Kentucky Scholarships & Grants for 2025 - 2026

Overview of Kentucky Scholarships & Grants

Kentucky offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs for both in-state and out-of-state students. This guide covers automatic merit scholarships from major universities, full-ride opportunities, statewide grants, and private-school awards. Whether you’re a high school senior, current college student, or parent planning ahead, you’ll find reliable information to help make higher education in Kentucky more affordable.

KEES (merit), CAP, and KTG (for private colleges) are the big three.

How to Get a Grant for College in Kentucky

Kentucky offers multiple need-based and merit-based programs to help students pay for college. To secure a grant in Kentucky, follow these key steps:

• Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for nearly all state and federal grants. Submit it as early as possible, as some programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Apply for State Grants: Kentucky residents can access programs such as the College Access Program (CAP) Grant and the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), both administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).
• Confirm Eligibility: Most Kentucky grants require residency, financial need, and enrollment in an approved Kentucky college or university.

Early application is essential—Kentucky grant funding is limited and typically distributed until available funds are exhausted.

Who Is Eligible for the CAP Grant in Kentucky?

The College Access Program (CAP) Grant provides need-based financial assistance to Kentucky residents pursuing undergraduate degrees at eligible institutions. To qualify, students must:

• Be a legal resident of Kentucky.
• Enroll at least half-time in an approved college, university, or technical institution.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by FAFSA data.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution.
• Have no unresolved defaults or debts owed to federal Title IV or KHEAA programs.

The CAP Grant helps low-income students afford college tuition and related costs, supporting thousands of Kentucky residents each year.

Does Kentucky Offer Full-Ride Scholarships?

Yes. Kentucky offers several prestigious full-ride and full-tuition scholarships for academically outstanding students. Examples include:

• Otis A. Singletary Scholarship: A full-ride merit scholarship at the University of Kentucky that covers tuition, fees, housing, and a living stipend. Selection is based on exceptional academic performance, leadership, and extracurricular achievement.
• Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP): A summer enrichment program for rising high school seniors. Participation can qualify students for substantial scholarships or full-ride offers at multiple Kentucky institutions.

These competitive scholarships reward academic excellence, leadership potential, and community involvement while encouraging top Kentucky students to remain in-state for college.

University of Kentucky Scholarships

The University of Kentucky (UK) offers numerous scholarship opportunities for both incoming freshmen and continuing students. Categories include:

• Academic Scholarships: Automatically awarded based on GPA and standardized test scores. Awards may include full or partial tuition coverage.
• Need-Based Scholarships: Available for students demonstrating financial need through FAFSA results.
• Competitive Scholarships: Selective awards such as the Otis A. Singletary Scholarship and the William C. Parker Diversity Scholarship, which recognize exceptional academic and leadership achievements.

Students are encouraged to apply early and review scholarship requirements through the University of Kentucky’s Office of Student Financial Aid.

Kentucky Scholarships for High School Seniors

High school seniors in Kentucky can apply for several scholarships that recognize academic performance and personal achievement. Prominent examples include:

• Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES): A merit-based program funded by the Kentucky Lottery that rewards students for strong high school GPAs and ACT scores. Awards can accumulate up to $2,500 per year for college use.
• Horatio Alger Scholarship: For students who demonstrate perseverance, community service, and financial need.
• Community Foundation Scholarships: Local organizations throughout Kentucky offer awards for students pursuing degrees at in-state or regional colleges.

Students should check with their high school counselors to identify additional local and regional scholarship opportunities with varying eligibility criteria and deadlines.

Scholarships in Kentucky for Adults

Adult learners and non-traditional students in Kentucky can access several programs designed to make returning to college more affordable. These include:

• Go Higher Grant: Provides up to $1,000 for Kentucky residents aged 24 or older who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree or credential.
• Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship: Covers tuition and mandatory fees for students enrolling in high-demand career and technical education programs at Kentucky community and technical colleges.

These initiatives help adults gain new skills, complete degrees, or transition into growing industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology.

College Access Program Grant (CAP Grant) Amounts

The CAP Grant provides substantial assistance for Kentucky residents demonstrating financial need. Award amounts are currently set at:

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

Part-time students may also qualify for prorated awards. Recipients must continue to meet academic and financial eligibility each year to renew funding.

Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) Requirements

The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) provides need-based aid for Kentucky residents attending private colleges and universities in the state. To be eligible, students must:

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

The KTG program provides up to $3,000 per academic year, helping make private higher education more affordable for Kentucky students.