Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, or KEES, can turn high-school performance into aid for postsecondary study. KHEAA says students need at least a 2.75 GPA for each year at a certified Kentucky high school; higher grades can mean a larger base award. The award record builds during high school, so this is not a scholarship a student applies for only after arriving at college.
Additional bonuses may be available for ACT or SAT scores and Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge exams when the student meets the applicable rules. Home-school and GED graduates may have options based on test scores, although they do not build the same school GPA record. Check KHEAA’s current award table; do not treat amounts copied from old materials as a promise of a future award.
High schools report GPA and other records to KHEAA through the state’s school information system. After graduation, the accumulated amount can be used at participating Kentucky colleges and universities. Review your record in your KHEAA account and contact the counselor if a year or grade is missing. Any omission should be corrected before the college processes the award.
High schools report GPA and other records to KHEAA through the state’s school information system. After graduation, the accumulated amount can be used at participating Kentucky colleges and universities. Review your record in your KHEAA account and contact the counselor if a year or grade is missing. Any omission should be corrected before the college processes the award.
Before applying, confirm that the cycle is open and that you meet the official requirements. Gather FAFSA or the alternative form, transcript, supporting documents, and essays when required; keep a copy and receipt. Track the deadline separately from supporting-document dates. Check the portal until the file is complete and ask financial aid how the award coordinates with other aid. Do not budget money that has not been awarded.
When comparing options, distinguish scholarships, grants, waivers, and loans: not all are repaid or cover the same charges. Ask for a balance estimate after FAFSA and other aid, and confirm the rules before relying on the funds.
Read the program profile and the federal FAFSA guide; confirm with the administrator how the aid coordinates.
KEES Scholarship — KHEAA.
Affording Higher Education 2026 — KHEAA.
Kentucky Student Information Systems: KHEAA — Kentucky Department of Education.
Guide checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Eligibility, amounts, and calendars can change; confirm the current cycle with the administrator and your school financial-aid office. Applying does not guarantee an award.
Confirm current eligibility and application steps with the official source before relying on the aid for college costs.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, or KEES, can turn high-school performance into aid for postsecondary study. KHEAA says students need at least a 2.75 GPA for each year at a certified Kentucky high school; higher grades can mean a larger base award. The award record builds during high school, so this is not a scholarship a student applies for only after arriving at college.
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
KHEAA · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
KHEAA · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Kentucky Department of Education · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official program information and application ↗
Primary source
KHEAA · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) ↗
Primary source
KHEAA · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) ↗
Primary source
Kentucky Department of Education · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.