Financial Aid Overview

Scholarship Programs

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)

Students in Kentucky high schools can earn regular and bonus awards. Home school students and GED graduates can earn only bonus awards.

To earn a regular KEES award, a high school student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Earn at least a 2.5 GPA at the end of any year in high school.
• Take classes in a state-approved curriculum.
• Not be a convicted felon.
• Attend a participating Kentucky college or pursue a state-approved major not available in Kentucky.

To earn a KEES bonus award, a high school student must:

• Qualify for a regular KEES award at least one year of high school.
• Score at least a 15 ACT composite or 710 SAT composite on a test taken before graduation.

To earn a KEES bonus award, a home school student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Not be a convicted felon.
• Attend a participating Kentucky college or pursue a state-approved major not available in Kentucky.
• Score at least a 15 ACT composite or 710 SAT composite on a national exam.

To earn a KEES bonus award, a GED graduate must:

• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Have been born after 1980.
• Have earned a GED within five years of turning 18 years old.
• Not be a convicted felon.
• Enroll in a participating Kentucky college or pursue a state-approved major not available in Kentucky within five years of receiving a GED.
• Score at least a 15 ACT composite or 710 SAT composite on a national exam.

Award:

• Up to $2,500 per year for four years (five years for certain majors).
• Student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA after first year of college to keep full award.
• Student must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA after sophomore and junior years of college to keep full award.

Application:

• None. When the college reports that the student is attending classes, the funds will be sent to the school.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

Student must:

• Be a Kentucky high school senior or recent GED graduate.
• Provide evidence of academic achievement and potential for continued success.
• Be enrolled full-time in a college for the following academic year.

Award:

• Up to $1,500 a year for up to four years.

Application:

• Online through Zip Access on the KHEAA website.
• Deadline for high school seniors is generally around February 1.
• Deadline for GED graduates is usually around June 30.

Commonwealth Scholarship

Student must:

• Be an academically talented Kentucky resident.
• Attend a Kentucky public college or university.
• Meet the requirements set by individual schools.

Award:

• Varies.

Application:

• Through the school.

Mary Jo Young Scholarship for Dual Credit and AP Courses

Student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident attending a state-certified Kentucky high school.
• Be enrolled in a dual credit or AP course.
• Take the AP exam if taking an AP course.

Priority given to:

• First-generation college students.
• Low-income students.
• Minority students.
• Students with disabilities.

Award:

• Varies.

Application:

• Online through Zip Access on the KHEAA website.

Early Childhood Development Scholarship

Student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Take no more than 9 credit hours per academic term at a participating school.
• Be pursuing one of the approved credentials.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Work at least 20 hours per week in a participating early childhood facility or provide training in early childhood development at least 12 times a year.
• Have state authorization and credentials if providing training outlined above.
• Not be eligible for training funds through Head Start, First Steps, or a public preschool program.
• Agree to a service commitment based on the credential earned.

Award:

• Cost of tuition, up to $1,800 per year.

Application:

• Online through Zip Access on the KHEAA website.
• FAFSA.