STATE OF KENTUCKY FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA)

P.O. Box 798

Frankfort, KY 40602

1-800-928-8926

www.kheaa.com

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Kentucky.

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship

The 1998 General Assembly provided Kentucky high school students and GED recipients a great opportunity to make their education pay with the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)! KEES, administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), is funded by Kentucky Lottery proceeds. Students who try to get the most from high school by studying hard and making good grades (2.5 GPA or higher) can earn scholarships for college or technical school. The better students do in high school, the more they will earn toward college scholarships. And students who complete their college studies have a better opportunity to achieve their career goals and improve their standard of living. GED recipients may earn awards based on their ACT scores.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a KEES yearly GPA award, a high school student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Be a Kentucky resident. You are eligible if you maintain your legal residence in Kentucky while attending the U.S. Congressional Page School or participating in an approved foreign educational exchange program. You are eligible if your parent or guardian maintains legal residence in Kentucky while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
• Have earned at least a 2.5 GPA in any year of high school while meeting the KEES curriculum requirements.
• Attend and graduate from a certified Kentucky high school or other approved high school.
• Not be a convicted felon.

To be eligible for a KEES bonus award, a high school graduate must:

• Have a least a 15 composite ACT score on an ACT taken at a national test site or a score of 710 or better (critical reading and math) on the SAT. The highest score achieved by the date of your high school graduation will be used for calculating the bonus award amount.
• Have earned at least a 2.5 GPA in any year of high school while meeting the KEES curriculum requirements.

To be eligible for a KEES bonus award, a home school graduate must:

• Have an ACT composite score of 15 or better (SAT score of 710 or better) on a national exam.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Be a Kentucky resident. You are eligible if you maintain your legal residence in Kentucky while attending the U.S. Congressional Page School or participating in an approved foreign educational exchange program. You are eligible if your parent or guardian maintains legal residence in Kentucky while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
• Be enrolled in a participating college.
• Not be a convicted felon.

To be eligible for a KEES bonus award, a GED graduate must:

• Have an ACT composite score of 15 or better (SAT score of 710 or better) on a national exam.
• Have had your 18th birthday occur on or after January 1, 2004
• Have earned a GED in Kentucky within five years of turning 18 years old.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be enrolled in a participating college within five years of receiving a GED.
• Not be a convicted felon.

KEES Award Amounts

For each year you earn a 2.5 or better GPA, you can earn the base amount listed below. For instance, a high school freshman who earns a 3.5 GPA would have a $375 scholarship for each year of college. Amounts may change based on available funds.

Bonus Award Amounts

You can earn a bonus award for an ACT score of 15 or above. For example, a KEES-eligible student who has a score of 25 would earn an additional $393 for each year of college.

You do not have to apply for a KEES award. It is sent automatically to the college you’re attending after the school lets KHEAA know that you are attending classes.

Going to college out of state? The ONLY way to use KEES out-of-state is through a program called the Academic Common Market (ACM). Students must be enrolled at a public university in a state that participates in the ACM and be pursuing an approved ACM program of study to use their KEES outside Kentucky. For more information about the ACM and the current list of programs and schools eligible for the program, visit the Council on Postsecondary Education website.

Please note: Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois are not in the ACM. KEES cannot be used at a college in one of those states.

College Access Program (CAP)

The College Access Program (CAP) helps Kentucky’s financially needy undergraduate students attend eligible public and private colleges and universities, proprietary schools, and technical colleges. CAP Grants may be awarded to Kentucky residents enrolled for at least six semester hours (half time) in academic programs that take at least two years to complete. To be considered for a CAP Grant, the total expected family contribution (EFC) toward the student’s educational expenses cannot exceed $5,273.

Eligible part-time college students will receive an amount calculated on $79 per credit hour. Part-time amounts for CAP recipients attending quarter-hour institutions are calculated according to a schedule provided to the institutions. This grant has an aggregate limit of 250% of an annual award for an associate’s degree and 450% of an annual award for a bachelor’s degree. This means that full-time students at a semester school will use all their eligibility for an associate’s degree in 2 1/2 years.

To apply, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can obtain up to three paper copies of the FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll free at 800.433.3243 or you can apply online. CAP Grants are awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)

The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) Program provides need-based grants to qualified Kentucky residents to attend the Commonwealth’s independent colleges. Eligible institutions must be accredited by a regional accrediting association recognized by U.S. Department of Education and not be comprised solely of religious instruction.

The program is designed to assist students with the higher tuition charges at the independent colleges. Students must be full-time undergraduates enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree program and have no past due financial obligations to KHEAA or to any Title IV program. Credit hours attempted by correspondence or internet courses are not acceptable for grant enrollment purposes, except for courses taken through the Kentucky Virtual Campus. This grant has an aggregate limit of 250% of an annual award for an associate’s degree and 450% of an annual award for a bachelor’s degree. This means that full-time students at a semester school will use all their eligibility for an associate’s degree in 2 1/2 years.

Grant Programs for Kentucky Residents

Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)

The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) Program provides need-based grants to qualified Kentucky residents to attend the Commonwealth’s independent colleges. Eligible institutions must be accredited by a regional accrediting association as listed in Kentucky statute KRS 164.740(17) and not be comprised solely of religious instruction.

The program is designed to assist students with the higher tuition charges at the independent colleges. Students must be full-time undergraduates enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree program and have no past due financial obligations to KHEAA or to any Title IV program. Credit hours attempted by correspondence or internet courses are not acceptable for grant enrollment purposes, except for courses taken through the Kentucky Virtual Campus. This grant has an aggregate limit of 250% of an annual award for an associate’s degree and 450% of an annual award for a bachelor’s degree. This means that full-time students at a semester school will use all their eligibility for an associate’s degree in 2 1/2 years.

For the 2014-2015 academic year, KTG awards range from $300 to $2,964.

To apply, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can obtain up to three paper copies of the FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll free at 800.433.3243 or you can apply online.

KHEAA Work-Study

The KHEAA Work-Study Program (KWSP) provides career-related work experiences for eligible Kentucky residents attending approved in-state postsecondary institutions. The jobs are provided by Kentucky employers, at least 75 percent of whom are private entities. The student must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at least half-time, be making satisfactory academic progress, and not be in default on any financial obligation to KHEAA under any program administered by KHEAA.

Priority for jobs will be given to undergraduates. Students must be paid at least the federal minimum wage. KHEAA pays per hour toward each individual’s wages.

The most students can earn from KWSP is the amount equal to the total cost of education minus financial aid received from all other sources.

To apply, contact the KHEAA Work-Study coordinator at the school you attend.

Go Higher Grant

Better Education, Better Life

The new Go Higher Grant can get you on your way.

Are you stuck in a job you don’t enjoy? Do you want better pay, but don’t qualify for a promotion? The answer is college. A college education can lead you to the job of your dreams with the pay you desire.

A new, need-based grant program is available for adults like you. The Go Higher Grant gives adults age 24 or older with no previous college experience up to ,000 for one academic year when they enroll in a participating Kentucky college or university less than half-time, which is usually one or two courses. The award covers tuition and a book allowance of $50 per credit hour.

To be eligible you must:

• Be a Kentucky resident
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident
• Be age 24 or older
• Never have taken college classes
• Demonstrate financial need

To apply for the Go Higher Grant, you must complete a Go Higher Grant application and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both applications are also available at local adult education centers. There is no deadline. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited.

Teacher Scholarship

The KHEAA Teacher Scholarship Program provides financial aid to highly qualified Kentucky students pursuing initial teacher certification at participating Kentucky institutions. All applicants must be Kentucky residents enrolled full-time (unless enrolled for the final term of a teacher certification program and less than full-time enrollment is required to complete the program). Applicants must demonstrate financial need and meet their institution’s education program GPA requirements to qualify for a KHEAA Teacher Scholarship.

As funding allows, juniors, seniors, postbaccalaureate, or graduate students may receive $2,500 for each semester; and $1,250 for summer. Freshmen and sophomores may receive $625 each semester; and $325 for summer.

If a recipient does not complete their institution’s education program or does not render qualified teaching service at a school certified by the Kentucky Department of Education, the scholarship becomes a loan and the recipient is required to repay the amount disbursed with 6% interest from the date of disbursement.

Make sure KHEAA receives your Teacher Scholarship application and the results of your FAFSA need analysis from the Central Processor by May 1. Your college must verify you are in a major that will lead to initial teacher certification or your application will not be considered. KHEAA will notify applicants regarding eligibility in early July. Results will also be available on Zip Access at that time.

The KHEAA Help Desk can be reached at 800-818-2678 for problems logging into Zip Access.

Early Childhood Development Scholarship

The Early Childhood Development Scholarship provides a seamless system to upgrade the professional development of child-care workers and trainers. The state legislature and the Governor created the Early Childhood Development Scholarship as part of the KIDS NOW early childhood initiative. The scholarship provides financial assistance, to the extent of available funds, in the form of nonrepayable tuition scholarships for Kentucky students who are pursuing one of the following:

• Child Development Associate Credential
• Associate degree in early childhood education
• Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education or a related program that is approved by the Early Childhood Development Authority
• Kentucky Early Childhood Development Director’s Certificate

An applicant must:

• Be a Kentucky resident and U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
• Be enrolled in no more than nine (9) credit hours per academic term in the scholarship program curriculum at a participating Kentucky institution, pursuing one of the approved credentials, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
• Be employed at least 20 hours weekly in a participating early childhood facility or provide training in early childhood development at least 12 times per year for an organization approved to offer training by the Office of Inspector General of the Cabinet for Health Services or be employed as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool program.
• Not be eligible to receive state or federal training funds through Head Start, a public preschool program, or First Steps.
• Have no unpaid financial obligation to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.
• Agree to a service commitment based on the credential pursued.
• Submit the scholarship application, for each term, by the deadline to the professional development counselor.
• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can obtain a FAFSA from high school guidance offices, college financial aid offices, or you can apply online.

The scholarship amount is the tuition actually charged by the institution, not to exceed ,800 per award year. Funds are either credited to the student’s account or, if the student has paid the tuition, disbursed to the student at the beginning of each school term by the institution.

To complete the Early Childhood Development Scholarship application, you must register for a Zip Access account. After you register, sign in to Zip Access and select account access. Then select apply online.

Mary Jo Young Scholarship

The Mary Jo Young Scholarship is named for former KHEAA Board of Directors member, Mary Jo Young, in recognition of her outstanding history of public service in her local community and for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to improve educational opportunities for Kentuckians. It is for high school students in grades 9 thru 12 enrolled in dual credit classes at any college or university or students taking Advanced Placement courses through the Kentucky Virtual High School. Students can receive tuition and expense reimbursement for up to two courses each semester. Awards are given with priority to low-income students, minority or underrepresented students, and students in low-performing schools. Students apply to, and are selected by, the Kentucky Department of Education.

Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship

The Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship provides financial assistance to Kentucky students who attend Pikeville College’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. The award is equal to the difference between the average amount charged for in-state tuition at the state medical schools and tuition at the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine. Recipients must practice 2000 hours in Kentucky for each year they receive a scholarship. Recipients who do not complete the program or do not practice in a qualified field of service in Kentucky must repay the scholarship with 6% interest. Interest is charged from the date the student first receives funds from the program. Qualified fields of service are:

• Family Practice
• General Practice
• General Internal Medicine
• General Pediatrics
• General Obstetrics
• Gynecology

For application information, contact Teresa Jones at the Pikeville School of Osteopathic Medicine at (606)218-5400.

The application deadline is July 1.

Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust

The Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust can help families save, in a planned way, for a child’s higher education. A Trust account can be opened for a beneficiary of any age; and the method, schedule, and amount of contributions are determined by the account owner. Earnings are exempt from Kentucky taxes and any withdrawal used for qualified college expenses will be free of federal income taxes. Deposits can be as little as $25 (or $15 if made through payroll deduction), and the Trust offers competitive savings rates. The younger the child is when participation begins, the better prepared the family will be to meet growing educational costs.

To request more information, call toll free 1-877-KY TRUST (1-877-598-7878), or visit www.kysaves.com.

Kentucky’s Affordable Prepaid Tuition

Kentucky’s Affordable Prepaid Tuition (KAPT) provides another approach for families who want to plan now for their children’s future college expenses at a public, private, or out-of-state institution. Depending on which KAPT plan is purchased, the program guarantees to pay tuition at Kentucky’s public colleges or universities or average tuition at Kentucky’s private colleges and universities in exchange for early tuition purchased by lump sum or in monthly payments. Like KESPT, funds can be used at any accredited postsecondary school in the country, and withdrawals used for qualified higher education expenses are free from federal and state income taxes. Because no two families are exactly alike when it comes to their college savings needs, KHEAA recommends that parents carefully evaluate the advantages and differences between KESPT and KAPT. KAPT is currently closed to new enrollments.

For more information, visit www.getKAPT.com or call toll free (888) 919-KAPT.

Minority Educator Recruitment and Retention Scholarship

Student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident and a U.S. citizen.
• Be a member of an ethnic minority as defined by state law and the school.
• Be enrolled full-time in a participating Kentucky college.
• Major in teacher education.
• Be seeking initial teacher certification.
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA.
• Provide one semester of qualified teaching service in Kentucky for each semester the scholarship is received.
• Repay the scholarship plus interest if does not complete program or service requirement.

Award:

• Up to $5,000 per year.

Application:

• Contact Division of Educator Quality and Diversity, Kentucky Department of Education, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601; (502) 564-1479; or the MERR Scholarship coordinator at the school.
• Deadline set by the school.

Energy and Environment Cabinet Scholarship

Student must:

• Be enrolled in a public university in Kentucky.
• Must be a junior, senior or graduate student.
• Must major in a discipline of critical need to the cabinet.
• Must make satisfactory academic progress.
• Must maintain a satisfactory GPA.
• Must work for the cabinet for six months for each semester funded.
• Must repay the scholarship plus 12% interest if does not fulfill service obligation.

Award:

• In-state tuition, room board, books and fees per semester.

Application:

• Available online from the cabinet website.
• Must be sent to Water Resources Research Institute, 233 Mining and Mineral Resources Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0107 by February 15.

Kentucky Nursing Incentive Scholarship

Student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Must attend an approved prelicensure nursing program (registered nurse or practical nurse) or graduate nursing program.
• Must make satisfactory academic progress.
• Must maintain a satisfactory GPA.
• Must work as a nurse in Kentucky one year for each year of funding.
• Must repay the scholarship plus interest if does not fulfill service obligation.

Award:

• $3,000 per year.

Application:

• Available online from the Kentucky Board of Nursing website.
• Mail to Kentucky Board of Nursing,312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222-5172.
• Must be postmarked between January 1 and June 1

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Civil Engineering Scholarship

Student must:

• Be a graduate of Kentucky high school or a high school graduate who is a Kentucky resident.
• Attend Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University or a Kentucky Community and Technical College System school.
• Have at least a 24 ACT.
• Maintain a minimum semester or cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Be a full-time student.
• Complete at least 30 credit hours each year.
• Work full-time for the cabinet one year for each year of funding.
• Must repay the scholarship plus interest if does not fulfill service obligation.

Award:

• $4,850 for freshman/sophomore per semester.
• $5,250 for junior/senior per semester.

Application:

• From guidance counselor or online from the cabinet website.
• Mail to State Highway Engineer’s Office, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622.
• Deadline is March 1.

Coal County Scholarship Program for Pharmacy Students

The Coal County Scholarship for Pharmacy Students provides financial aid to Kentucky residents who plan to pursue careers as pharmacists in coal–producing counties in the state. Scholarships are awarded to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an accredited school of pharmacy in Kentucky with preference given to students who reside in a Kentucky coal–producing county. The scholarship amount cannot be more than the difference charged for in–state tuition at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and the tuition charged at the school the scholarship recipient attends.

Scholarship recipients must agree to work one year as a full–time, licensed pharmacist in a Kentucky coal–producing county for each year the scholarship is awarded. Recipients who do not fulfill the service requirement must repay the scholarship plus 6% interest.

To apply, complete the Coal County Scholarship Program for Pharmacy Students application.

Click on the link below to view a map of the coal–producing counties in Kentucky:
Kentucky Coal Counties Map.