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💰 Truman State University Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
31
Automatic
27
In-State Awards
$500-$17,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$1,000-$23,000/yr
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
Requirements vary by scholarship

Truman State University offers 31 merit scholarships. Awards run $1,000-$23,000/yr for out-of-state students. Against tuition of $18,228, students receiving the largest award pay about $0 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at Truman State University

Tuition & fees
$18,228
Largest annual award
$23,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$0/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $11,128), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on Truman State University's website
Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at Truman State University — no separate application

27 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

A+ Recognition
Award
$500/yr in-state
Truman-funded and automatically awarded to admitted freshman in recognition of Missouri A+ program completion. Program completion must be verified on the final high school transcript. $500 per year
Eligibility: Truman-funded and automatically awarded to admitted freshman in recognition of Missouri A+ program completion. Program completion must be verified on the final high school transcript.
How to apply: ["program completion verified on final high school transcript"]
Source ↗
Bulldog Legacy — Missouri Resident
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
Admitted students who are children, step-children, or grandchildren of alumni of Truman, or whose sibling currently attends or graduated from Truman. Missouri residents - $1,000 per year Out-of-State residents - $2,000 per year
Eligibility: Admitted students who are children, step-children, or grandchildren of alumni of Truman, or whose sibling currently attends or graduated from Truman.
Source ↗
Bulldog Legacy — Out-of-State Resident
Award
$2,000/yr out-of-state
Admitted students who are children, step-children, or grandchildren of alumni of Truman, or whose sibling currently attends or graduated from Truman. Missouri residents - $1,000 per year Out-of-State residents - $2,000 per year
Eligibility: Admitted students who are children, step-children, or grandchildren of alumni of Truman, or whose sibling currently attends or graduated from Truman.
Source ↗
Girls State & Boys State
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
$1,000/yr out-of-state
Admitted students who attended Girls State or Boys State. $1,000 per year
Eligibility: Admitted students who attended Girls State or Boys State.
Source ↗
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Award
$2,000/yr in-state
$2,000/yr out-of-state
IB Diploma Candidate status must be noted on HS transcript for consideration. Completion must be verified on official final transcript. $2,000 per year
Eligibility: IB Diploma Candidate status must be noted on HS transcript for consideration. Completion must be verified on official final transcript.
How to apply: ["IB Diploma Candidate status noted on HS transcript", "completion verified on official final transcript"]
Source ↗
JBA Scholarship
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
$1,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to students who attended Joseph Baldwin Academy (JBA). $1,000 per year
Eligibility: Automatically awarded to students who attended Joseph Baldwin Academy (JBA).
Source ↗
MSEP — 2025-2026 estimated amount
Award
$4,130/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students from IN, KS, MN, NE, ND, OH and WI who do not qualify for an Out-of-State TruMerit Scholarship. MSEP amount for 2025-2026 academic year is estimated at $4,130. MSEP award value, determined annually, reduces out-of-state tuition to 150% of in-state tuition rate, with this scholarship covering the difference.
Eligibility: Automatically awarded to admitted students from IN, KS, MN, NE, ND, OH and WI who do not qualify for an Out-of-State TruMerit Scholarship.
Source ↗
NEMO — Off-campus
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
MUST have graduated from a high school in one of the following counties: Adair, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Knox, Macon, Linn, Sullivan. $2,000 for students living on campus $1,000 for students living off campus.
Eligibility: MUST have graduated from a high school in one of the following counties: Adair, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Knox, Macon, Linn, Sullivan.
🔗 This scholarship does NOT stack with Top Scholar or TruPlus. Source ↗
NEMO — On-campus
Award
$2,000/yr in-state
MUST have graduated from a high school in one of the following counties: Adair, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Knox, Macon, Linn, Sullivan. $2,000 for students living on campus $1,000 for students living off campus.
Eligibility: MUST have graduated from a high school in one of the following counties: Adair, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Knox, Macon, Linn, Sullivan.
🔗 This scholarship does NOT stack with Top Scholar or TruPlus. Source ↗
Non-Resident Tuition Waiver — estimated out-of-state portion
Award
$9,069/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students who are spouses, dependent children or are a current/recent member of a branch of military as well as to admitted students whose non-custodial parent is a Missouri resident. Tuition waiver covering the out-of-state portion of tuition($9,069 for 2025-2026 academic year).
Eligibility: Automatically awarded to admitted students who are spouses, dependent children or are a current/recent member of a branch of military as well as to admitted students whose non-custodial parent is a Missouri resident.
🔗 Out-of-state tuition assistance awards cannot be combined. Source ↗
Tier 1 — Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$5,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 1 — Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$6,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 1 — Non-Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$9,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 1 — Non-Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$10,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 2 — Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$4,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 2 — Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$5,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 2 — Non-Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$8,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 2 — Non-Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$9,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 3 — Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$3,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 3 — Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$4,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 3 — Non-Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$7,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 3 — Non-Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$8,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 4 — Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$2,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 4 — Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$3,000/yr in-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 4 — Non-Missouri Resident (without test score)
Award
$6,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
Tier 4 — Non-Missouri Resident (with test score)
Award
$7,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students based on their GPA and test scores. $2,000 – $10,000 (See the TruMerit Scholarship Chart)
Eligibility: Any student eligible for the University’s TruMerit Scholarship is automatically admitted to Truman State University with only an application, transcript and verified test score. Automatic scholarships are awarded based upon your cumulative GPA and college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT) at the time of application.
How to apply: ["undergraduate application", "transcript", "verified test scores", "no separate scholarship application required"]
Source ↗
TruMusic Scholarship
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
$1,000/yr out-of-state
Automatically awarded to admitted students who are declared Music majors. $1,000 per year
Eligibility: Automatically awarded to admitted students who are declared Music majors.
How to apply: ["declared Music major"]
Source ↗

Other scholarships at Truman State University (4)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Harry S. Truman Leadership — In-State
$15,000/yr
Limited number of 2025 awards. The HSTL scholarship is $15,000 and only in-state students were eligible. This should cover all of the full-time tuition cost and a significant portion of room and board. With the exception of the Bulldog Legacy Award, the HST Scholarship SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER TRUMAN FUNDED AWARDS.
Eligibility: Missouri residents who demonstrate impactful classroom, school and/or community leadership. Designed to invest in the development of tomorrow’s leaders, recognizing the value of diverse contributions in Truman’s community. Application with ACT/SAT test score, including essay AND activities resume, must be complete prior to Dec. 1 for consideration.
How to apply: ["application with ACT/SAT test score", "essay", "activities resume", "complete prior to Dec. 1"]
Source ↗
Kirk — In-State
$17,000/yr
The Kirk scholarship is $23,000 for out-of-state students and $17,000 for in-state students. This should cover all of the full-time tuition cost and a significant portion of room and board. With the exception of the Bulldog Legacy Award, the Kirk Scholarship SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER TRUMAN FUNDED AWARDS.
Eligibility: Top candidates have exceptional academic and co-curricular accomplishments and are typically in the top 3% of their HS class with ACT or SAT scores in the top 3% nationally. Application with ACT/SAT test score, including essay AND activities resume, must be complete prior to Dec. 1 for consideration.
How to apply: ["application with ACT/SAT test score", "essay", "activities resume", "complete prior to Dec. 1"]
Source ↗
Kirk — Out-of-State
$23,000/yr
The Kirk scholarship is $23,000 for out-of-state students and $17,000 for in-state students. This should cover all of the full-time tuition cost and a significant portion of room and board. With the exception of the Bulldog Legacy Award, the Kirk Scholarship SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER TRUMAN FUNDED AWARDS.
Eligibility: Top candidates have exceptional academic and co-curricular accomplishments and are typically in the top 3% of their HS class with ACT or SAT scores in the top 3% nationally. Application with ACT/SAT test score, including essay AND activities resume, must be complete prior to Dec. 1 for consideration.
How to apply: ["application with ACT/SAT test score", "essay", "activities resume", "complete prior to Dec. 1"]
Source ↗
Pershing — full tuition + avg room & board + $4,000 study abroad stipend
Approximately twelve awards annually. The Pershing scholarship covers the cost of full-time tuition and the average cost of room and board, plus a one-time $4,000 study abroad stipend. SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER TRUMAN FUNDED AWARDS.
Eligibility: Top candidates have exceptional academic and co-curricular accomplishments and are typically in the top 3% of their HS class with ACT or SAT scores in the top 3% nationally. Application with ACT/SAT test score, including essay AND activities resume, must be complete prior to Dec. 1 for consideration.
How to apply: ["application with ACT/SAT test score", "essay", "activities resume", "complete prior to Dec. 1"]
Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at Truman State University

Early Action
12/02/2025
Regular Decision
07/29/2026

Common questions about Truman State University scholarships

How much merit aid does Truman State University give?

Published awards range $1,000-$23,000/yr. Truman State University lists 31 merit scholarships in total.

Does Truman State University give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $1,000-$23,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at Truman State University?

The largest published award covers full tuition, though not housing and other costs.

When is the scholarship deadline at Truman State University?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is 12/02/2025. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with Truman State University's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

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