Emma Gallus, Online Director
November 11, 2025
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WMUL-FM) — Boyd County, Kentucky joins a list as the newest county to offer Marshall Direct – a program which offers direct application to Marshall University with no application, fees or cost to students.
Boyd County seniors join students from Cabell, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Raleigh and Wayne County schools who can be accepted as long they have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and are on track to graduate.
The program kicked off in October 2024 with Kanawha County schools and Boyd County marks the first non-West Virginia school system to take part in the program.
Boyd is also included in Marshall’s Metro Tuition rate, which offers reduced tuition to students in surrounding counties from different states.
Kelly Fox, principal of Boyd County High School said, “The Marshall Direct Admit Program removes barriers and opens doors for our seniors, ensuring that every student who dreams of a college education has a clear and direct path to achieve it.”
According to President Brad D. Smith during the program’s launch in Kanawha county, Marshall Direct gives students who opt-in “direct access to opportunity – right here in West Virginia.”
The university is working to increase enrollment and Marshall Direct is just one step in that process.
“Marshall is deeply committed to helping students see college as both possible and attainable,” Jerry Ross, Marshall’s chief enrollment officer said.
Ross said that by teaming up with Boyd County Schools, they are offering students an easier transition from high school to college as well as getting rid of some road blocks that are traditionally included with the college application and acceptance process.
There are plans to add more school systems according to the programs website, www.marshall.edu/marshall-direct.
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Emma Gallus can be reached at gallus1@marshall.edu