Top 27 Kentucky Scholarships & Grants for 2026 - 2027

Kentucky Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid Overview

How to Get a Grant for College in Kentucky

Kentucky offers several generous financial aid programs to help residents reduce the cost of college, including need-based grants, scholarships for academic achievement, and programs for adult learners returning to school. To successfully secure a grant in Kentucky, students should begin by completing all required state and federal financial aid applications early, as many of the state programs award funding on a first-come, first-served basis. Kentucky’s grant programs are administered through the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), which oversees programs designed to make college more accessible for residents of all backgrounds.

To get started, follow the steps below:

• Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for nearly all federal and state aid. Submit it early each year to maximize eligibility, especially for first-come programs like CAP.
• Apply for State Grants: Kentucky residents can access programs such as the College Access Program (CAP) Grant for need-based aid and the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) for students attending private colleges.
• Confirm Eligibility Requirements: Most Kentucky grants require residency, financial need, satisfactory academic progress, and enrollment in an approved Kentucky college or university.

Because Kentucky’s grant programs run out of funding quickly each academic year, early application is essential. Students are strongly encouraged to submit the FAFSA on or close to October 1, the earliest filing date.

Who Is Eligible for the CAP Grant in Kentucky?

The College Access Program (CAP) Grant provides substantial need-based financial assistance to Kentucky residents pursuing undergraduate degrees. This is one of the state’s most impactful programs, supporting thousands of low-income students annually. The CAP Grant is funded by the Kentucky Lottery and is designed to assist students attending public universities, private colleges, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) campuses.

To qualify for the CAP Grant, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a legal resident of Kentucky.
• Enroll at least half-time in an approved college, university, or technical school.
• Demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA results.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution.
• Not be in default on Title IV federal aid programs or owe a refund to KHEAA.

This grant is particularly valuable for first-generation and low-income students, reducing financial barriers and helping more Kentuckians complete college degrees.

Does Kentucky Offer Full-Ride Scholarships?

Yes. Kentucky offers several full-ride and full-tuition scholarships for academically outstanding high school students. These awards are highly competitive and typically consider GPA, test scores, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and community service. In addition to state-supported programs, many universities in Kentucky offer institution-level full-ride packages to attract top scholars and student leaders.

Notable full-ride scholarships in Kentucky include:

• Otis A. Singletary Scholarship: A prestigious full-ride award at the University of Kentucky that covers tuition, fees, housing, and a living stipend. Recipients are chosen based on academic excellence, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
• Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP): While GSP itself is a summer enrichment program for rising high school seniors, participating students often receive full-ride or substantial scholarships from Kentucky colleges, including Bellarmine University, Centre College, and Eastern Kentucky University.

Full-ride scholarships significantly reduce the cost of college for talented Kentucky students and often open doors to research, study-abroad programs, and leadership opportunities.

University of Kentucky Scholarships

The University of Kentucky (UK) is one of the state’s largest scholarship providers, offering a wide range of awards for both in-state and out-of-state students. UK considers academic achievement, leadership experience, diversity contributions, financial need, and field of study when awarding scholarships. Many awards are automatically considered during the admissions review, while others require separate applications or supplemental materials.

Major scholarship categories include:

• Academic Scholarships: Automatically awarded to incoming freshmen based on high school GPA and standardized test scores. Award amounts vary and may cover partial or full tuition.
• Need-Based Scholarships: Provided to students demonstrating financial need based on FAFSA results. These awards can be combined with merit scholarships.
• Competitive Scholarships: Prestigious awards such as the Otis A. Singletary Scholarship and the William C. Parker Diversity Scholarship, which recognize academic excellence, leadership, and contributions to campus diversity.

Students should apply as early as possible and review the University of Kentucky’s scholarship portal for detailed requirements and deadlines.

Kentucky Scholarships for High School Seniors

Kentucky high school seniors can access a variety of scholarship programs that reward strong academic performance, leadership, and community involvement. These scholarships can apply to both two-year and four-year institutions, making them valuable options for students pursuing a wide range of educational paths.

Popular scholarships for Kentucky seniors include:

• Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES): A Kentucky Lottery–funded merit program that rewards students for their high school GPAs, ACT scores, and coursework. Students can earn up to $2,500 per year, depending on academic performance.
• Horatio Alger Scholarship: Awarded to students who demonstrate perseverance in the face of adversity, community service, and academic promise.
• Community Foundation Scholarships: Local community foundations throughout Kentucky provide scholarships based on leadership, volunteerism, and academic merit.

Many of these scholarships can be combined with CAP or KTG grants, significantly reducing tuition for Kentucky students.

Scholarships in Kentucky for Adults

Kentucky is committed to helping adult learners pursue their education, whether they are finishing a degree or training for a new career. Several state-funded programs provide financial assistance specifically for older students balancing work, family responsibilities, and education.

Key scholarships for adults in Kentucky include:

• Go Higher Grant: Offers up to $1,000 for Kentucky residents aged 24 or older enrolling in their first undergraduate program. Designed for part-time or full-time adult learners.
• Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship: Covers tuition and mandatory fees for students pursuing high-demand career and technical programs at Kentucky community and technical colleges.

These programs provide valuable financial support for adults re-entering the workforce, developing new skills, or completing degrees to advance their careers.

College Access Program Grant (CAP Grant) Amounts

The CAP Grant is one of the most substantial state-funded aid programs available to Kentucky students. Award amounts vary depending on whether students attend a two-year or four-year institution, and they may be prorated for part-time enrollment. CAP Grant funds are awarded until all available money is distributed, making early FAFSA completion essential.

Current CAP Grant amounts include:

• $5,300 per year for full-time students attending four-year institutions.
• $2,500 per year for full-time students attending two-year colleges.

Students must continue to demonstrate financial need and maintain satisfactory academic progress to renew the grant each year.

Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) Requirements

The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) provides need-based aid for Kentucky residents attending private colleges and universities within the state. This program helps make private higher education more accessible and affordable by reducing the financial burden on students and families.

To be eligible for the KTG program, students must:

• Be a legal resident of Kentucky.
• Demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA.
• Enroll full-time in an eligible private or independent institution in Kentucky.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The KTG program currently offers up to $3,000 per academic year, with funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kentucky Work Ready Scholarship Programs

Kentucky’s Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship plays a crucial role in preparing the state’s workforce for high-demand industries. This last-dollar scholarship covers the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after federal and state aid have been applied.

Eligible fields of study include:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Business services and IT
• Transportation and logistics
• Construction and skilled trades

This scholarship is ideal for adults seeking to reskill or upskill into in-demand career pathways. Many programs can be completed in less than one year, providing a fast track to better employment opportunities.

Emergency Scholarships and Hardship Grants in Kentucky

Kentucky colleges recognize that financial emergencies can threaten students’ ability to stay enrolled. To support students experiencing unexpected hardship, many institutions offer emergency grants or short-term financial aid programs.

Common sources of emergency assistance include:

• Institutional Emergency Grant Funds: Many colleges, including the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University, offer grants to help students cover essential expenses such as food, housing, textbooks, and transportation.
• Private Foundation Support: Local nonprofits like the Blue Grass Community Foundation offer small emergency grants for struggling students.
• KHEAA Emergency Programs: KHEAA occasionally offers limited emergency assistance for students impacted by natural disasters or economic disruptions.

These emergency resources can help prevent students from withdrawing due to financial crises and are typically available year-round.