Scholarships are automatically awarded to admitted degree-seeking students who meet the eligibility criteria. We have removed test scores as a required element for most scholarship awards. Some students must provide test scores for admission but those test scores will not be used to determine merit scholarship awards. There is one exception: the NKU Presidential Scholarship requires the submission of test scores and is reserved for students who achieve at least a 3.75 high school (HS) GPA and have 34 Composite score on the ACT or 1490 on the SAT.
To be considered for merit-based scholarships, students must:
The chart below allows you to use your high school GPA and standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) to estimate your merit scholarship eligibility. Students may receive a scholarship amount ranging from $500 up to full-tuition+$6,000 Housing Stipend.
Scholarship Title | Eligibility Criteria | Amount |
Presidential Scholarship |
3.75+ weighted HS GPA and 34+ ACT* |
Full Tuition + $6,000 Stipend for students living in NKU housing |
EDGE Plus |
3.70+ weighted HS GPA |
EDGE Award +$1,000 |
2.50+ unweighted HS GPA |
$9,460** |
*Or, SAT Combined Critical reading and mathematics scores of 1490 or higher.
**Estimated based on 2020-21 tuition rates. The EDGE Award reduces recipients tuition costs for 12-16 credit hours to the annual in-state tuition rate plus $500 (based on two semesters).
Scholarship Title | Eligibility Criteria | Amount |
Presidential Scholarship |
3.75+ weighted HS GPA and 34+ ACT** |
Full Tuition + $6,000 Stipend for students living in NKU housing |
Founders Scholarship |
3.95+ weighted HS GPA |
$1,500 |
Excellence Scholarship |
3.70-3.94 weighted HS GPA |
$1,000 |
Commonwealth Scholarship |
3.20-3.69 weighted HS GPA |
$500 |
Achiever's Scholarship |
2.60-3.19 weighted HS GPA |
$250 |
**Or, SAT Combined Critical reading and mathematics scores of 1490 or higher.
NOTE: The tables above do not include additional awards for students with honors, artistic, musical or theatre talent. Honors students should review information provided by the NKU Honors College. For artistic, music, and theatre awards, please review the scholarship information from NKU School for the Arts.
Students applying for the Educational Diversity Scholarship must complete the on-line First-time Freshman Scholarship application and are not included in the above table.