Through the Murray State Promise program, the University will provide a full tuition scholarship to freshmen and transfer students meeting certain qualifications.

The program provides an additional scholarship to qualifying students to ensure a student’s tuition and mandatory fees are fully paid after other scholarships, grants and aid are received. Initially, the scholarship applied to 18 counties in the surrounding region. The University expanded it in 2018 to include the entire state of Kentucky.

The “promise” of the program is “to provide scholarship assistance to help pay for tuition and mandatory fees if the student’s combined federal, state, institutional and private gift aid total is less than the cost of Murray State’s tuition,” according to the University’s Scholarships for First-Year Students page.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be Kentucky residents and receive the Federal Pell Grant. Students must also complete the General Scholarship Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the first day of the semester. Once accepted, they must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.

The scholarship does not cover online fees, course fees, tuition above 15 hours or other costs such as housing, meals and books.

Freshmen may receive the award for four consecutive years or until receiving their bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. Transfer students may receive the award for fewer years, depending on their class standing upon entry or until receiving the degree.

President Bob Jackson said the program will positively impact those in need of financial assistance.

“The Murray State Promise is simply another tool to assist students and families in keeping the cost of a college education affordable,” Jackson said.

Anyone with questions can contact the Scholarship Office at 800-272-4678 or [email protected].

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