🎓 Kentucky State Scholarships & Grants (2025–2026)
Kentucky has real money on the table — but most of it is either need-based (CAP and KTG) or a modest but steady merit discount (KEES). The biggest risk for families is timing: CAP and KTG are awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date.
Quick note: Numbers and rules below use recent examples (2024–2026 style guidance). Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on KHEAA and your college’s financial aid site.
Want to explore scholarships beyond state aid? You can browse all colleges on our College Scholarships hub, compare options using our CRP Scholarship Search Tool, or see how aid works in other states on the State Scholarships & Grants hub.
- How Kentucky aid works
- Major programs (CAP, KEES, KTG, Work Ready)
- Deadlines (simple table)
- How state aid interacts with college scholarships
- Who benefits most (reality check)
- Colleges that stack best
- FAQs
- ✅ Pro tip: Create (and save) your MyKHEAA login, and submit the FAFSA as soon as it’s available for your aid year. CAP and KTG are awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date.
đź“Ś What to do right now
- Create FSA IDs for both parent and student at studentaid.gov/fsa-id
- Submit the FAFSA as soon as it’s available for your aid year
- Create (and save) your MyKHEAA account login so you can manage Kentucky programs and communications
- If CAP/KTG might apply, don’t delay — awards are first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date
How Kentucky State Aid Works
Kentucky’s state aid is a hybrid system, but the mix matters: the biggest “real money” programs are need-based (CAP and KTG), while Kentucky’s main merit program (KEES) is usually a modest but steady discount. The most common mistake families make is assuming Kentucky aid is automatic and unlimited. It’s not.
- Need + merit mix: CAP and KTG are need-based; KEES is merit-based and earned in high school.
- Deadline reality: CAP and KTG are awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date.
- Residency matters: Kentucky programs generally require Kentucky residency.
- State aid is usually a layer: for many families, the biggest savings still comes from the college’s scholarships (institutional merit/need-based aid).
Important reality check (CAP): CAP is designed for students with significant financial need, and many colleges describe it as typically awarded to students who qualify for a Federal Pell Grant. If your FAFSA shows no Pell eligibility, CAP is less likely — but still file, because you don’t want to guess.
Kentucky-specific misconception: KEES isn’t something students “earn later.” It’s tied to high school performance, and the earning window is essentially before graduation.
Major Kentucky Programs (Top 2–5)
Quick note: Even if you don’t expect to qualify for need-based aid, don’t skip this page. Kentucky still has KEES (merit) and workforce options like Work Ready. But for many middle-income families, Kentucky’s biggest savings still comes from college scholarships.
Pro tip for Kentucky families: “FAFSA early” matters more than you think
CAP and KTG funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis by FAFSA completion date. If you think your student may qualify, file the FAFSA as soon as it’s available.
CAP Grant (Need-Based)
- Who it’s for: Kentucky residents with financial need (FAFSA required)
- Typical outcome: partial help that can reduce tuition/fees
- Recent max examples: up to about $2,500/year (2-year) and about $5,300/year (4-year)
- Deadline reality: awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date
KEES (Merit-Based)
- Who it’s for: students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA at a certified KY high school
- Typical outcome: a modest but steady discount you can renew if requirements are met
- Bonus potential: some GPAs plus bonus awards can add up to a few thousand per year
- Gotcha: earned in high school — not something you “apply for later”
Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)
- Who it’s for: Kentucky residents with financial need at eligible KY private colleges
- Typical outcome: partial help toward private tuition
- Deadline reality: commonly awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date
- Gotcha: final “need” determination is made by the college
Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (Workforce)
- Who it’s for: students in approved high-demand certificate/diploma/AAS programs
- Typical outcome: tuition support for short-term career training
- How to apply: complete the Work Ready application in MyKHEAA; many schools also recommend filing the FAFSA so you don’t miss other aid
- Deadline example: many Kentucky schools advertise a December 1 deadline for the academic year (always confirm your college/term)
CAP Grant Details (Need-Based)
Two common surprises with CAP: (1) it’s need-based (often described as typically awarded to Pell-eligible students), and (2) timing matters because CAP is awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date.
| CAP quick facts | What it means for parents |
|---|---|
| FAFSA required | File as soon as it’s available for your aid year — timing affects awards. |
| Need-based | If Pell shows $0, CAP is less likely — but still file to confirm. |
| Maximums can change | CAP maximums vary by year and by 2-year vs 4-year enrollment — confirm current amounts. |
Note: CAP and KTG maximums and availability can shift year to year. Always verify on KHEAA and your college’s financial aid page.
Want to compare scholarships across colleges?
Use the CRP Scholarship Search Tool to filter and compare awards quickly.
Deadlines (Simple Table)
Kentucky deadlines can feel “invisible” because CAP and KTG are FAFSA-driven and depend on funding. Here’s a simple version you can screenshot and save.
| Program | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAP Grant | FAFSA as soon as it’s available (first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date) | School/KHEAA may request verification docs | studentaid.gov (FAFSA) |
| Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) | FAFSA as soon as it’s available (commonly first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date) | Private college determines/requests need docs | studentaid.gov (FAFSA) |
| KEES | Earned in high school (no separate state application) | College handles eligibility/renewal checks | kheaa.com/kees |
| Work Ready KY Scholarship | Often around December 1 for the academic year (confirm your exact college/term) | Varies by school/program | kheaa.com (MyKHEAA) |
How Kentucky Aid Interacts With Colleges
Here’s the reality: Kentucky state aid usually does not replace college scholarships — it’s one layer of the final cost. For many families, the college’s scholarships (merit + need-based) are still the make-or-break factor.
- CAP/KTG can reduce tuition for eligible families — but timing and funding matter. File the FAFSA early and watch for verification requests.
- KEES can add up (especially with bonus awards), but it still usually won’t cover full tuition by itself at 4-year universities.
- At schools like UK and UofL, institutional scholarships often decide whether the total cost feels manageable.
Also: if your combined grants and scholarships ever exceed your school’s cost of attendance, the college will adjust something down so your total aid doesn’t go over the cap.
Who Benefits Most (Reality Check)
Low-income families
Often benefit the most when Pell + CAP combine. (The FAFSA is the only way to know for sure — don’t self-disqualify.)
Middle-income families
Many families won’t qualify for CAP/KTG. In that case, college scholarships matter more than Kentucky state aid. KEES still helps — just don’t expect it to be “the solution.”
High-achieving students
KEES is a strong baseline discount, but the biggest wins for high-achievers usually come from institutional merit (and sometimes honors/department awards). Treat KEES as the foundation, then build the rest of the package at the college level.
Kentucky “quiet cliff”: Families sometimes stop after KEES and assume “that’s all the merit.” In reality, the biggest remaining gaps are often filled by college-level awards that require separate steps (applications, portals, honors, essays).
First-gen families
Same eligibility — higher risk of missed steps (FAFSA timing, verification documents, school portals). A simple shared calendar for FAFSA, verification, and scholarship deadlines is often the most powerful tool.
Colleges That Stack Best With Kentucky Aid
State aid works best when it stacks with strong institutional scholarships. Here are a few Kentucky schools where that combination can matter a lot:
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- Western Kentucky University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Murray State University
- Northern Kentucky University
Tip: Confirm your Kentucky programs here, then open each college’s scholarship page to see what the university adds. You can also compare schools side-by-side using the CRP Scholarship Search Tool.
Kentucky State Aid FAQs
Does Kentucky state aid cover housing?
Usually no. CAP/KTG/KEES are primarily designed to help with tuition and required fees. Housing is typically covered (if at all) by a mix of federal aid, institutional aid, and family contribution.
Can state aid be lost?
Yes. Renewal depends on maintaining satisfactory academic progress and meeting each program’s rules. For KEES, colleges commonly look at GPA and enrollment status for renewal decisions.
What happens if credits drop?
Dropping below required enrollment can reduce or eliminate aid (especially for need-based programs and some KEES renewal situations). If your student is considering dropping a class, call the financial aid office first — it’s the fastest way to avoid surprises.
Does Kentucky state aid stack with scholarships?
Yes — state aid can stack with federal aid and college scholarships, but total aid can’t exceed cost of attendance. If your aid ever exceeds that cap, your college will adjust something down.
Looking beyond Kentucky? Visit the State Scholarships & Grants hub to explore aid programs in all 50 states.