Commonly Asked Questions

The list provided below can be used by practitioners to answer the most commonly asked questions by students and their families. 

 What is the difference between AP and dual credit?

Dual Credit courses allow a student to earn high school credit and college credit simultaneously. These courses may be taught on a college campus or at a high school, but it will be associated with a college or university. 

Dual Enrollment is different from Dual Credit in that Dual Enrollment is when a student is enrolled in high school and a college at the same time, but is only earning college (not high school) credit for certain courses. 

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous study (or honors) courses offered for high school credit but require passing a separate test to earn college credit. The amount of college credit earned depends on the resulting test score. To learn more about AP courses, visit KDE's website or The College Board.

For more detailed information on Dual Credit versus Advanced Placement, please view this one-page document or visit: http://cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/dualcredit.html 


Should I take a more challenging class and risk messing up my KEES money?

Taking a challenging course load prepares you for college, but you also want to do well in those courses. 

Every year that you attend a certified Kentucky high school, you have the opportunity to earn KEES scholarship dollars for making good grades. If you earn a 2.5 GPA or better, you are earning KEES money that can be used. 

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Advanced International (CAI) and dual credit courses are weighted on a five-point scale for KEES purposes, meaning an A is worth more in those courses.  


 Do I still need to take the ACT if my school is test-optional?

Although many universities and colleges are now test-optional and acceptance is not based on scores, test scores are still a vital component for entrance into postsecondary programs or majors. Application for many scholarships still requires test scores.

Check out these articles to learn more: 

What is a good ACT score? 

The highest possible score on the ACT is a 36. The ACT is a multiple choice exam consisting of four parts: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. A score is given from 1-36 in each subject area and an overall average or composite is assigned. The exam is one way to measures a student’s postsecondary readiness. 

ACT benchmarks in Kentucky are 18 in English, 19 in Mathematics, and a 20 in Reading. Benchmarks are an indicator of college/technical school success. 

ACT scores may be one factor assisting colleges in determining admission decisions, course placement, and scholarships. 

If there is a particular college or university you are interested in pursuing, check the average ACT score of their incoming freshman class. While your ACT score meets benchmarks for postsecondary readiness in Kentucky, your ACT score may be lower than that school’s average score. 

If you need money to pay for college, it is useful to check to determine what ACT score may be needed to meet the requirements. Some scholarships require a minimum GPA and ACT composite score for a student to be considered eligible. 

What are the differences in application deadlines?

Colleges and Universities have many terms for their application deadlines. To understand more clearly what each of these terms mean, please view this one-page document. 

What is the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

Scholarships are typically based on some type of achievement- academic, athletic, talent, or service. Most scholarships do not have to be repaid. 

Grants are typically based on financial need and don’t have to be paid back. Typically, a student must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for a grant. 


How do I pay for college? 

There are many ways to pay for college. The first step is to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA determines the amount of money a student can receive from federal financial aid, federal grants, university/college work-study, and state and school-based aid. Many public and private scholarships also require the completion of the FAFSA to determine eligibility. 

According to Saving for College, the 6 best ways to pay for college include:

There are also ways to lower costs while attending college which include having a roommate, renting or buying used textbooks, maintaining good grades, and utilizing included food plans.

For more information, check out this resource by Nerd Wallet and explore our Financial Aid and Literacy page.  

Where do I look for scholarships? What are the types of scholarships?

There are generally three (3) types of scholarships: National, Institutional and Local. Additionally, there are a variety of scholarship websites that are reliable and offer many opportunities and advice on how to apply for scholarships. For more information on these topics, view this one-page document or explore our webpage. 

 Why do I have to fill out the the FAFSA?

Filling out the FAFSA is the single most important thing a student can do to get money for college. The FAFSA is used to determine financial aid, scholarships, grants, and work studies at most colleges or universities. Even if the student is not eligible to receive any financial assistance, many postsecondary institutions still require FAFSA completion for enrollment. 

Check out these resources to learn more about the importance of filling out the FAFSA: 

How do I understand my college award letter? 

Understanding your college financial award letter can be difficult. There is not a standard award letter format, therefore it will take families time and patience to review each award letter thoroughly. Additionally, families and students need to consider each aspect of the award letter to determine if all financial aid award amounts are needed to finance a student’s education. For more detailed information about financial aid award letters, view this document.