Qualifications:

• The KEES Scholarship is for Kentucky high school graduates and is administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). The amount of KEES the student is eligible for is determined while they are in high school. You can view this information by signing in at kheaa.com  

• KEES is awarded for the full academic year; cannot lose/gain eligibility after Fall semester

• Can only be utilized during the Fall/Spring semesters

• KEES is paid for a maximum of 8 semesters; expires 5 years after high school graduation

• Study abroad programs should be eligible as long as the program bills through WKU

• Homeschool/GED graduates may be eligible for KEES based on their ACT score

Requirements:

• Graduate of a Kentucky High School and admitted as Kentucky resident

• KEES eligibility is determined by overall GPA and hours at the end of each Spring semester

• GPA of 3.0 or above is automatic KEES renewal

• Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and be considered "on-track" to graduate for full KEES renewal (you will meet the on track requirement if you earn at least 12 hours per semester starting the semester after high school graduation)

• If you meet the GPA requirement, but not the "on-track" requirement, you may be eligible to receive 50% of KEES award if you were enrolled full-time

• Part-time students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain KEES eligibility

• KEES awards are based on full-time enrollment. Estimates on accounts are subject to change after the 100% drop/add period if you are not enrolled full-time. The proration would occur as follows:

  • 12 hours—100% of award

  • 11 hours—92% of award

  • 10 hours—83% of award

  • 9 hours—75% of award

  • 8 hours—67% of award

  • 7 hours—58% of award

  • 6 hours—50% of award

  • Less than 6 hours—none

• A prorated KEES disbursement still counts as one full semester of eligibility used

• Students who are full-time because of On Demand courses must fill out the On Demand Financial Aid Agreement located in TopNet in order to receive their full KEES award

• KEES can only be paid at one school per semester. So, students need to complete a Consortium Agreement located in TopNet in order to receive full KEES for hours at more than one institution

*Please note, if you are a first-time transfer or homeschool student, you will need to email the Department of Student Financial Assistance about getting an initial KEES estimate put on your account for billing purposes.

Please email fa.kees@wku.edu in regards to questions about KEES.

For FAQs about KEES, please click here.

The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) helps Kentuckians who have not yet earned an associate’s degree obtain an industry-recognized certificate, diploma, or an associate of applied science degree. The WRKS program is available to college students.

The Teacher Scholarship Program provides financial aid to Kentucky students pursuing initial teacher certification at participating Kentucky colleges.

To be considered for a Teacher Scholarship, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Meet one of the following criteria:
  • Be admitted to a teacher education program pursuing initial teacher certification at a participating Kentucky college; or
  • Be a certified teacher (primary through grade 12) pursuing additional certification for classroom teaching.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Meet school’s satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• Teach one semester at a Kentucky public or certified non-public school for each semester the scholarship is received.
• Repay the scholarship plus interest if the teacher education program or service requirement is not completed.

The Teacher Scholarship award maximum is $3,000 per fall and spring semesters; $2,000 for summer.

Application

The Teacher Recruitment Loan Program offers a forgivable student loan to Kentucky students pursuing initial teacher certification. Recipients must work as a certified teacher at a Kentucky public school in order to qualify for loan forgiveness.

To be considered for a Teacher Recruitment Loan, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be enrolled in an approved teacher education program at a participating Kentucky institution.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• Teach one year at a Kentucky public school for each semester a loan is received.
• Repay the loan plus interest if the teacher education program or teaching service requirement is not completed.

Students must complete two applications to be considered for a Teacher Recruitment Loan.

The Early Childhood Development Scholarship helps Kentuckians who work in daycares and preschool settings earn credentials, certificates and degrees in the field of early childhood education.

The scholarship provides financial aid to Kentucky students pursuing one of the following:

• Child Development Associate Credential

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education

• Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education or a related program approved by the Early Childhood Development Authority

• Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education

• Kentucky Early Childhood Development Director’s Certificate

Student must:

• Be a Kentucky resident.

• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.

• Be enrolled in the scholarship program curriculum at a participating school pursuing one of the approved credentials.

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

• Be employed at least 20 hours weekly in a participating early childhood facility or be employed as a preschool associate teacher in a state‐funded pre‐school program.

• Not be eligible for state or federal training funds through Head Start, a public preschool program, or First Steps.

• Have no unpaid financial obligation to KHEAA or to any other Title IV program.

• Agree to a service commitment based on the credential pursued.

Award

Up to full tuition and fees at a participating institution, not to exceed $6,751 per semester for the 2024-2025 year.

Application

Complete FAFSA

Complete application on MYKHEAA account.

 

For more information, visit KHEAA's website.