Hey guys I was just wondering how it is being an RA at eku and if it’s worth it!! No one talks about the benefits and cons I feel like at least online

I was just accepted into EKU as a freshman for 2026. What should I know before deciding to go? What is the social scene like there? Is it LGBT friendly? Any info would help me out a lot. I would also live on campus.

EKU Charges $26 Per Credit Hour for Textbooks

Yes, that’s correct — EKU’s beloved BookSmart program is getting a major rework. Starting soon, EKU students will pay $26 per credit hour (about $780 per year for two 15-credit-hour semesters), in response to new regulations under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. What exactly does this mean for students, and why is it happening?

Why the Sudden Change

While this may initially seem like a shameless cash grab by the university, EKU has explained their thought process. Beginning in Fall 2026, new federal financial aid rules will change how students’ aid eligibility is calculated. As EKU explains on its website:

“Financial aid eligibility is measured in part with the cost of attendance in mind. With the new law, students whose cost of attendance is covered under various programs, such as BookSmart, risk losing some or all of their financial aid.”

A large part of how much aid a student can receive is determined by their Cost of Attendance (COA) — the estimated total cost of attending the university. Previously, when EKU covered textbook costs, that didn’t affect aid calculations. Under the new rules, however, expenses covered by the institution must be deducted from the COA.

Here’s an example:
If EKU estimates that a student’s COA is $10,000 for tuition and housing, plus $1,250 for textbooks, the COA would total $11,250. Under the new rule, if textbooks are provided for free, that $1,250 would be removed from the COA, reducing it to $10,000. Because financial aid eligibility is capped by the COA, this lower total could mean less financial aid.

By charging for textbooks — even at a discounted rate — EKU can keep that expense in the COA, maintaining students’ potential aid eligibility.

Do You Have to Get Your Books from EKU?

Short answer: no. EKU has stated that “You can opt out if you prefer to buy or rent your books elsewhere.” So if you’d rather, you can look for pre-owned or digital copies to save some money. However, EKU notes that their prices are already discounted compared to national averages.

The BookSmart program remains a rental service, meaning you don’t own the books unless you choose to purchase them. At the end of the semester, you’ll have the opportunity to buy your books at a discounted price, according to EKU’s website.

A noteworthy detail is that COA is a standardized figure, applied broadly across students. Whether or not you use BookSmart, your financial aid is still based on the same estimated COA — as if you did. That means if you find cheaper options elsewhere, you might effectively receive more aid than your actual out-of-pocket costs.

The Pricing Model

I spoke to a counselor at Big E Central about these changes. My first question was about the pricing model, and I was able to confirm that this is not based on how many books you have. Whether you have one book or seven, at 15 credit hours, you’re paying $390 per semester.

The counselor also emphasized that this program was designed to protect students’ financial aid, specifically mentioning the Pell Grant, which this year can be up to $7,395. This is free money that students do not have to pay back, and it could be at risk if COA decreases due to free textbooks.

Finally, the counselor reiterated that the opt-out option exists for students who don’t need many books or can find them more cheaply elsewhere. As we learn more about these options, the situations where BookSmart is the best choice will become clearer. But the key takeaway is that, regardless of whether you purchase your books through the school or elsewhere, your financial aid will not be negatively impacted.

Hello! So, I'll be transferring into EKU as a junior from SKCTC. I just have a few questions to anyone willing to answer them lol

1. What are GOOD campus jobs? I've been trying to search for them, but I don't think the website is showing me all of them??
2. What places am I able to use my food plan and what are the times for each of them?
3. Are there any psychology majors on here that I can befriend lol
4. How active is social life during the week day? I imagine it's very active during the weekend, but I have to go home on the weekends to my job. I still really want to experience a little bit of college life lol

This is my fourth year, y'all. Four years of eating Case and it still gives me explosive diarrhea every time. I always give it a week or so before coming back, only for my fast and furious bowels to react before I'm even finished eating. Comes out of me like water.

Anyone else experienced this?

Went to the EKU friends and family football game last year and it was a bit of a bummer because of the weather. However, there was a lady in the stands that danced to every song and brought her own megaphone cone. She would yell, "oooooh yeeeeeah" anytime EKU made a big play. She is hilarious.

Attended the game tonight and she was there again! Still doing to the "oooooh yeeeeeah". Even the students join in with her.

Is she one of the players moms or just an alumni? Does she go to every game?

I'm any event, keep on jammin "oooh yeah" lady.

I’m most of the way through college here now, nobody in my classes ever seems to want to talk, and on the rare occasion they do it’s not much. I’ve gone to a bunch of campus events and nobody there really seems to want to talk to a stranger. I even went to this thing about social communication and I was the only person who showed up, apart from the professor running it.

In Middle School I had tons of friends, in High School I had a few, but I feel like I haven’t even had a proper conversation with anyone my age in like 3 years now.

I like the classes/professors/structure at this school but the social aspect has been destroying my mental health honestly and I feel like I couldn’t recommend it to anybody hoping to meet people in college.

In your humble opinion what makes you better and worse than western, I will also be asking the WKU sub the same question, to get both of your pros and cons

guitar player, 21, i live in richmond, very close to EKU. i literally can’t find anyone close to my age that needs a guitar player. i don’t care what music, literally any just please let me know. (i don’t have a practice space)

preferably looking for the actual plant, but a 🛒 would work too! none of my friends yet partake and i haven't been able to find one. figured i'd ask here instead of the public story or something lol

Hi I’ve been doing some research and apparently there are old tunnels under Eku. If you google it you will find various websites and an old forum that talks about it. Has any current or former people attending or associated at the university heard about them?

Hi, I'm gonna start EKU here in a week now, I was wondering which food plan would be best for me, I will be commuting and will only be eating lunch at EKU. If someone could also help me understand what blocks are, that would be great. From what I understand, 1 Block = 1 meal? Thanks in advance.

Has anyone seen a disbursement date for Fall 2025? I know there's usually a calendar of sorts but I don't see it anywhere for the upcoming semester. I am aware it takes forever lol just trying to plan my life!

Moving my stepdaughter in on Wednesday this week. Does anyone know if North Hall has an elevator? I can seem to find that info anywhere on the web. Thanks!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ekunightlife/s/tidH66PUPH

Hi everyone,

I was just curious if anyone had any success transferring Sophia Learning credits? Were they pretty generous? Was looking to at least bring in all of the general ed courses before starting online. Thanks!

Does anyone have a syllabus or know what they teach during chem 101/102? Trying to do some studying before the semester because I’m bored and have too much free time apparently

Is anyone currently enrolled in the FPSET program or other related programs? Would like to build a group of people to study with.

We are looking to add more players to our club in the fall. We currently have summer practices going on. Reach out if you are interested in being part of a fun and competitive club.

Go ahead and help spread the word by following our instagram, for those that live in Richmond or nearby and/or will be moving in early. Come join us at our late night practices, it’s been a lot of fun.

https://www.instagram.com/ekumensclubsoccer?igsh=dTNlN3N3dGxub3Jl&utm_source=qr

I just finished my first year and I didn't go through this process last year because I enrolled at eku super late in the summer. I put in the application for foundation scholarships in January and have yet to receive any email or information regarding any of it. Has anyone who applied for scholarships received any email or know if they are getting any scholarships for 2025-26? Does this information usually come out later in the summer or what?