What You Should Know
Every year, Kentucky’s brightest high school juniors compete for a place in the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP)—a prestigious, competitive summer program for rising seniors. GSP isn’t just about spending five weeks in an immersive academic environment; it’s also a key that unlocks several scholarships and special financial offers from colleges across the state.
Here’s what you need to know:
What Is the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP)?
- GSP is a residential, summer academic program for rising seniors in Kentucky. There are no fees for students who are selected.
- The goal is to develop leadership, civic engagement, and academic curiosity. Students are nominated by their high schools, then go through a statewide selection process.
- Participants take classes in three main areas: Focus Area (a subject of choice), General Studies (broad intellectual inquiry, service-learning, etc.), and Leadership Seminar. There are also co-curricular activities, field trips, and chances to interact with peers from across Kentucky.
The GSP Scholarship Perks
Being a GSP alum gives you more than just prestige. It often comes with substantial scholarship advantages when you apply to Kentucky colleges. Colleges recognize GSP participation and frequently offer GSP-specific merit scholarships or bonuses.
- Centre College offers a GSP Scholarship worth $140,000 over four years (i.e. $35,000/year) for admitted GSP students.
- Eastern Kentucky University offers $8,000 per year (renewable for 8 semesters) to GSP students with high academic credentials (e.g., high GPA and ACT score).
- Kentucky State University has a Presidential Scholarship for GSP students with an ACT of 28+ (or equivalent SAT) AND a GPA of 3.5+. This award covers full tuition, room, board, books, and fees. lars Program
- Transylvania University guarantees at least $27,000/year for GSP participants (sometimes more, depending on additional aid) so long as they meet criteria.
- Many other Kentucky colleges—UK, Louisville, Murray State, Georgetown, Lindsey Wilson, etc.—have special offers for GSP alumni.
Why This Matters
- Financial Aid Leverage: If you are a GSP alum, you often qualify for merit scholarships that reduce your out-of-pocket costs substantially. Sometimes, enough financial aid is packaged so that attending an in-state school becomes much more affordable.
- Early Advantage: Knowing that colleges recognize and reward GSP participation means you can plan your applications more strategically—ensuring you meet deadlines, gather all required documents, and highlight your GSP involvement.
- Broader Choices: These scholarships provide more options. A school that might have seemed expensive could become affordable because of the GSP benefit.
What to Watch Out For / How to Maximize
- Maintain Strong Grades & Test Scores
Many GSP scholarships have GPA and ACT/SAT minimums. Just being a GSP alum may not be enough to get the highest scholarship tier. - Submit Applications Early
For many schools, admission + financial aid/scholarship applications need to be complete by certain deadlines (often late fall or early winter) to get the best scholarship offers. Don’t wait until the last minute. - Be Aware of Scholarship Renewal Requirements
Once you receive a scholarship, you usually need to maintain academic performance (GPA), enroll full-time, possibly complete a certain number of credit hours each semester or year. Falling below these can reduce or cancel future payments. - Read the Fine Print
Some GSP scholarships are non-stackable, meaning you can’t combine them with other merit or academic awards. Others might cover only tuition or only certain fees. Always check. - Use the Official Scholarship Offers Page
For full, updated information on what each Kentucky college offers to GSP alumni, check the official GSP Scholarships page. It’s the best place to compare offers, deadlines, minimum criteria, etc. See link below.
✅ Where to Compare Offers / Find Details
To see what different Kentucky colleges are offering for GSP participants (merit and GSP-specific scholarships), what the eligibility is, and how to apply, check out:
GSP Scholarships — Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program Governor’s Scholars Program
This site lists participating colleges, scholarship amounts, minimum GPA/ACT requirements, renewal criteria, and more. It’s a must-bookmark for any student who completes (or plans to complete) GSP.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a Kentucky high school junior, applying for GSP is more than just a summer opportunity—it’s an investment in your college future. GSP participation signals to colleges that you’re committed, capable, and engaged. The scholarship benefits tied to GSP can significantly affect where you choose to apply, where you end up going, and how much debt or cost you take on.
So, start early. Make sure your application is strong. Get letters of recommendation, write meaningful essays, and participate fully. And once you’re a GSP alum, use every tool available to explore scholarship offers from in-state colleges.
🏫 Comparison of Kentucky Colleges’ GSP Scholarship Offers (2025)
| College / University | Scholarship Offer for GSP Alumni | Key Requirements / Renewal Criteria | Notes & Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury University | Guaranteed academic merit scholarship of $15,000/year for GSP alumni; also possibility to compete for Hughes (100% tuition) or Morrison (60% tuition) awards | Must be Kentucky high school graduate who completed GSP, GSA, or GSE. | Those top-tier awards are competitive. $15,000 is the guaranteed minimum. Governor’s Scholars Program |
| Bellarmine University | GSP Scholarship offered (amount depends on merit and academic credentials) | Indicate GSP/GSE/GSA participation in application; renewable with cumulative GPA of ~2.5. | The offer is reflected in initial scholarship offer; no separate application needed for many GSP-Scholar scholarships. Governor’s Scholars Program |
| Berea College | “Meets 100% of every student’s calculated need without loans.” GSP scholars pay no tuition at Berea. | Competitive; full need criteria apply and financial aid application need be completed. | Tuition waiver may combine with other aid; emphasis is “calculated need.” Governor’s Scholars Program |
| Brescia University | Merit scholarships between $5,000–$20,000/year for admitted students; plus additional competitive awards like Moore Presidential Scholars, etc. | Based on cumulative unweighted GPA; renewable up to 8 semesters. GSP participation helps but likely merit factors also strong. | The competitive scholarships (Moore, etc.) may have separate applications. Governor’s Scholars Program |
| Campbellsville University | Up to three full-tuition scholarships for students who participated in GSP | Minimum high school GPA of 3.5 & ACT ≥25 (SAT equivalent) required; essay & application needed; must apply by December 31. | Full tuition is very competitive; only limited number of spots. Governor’s Scholars Program |
| Centre College | GSP Scholarship worth $140,000 total (≈ $35,000/year for 4 years) for GSP alumni upon admission | Must meet Centre’s admission standards; cannot stack with other general merit scholarships. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) | $8,000/year, renewable for 8 semesters for GSP alumni | High school GPA of 3.8 & ACT 28 minimum; must live on campus; maintain a cumulative 3.2 GPA; full-time enrollment required with 12 credit hours/semester. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Georgetown College | $12,000/year renewable for 4 years for GSP alumni | Must complete GSP; maintain a certain GPA (approx. 2.8) to renew; not stackable with other large academic awards. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Kentucky Christian University | $10,000 Presidential Scholarship (renewable) for GSP alumni | Minimum cumulative GPA 3.5 + ACT composite 28 or higher. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Kentucky State University (KSU) | Full Presidential Scholarship (tuition, room, board, books, fees) for GSP alumni with ACT ≥28 (or SAT ≈1300) & GPA ≥3.5; also a Provost Scholarship (lower tier) for ACT ≥26 / SAT ≥1200 & GPA ≥3.3 | Maintain requirements; apply by school deadlines. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | Governor’s Scholars Scholarship: several awards of $12,500/year for 4 years to GSP/GSA/GSE alumni | Must have ACT ≥21 and GPA ≥2.8; maintain GPA to renew. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Lindsey Wilson University | Up to full-tuition renewable scholarship to GSP alumni with ACT ≥24 & GPA ≥3.0; lesser partial awards for lower test scores/GPA | Renew with good standing; application/scholarship deadlines apply. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Midway University | $2,000 scholarship for full-time students who are GSP alumni | Maintain good academic standing; this is supplemental to other aid. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Morehead State University | Two “Governor’s Awards”: • Governor’s Award: $32,000 total ($8,000/year) for ACT 23 & GPA 3.5 • Governor’s Award+: $40,000 total ($10,000/year) for ACT 25 & GPA 3.5 | Cannot be stacked with other general merit scholarships; must meet ACT/GPA. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Murray State University | Full tuition scholarship for GSP/GSA/GSE alumni with ACT ≥25 & GPA ≥3.5; renewable 4 years (or until first Bachelor’s degree) | Maintain cumulative GPA of at least ~2.75; meet admissions & scholarship deadlines. Cannot combine with certain other MSU scholarships. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) | Merit scholarship (~$4,500/year) for GSP alumni with high school GPA ≥3.50 | Automatic if admitted & meet GPA; renewable for up to 8 semesters; must enroll immediately fall after high school. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Spalding University | $2,500/year for full-time undergraduate GSP/GSA/GSE alumni maintaining good standing | Renewable up to 4 years; cannot exceed cost of tuition + room & board with other awards; may be reduced if other aid applies. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Sullivan University | $10,000/year for GSP alumni meeting criteria | Requirements include Kentucky residency, GSP completion, ACT or SAT requirement (ACT ≥21 or SAT equivalent), GPA minimum (~3.5), continuous full time enrollment. Maintain quarterly GPA ≥3.0. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Thomas More University | $25,000/year academic scholarship for GSP alumni | Must submit GSP certificate; accept offer to Thomas More; meet admissions & school scholarship deadlines. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Transylvania University | Guaranteed minimum of $27,000/year for GSP alumni (students who qualify may receive more) | Awarded based on application/admission; more aid possible depending on additional merit & grant aid. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Union College | Tuition & fees scholarship up to $30,946/year (or half tuition for lower ACT) for GSP alumni with ACT ≥24 | First come, first served, based on deposit & certificate submission; lower ACT gives partial award. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| University of Kentucky (UK) | GSP alumni are eligible for UK’s academic scholarship opportunities; specific competitive Presidential Scholarship for GSP alumni with top credentials; must apply by UK’s early deadlines | Admission + scholarship application, strong academic credentials; limited number of slots for top awards. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| University of Louisville | Guaranteed at least $5,000/yearfor GSP alumni with a GPA ≥3.5. Can increase to $7,500 or $10,000 depending on test scores, rigor. | Awards not stackable; students may also compete for Trustee / competitive scholarships. Guarantee until May 1. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| University of Pikeville | Additional GSP scholarship of $3,200/year to GSP alumni (on top of other academic merit) | Must meet general academic requirements; other scholarships may stack or not. Governor’s Scholars Program | |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) | $1,500/year (≈ $6,000 over 4 years) awarded to GSP alumni with minimum unweighted GPA 3.0; also possibility to upgrade to full in-state tuition offers under certain merit scholarship combinations | Need complete application by December 31; supplemental scholarship; other merit awards may apply. Governor’s Scholars Program |