test is the final time students may take the ACT or SAT for scholarship consideration.  If you have any additional questions, please reference the information available online on UK's website:  http://www.uky.edu/financialaid/content/fall-2016-gspgsa-information.
     
  • University of Louisville offers the Governor's Scholars Award, which is part of the Trustees' Scholarship program for incoming freshmen. Students are eligible to receive only one scholarship from the Trustees' Scholarship Program. Students must have completed the Governor's Scholars Program and must be a Kentucky high school graduate. All required documents for admission must be submitted by scholarship deadline of January 15. This scholarship program is for entering college freshmen only. Scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria: 28 ACT/1250 SAT (CR + M) and high school cumulative GPA of 3.35 are awarded a full-tuition, renewable; 25 ACT/1130 SAT (CR + M) and high school cumulative GPA of 3.35 are awarded $2,500, renewable. Students must apply separately for the Grawemeyer and Hallmark Scholarships.
     
  • University of Pikeville offers academic scholarships based on academic merit.  Governor's Scholars and Governor's School for the Arts alumni will receive an additional $3,000 GSP/GSA scholarship.  Scholarships are renewable with maintenance of cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and completion of 24 credit hours during the prior academic year.
     
  • Western Kentucky University offers merit awards for students with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA and 25 ACT/1130 SAT, ranging from $1,500 to $8,000 per year.  Students with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA (no ACT/SAT requirement) who complete the Governor’s Scholars Program, are eligible to receive a $1,500 annual award (this may be in addition to an Academic Merit award).  To qualify for an Academic Merit award and the Governor’s Scholars Program award, students should apply for admission by January 15 of their senior year.  Students with a minimum 3.8 unweighted GPA and 31 ACT/1360 SAT that apply by December 1 of their senior year will be invited to compete for WKU’s most prestigious award, the Cherry Presidential Scholarship.  If selected as a Cherry Presidential recipient or finalist, the award will replace any previously awarded Academic Merit award (however the $1,500 Governor’s Scholars Program bonus award will still apply).  Students are eligible to receive merit awards up to the cost of attendance for the fall and spring semesters.  Information on these awards and additional scholarship opportunities available at http://www.wku.edu/scholarship.


2017 Governor's Scholars Survey Responses

The following data represents survey responses from 2017 Governor’s Scholars who graduated high school in 2018:

Total number of 2017 scholars: 1,078

Total number of survey responses: 541 or 50.2%

These 541 scholars received in total scholarships:  $43,243,799

Average scholarship (per scholar):  $79,933

440 scholars (81.3% of respondents) are attending Kentucky colleges or universities.

Total in-state 4-year scholarships: $31,057,720

Average in-state 4-year scholarship (per scholar): $70,585

101 scholars (18.6% of respondents) are attending out-of-state colleges or universities.

Total out-of-state 4-year scholarships: $12,186,079

Average out-of-state 4-year scholarship (per scholar): $120,654

The first class of scholars from whom the Governor's Scholars Program requested scholarship information completed the Program in the summer of 2004 and enrolled in college in the fall of 2005.  Approximately half of the scholars from the classes since 2004 have provided data for the Program's use.

Those scholars have accepted at minimum an astounding $526,601,395 in merit-based funding.

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