Kentucky College Grants
The Importance of Continuing Education
For a high school senior, considering returning to school after graduation is more than likely the last thing he wants to ponder. Some may ask if continuing education past high school is necessary. Consider that an individual with a bachelor’s degree has the ability to make almost $16,000 more a year than those with only a diploma from high school. Over a period of forty years that added $16,000 turns into over half a million dollars!
According to the United States Census Bureau, there is an increase in median earnings with higher education. An individual with an associate’s degree can earn 19% more, a bachelor’s degree 62% more and a master’s degree 92% more than an individual that only has a diploma from high school.
That is why continued education is so crucial. Emphasis should be on the fact that a college degree will allow him to have an enjoyable career with better job opportunities and to earn more money. This short amount of time in college can make a world of difference in his future.
Education Costs
The rising cost of education has made it imperative that students become aware of the various financing options that are available. If the student’s institution places a financial hold on him, he could lose his ability to enroll in classes or obtain his transcripts. The institution can even prohibit a student from graduating. For this reason, obtaining financial assistance in the form of a grant would be very helpful.
Preparing to Apply for a Grant
The ideal circumstance when applying for a grant is to know your profile. For instance, there are various student categories including class year, age, income level, major, and independent status, just to name a few.
By knowing your category and using it to your advantage, this will help you concentrate on the categories that are tailored to your specific needs. The last thing you want to do is waste time applying for grants that you do not qualify for and have no hope of obtaining. It is important to note that you may not qualify for some of the grants now, but if you understand the terms and formulas, it could help you in the future.
Grants Specifically Designed for Kentucky Students
It is important to note that the schools participating in the various scholarships can change, and you need to check to be sure they are still eligible and participating for each grant/scholarship listed.
Kentucky’s Tuition Grant (KTG)
If you reside in Kentucky or are considering attending a university, trade school or college in this state, be sure to check out all your options. For instance, if you are unable to afford obtaining a higher education on your own, consider looking into the grants and scholarships that are available at the schools or in the state. Some grants are location-specific grants, while others are federal grants and many times the individual schools offer grants.
The Kentucky Tuition Grant that is administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority embodies the main portion of the state-funded grants.
Students enrolled at a university or Commonwealth’s independent colleges in Kentucky can receive anywhere from $200 to $2,800 each academic year, based on necessity.
A local accrediting association will determine the eligible institutions. This program is intended to provide assistance to students in paying for the tuition that is charged by the independent universities and colleges.
Requirements
Students are required to be undergraduates full-time and are enrolled in a baccalaureate or associate degree program.
Students cannot have any monetary obligations to a Title IV program or KHEAA that are past due.
Credit hours that are attempted by internet courses or correspondence are not considered acceptable for the purpose of grant enrollment, unless the courses were taken through Kentucky’s Virtual Campus.
There is a 250% aggregate annual award limit for an associate’s degree and a 450% aggregate annual award limit for a bachelor’s degree. In the 2011-2012 school year, the awards given by KTG ranged between $200 and $2,964.
Program Participants
At this time, the following schools participate in the KTG at their Kentucky Campuses:
- University of the Cumberlands
- University of Pikeville
- Union College
- Transylvania University
- Sullivan University
- St. Catharine College
- Northwood University
- Midway College
- Thomas More College
- Mid-Continent University
- Med Tech College
- McKendree University
- Spalding University
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Kentucky Wesleyan College
- Kentucky Christian University
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Georgetown College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Centre College
- Campbellsville University
- Brescia University
- Bellarmine University
- Asbury University
- Alice Lloyd College
The College Access Program
Kentucky’s College Access Program (CAP) helps undergraduate students in Kentucky that are financially needy attend eligible private and public universities and colleges, technical colleges and proprietary schools.
The Kentucky campuses of schools listed below are considered eligible and participating in the CAP at this time:
- Ashland Community &Technical College
- Asbury University
- Alice Lloyd College
- ATA College
- Big Sandy Community & Technical College
- Bowling Green Technical College
- Beckfield College
- Campbellsville University
- Brown Mackie College
- Berea College
- Bluegrass Community & Technical College
- Daymar College
- Centre College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Brescia University
- Bellarmine University
- Gateway Community & Technical College
- Hazard Community &Technical College
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
- Galen College of Nursing
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Hopkinsville Community College
- ITT Technical Institute
- Georgetown College
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- Kentucky Wesleyan College
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Henderson Community College
- Madisonville Community College
- McKendree University
- Mid-Continent University
- Morehead State University
- National College
- Northwood University
- Jefferson Community & Technical College
- Lincoln College of Technology
- Kentucky Christian University
- Maysville Community &Technical College
- MedTech College
- Kentucky State University
- Midway College
- Murray State University
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Northern Kentucky University
- Somerset Community College
- Spencerian College
- Sullivan University
- University of Pikeville
- Spalding University
- Transylvania University
- St. Catharine College
- University of Louisville
- Owensboro Community &Technical College
- Thomas More College
- Union College
- Western Kentucky University
- University of the Cumberlands
- West Kentucky Community &Technical College
- University of Kentucky
Requirements
The EFC or the expected family contribution for the student’s educational expenses, when applying for this CAP grant, cannot exceed $5,273.
Kentucky residents can receive CAP Grants if they are enrolled in a two-year academic program for half-time, which is no less than six credit hours.
For the 2011-2012 school year, the largest award was $950 per semester ($1,900 a year). Part-time students that were eligible were given $79 for each credit hour. CAP recipients that are going to a Quarter-hour College or university award will be calculated by referencing a schedule that was given to those institutions.
This grant’s collective limit for those students obtaining an associate’s degree is 250% of a yearly award, whereas students obtaining a bachelor degree limit is 450%. This denotes that a full-time student attending a school with a semester schedule uses all his eligibility for the associate’s degree in two and a half years.
To request this grant, students need to fill out the FAFSA form. You can receive as many as three copies of the application by mail if you call 1-800-433-3243. You can also fill out an application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
CAP Grants are given to the eligible applicants until the funds are depleted. With this grant, the early bird will catch the worm; once the funds run out, they run out.
To find out more, go to www.kheaa.com.
Kentucky’s Scholarship for Educational Excellence
The Kentucky’s Scholarship for Educational Excellence Program rewards students, who display motivation to obtain a degree, with their academic accomplishments. To qualify for this grant a student must possess a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The financially disadvantaged students need to consider applying for the College Access Program (CAP), which offers an award up to $2,000 each academic year.
Individuals who are pursuing a degree related to healthcare or teaching do have an advantage. There are grants available that are specifically for individuals who are studying in these fields. This is especially true for individuals agreeing to remain working in areas that do not have an abundance of these professionals.
Early Childhood Development Programs
Kentucky undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a career in early childhood development programs, are attending a technical school or college and are Kentucky residents, are qualified to obtain this scholarship.
You must work 20 hours or more weekly at an early childhood facility, only carry nine hours every term and sustain a satisfactory GPA to be awarded this scholarship.
All students have the opportunity to obtain $1,800 per year. You have to fill out the FAFSA and the scholarship application to apply.
At this time, these schools are eligible to participate in the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program:
- West Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Western Kentucky University
- University of Kentucky
- Sullivan University
- St. Catharine College
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Somerset Community College
- Murray State University
- Spalding University
- University of Louisville
- Morehead State University
- Mid-Continent University
- Northern Kentucky University
- Maysville Community & Technical College
- Madisonville Community College
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Kentucky State University
- Owensboro Community & Technical College
- Jefferson Community & Technical College
- Hopkinsville Community College
- Henderson Community College
- Hazard Community & Technical College
- Gateway Community & Technical College
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
- Ashland Community & Technical College
- Campbellsville University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Brescia University
- Bluegrass Community & Technical College
- Big Sandy Community & Technical College
To find out more, go to www.kheaa.com.
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA)
KHEAA distributes information about opportunities in higher education and administers programs for financial aid.
The Early Childhood Education Scholarship and KHEAA Teacher Scholarship are the two largest sources for teaching. One of the major sources for funding medical degrees is The Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship.
Below are the schools that are participating in the KHEAA Teacher Scholarship at their Kentucky campuses at this time:
- West Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Western Kentucky University
- University of the Cumberlands
- University of Pikeville
- University of Louisville
- Union College
- Transylvania University
- Mid-Continent University
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Somerset Community College
- University of Kentucky
- Thomas More College
- Murray State University
- Spalding University
- Morehead State University
- St. Catharine College
- Kentucky Christian University
- Midway College
- Owensboro Community & Technical College
- Northern Kentucky University
- Bellarmine University
- Med Tech College
- McKendree University
- Kentucky State University
- Maysville Community & Technical College
- Madisonville Community College
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Kentucky Wesleyan College
- Jefferson Community & Technical College
- Hopkinsville Community College
- Henderson Community College
- Hazard Community & Technical College
- Georgetown College
- Gateway Community & Technical College
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
- Centre College
- Campbellsville University
- Brescia University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Bluegrass Community & Technical College
- Big Sandy Community & Technical College
- Ashland Community & Technical College
- Asbury University
- Alice Lloyd College
Educational Excellence Scholarship
The KEES (Kentucky’s Educational Excellence Scholarship) is a scholarship that went into effect in 1998. This scholarship benefits Kentucky’s GED recipients, high school and home school graduates.
If you have a 2.5 or higher GPA in your high school years, you have the opportunity to make money to assist you in continuing your schooling at a technical school, university or college. The higher your GPA is, the more money you will make for your scholarship. The home school and GED students will receive their scholarship amount based on the scores they receive on the ACT test.
The KHEAA will send the funds you earn to the school being attended, once it has been verified that you have not been absent from class.
At this time, the schools listed below are participants in the Kentucky Work-Study program:
- Western Kentucky University
- University of Kentucky
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Murray State University
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Eastern Kentucky University
The schools below are participants in the KEES program at their Kentucky campuses at this time:
- West Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Western Kentucky University
- University of the Cumberlands
- University of Pikeville
- University of Louisville
- Union College
- Transylvania University
- Sullivan University
- St. Catherine College
- University of Kentucky
- Spencerian College
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Somerset Community College
- Thomas More College
- Northwood University
- Spalding University
- Northern Kentucky University
- National College
- Murray State University
- Morehead State University
- Owensboro Community & Technical College
- Midway College
- Med Tech College
- McKendree University
- Kentucky State University
- Maysville Community & Technical College
- Madisonville Community College
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Kentucky Wesleyan College
- Jefferson Community & Technical College
- ITT Technical Institute
- Mid-Continent University
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- Lincoln College of Technology
- Kentucky Christian University
- Bellarmine University
- Hopkinsville Community College
- Henderson Community College
- Hazard Community & Technical College
- Georgetown College
- Gateway Community & Technical College
- Galen College of Nursing
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
- Daymar College
- Centre College
- Campbellsville University
- Brescia University
- Bowling Green Technical College
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Big Sandy Community & Technical College
- Bluegrass Community & Technical College
- Beckfield College
- Brown Mackie College
- ATA College
- Asbury University
- Berea College
- Ashland Community & Technical College
- Alice Lloyd College
To find out more, go to www.kheaa.com.
A Nursing Scholarship
One of the highest demand jobs all across the nation is nursing. There is a scholarship for qualified Kentucky residents who are enrolled in the LPN, RN or the programs to receive a graduate certificate. It is called the Nursing Incentive Scholarship. However, if the program is not finished in the allotted timeframe, the scholarship will have to be paid back. For every year of funding you receive, you also have to work no less than one year in the nursing field.
You can apply to obtain this scholarship from January through the early part of June each year. To fill out the application for the scholarship, go to kbn.ky.gov.
General Studies Scholarships
The Anthony Munoz Scholarship is for students interested in pursuing a general study degree. It is accessible to undergraduate students residing in the regions of Indiana, Kentucky or Ohio that are considered the “tri-state” area. You are qualified to obtain this scholarship if you are trying to obtain a degree in general studies.
You have to graduate from a senior high school or obtain a GED, and be younger than 24 years. If you are a graduate from high school, your GPA has to be at least 2.0. The Anthony Munoz Scholarship is accessible to any student despite their race or economic status.
The application deadline is April 30 and you will need to fill out the FAFSA form. Then you need to receive your Financial Aid Award Letter. This letter needs to be received by the university or college you want to attend.
To find out more, go to www.munozfoundation.org.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is offered to gifted students all over the nation every year. Kentucky secondary school officials will choose seniors that they want to receive the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship.
Those individuals who qualify have to sustain a 3.5 or higher GPA, have an SAT score of 1060 (on the math skills and critical reading section of the SAT) or a 23 on the ACT, or a GED combined score of no less than 2700. Officials take into consideration activities or qualities, focusing on the students’ participation in community service.
Scholarship Requirements
It is mandatory for you to be accepted by a four-year university or college (with the exclusion of the military academies).
You have to be a national or citizen of the United States.
You have to legally be a Kentucky resident, have received a diploma from a senior high school, completed and graduated from home school or already obtained a GED.
If you are a male between 18-25 years, you need to file with the Selective Service System.
You need to have a letter of recommendation from an official at your school or have a GED coordinator certify your application.
If you have a federally funded student loan that you defaulted on or any other obligation that you defaulted on, you are not qualified to get this scholarship.
Recipients of this scholarship receive as much as $1,500. This can be renewed for up to three years, under the condition that the recipients’ academic performance continues to be exceptional.
To apply, go to www.kheaa.com
Osteopathic Medicine
Those interested in studying osteopathic medicine can apply for the Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship. Those individuals in the Pikeville College Program agreeing to work in their field within the state of Kentucky for the predetermined amount of time, may be entitled to financial assistance.
Qualified Fields Include:
- General Practice
- General Pediatrics
- Family Practice
- Gynecology
- General Obstetrics
- General Internal Medicine
For information on applying, contact the Pikeville School of Osteopathic Medicine at (606) 218-5400 and speak with Teresa Jones or email Teresa Jones at tjones@pc.edu.
Go Higher
Adults 24 years or older can receive a Go Higher Grant. This grant is based on need for those individuals who do not enjoy their job and are looking for better pay. The Go Higher Grant offers as much as one thousand dollars for an academic year at a participating university or college in Kentucky for two programs. This award pays as much as $50 for books each credit hour and covers tuition.
Requirements
- You need to be 24 years or older.
- You have to show financial need for the scholarship.
- You have to be a national, citizen or permanently reside in the United States.
- You are required to be a resident of the state of Kentucky.
To find out more about this grant, call (800) 928-8926 or go to www.gohigherky.org.
To fill out an application for the Go Higher Grant, visit:
www.gohigherky.org/AdmissionApp/introduction.asp
Mary Jo Young Scholarship Program
Previously a KHEAA member, Mary Jo Young has been acknowledged for the community service she offered to the local community as well as the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Her goal was to improve the educational opportunities that were available to Kentucky residents.
All secondary school students who are enrolled in duel-credit programs in a university or college, or who utilize Kentucky’s Virtual “Secondary School” and take Advanced Placement programs, are entitled to receive book reimbursement and tuition for two classes each semester. Generally, these scholarships are provided to students that are the first generation in their family to attend college or come from low-income homes.
To fill out an application, go to www.kheaa.com.
Federal Grants that Are Available to Students in Kentucky
FAFSA
You need to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after January 1 if you are going to attend college in autumn of that year. The form for the FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsaonline.com.
If you have a complicated financial situation, the form will take longer to finish. Even so, it is well worth the time because the information you enter will automatically be submitted to the financial aid funds. The federal formulas will be used to see if you qualify for any federal assistance.
Pell Grant for Low-Income Students
The Pell Grant is the most recognized grant for those students who are considered low-income. According to the FAFSA income formula, each student is given an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) rating. The lower the EFC score, the higher amount of Pell Grant money the student will receive. A student’s eligibility for a Pell Grant may also qualify him for other grants, if his profile meets their specific criteria. The largest amount awarded on a Pell Grant is $5,500 a year.
Requirements to Receive the Pell Grant
- Student must show financial need.
- Student must not have a bachelor’s degree or higher, unless registered in a post bachelor’s teacher certificate program.
- Students are required to be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen.
ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant)
In order to obtain the ACG, the student has to be an undergraduate sophomore or freshman, have an impressive academic record also show service and leadership. Obviously, eligibility tends to be somewhat subjective.
The first year, the ACG provides $750 to the student. The second year the student receives $1,300. The amount of the Pell Grant and ACG combined cannot exceed the student’s attendance cost. Also, if there are a large number of students eligible and paying the entire grant amount to each student exceeds the appropriation amount of the program in a fiscal year, the monetary amount of each eligible student’s grant may be reduced.
ACG Eligibility Requirements (Must be Met Each Year)
- The student has to be an eligible non-citizen or a citizen of the United States.
- The student has to be enrolled in a qualifying degree program as a half-time student in the least.
- The student has to be a recipient of a Federal Pell Grant.
- The student has to be in a two-year or four-year program at a qualified degree-granting institution or an undergraduate student in his first or second-year.
- The student must have successfully completed a challenging program at a secondary school.
- If a student in the first-year not formerly enrolled in a program that is ACG-eligible while at the age or below the age of required school attendance or a student in the second-year with no less than a collective 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale by completion of the initial year of the student’s undergraduate study.
- The student must not already have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Recognized Programs of Study in Secondary Schools
The programs listed below meet the “challenging secondary school program” requirement necessary for qualifying to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant.
- The secondary school programs that are designated by SEAs (state education agencies) and state-authorized LEAs (local education agencies) that are acknowledged by the Secretary of Education.
- Honors or advanced secondary school programs founded by one of the states.
- Secondary school programs that are identified by a state-level partnership that is accepted by the State Scholars Initiative of the WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) in Boulder, Colorado.
- A student in a program who completes two or more courses while in the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Program having a score of at least four on the exams for the course or no less than two AP (Advanced Placement) courses having a score of at least three on those College Board course exams.
- A secondary school program with the student completing at minimum: English-four years; Math-three years (this includes algebra I, algebra II, data analysis, statistics and geometry); Science-three years (includes one year of no less than two science courses: chemistry, physics and biology); Social Studies-three years; and a Foreign Language-one year.
Every calendar year a list is published by the Secretary of Education of the demanding secondary school programs that are acknowledged.
Grants Available in Kentucky for Minority Groups
African American Students
The last ten years has seen a sharp rise in the percentage of minorities that are graduating from college with a four-year degree. The number of African Americans enrolled in college is higher than it has ever been.
There are 39 Historically Black Universities and Colleges in the nation offering programs of the highest quality as well as scholarships and grants.
One of the most renowned African American Scholarship and Grant organizations is the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) program. To view scholarships and grants available to the African American community visit www.uncf.org. This site allows you to search according to your specific information and shows you all the scholarships and grants that are available to you.
Hispanic/Latino Students
Unfortunately, when it comes to education, most Hispanics/Latinos do not continue their education past high school. The majority of the Hispanic/Latino population that does continue with higher education is usually satisfied with a two-year degree or vocational training. The social, cultural and economic problems have kept the previous generations from attending four-year college programs.
Even though numbers continue to be small, there are more Hispanic/Latino students finding ways to financially and socially attend college, many times with a Hispanic grant.
Not only are there grants available but there are also colleges that serve the Hispanic/Latino community as well. There are some grants available specifically designed for Hispanic students attending college for a particular field of study, such as nursing.
The Gilbert Rios Memorial Award gives $5,000 every year to one female and one male Puerto Rican/Latino undergraduate student. To apply to be given this grant visit www.lospadresfoundation.com.
Native American Students
Amazingly, Native Americans are the smallest minority group in the nation. Until recent years, they have been living in rural and remote environments as well as reservations. Native Americans do not have a family history of obtaining higher education; graduating from high school is generally their final goal. For this reason, Native American grants are extremely important.
The Osage Higher Education Grant awards $300 to $1,200 three times a year for various undergraduate and graduate students of Osage Indiana descent. To find out more and apply visit www.osagetribe.com.
The Tribal College Scholarship Program
The tribal universities and colleges determine a student’s eligibility for scholarships. To apply for a scholarship visit: civicore.com.
Asian American Students
The ethnic population that is growing the fastest in the nation is the Asian American community. The grants that are available for the Asian American population are typically sponsored by an ethnic organization or are available as a general ethnic minority grant through a college, university or the government.
Visit www.collegescholarships.org to see what grants are available to the Asian American student based on field of study.
Alaskan Native Students
The Koniag Education Career Development Grant awards two grants every year to one Alaskan Native freshman; the information on the application will determine the amount of the grant that the student will receive. To see the requirements and fill out an application visit: www.koniageducation.org.
Students of Italian Descent
The Sons of Italy National Leadership Grants Competition General Scholarships of $4,000 to $25,000 to ten to thirteen graduate and undergraduate students of Italian descent. To print and fill out the application, which needs to be sent through the mail, visit www.osia.org.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Initial applications for this program are accepted August through October of the applying high school students senior year.
Program Overview
High school seniors throughout the nation who meet the necessary requirements can apply every year for one of the 250 four-year scholarships. These scholarships are based on the achievements of each student that is applying.
Roughly 2,200 applicants are chosen to be Semifinalists each year and will be notified by email and the postal service sometime around December 1 of that year.
Semifinalists will then need to complete a secondary application, which includes essays, two recommendation letters and official transcripts. The semifinalists’ applications are due in mid-January. The Program Review Committee will choose 250 Finalists to move forward to the last interview phase. Notifications will be sent by the middle of February.
The 250 Finalists will be invited to Atlanta in April for personal interviews. A National Selection Committee that represents outstanding leaders in government, business, the arts and education will interview the Finalists.
Fifty students will be chosen as National Scholars. They will receive $20,000 for their college education. Two Hundred students will be chosen as Regional Scholars and will receive $10,000 for their college education.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must currently be a home-schooled or high school senior that is attending a school within the United States or one of the select DoD schools.
- Has to anticipate completing high school or is receiving a diploma at the time the application is submitted.
- Needs to plan to pursue a degree at one of the accredited United States post-secondary institutions.
- Has to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA after completion of 11th grade (junior year).
- Must be United States Citizens; United States Permanent Residents; United States Nationals; Refugees; Temporary Residents that are in a legalization program; Humanitarian Parolees; Cuban-Haitian Entrants or Asylees.
Applicants may not be the children or the grandchildren of Coca-Cola Company owners, officers or employees, including subsidiaries and divisions.
To learn more, go to www.coca-colascholars.org. To apply for this scholarship, click here.
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