Financial Aid/Scholarships

The Financial Aid & Scholarship process can be overwhelming if you don't know where to start.  Use this page to learn more about financial aid and scholarship resources.   

Did you know that all high school students should actively seek scholarships?  Not only should you seek scholarships, but you are eligible for the KHEAA Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship as freshmen.  Kentucky public high school students who receive a cumulative unweighted 2.5 GPA, receive at least five credits per year and are enrolled for at least 140 days per school year automatically receive KEES account contributions.  Awards are added to student accounts after KHEAA receives the final student grades at the end of each school year.  

• Create your KHEAA Account to check your KEES Balance

• Click here to view KEES scholarship amounts, ACT and AP Bonuses

• KEES Brochure

Additional KHEAA Scholarship Resources:

• Affording Higher Education Kentucky College Scholarship Guide

• It’s Money Baby

• The College Circuit

• College Access Program Grant - Offered to all Pell Grant recipients who are Kentucky residents

  • $2,200 (2-year program)/$5,300 (4-year program)

  • Funds available on first come, first serve basis

• KHEAA Dual Credit Scholarship Program

  • Juniors and seniors are eligible to receive two KHEAA Dual Credit Scholarships to cover the tuition for academic dual credit courses.

  • All high school students are eligible to receive two KHEAA Dual Credit Work Ready Scholarships per year to cover the tuition for career and technical education dual credit courses.

• Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program  - The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) helps Kentuckians who have not yet earned an associate's degree afford an industry‐recognized certificate or diploma. The WRKS program is available to college students and certain high school students who are enrolled in college coursework.

  • Qualifying areas - Health Care, Advanced Manufacturing, Transportation/Logistics, Business Services/IT and Construction

  • Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program Flyer

Federal Financial Aid

In order to receive Federal Financial Aid seniors must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The application window open December 2024.  Students and at least one parent must create FSA IDs  prior to completing the FAFSA Application.

• FSA ID Instructions

• 2025-2026 FAFSA Completion Guide

• FAFSA Dependency Information

• FAFSA Dependency Information - Spanish

Sources of Federal Student Aid

The following information is from the Federal Student Aid site links to the corresponding federal student aid sources are listed below. 

• Federal Grants  - Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant & Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

• Unlike scholarships, grants may have to be repaid if the grant requirements are not met.  The requirements may vary by the grant program, so be sure to adhere to the requirements.  If you are unable to do so, you will receive a repayment notification as specified by Federal Student Aid (https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants).

• Federal Student Loans -The U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program is the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. There are four types of Direct Loans available:

  • Direct Subsidized Loans  are loans made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school.

  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need.

  • Direct PLUS Loans  are loans made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Eligibility is not based on financial need, but a credit check is required. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify.

  • Direct Consolidation Loans  allow you to combine all of your eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer.

• Federal Work Study - Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.  Students should indicate their need for work study on their FAFSA.

• Aid for Military Families  - Students may be eligible for financial aid and scholarships for their military service or as military dependents.  Click on the following resources for additional military financial aid options.

  • How to Apply for the GI Bill and Related Benefits

  • Army ROTC

  • Air Force ROTC

  • VA Survivor & Dependent Benefits

KHEAA

The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority is an invaluable resource for Kentucky students.  Learn about the college planning process, picking a school, paying for college, money management and more.   Please join us at one of our upcoming KHEAA presentations and FAFSA help sessions.  The 2025 - 2026 FAFSA Frenzy will kick off in December 2024.  Check back soon for our 2025-2026 FAFSA Frenzy events and dates. 

National Scholarship/Financial Aid Resources

Diversity Scholarship Programs