Scholarships
First-year freshmen scholarships
| Scholarship | Requirements | Award amount | Tuition reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Excellence | 3.5+ GPA + scholarship application | $100,000+ ($25,000+/year) | 100% |
| International Merit | 3.75-4.00 GPA | $36,000 ($9,000/year) | 33% |
| International Distinction | 3.5-3.74 GPA | $24,000 ($6,000/year) | 22% |
| International Achievement | 3.25-3.49 GPA | $12,000 ($3,000/year) | 11% |
First-time freshmen receive the highest scholarship for which they qualify. They cannot earn additional KU International Admissions scholarships, but they may receive additional scholarships from their academic unit at KU.
To renew a KU International Admissions scholarship each year, students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and enroll in a minimum of 27 credits at KU. Freshman students must submit a separate application to be considered for the following scholarship.
The Fall 2023 KU International Excellence Award application has closed.
Applications for the Fall 2024 KU IEA will open in December 2023.
Students must submit a complete application for admission to KU with all required materials before January 10th to be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The KU International Excellence Award is a competitive scholarship equal to a full tuition waiver for first-year or transfer students admitted to KU for the fall term. Eligible admitted students will receive an email with an invitation to apply. Complete applications contain the following:
- Official proof of English proficiency.
- A résumé or CV that includes all extracurricular activities, leadership, service, and awards, and explanations of three included activities and why they are meaningful to you.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- SAT or ACT scores, if available.
- A 500-word essay on the topic of your choice, though the following are recommended:
- Your personal and academic goals and how you hope to achieve them at KU.
- Your field of study and specialized interests within it.
- How you intend to use what you learn at KU upon return to your home country.
Transfer scholarships
The Fall 2023 KU International Excellence Award and Transfer Scholarship application period has closed.
Applications for Fall 2024 transfer scholarships will open in December 2023.
Students must submit a complete application for admission to KU with all required materials before January 10th to be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Transfer students cannot earn more than one KU International Admissions scholarship, but they may receive additional scholarships from their academic unit at KU and for their Phi Theta Kappa membership.
To renew a KU International Admissions scholarship each year, transfer students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and enroll in a minimum of 27 credits at KU.
The Fall 2023 KU International Excellence Award application has closed.
Applications for the Fall 2024 KU IEA will open in December 2023.
Students must submit a complete application for admission to KU with all required materials before January 10th to be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The KU International Excellence Award is a competitive scholarship equal to a full tuition waiver for first-year or transfer students admitted to KU for the fall term. Eligible admitted students will receive an email with an invitation to apply. Complete applications contain the following:
- Official proof of English proficiency.
- A résumé or CV that includes all extracurricular activities, leadership, service, and awards, and explanations of three included activities and why they are meaningful to you.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- SAT or ACT scores, if available.
- A 500-word essay on the topic of your choice, though the following are recommended:
- Your personal and academic goals and how you hope to achieve them at KU.
- Your field of study and specialized interests within it.
- How you intend to use what you learn at KU upon return to your home country.
The Fall 2023 KU Transfer Scholarship application application has closed.
Applications for Fall 2024 transfer scholarships will open in December 2023.
Students must submit a complete application for admission to KU with all required materials before January 10th to be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
An award of $3,000 to $7,000 for transfer students admitted to KU for the fall term. Applicants must provide the following:
- A 3.5 GPA or higher.
- Official proof of English proficiency.
- A résumé or CV that includes all extracurricular activities, leadership, service, and awards.
- One letter of recommendation.
- SAT or ACT scores, if available.
- A 500-word essay on the topic of your choice, though the following are recommended:
- Your personal and academic goals and how you hope to achieve them at KU.
- Your field of study and specialized interests within it.
- How you intend to use what you learn at KU upon return to your home country.
This award of approximately $35,466 ($11,822/year) is automatically given to PTK members without a bachelor’s degree who attend KU as a degree-seeking student for the first time. Applicants must provide the following:
- A 3.25 GPA or higher.
- 24 transferable college credit hours completed, with the last 12 earned at a U.S. community college.
To apply, students must submit a complete admission application by May 1 for the fall semester or Dec. 1 for the spring semester. They must also provide an official transcript by June 30 for the fall semester or by Jan. 6 for the spring semester. Additionally, a student’s advisor must submit a PTK Membership Verification Form by July 1.
To renew the scholarship, you must complete 30 KU hours each academic year and earn a cumulative 3.25 KU GPA. This scholarship may be renewed for up to three years. Phi Theta Kappa transfer students may also apply for additional scholarships from KU International Admissions and from academic units. Students who start in the summer will receive their scholarship in the fall.
Note: International Admissions does not award or manage this scholarship.