Federal student aid regulations are changing beginning July 1, 2026, which may affect loan eligibility, borrowing limits, and program availability for students and families. The Office of Student Financial Assistance is actively updating policies, systems, and communications to reflect these federal changes. We encourage you to review official information from Federal Student Aid while updates are in progress: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates. If you have questions about how these changes may impact your financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Incoming First-time Freshmen Merit-based Scholarships

Marshall University offers the John Marshall Scholarship to incoming first-time freshmen. Scholarship eligibility is determined by high school GPA and, where applicable, ACT or SAT scores. Award amounts vary based on residency classification as shown in the chart below.

John Marshall	HS GPA >=	ACT/SAT >=	WV Resident	Metro	Non-Resident
Level 1	3.9	ACT 30 or SAT 1360	$5,500	$8,000	$14,000
Level 2	3.8		$3,000	$4,200	$9,000
Level 3	3.5		$2,000	$3,000	$7,000
Level 4	3.0		$1,250	$2,000	$5,000

The incoming freshman’s high school grade point average (GPA) and official admission test scores are used to determine merit-based scholarship eligibility at Marshall University. Only official test scores from ACT® or SAT® are used to consider incoming freshmen students for merit-based scholarships. Marshall University takes the highest ACT composite or SAT combined Math and Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing Score to determine scholarship eligibility for its scholarship programs. Marshall University also combines the highest sub-scores from different test dates (from the same test) to create a superscore total or composite. The superscore total or composite is used when it is higher than the ACT composite or SAT combined Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Score for eligibility determination of the scholarships listed in the chart above.

This scholarship is awarded using a last-dollar methodology and is designed to complement other financial aid resources. Scholarship awards may be adjusted based on other grants, scholarships, waivers, or tuition assistance received. Eligible students may receive funding toward tuition and on-campus room and board costs, with up to $750 per semester available for books, supplies, and other educationally related expenses. This scholarship does not apply to students enrolled in a distance education program. They do not cover tuition charges from St. Mary’s Center for Education and other third-party agreements with colleges and universities. For additional information, reference the Marshall University Scholarship Policies below.

Renewable Criteria

To remain eligible for this scholarship, you must enroll full-time each semester, successfully complete 30 credit hours each academic year, and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the end of your freshmen year and 2.75 thereafter. This is a four-year scholarship and can only be applied to courses taken during the fall and spring semesters.

Marshall University Scholarship Policies

To download a copy of the Marshall University Scholarship policies, click on the links below.

Prior Year Policies

2026-2027 Marshall University Scholarship Policies

Transfer Student Scholarships

Are you an in-state student, metro, or non-resident?

Transfer Student Scholarship for In-State Students

Transfer students who are charged the West Virginia “in-state” tuition rate qualify for the following awards. To receive this award, the student must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student.

Scholarships	Admission Criteria for Eligibility
Transfer Student Scholarship – Tier 1	GPA >= 3.75 and transfer in at least 30 credit hours
Transfer Student Scholarship – Tier 2	GPA >=3.5 < 3.75 and transfer in at least 30 credit hours

This scholarship is renewable for two additional semesters beyond the first year of eligibility as long as the student maintains an overall grade point average of 3.0 and successfully completes 30 credit hours at Marshall University after one academic year.

Transfer Student Scholarship for Metro Students

Transfer students who are charged the metro tuition rate qualify for the following awards. To receive this award, the student must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student.

Scholarships	Admission Criteria for Eligibility	Academic Year Award
Transfer Student Scholarship – Tier 1	GPA >= 3.75 and transfer in at least 30 credit hours	$2,665
Transfer Student Scholarship – Tier 2	GPA >=3.5 < 3.75 and transfer in at least 30 credit hours	$1,770

This scholarship is renewable for two additional semesters beyond the first year of eligibility as long as the student is pursuing his or her first baccalaureate degree, maintains an overall grade point average of 3.0, and successfully completes 30 credit hours at Marshall University after one academic year.

This is a tuition waiver scholarship and may only be applied to Marshall University tuition charges; it may not be applied to charges for on-line courses. This scholarship waiver does not cover tuition charges from St. Mary’s Center for Education and other consortium colleges and universities.

Transfer Student Scholarship for Non-Resident Students

Transfer students who are charged the non-resident tuition rate qualify for the following awards. To receive this award, the student must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student pursuing his or her first baccalaureate degree.

Scholarships	Admission Criteria for Eligibility	Academic Year Award
Transfer Student Scholarship – Tier 1	GPA >= 3.75 and transfer in at least 30 credit hours	$3,000
Transfer Student Scholarship – Tier 2	GPA >=3.5 < 3.75 and transfer in at least 30 credit hours	$2,000

Alumni Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship

Are you a metro or non-resident student?

Alumni Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship for Metro Students

This program provides a tuition scholarship waiver to offset the cost of the Metro Tuition Rate to that of the WV Resident Tuition Rate to first-time freshmen whose parent or grandparent graduated from Marshall University. In addition, the student must meet the following criteria:

Metro residency status
ACT composite score of 26 or higher or SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing + Math score of 1240) and H.S. GPA of 3.5 or higher
Full-time enrollment

First-time freshmen are automatically considered for this program when they indicate on their Admission Application that their parent or grandparent graduated from Marshall University. The student’s parent or grandparent must be an “active” alumnus or alumna. In order to confirm your eligibility for this program, you must complete the Alumni Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship Questionnaire and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Recipients of the Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship forfeit receipt of any other Marshall University Scholarship or Tuition Waiver Programs. Students shall be awarded either the Alumni Legacy or other Marshall University Scholarship/Grant awards depending on which is more advantageous.

The tuition waiver scholarship may only be applied to Marshall University metro tuition charges. This tuition waiver scholarship does not apply to students enrolled in a distance education program. This scholarship waiver does not cover tuition charges from St. Mary’s Center for Education and other consortium colleges and universities.

This is a 4-year tuition scholarship waiver program that is renewable if the student maintains at least a 2.0 GPA, completes successfully at least 30 credit hours each academic year, and maintains Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. The amount of the award is the difference between Metro and WV tuition rates.

Alumni Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship for Non-Resident Students

This program provides a tuition scholarship waiver to offset the cost of non-resident tuition to first-time freshmen whose parent or grandparent graduated from Marshall University. In addition, the student must meet the following criteria:

Non-resident status
Full-time enrollment
Meet minimum ACT/SAT scores and H.S. GPA

First-time freshmen are automatically considered for this program when they indicate on their Admission Application that their parent or grandparent graduated from Marshall University. The student’s parent or grandparent must be an “active” alumnus or alumna. In order to confirm your eligibility for this program, you must complete the Alumni Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship Questionnaire and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Tier I Alumni Legacy award amount is the difference between non-resident tuition and WV resident tuition. To qualify for Tier I Alumni Legacy, the student must have:

ACT composite score of 26 or higher or SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing + Math Score of 1240 and a H.S. GPA of at least 3.5

Tier 2 Alumni Legacy award amount is the difference between non-resident tuition and Metro resident tuition. To qualify for Tier 2 Alumni Legacy, the student must have:

ACT composite score of 23 or higher or SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing + Math Score of 1130 and a H.S. GPA of at least 2.75

Recipients of the Legacy Tuition Reduction Scholarship forfeit receipt of any other Marshall University Scholarship or Tuition Waiver Programs. The tuition waiver scholarship may only be applied to Marshall University non-resident tuition charges. This tuition waiver scholarship does not apply to students enrolled in a distance education program. This scholarship waiver does not cover tuition charges from St. Mary’s Center for Education and other consortium colleges and universities.

Students shall be awarded either the Alumni Legacy or other Marshall University Scholarship/Grant awards depending on which is more advantageous.

Additional Scholarship Information

Scholarships come from many different sources, and the best scholarship search combines both institutional opportunities and external resources. Students are encouraged to apply for Marshall University scholarships and explore additional scholarships offered by employers, community organizations, foundations, religious organizations, civic groups, and other private sponsors.

When searching, think beyond academic achievement. Many scholarships consider factors such as community service, leadership, career interests, extracurricular involvement, military affiliation, first-generation status, cultural background, hobbies, talents, and other unique experiences.

Helpful Scholarship Search Resources

Scholarship Search Tips

Start your search early and apply for multiple scholarships.
Keep track of application deadlines and required materials.
Tailor essays and personal statements to each scholarship opportunity.
Never assume you are ineligible. Many scholarships have unique criteria.
Continue searching each year, as some scholarships are available to current college students as well as incoming freshmen.

Avoid Scholarship Scams

You should never be required to pay a fee to search for or apply for scholarships. Be cautious of organizations that guarantee scholarship awards, request payment to access scholarship lists, or ask for sensitive personal information before verifying their legitimacy.

Marshall University is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, any external scholarship search service. Students should independently evaluate scholarship opportunities before submitting personal information.