Scholarship FAQs
It’s never been easier to apply for KU scholarships. To be automatically considered for new freshman scholarships, submit a complete application by Nov. 1. No essays or resumes are required. Apply now
A complete application includes:
- Admission application and $40 fee (unless you qualify for a fee grant)
- Self-reported ACT or SAT scores
- Self-reported high school transcript or GED scores
- List of your courses in progress
We base awards upon our scholarship grid, your self-reported high school transcript (sixth semester transcript), and your self-reported ACT/SAT score.
After you graduate, have an official copy of your final high school transcript and official ACT/SAT scores sent to the Office of Admissions. We must have these official documents on file by July 1 to confirm your scholarship status. If, based on a review of final, official documents, students no longer meet the scholarship criteria, we will rescind the scholarship offer.
- Submit a complete application by Feb. 1
- Be a domestic transfer student enrolling for the summer or fall semester
- Have earned at least 36 college credit hours by the Feb. 1 application deadline with at least a 3.5 college GPA
- Be transferring from a two-year institution (community college or a combination of four-year and community college, but if you have earned credit from only a four-year institution, you will not be considered for any transfer scholarships)
- Have not, or will not have, earned a bachelor’s degree by the time you enroll at KU
- Have not previously attended KU as a degree-seeking student
- To be eligible for the one-time Phi Theta Kappa scholarship, you must have your PTK counselor submit the membership form by July 1.
- Freshman scholarships will expire after four years of undergraduate study or graduation, whichever occurs first.
- Transfer scholarships will expire after three years of undergraduate study.
- Scholarship recipients who are admitted on or after summer/fall 2013 must successfully complete a minimum of 30 KU hours each academic year (fall, spring, summer) and maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative KU GPA.
- After spring grades have posted, our office will verify that students have met the renewable criteria. Students are notified of their scholarship status for the upcoming academic year via their registered KU email address.
- If your scholarship is not renewed after year one because of grades and/or hours, it is possible to earn the scholarship after a future term or academic year.
- We will monitor your grades and hours, and will notify you if you have achieved the renewal criteria
Private scholarships
The time and energy you spend conducting a successful scholarship search can be well worth the effort if you are awarded a scholarship to help fund your higher education.
Start looking for scholarships early, and prioritize. Scholarship deadlines vary, so plan your application efforts by the due date to meet deadlines.
To ensure the best application possible, reserve a block of time to work on scholarship applications regularly, and stick to it. Be sure to apply for scholarships that inspire you, because the applications will feel less like work. You’ll also want to be sure to write tailored essays for each scholarship; avoid copying and pasting without careful revisions.
Finally, if a letter of recommendation is required, brief your reference on the scholarship and provide him/her with a copy of your application and your resume. Give your reference at least two weeks to write the letter for you.
The best ways to find scholarships:
- Use our Scholarship Search to find scholarships for which you may be eligible
- Talk with your high school counselor, faculty, academic advisors, and financial aid counselors for ideas
- Ask your/your parents’ employers or organizations with which you/they are affiliated
- Search fastweb.com for national scholarships
WARNING: The following could be signs of a scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- You are required to pay money to receive a scholarship (Note: The State of Kansas Student Aid Application requires a small application fee)
- You are guaranteed to win the scholarship
- The sponsors say things like, “Everyone is eligible,” or “You are guaranteed free money”
- You are advised you have been selected for a scholarship for which you did not submit an application
- More information on scholarship scams
FAQs
What are outside/private scholarships?
Any scholarship that is not awarded from KU is considered an outside/private scholarship.
Can my scholarships affect my eligibility for financial aid?
In some cases, yes, they may. It is your responsibility to report all scholarships/fellowships/sponsorships to the Financial Aid & Scholarships (FAS) office. We encourage you to report early to avoid repaying financial aid at a later date.
How do I report outside/private scholarships?
You may report these scholarships in Enroll Pay (Student Center>Accept/Decline Awards, Page 2) or by using the scholarship reporting form.
How will I receive my outside/private scholarships?
The donor may provide you with a check or send a check to KU. Please encourage donors to send scholarship checks directly to the Financial Aid & Scholarships office. If we receive outside scholarship funds and the check does not require your signature, the funds will be applied to your KU account within three to five business days. You’ll be notified if a check requires endorsement.
Where should I send my outside/private scholarship check if it is provided directly to me?
Please submit outside/private scholarship checks to our office. Please attach the check(s) to a statement indicating the scholarship name, amount, and term (fall/spring/summer) as well as your first and last name initials, KU ID number, and phone number. If the check is made out to you — or to you and KU — please endorse the check before mailing.
Will the outside/private scholarship be applied to my eBill?
Outside/private scholarships that have been received and processed by us will be applied to your eBill. These scholarships will be listed on the eBill as “Outside School/SFA Payment,” and the amount will be subtracted from the amount owed. Sometimes donors do not send the funds to our office until after the fee payment due date. If the check will not be processed by the due date, you will need to select another payment option to avoid late payment fees.
Awards will be determined based upon our scholarship grid and your official college transcripts. To be eligible for a transfer student scholarship, you must:
