Selective interview awards for the Manhattan campus
Competitive awards | Manhattan campus
Competitive scholarship awardees are selected by committees who review additional supplemental application materials and/or administer a selective interview process. The awards below are specific to the Manhattan campus, but there are also Salina campus competitive awards available.
Application Process
Learn more about how to prepare and what to expect.
Application deadline
All competitive scholarship applications are due by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2025. Click on a scholarship below for a brief introduction to each award.
The Presidential Scholarship, the largest and most selective scholarship award made by Kansas State University, recognizes students who have been truly outstanding, both academically and as student leaders, during their high school career. Only two Presidential Scholarships are awarded each year.
- Renewable for up to four years total
- An $80,000 total award value
The Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Scholarship is the largest and most selective scholarship award made by Kansas State University’s College of Business. The Vanier family recognizes students with this scholarship who have been truly outstanding, both academically and as student leaders, during their high school career. This scholarship is awarded each year.
- Renewable for up to four years total
- An $80,000 total award value
The Robert E. Campbell Scholarship is awarded to a select group of high-achieving, academically talented students in the University Honors Program (UHP) at K-State. The UHP expects Campbell Scholars to be active and engaged in honors’ events, take on leadership roles within the community, and serve as unofficial ambassadors for the program. In their first year, Campbell Scholars will live in Honors housing in the Strong Complex.
- Renewable for up to four years total
- $6,000 per year ($3,000 per semester)
The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering has developed a new scholarship program in coordination with the Kansas State University Honors Program to award students with outstanding academic performance and leadership experience. Engineering students selected for the prestigious Robert E. Campbell Scholarship will receive financial support from the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering on top of the Robert E. Campbell Scholarship. Robert E. Campbell – Engineering Scholars will be expected to meet all the requirements of Campbell Scholars, including participation in the University Honors Program.
- Renewable for up to four years total
- $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester), including the Robert E. Campbell Scholarship and the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering supplement
The Edgerley and Franklin families support this scholarship to promote future engagement with the challenges facing communities and families. Through the scholarship, students become part of the Leadership Scholars Program, which makes this award not your typical scholarship competition.
- In addition to a monetary award, scholars will have access to academic and social experiences to encourage successful careers in any field offered at K-State.
- Renewable for up to four years total
- $20,000 total award value
The Kassebaum Scholarship is named in honor of Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, who served the state of Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1978-1997. To honor her long and respected career in the public sector, the Kassebaum Scholarship seeks to recognize students who aspire to careers in public service. Up to five students receive this award annually.
- $5,000 non-renewable freshman-year award
- Recipients have the opportunity to also work with our prestigious scholarships director to apply for the Truman Scholarship and additional prestigious scholarships.
The K-State Civic Leadership Scholarship competition rewards exceptional high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to serving others in their community, school or place of worship. Students who are making a difference and demonstrating creativity by developing projects and programs with a lasting impact on those they serve are celebrated through this scholarship competition.
- Non-renewable freshman year award:
- First place: $4,000
- Second place: $2,500
- Third place: $2,000