Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
Financial Aid Tip of the Month

Kentucky students can earn money for college through the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program, administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). The program rewards students for making good grades in high school and doing well on the ACT or SAT. The awards may be used upon graduation from high school. No application is necessary. KHEAA will send the funds to the eligible college once the school verifies the student’s enrollment.

Students may use their KEES awards at any public college or university in Kentucky, at most private colleges and universities in the state and at many of the state’s trade schools. If a major isn’t offered in Kentucky, students may be able to use their KEES awards at out-of-state schools that offer that major and belong to the Academic Common Market. These majors must be approved by Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education. Illinois, Indiana and Ohio schools are not eligible because those states do not participate in the Academic Common Market.

Students earn a KEES base award for each year they achieve at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) at a certified Kentucky high school. Students who earn at least one base award can also earn a bonus award for scoring 15 or higher on the ACT or 710 or higher on the SAT. Students who qualified for the free or reduced lunch program during any year of high school may also earn bonus awards for scoring at least a three on any Advanced Placement (AP) exam or at least a five on International Baccalaureate (IB) exams.

After their first year of college, students must meet renewal GPA requirements and make progress toward college graduation to remain eligible for their KEES awards. For more information about renewal requirements, visit www.kheaa.com.

To find links to other useful education websites, go to www.gotocollege.ky.gov. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, Ky. 40602; or call (800) 928-8926, ext. 6-7372.

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