The Governor’s Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors. The Program originated in 1983 as a result of Kentucky leaders’ concern that the state’s “best and brightest” were leaving the Commonwealth to pursue educational and career opportunities elsewhere without fully understanding the potential of their talents at home. Students who are selected attend the Program without charge. 

The Program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders.  Over 2,000 applications are received at the state level each year, with approximately 1,000 students selected to attend. 

​​To be eligible to apply and be selected as a Governor's Scholar, a student must:

• Be in the 11th grade at the time of selection and intend to return to a Kentucky school district for the next school term.  (Students skipping their senior year to enter college are not eligible);

• Be a current resident of Kentucky;

• Have taken the ACT, PSAT, or SAT in the 9th, 10th or 11th grades.

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After completion of their own Governor’s Scholars application, students must be selected and sent by their school districts or private schools to be considered for the statewide selection process.  If selected, scholars attend the program free of charge, needing only “pocket” money for personal and incidental expenses.

The 2024 program will be held on the campuses of Centre College in Danville, and Morehead State University in Morehead, and Murray State University in Murray.  Governor's Scholars are selected from across Kentucky and represent the diversity of the Commonwealth.

There are no grades or credits.  The program is singularly free from competition, creating an environment that is conducive to building a community of friends and colleagues.

The program offers Scholars a chance to know and make friends with other enthusiastic, energetic students with high intellectual capacities.  The give-and-take among Scholars from different backgrounds is one of the most treasured aspects of the program.

Click here for the application and selection process.