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.

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.

To estimate the real cost, ask the institution for a written breakdown of tuition, fees, housing, and expenses the award does not cover. Confirm renewal, academic-progress rules, and when funds are credited. Keep the award letter and application receipts.

Official program information and application