Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship — KHEAA

The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) is for Kentucky residents seeking an approved workforce credential, diploma or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree who do not already hold an associate degree or higher. It is not a general four-year college scholarship: for 2026–27, Kentucky identifies high-demand programs in construction, education, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics, and professional, scientific and technical services. Checking the approved program and institution list is the first step; a similar-sounding major is not enough.

Applicants must complete two separate steps: the FAFSA for the relevant aid year and the 2026–27 WRKS application through a MyKHEAA account. A student must be a Kentucky resident and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; have graduated high school or be enrolled in or have completed a GED program; not already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree; and be accepted or enrolled in an eligible institution and approved program. KHEAA allocates awards subject to available funding and the date the student records a school and term preference. Submitting forms therefore does not guarantee an award.

The scholarship works as last-dollar aid: KHEAA subtracts federal and state grants and scholarships from eligible tuition and fees, then covers an eligible remaining balance within program limits. The maximum cannot exceed the KCTCS in-state tuition-and-fee rate; within that amount, the portion for fees is capped at $400 per year. Students can use the official estimator for a rough projection, but should wait for an individual offer and check which academic charges are excluded. Do not assume housing, food, transport, books or supplies are paid simply because you qualify.

Comparing WRKS with the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) clarifies which application to pursue. KEES builds during high school based on achievement: its annual scale begins at a 2.75 GPA and can increase with ACT/SAT and AP, IB or CAI results; WRKS depends on an approved occupational program, an eligible remaining balance and available funds. Some students may have a KEES record and also seek workforce training, but the programs have different rules and uses. In a University of Kentucky discussion, students said KEES could initially appear as estimated aid; that account is a reason to leave room for timing, not a statewide payment deadline.

Before accepting a place, ask the college for an itemized statement separating tuition, fees, tools or lab charges, confirmed aid and the remaining balance. Verify that the major and campus are approved for 2026–27, complete the MyKHEAA steps and save the submission date. An older Louisville thread also raised payment and excluded-cost questions about the former Work Ready Scholarship; it covered a different cycle and a program whose rules have changed, so it is not current guidance. KHEAA lists 800-928-8926 and grants@kheaa.com for help with the file.