Getting into UK is rarely the hard part. The school admits about 94% of applicants, and roughly 4 in 10 first-year students come from outside Kentucky. The real work is timing. UK hands out its academic scholarships on a rolling basis, and in past years the money has run out before its own December 1 deadline. UK has also said it will stay test-optional through the 2028-29 school year, so your student can compete for scholarships with or without a score.
3.0 unweighted GPA (no test needed for entry tier)
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional for admission and scholarships
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 1 • FAFSA: TBD
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Presidential & Otis A. Singletary (competitive)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
ACM
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at the University of Kentucky (Read This First)
December 1 is the last day, not the target. UK starts making scholarship offers in late October and keeps going until funds run out. Applying in September or October is the safest play.
Only unweighted GPA counts, and there is no superscore. Honors and AP bumps are ignored, only your best single test date is used, and December test dates arrive too late.
Test-optional works for money here, but the bar moves. Without a score, every tier needs a higher unweighted GPA. UK uses whichever route helps your student most, so only send a score if it earns a bigger award.
Full tuition takes one extra step. Presidential and Singletary require the competitive scholarship section of the admission application by December 1. Skip it, and your student is not considered.
One academic award per student. Tiers don’t add up, and a competitive award replaces the automatic one. Parker, Legacy, departmental awards, and need-based aid can still be layered on top.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Kentucky is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21-28; SAT: 1060-1270.
Average net price? About $18,736/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Kentucky 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Category (2026–2027)
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)
$14,178
$35,846
Housing & Meals (typical)
$17,048
$17,048
Total (Direct Costs)
$31,226
$52,894
Average Federal Net Price: $18,736 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Academic Common Market: Residents of participating Southern states can pay in-state tuition for certain UK majors not offered in their home state, including select engineering programs and Landscape Architecture. Eligible majors depend on your home state, so check the SREB program search before counting on it. Heads up: ACM approval can change a student's residency classification, which triggers a re-evaluation of any non-resident Bluegrass award and makes the student ineligible for the Legacy Tuition Program. Legacy Tuition Program: Out-of-state children of UK graduates can apply for partial tuition awards, and the top level covers the full difference between resident and non-resident tuition. The parent must be a paid-in-full UK Alumni Association life member, and the Legacy application closes February 15.
How Much of the Out-of-State Gap Does Merit Close?
Out-of-state tuition runs about $21,700 more than in-state. Here’s how UK’s automatic Bluegrass Scholarship chips away at that gap:
$6,500 tier: covers about 30% of the gap
$10,000 tier: covers about 46%
$13,000 tier: covers about 60%
$16,000 tier: covers about 74%, leaving roughly $5,700 a year above in-state tuition
Only the competitive Presidential and Singletary awards, the top Legacy level, or the Academic Common Market fully erase it.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University of Kentucky
What does UK really cost for a year on campus?
UK’s official 2026-27 budget for a student living on campus is about $38,300 for Kentucky residents and $60,800 for out-of-state students. That includes tuition, housing, meals, books ($1,200), personal expenses ($3,240), and travel. The bill you actually get from UK is smaller, because books, travel, and personal costs are never billed.
Why is the housing and meal number so high?
The $17,048 figure assumes a double room (about $11,700) plus the largest meal plan (about $5,350). A smaller meal plan or an older residence hall brings it down, and living off campus later on can change the math again.
Can out-of-state students pay in-state tuition at UK?
Sometimes. Through the Academic Common Market, residents of participating Southern states can pay in-state rates for certain majors their home state doesn’t offer, such as select engineering programs and Landscape Architecture. Children of UK graduates can also apply for the Legacy Tuition Program, whose top level covers the full out-of-state difference. One warning: ACM approval can change your student’s residency status, which means UK re-evaluates any Bluegrass award and your student loses Legacy eligibility. Run the numbers both ways before you apply.
Is the average net price really around $18,700?
That’s the federal average for students who received grants or scholarships, after that aid is subtracted. Families with high need or strong merit awards often pay less. Families who get no aid pay closer to the full budget above. UK’s net price calculator gives a more personal estimate.
Does a “full tuition” scholarship cover every charge?
No. UK’s Presidential Scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees, but not course or program fees, housing, or meals. Some majors add real money on top. For example, College of Design students pay an extra $686 per semester. Singletary is the one award that also covers course and program fees.
Will our cost go up after freshman year?
Probably, since tuition and housing usually rise a little each year. UK’s academic scholarships are fixed dollar amounts, so they don’t grow with tuition. The exceptions are Presidential and Singletary, which cover tuition itself. Budget for a small increase each year if your student has a Hardymon or Bluegrass award.
Now through October: The UK application is open. This is the best window to apply.
Late October: UK starts making academic scholarship offers on a rolling basis until money runs out.
December 1: Hard deadline for the application, transcript, any test scores, and the competitive scholarship section. It’s also the last day to send updated scores or GPA.
Late January to mid-February: Campus interviews for Presidential and Singletary finalists.
February 15: Legacy Tuition Program deadline for children of UK graduates.
By March 1: Competitive scholarship offers mailed.
Parent rule of thumb: at UK, the application date itself is part of the scholarship. Earlier really does mean more money.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at the University of Kentucky
Students starting in fall 2027 are considered automatically once they’re admitted. There’s no separate scholarship application. Kentucky residents compete for the James F. Hardymon Scholarship (formerly Provost), and out-of-state students for the Bluegrass Scholarship (formerly Bluegrass Spirit). UK uses unweighted GPA only and does not superscore.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
James F. Hardymon Scholarship (Resident, $1,500 Tier)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAKentucky residents. Test-optional tier only: 3.00 unweighted GPA, no ACT or SAT required.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, a Rogers Scholars award, college and departmental scholarships, KEES, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
New for fall 2027. This entry tier gives Kentucky B students a guaranteed-looking path to UK merit money without a test score, as long as they apply early.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
In-state students with a 3.0 unweighted GPA who apply before funds run out. Many families never realize UK has a merit tier this accessible.
Automatic
James F. Hardymon Scholarship (Resident, $2,500 Tier)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPAKentucky residents. Test-optional tier only: 3.25 unweighted GPA, no ACT or SAT required.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, a Rogers Scholars award, college and departmental scholarships, KEES, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
New for fall 2027. A Kentucky student with a 3.30 GPA but no qualifying test score lands here. The same student with a 28 ACT would earn $6,500 instead, so a test score can be worth $4,000 a year at this level.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
In-state students with a 3.25 or higher unweighted GPA applying without a test score, before funds run out.
Automatic
James F. Hardymon Scholarship (Resident, $3,500 Tier)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$3,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~26 ACT✎ ~1230 SATKentucky residents. Traditional route: 3.30 unweighted GPA plus a 26 ACT or 1230 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA with no test.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award, and a Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, a Rogers Scholars award, college and departmental scholarships, KEES, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Hardymon Scholarship replaced the Provost Scholarship for students starting in fall 2027. This tier rose from $2,500 to $3,500 per year. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a 3.0 cumulative UK GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Kentucky students with solid grades and a mid-20s ACT, or a 3.50 unweighted GPA without a test, who apply early. Funds are limited and have run out before December 1 in past years.
Automatic
James F. Hardymon Scholarship (Resident, $6,500 Tier)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$6,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~28 ACT✎ ~1300 SATKentucky residents. Traditional route: 3.30 unweighted GPA plus a 28 ACT or 1300 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 3.75 unweighted GPA with no test.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award, and a Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, a Rogers Scholars award, college and departmental scholarships, KEES, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
This is the top automatic tier for Kentucky residents, up from $5,000 under the old Provost grid. A 28 ACT earns it with a 3.30 GPA, while a student applying without a test needs a 3.75 unweighted GPA. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a 3.0 cumulative UK GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Kentucky residents with a 28+ ACT or 1300+ SAT and at least a 3.30 unweighted GPA, or very strong grades without a test. This is where a good test score pays off most for in-state families.
Automatic
Bluegrass Scholarship (Non-Resident, $6,500 Tier)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$6,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAOut-of-state students. Test-optional tier only: 3.00 unweighted GPA, no ACT or SAT required.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award, and a Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, Legacy Tuition funding, college and departmental scholarships, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renamed from Bluegrass Spirit for fall 2027 and raised from $5,000 to $6,500. It covers about 30% of the roughly $21,700 out-of-state tuition gap.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students with a 3.0 unweighted GPA who apply early. Useful money, but most of the non-resident premium remains.
🏫 3.0+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1200 SATOut-of-state students. Traditional route: 3.00 unweighted GPA plus a 25 ACT or 1200 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA with no test.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award, and a Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, Legacy Tuition funding, college and departmental scholarships, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Raised from $8,000 to $10,000 for fall 2027. A 25 ACT unlocks this tier with only a 3.0 GPA, which makes a modest test score very valuable for out-of-state B students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students with a 3.0 GPA and a 25 ACT or 1200 SAT, or a 3.50 GPA without a test, who apply early.
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1200 SATOut-of-state students. Traditional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA plus a 25 ACT or 1200 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 3.60 unweighted GPA with no test.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award, and a Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, Legacy Tuition funding, college and departmental scholarships, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Raised from $10,000 to $13,000 for fall 2027. This tier covers about 60% of the out-of-state tuition gap.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong out-of-state students with a 3.50 unweighted GPA and a 25 ACT or 1200 SAT, or a 3.60 GPA without a test.
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~30 ACT✎ ~1360 SATOut-of-state students. Traditional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA plus a 30 ACT or 1360 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 3.80 unweighted GPA with no test.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students receive only one UK academic award, and a Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it. It can be combined with a William C. Parker Scholarship, Legacy Tuition funding, college and departmental scholarships, and need-based aid, up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
The top automatic award for non-residents, raised from $12,500 to $16,000 for fall 2027. It covers about 74% of the out-of-state tuition gap, leaving roughly $5,700 a year above in-state tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving out-of-state students with a 30+ ACT or 1360+ SAT and a 3.50 GPA, or a 3.80 unweighted GPA without a test, who apply early.
Data last verified Sep 11, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
🧮 Should Your Student Send a Test Score?
UK says students are never penalized for applying without scores. But a decent score can lower the GPA bar a lot:
Kentucky, 3.30 GPA: $6,500 a year with a 28 ACT, or $2,500 a year with no score.
Out-of-state, 3.50 GPA: $13,000 a year with a 25 ACT, or $10,000 a year with no score.
Out-of-state, 3.50 GPA and a 30 ACT: $16,000 a year. Without a score, the same award needs a 3.80 unweighted GPA.
Over four years, the right test score can be worth $12,000 to $24,000 at UK.
Note: Students receive one UK academic award. A Presidential or Singletary offer replaces it, but a Parker Scholarship, Legacy funding, departmental awards, KEES, and need-based aid can be added.
Automatic Merit FAQs (University of Kentucky)
What happened to the Provost and Bluegrass Spirit scholarships?
For students starting in fall 2027, UK renamed them. The resident award is now the James F. Hardymon Scholarship ($1,500 to $6,500 a year), and the non-resident award is now the Bluegrass Scholarship ($6,500 to $16,000 a year). The amounts went up at every level.
Are these scholarships guaranteed if my student meets the numbers?
Not quite. UK’s awards are limited and handed out on a rolling basis, and funds have run out before December 1 in past years. Your student also has to meet both the GPA and test minimums exactly. UK says there’s no flexibility, even if a student misses by 10 points or 0.01 GPA.
Which GPA does UK use?
Unweighted, on a 4.0 scale. UK accepts transcripts through junior year, and your student can send an updated GPA or new test scores through December 1.
Does UK superscore the ACT or SAT?
No. UK uses the highest composite from a single test date. A December test date usually arrives too late to count.
Can a Kentucky student get UK merit money without a test score?
Yes. A 3.00 unweighted GPA earns $1,500 a year and a 3.25 earns $2,500, with no test at all. Higher tiers are also available test-optional, at 3.50 and 3.75.
How does my student keep the scholarship?
Stay full-time (at least 12 hours each semester), finish 24 hours per academic year, and keep a 3.0 cumulative UK GPA. A student who dips below 3.0 gets one probation semester, but the scholarship isn’t paid that semester. Dropping below nine hours in a term, or below a 2.0 GPA, ends it with no probation.
UK’s big awards are the Presidential Scholarship (full tuition and mandatory fees) and the Otis A. Singletary Scholarship. Singletary covers full tuition and fees, course and program fees, and a housing and dining stipend for the first two years. Both are open to Kentucky and out-of-state students. Both require checking the competitive scholarship section of the admission application by December 1, and neither is automatic.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UK?
Aid Type
Stacks with Merit?
UK Parent Translation
Hardymon / Bluegrass
N/A
Your student gets one tier, the highest they qualify for.
Presidential / Singletary
Replaces
A competitive offer takes the place of the automatic award. It doesn’t add to it.
Governor’s Scholar awards
Replaces
These count as the student’s one academic award.
William C. Parker
Yes
UK confirms Parker can sit on top of an academic award. The admission essay drives it.
Legacy Tuition Program
With Bluegrass only
Adds to Bluegrass. Not available with Presidential, Singletary, or ACM in-state rates.
College and departmental awards
Yes
These are the gap fillers, and each college runs its own application.
KEES and need-based aid
Usually
Allowed up to the cost of attendance. Tuition-only awards from all sources can’t exceed actual tuition.
Here’s the kitchen-table version: if your student has a 3.5 unweighted GPA and a 31 ACT (or a 4.0 without a test), check that competitive box. It costs nothing extra. It could turn a $16,000 out-of-state award into full tuition, or a $6,500 in-state award into full tuition plus two years of housing help.
Full TuitionApp Required
Otis A. Singletary Scholarship (Resident)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3.4 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full in-state tuition and mandatory fees, course and program fees, plus two-year housing and dining stipend
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~33 ACT✎ ~1450 SAT👥 ~Up to 25 per year (residents and non-residents combined) winners/yrTraditional route: 3.80 unweighted GPA plus a 33 ACT or 1450 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 4.00 unweighted GPA. The competitive scholarship section of the admission application must be completed by December 1.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the competitive scholarship section of the admission application by December 1 with the transcript and any scores on file. Selected applicants are called for campus interviews held late January through mid-February. Offers are mailed by March 1. Students who already applied without the competitive section can request the Lewis Honors College and Competitive Academic Scholarship supplement from Admissions before December 1.
Selection criteria: Highly holistic and competitive review, including academics, rigor, leadership, activities, essays, and interviews.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers full in-state tuition and mandatory fees plus course and program fees for four years, and a housing and dining stipend for the first two years while living in a UK residence hall. UK no longer publishes a dollar amount for the stipend. Singletary Scholars are admitted to the Lewis Honors College and take three one-credit leadership courses. Renewal requires a 3.40 cumulative GPA. An RA housing award would replace the stipend.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A very small group of Kentucky's top students with elite grades, serious leadership, and a strong interview. Meeting the minimums only gets a student into the review.
Full TuitionApp Required
Otis A. Singletary Scholarship (Non-Resident)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3.4 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full out-of-state tuition and mandatory fees, course and program fees, plus two-year housing and dining stipend
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~33 ACT✎ ~1450 SAT👥 ~Up to 25 per year (residents and non-residents combined) winners/yrTraditional route: 3.80 unweighted GPA plus a 33 ACT or 1450 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 4.00 unweighted GPA. The competitive scholarship section of the admission application must be completed by December 1.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the competitive scholarship section of the admission application by December 1 with the transcript and any scores on file. Interviews run late January through mid-February, and offers are mailed by March 1.
Selection criteria: Holistic and interview-based review. Only a small number of students are selected.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers full out-of-state tuition and mandatory fees plus course and program fees for four years, and a housing and dining stipend for the first two years while living in a UK residence hall. UK no longer publishes a dollar amount for the stipend. Recipients join the Lewis Honors College. Renewal requires a 3.40 cumulative GPA. Singletary recipients are not eligible for the Legacy Tuition Program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Exceptional out-of-state applicants who stand out in essays, activities, and the campus interview. For non-residents this is the single biggest award UK offers, and one of the least predictable.
Full TuitionApp Required
Presidential Scholarship (Resident)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full in-state tuition and mandatory fees
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~31 ACT✎ ~1390 SATTraditional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA plus a 31 ACT or 1390 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 4.00 unweighted GPA. The competitive scholarship section of the admission application must be completed by December 1.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the competitive scholarship section of the admission application by December 1 with the transcript and any scores on file. Offers are mailed by March 1.
Selection criteria: Holistic review including unweighted GPA, test scores if provided, curriculum rigor, essays, activities, leadership, and interview performance.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers full in-state tuition and mandatory fees for four years. Course and program fees, housing, and meals are not covered. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The number of awards varies each year with the applicant pool and funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top Kentucky students who clear the minimums and then stand out in a holistic review that can include an interview. Treat it as a reach, not a budget line.
Full TuitionApp Required
Presidential Scholarship (Non-Resident)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full out-of-state tuition and mandatory fees
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~31 ACT✎ ~1390 SATTraditional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA plus a 31 ACT or 1390 SAT from a single test date. Test-optional route: 4.00 unweighted GPA. The competitive scholarship section of the admission application must be completed by December 1.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the competitive scholarship section of the admission application by December 1 with the transcript and any scores on file. Offers are mailed by March 1.
Selection criteria: Holistic competitive review. Minimum criteria are for consideration only and do not guarantee selection.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers full out-of-state tuition and mandatory fees for four years, worth about $35,800 a year at 2026-27 rates. Course and program fees, housing, and meals are not covered. Presidential recipients are not eligible for the Legacy Tuition Program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A limited number of very strong out-of-state students who win the competitive review. This is the award that truly changes UK's price for non-residents.
⚠ Full in-state tuition scholarship for Kentucky residents who completed the Governor’s Scholars, Governor’s School for the Arts, or Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs program and meet UK’s GPA/test requirements.
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~31 ACT✎ ~1390 SATCompletion of Governor's Scholars, Governor's School for the Arts, or Governor's School for Entrepreneurs. Traditional route: 3.50 unweighted GPA plus a 31 ACT or 1390 SAT. Test-optional route: 4.00 unweighted GPA. Competitive section required by December 1.
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers full in-state tuition and mandatory fees. UK funds these Governor's Scholar awards itself, so they do not transfer to other colleges. A limited number are offered.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Kentucky residents who already completed one of the Governor's programs and also rise to UK's Presidential-level academic standard. This is not a general Kentucky resident scholarship; it is a restricted pathway for a strong student who has both the state program credential and the academic profile UK is looking for.
Data last verified Sep 11, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
What’s the difference between Presidential and Singletary?
Presidential covers full tuition and mandatory fees (in-state or out-of-state rate) for four years. Singletary adds course and program fees plus a housing and dining stipend for the first two years. It also brings Lewis Honors College admission and a dedicated faculty mentor. Singletary needs a 3.80 GPA with a 33 ACT or 1450 SAT (or a 4.00 without a test). Presidential needs a 3.50 with a 31 ACT or 1390 SAT (or a 4.00 without a test).
How many Singletary awards does UK give?
Up to 25 a year. UK doesn’t publish a fixed number of Presidential awards. It varies with the applicant pool and funding.
We already submitted the application and skipped the competitive section. Is it too late?
Not if it’s before December 1. Ask UK Admissions for the Lewis Honors College and Competitive Academic Scholarship supplement. It’s only available by request and must be in by December 1.
When are interviews, and when will we hear?
UK calls selected finalists by phone and holds campus interviews from late January through mid-February. Competitive offers are mailed by March 1.
Will UK match a better offer from another school?
No. UK says plainly that it can’t match other schools’ offers. Compare total cost, not just scholarship size.
Does UK offer a National Merit package or Stamps Scholarship?
UK’s current scholarship pages don’t list a National Merit Finalist package, and UK is not a Stamps partner. At UK, top students compete through Presidential and Singletary instead.
What should my student prepare?
Strong activities and leadership, and a clear sense of why UK fits. UK doesn’t use recommendation letters for academic scholarships. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder can help your student get ready for the essay and interview.
At UK, the admission application only opens the first door. Most of the smaller money sits behind three more, and each one has its own deadline.
The admission application (by December 1): This covers the automatic awards, the Parker Scholarship (the essay matters), and the competitive section.
Your student’s college application: Ag, Food and Environment by mid-January. Gatton Business by February 1. Arts & Sciences by March 1. Education when it opens.
ScholarshipUniverse (after activating the UK linkblue account): Legacy by February 15, Felix Martin by January 31, and Committee of 101 by April 1.
The FAFSA: Required for the new Founders Scholarship and other need-based money. Offers start in March.
Parent translation: the day your student gets admitted, have them activate their linkblue account and log into ScholarshipUniverse. That’s when most of these applications appear.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards aren’t part of the main grid, but many can sit on top of your student’s automatic award. Some are restricted to specific groups, like Governor’s Scholars, children of alumni, or certain Kentucky counties. It pays to read the fine print on each card.
App Required
Legacy Tuition Program
📅 Deadline: February 15 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Out-of-state first-time freshmen whose parent or stepparent holds a UK bachelor's, graduate, doctoral, or professional degree and is a paid-in-full UK Alumni Association life member by May 1. Grandparents and other relatives do not qualify. Fall 2026 levels: Level 1 (3.50 plus 31 ACT or 1390 SAT, or 4.0 test-optional) pays the full difference between resident and non-resident tuition; Level 2 (3.30 plus 28 ACT or 1300 SAT, or 3.75 test-optional) pays $4,500; Level 3 (all other eligible students) pays $3,000.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with a Bluegrass Scholarship. Not available to students who receive a Presidential or Singletary Scholarship or who gain in-state tuition through residency or the Academic Common Market. Legacy funds are not paid during co-op, education abroad, or internship semesters.
📄
How to Apply
Get admitted, activate the UK linkblue account, then complete the Legacy application in ScholarshipUniverse (applications open September 15). Upload a birth certificate or adoption record listing the qualifying parent, plus a marriage license for a stepparent.
Selection criteria: Program eligibility and available funding; criteria may include alumni relationship and application timing.
💡
Strategic Detail
At Level 1 this program effectively gives alumni children in-state tuition, worth about $21,700 a year at 2026-27 rates. Application date matters, and funds have run out before the February 15 deadline in past years. UK reviews Legacy levels each summer, so fall 2027 criteria may change.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students with a UK graduate parent who already paid for a life membership and who submit the Legacy application early in ScholarshipUniverse.
Automatic
William C. Parker Scholarship Program
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAAll incoming first-time freshmen with at least a 3.00 unweighted GPA are considered, including international students.
✚
Stacking & Combining
UK confirms a Parker Scholarship can be received in addition to an academic award such as Hardymon or Bluegrass.
💡
Strategic Detail
Recipients are chosen on academic preparation and the strength of the admission essay. Award amounts are not published and awards are limited, so meeting the GPA minimum does not guarantee one.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Early applicants with a 3.0 or higher GPA whose admission essay stands out. This is the clearest case at UK where the essay is worth real money.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Founders Scholarship (Need-Based)
📅 Deadline: FAFSA on file; offers begin in March ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~26 ACT✎ ~1230 SAT🎓 All UndergradHigh-need undergraduates with either a 3.50 unweighted GPA, or a 3.30 unweighted GPA plus a 26 ACT or 1230 SAT. Students awarded a competitive academic scholarship are not considered.
💡
Strategic Detail
New for the 2027-28 academic year. Awarded for up to eight semesters. UK has not published award amounts or how Founders combines with Hardymon or Bluegrass awards, so confirm on the financial aid notification.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solid students from families with significant financial need who file the FAFSA early. No separate application.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
UK LEADS Need-Based Grants
📅 Deadline: FAFSA; need-based offers announced late spring ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
LEADS grants are designed to close financial gaps and may stack with other aid up to cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
UK LEADS is UK's donor-funded program for academically successful students with large unmet need, historically $5,000 or more. UK's current need-based page does not list LEADS by name, so families should treat it as part of the general need-based review rather than a separate application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with significant unmet financial need identified through UK's LEADS process and donor funding. Families do not win this by chasing a GPA grid; they need to file the FAFSA and have financial need that UK is able to support with available funds.
Automatic
Kentucky Governor's Scholar James F. Hardymon Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$2,500–$6,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Only for Kentucky Governor's Scholars, Governor's School for the Arts, or Governor's School for Entrepreneurs completers.
Completion of Governor's Scholars, Governor's School for the Arts, or Governor's School for Entrepreneurs. $2,500 for program completion alone; $3,500 with 3.30 plus 26 ACT or 1230 SAT (or 3.50 test-optional); $6,500 with 3.30 plus 28 ACT or 1300 SAT (or 3.75 test-optional).
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students may receive only one UK academic scholarship, including the Governor's Scholar Provost tiers. This base tier should not be added on top of a higher UK academic scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
This selective award replaces a regular Hardymon offer and counts as the student's one UK academic award. It is funded by UK and does not transfer to other colleges.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Kentucky students who completed a Governor's program and apply by December 1. Even without a test score, program completion alone earns $2,500 a year.
Automatic
Rogers Scholars Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Only for students who completed the Center for Rural Development's Rogers Scholars summer program.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be received on top of the Hardymon award. It is replaced if the student receives a Presidential or Singletary Scholarship or another award of equal or higher value.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year for up to four years. The Rogers Scholars program selects about 60 sophomores a year from a 42-county area of southern and eastern Kentucky.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who already completed the Rogers Scholars program and are admitted to UK by the deadline. This is restricted pathway money, not a general UK scholarship.
App Required
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment First-Year Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Mid-January (January 13 in the fall 2025 cycle) ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
Must apply to UK with a primary major in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment by the college scholarship deadline.
✚
Stacking & Combining
UK confirms college and departmental scholarships can be received in addition to academic awards.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UK with a CAFE primary major, then complete the college's First-Year Scholarship application and essays by the mid-January deadline. Students can apply before they are officially admitted.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One application puts the student in the running for dozens of donor awards based on major, hometown, career goals, and club involvement. The college describes its program as one of the largest at UK. Awards weigh unweighted GPA, involvement, leadership, and essays of 500 words or less.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Ag, food, environmental, and equine students who write thoughtful essays and show real involvement. Hometown-based awards reward students from specific Kentucky counties.
App Required
Gatton College of Business & Economics First-Year Scholarships
📅 Deadline: February 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
These college-level scholarships may stack with UK academic scholarships and other aid, subject to cost-of-attendance limits, donor rules, and Gatton/UK packaging policies.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission to UK as a pre-major in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, then complete the Gatton scholarship application in ScholarshipUniverse by the Gatton deadline.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing academic record, essays, business interest, and alignment with specific donor scholarship criteria.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Gatton's first-year application runs November 1 through February 1 in ScholarshipUniverse. Amounts vary by fund and year. Business students should also note that Gatton admits freshmen as pre-majors on a selective basis.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Business-intended freshmen who complete the Gatton scholarship application with strong academics, interest in business, and alignment with donor-funded criteria. This is a real hidden gem because it requires an extra college-specific step after the main UK application.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
College & Departmental Awards
📅 Deadline: Varies by college (Arts & Sciences: March 1) ✓ Renews (1 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Many department awards can stack with institutional aid and outside scholarships, subject to cost-of-attendance limits and donor rules. Amounts and availability vary widely by college and year.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through ScholarshipUniverse or the appropriate UK college or department portal. Deadlines and criteria vary by college, but many opportunities fall between January and March.
Selection criteria: Varies by department and donor fund.
💡
Strategic Detail
This row captures the broad pool of UK college and departmental awards. These are usually smaller than the flagship scholarships, but they can matter because they are more targeted and may be available after the main freshman merit awards are already decided.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who do the extra step: apply through ScholarshipUniverse or a college-specific portal and match donor or department priorities. This is exactly the kind of smaller money families miss when they only look at the freshman merit grid.
UK defines first-generation as students whose parents or guardians do not have a four-year degree. The Pigman First-Generation Scholarship and Robinson Scholars focus on graduates of Eastern Kentucky high schools. The Arts & Sciences Trailblazer award is for first-generation students in that college.
✚
Stacking & Combining
These awards may stack with other institutional aid, subject to donor rules and UK packaging limits. Engineering and Arts & Sciences are noted as major sources of first-generation scholarship support.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through UK first-generation or college scholarship portals, typically through ScholarshipUniverse between January and March. Students generally must meet the first-generation definition used by the specific scholarship fund.
Selection criteria: Varies by fund; may include first-generation status, academics, essays, financial need, leadership, and college fit.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Pigman First-Generation Scholarship was designed to reduce a recipient's unmet need to about $2,000 after other aid. Amounts for the other programs are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-generation students who complete the extra scholarship application and match donor or college priorities. This is not a broad automatic first-gen discount; it is targeted money for students who meet the first-gen criteria and tell their story well in the application.
App Required
Felix E. Martin, Jr. Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 31 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Graduates of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky high schools first, then Hopkins County if funds remain.
🏫 3.0+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT3.0 GPA and at least a 24 ACT composite from one test date. Must apply to UK by December 1. Award amounts are not published.
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a local/regional scholarship and may stack with UK aid, subject to the foundation's rules and UK packaging limits.
📄
How to Apply
Apply by January 31 through the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation process. Student must be a graduate of a Muhlenberg County high school, with Hopkins County eligibility possible in some years depending on program rules.
Selection criteria: Review may include GPA, community record, local eligibility, and foundation criteria.
💡
Strategic Detail
This is a regional/local scholarship that can be relevant for students from the qualifying county area. CRP includes it because local awards can be meaningful, but the geographic restriction needs to be obvious to parents.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students from the eligible local county pool, especially Muhlenberg County graduates, with solid academics and community involvement. This is valuable if the student qualifies geographically, but it is not broadly available to most Kentucky families.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Richard 'Van' Florence Committee of 101 Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 1 Non-Renewable
$1,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.5+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a one-time service-based award and may stack with other aid, subject to UK packaging rules.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Committee of 101 scholarship application by April 1 with documentation of at least a 2.5 GPA and a community service record.
Selection criteria: Review based on GPA and service record.
💡
Strategic Detail
Multiple $1,000 awards funded by the Committee of 101, a UK athletics booster group. Requires a 2.5 GPA and a record of community service. Incoming freshmen must apply to UK by December 1, then submit the ScholarshipUniverse application by April 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Service-minded students, especially freshmen and sophomores, with a solid GPA and a real community involvement record. This is not huge money, but it is the kind of smaller award that rewards students who have been doing the work outside the classroom.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
UK Alumni Association & Chapter Scholarships
📅 Deadline: January-March; varies by chapter Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Most alumni chapter awards are one-time scholarships and may stack with institutional aid, subject to UK packaging rules.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UK Alumni Association and local alumni chapters, usually through forms linked from UK scholarship pages or the Alumni Association site. Deadlines and criteria vary by chapter.
Selection criteria: Varies by chapter; may include academics, leadership, involvement, geography, and alumni/community connection.
💡
Strategic Detail
In 2023-24 the UK Alumni Association and its local clubs awarded about $273,000 to 185 students, an average near $1,500. Clubs exist in many out-of-state cities as well as Kentucky counties, so non-residents should check for a club near home.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who apply to the right regional or interest-based alumni chapter scholarship and show strong academics, involvement, or fit with that chapter's priorities. This is smaller money, but it can be very real for students who actually submit the extra application.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
College of Nursing Undergraduate Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Spring through ScholarshipUniverse ✓ Renews (1 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Competitive college-level awards may stack with other aid, subject to UK packaging rules and donor criteria.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through ScholarshipUniverse or the College of Nursing scholarship process each spring. This is generally most relevant for students already in or moving into upper-division BSN coursework.
Selection criteria: Competitive college review based on nursing program standing, academics, and donor-specific criteria.
💡
Strategic Detail
Nursing scholarships are included as hidden gems because many families stop looking after freshman year. For a student who stays on the BSN path, college-level awards may become more relevant later.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Nursing students, often juniors and seniors, who are in good academic standing and complete the college scholarship process. This is not usually freshman-front-door money; it is more of a continuing-student nursing opportunity.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
College of Education Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Posted in ScholarshipUniverse (fall 2027 application not yet open) ✓ Renews (1 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
These awards may stack with other aid, subject to UK packaging rules and donor criteria.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the College of Education scholarship application, usually through ScholarshipUniverse or the college's scholarship process. Open to admitted Education students.
Selection criteria: Competitive review based on academic record, professional potential, and donor-specific criteria.
💡
Strategic Detail
Incoming freshmen with a declared College of Education major complete one general application in ScholarshipUniverse and are considered for every college scholarship they qualify for. Students must reapply each year. File the FAFSA to be considered for need-based funds.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Education students who apply through the college process and show strong academic or professional promise. This is targeted money for future educators, not a general UK scholarship.
May stack with other aid, subject to UK packaging rules and the specific award terms.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the online application and attend the January scholarship audition: a one to two minute monologue for performance, a work sample for design and tech, or a 90-second dance. No audition is required to declare a theatre major.
Selection criteria: Faculty review of audition, portfolio, talent, and fit with the program.
💡
Strategic Detail
This is a smaller fine arts opportunity, but it belongs in the database because talent-based departmental awards can be easy for families to miss if they only focus on GPA and test-score scholarships.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Theatre and Dance students with the strongest auditions, portfolios, or faculty-reviewed talent profiles. This is talent-based money, so the student's artistic fit matters more than the standard merit grid.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Wildcat Marching Band & School of Music Awards
📅 Deadline: Audition-based; varies by ensemble ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Talent awards may be received in addition to academic scholarships, up to the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Audition required. Majors and non-majors may apply.
Selection criteria: Performance
💡
Strategic Detail
The School of Music offers audition-based awards, and some band scholarships, such as the Tommy Sandusky award, require two completed years in the Wildcat Marching Band. Any UK student can join the band regardless of major.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Strong musicians who audition, including non-majors who commit to the marching band for multiple seasons.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Academic Excellence Scholarship Program (Current Undergraduates)
📅 Deadline: June 1 Non-Renewable
$1,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Non-renewable; awarded for a single academic year and may stack with other aid up to cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Current UK undergraduates with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA apply through ScholarshipUniverse for the Academic Excellence Scholarship Program, including required short-answer responses or essays, by the stated deadline.
Selection criteria: Primary emphasis on UK cumulative GPA and quality of application responses.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Non-renewable $1,500 awards for current full-time students with a 3.50 or higher UK GPA and at least 12 UK credit hours. Students already receiving another UK academic scholarship are not eligible, so this mainly helps students who arrived without merit money.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Current UK students who have already proven themselves in college with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA and who submit a strong ScholarshipUniverse application by the deadline. This is not freshman recruiting money; it is a continuing-student reward for performance after enrollment.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Education Abroad Scholarships (UK EA)
📅 Deadline: Each education abroad term cycle Non-Renewable
$2,000
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Many study abroad awards are small but can stack with other scholarships and aid, subject to program and financial aid rules.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through UK Education Abroad and ScholarshipUniverse by the posted deadline for the relevant term. Deadlines commonly fall around September 15, November 1, or March 1 depending on the program term.
Selection criteria: Varies by Education Abroad scholarship and program term.
💡
Strategic Detail
UK's Education Abroad office awards $2,000 grants to many students every cycle. Gatton and the College of Education run their own abroad awards as well.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
UK students participating in approved Education Abroad programs who apply by the correct term deadline. This money is not automatic; the student has to plan ahead and complete the study abroad scholarship process.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Army ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: National four-year scholarship: apply during senior year of high school ✓ Renews
Full Tuition
ROTC merit/service scholarship
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Army ROTC scholarships are nationally or campus awarded and may interact with UK aid depending on how tuition, fees, housing, and stipends are applied. Families should confirm packaging before assuming all aid stacks.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the national Army ROTC scholarship process or through campus-based Army ROTC awards at UK. Students should review the current UK Army ROTC scholarship page for national and campus deadlines.
Selection criteria: ROTC merit and service review, typically weighing academics, leadership, physical fitness, interview performance, and officer potential.
🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
Army ROTC scholarships cover full tuition and fees, a $1,200 yearly book allowance, and a monthly living allowance, in exchange for an eight-year service commitment. UK also offers up to ten $2,500 merit scholarships each semester to eligible cadets. Four-year scholarship cadets are encouraged to live in the ROTC Living Learning Community in Chellgren Hall.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students selected through the national or campus Army ROTC scholarship pool who are willing to accept the service commitment. This can be a major affordability tool, but it is military-service money first and college-cost money second.
App Required
AFROTC Det 290 Housing Support
📅 Deadline: HSSP window July 1 to December 31 ✓ Renews (2 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
This housing-support pool is split among eligible freshman and sophomore HSSP cadets. It may stack with other aid, but ROTC and institutional packaging rules can affect how the money applies.
📄
How to Apply
Incoming AFROTC HSSP cadets are considered through Detachment 290's scholarship process. Students should review the current Det 290 scholarship information and complete any ROTC or detachment steps required during the HSSP cycle.
Selection criteria: ROTC-connected eligibility and available Detachment 290 housing-support funding.
💡
Strategic Detail
UK provides $50,000 a year for on-campus housing support, split evenly among incoming Air Force ROTC high school scholarship (HSSP) cadets for their freshman and sophomore years. AFROTC scholarships themselves do not cover housing, parking, or meal plans, which is why this pool matters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
AFROTC HSSP cadets connected to Detachment 290 who qualify for the housing support pool. This is not general housing money for UK students; it is tied to ROTC participation and the Air Force officer pathway.
Data last verified Sep 11, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
My spouse graduated from UK and we live out of state. What should we do?
Look hard at the Legacy Tuition Program. Its top level pays the full difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, and lower levels pay $3,000 to $4,500 a year. Two catches: the UK graduate parent must be a paid-in-full life member of the UK Alumni Association by May 1, and funds have run out before the February 15 deadline in past years.
What is the William C. Parker Scholarship?
It’s a UK award for incoming freshmen with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA. Winners are picked on academic preparation and the strength of the admission essay. There’s no extra application, and it can be added to a Hardymon or Bluegrass award. If your student treats the admission essay like a scholarship essay, this is why.
What’s the new Founders Scholarship?
It’s a need-based award starting in 2027-28 for high-need students with a 3.50 unweighted GPA, or a 3.30 plus a 26 ACT or 1230 SAT. File the FAFSA; there’s no separate application. Offers begin in March as funds allow.
My student is a Governor’s Scholar. Does that help at UK?
Yes. Completing Governor’s Scholars, Governor’s School for the Arts, or Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs earns at least $2,500 a year at UK, and up to $6,500 with stronger numbers. UK funds these awards itself, so they don’t transfer if your student goes elsewhere first.
Are there awards for first-generation students?
Yes, especially for Eastern Kentucky graduates. The Pigman First-Generation Scholarship and Robinson Scholars serve that region, and Arts & Sciences has a Trailblazer award. UK counts a student as first-generation if their parents or guardians don’t have a four-year degree.
When should we look for department scholarships?
Right after admission. Each college runs its own process, usually through ScholarshipUniverse, and several close between mid-January and March 1.
Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky
The Lewis Honors College gives students a smaller, discussion-heavy community inside a big SEC university. It has its own advisors, its own residence halls, and an Honors degree distinction on the transcript. It’s open to every major: about 30% of Honors students are in Arts & Sciences, 20% in Engineering, and 18% in Business. Admission is not automatic, and the essay does most of the talking.
How to apply: The Honors application is built into the UK application and the Common App. It’s one extra essay.
Test scores: Not required for Honors admission.
Deadline: December 1. Honors decisions come out in mid-February.
The Essay Prompt (500 Words or Fewer)
Kentucky is one of four states that call themselves a Commonwealth, meaning the state exists for the common good. Honors asks what your student considers “the common good,” and how they plan to use their experiences, challenges, and intellect to contribute to it. Honors says these essays carry a large amount of weight, so give it the same attention as a scholarship essay.
Honors College Scholarships & Grants
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Lewis Honors College Scholarships & Grants (Enrolled Honors Students)
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Honors scholarships may stack with other UK aid, subject to Honors funding, donor rules, and UK cost-of-attendance limits. Families should verify how any Honors award interacts with the student's main UK academic scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
After enrolling in the Lewis Honors College, watch for Honors scholarship and grant applications each academic year.
Selection criteria: Academic excellence, essays, leadership, service, and fit with Lewis Honors College as demonstrated in the Honors application.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Lewis Honors College awards need- and merit-based funding and grants that are available only to its students. These are not freshman recruiting awards with published amounts. Admission to Honors does not come with an automatic scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Enrolled Honors students who apply for specific funding with a clear plan, often with financial need considered.
🎓 All UndergradLewis Honors College students in good standing who have already accepted a summer internship related to their academic or career goals.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Supplemental funding for internship tuition, travel, or living costs. The committee may consult the financial aid office on need.
📄
How to Apply
Accept the internship first, then submit the Honors internship scholarship form with a resume and essay. The 2026 cycle opened January 20 and closed March 30, with decisions in mid-April.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Awards up to $5,000 based on internship relevance and demonstrated financial need. Application requires a resume and a three to five paragraph essay.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students taking an unpaid or low-paid internship far from home, where travel and rent would otherwise make it impossible.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Honors Research, Travel & Education Abroad Grants
📅 Deadline: Rolling (research and travel); December 1 (need-based education abroad grants) · 📢 Results: Varies by cycle; mid-April decisions were listed for the spring 2026 cycle. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is supplemental project, research, or travel funding. It may stack with other aid, but families should not count it as regular tuition money or a renewable scholarship.
📄
How to Apply
Current Lewis Honors College students submit a written proposal through the Honors scholarships, grants, and awards application. Funding can support thesis research, education abroad, summer study, conference travel, or another approved Honors-related academic experience.
Selection criteria: Project merit, feasibility, and relevance to the student's Honors education.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Honors students can apply anytime for research, conference, and summer program funding, with priority for students who have unmet need. A few substantial need-based education abroad grants are due December 1 with decisions by January 15. The Crabtree-Cornell award offers up to three $500 grants for environmental research. Students can collect up to, but not over, 100% of a program's cost from all sources.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Current Lewis Honors College students with a specific, fundable plan, thesis research, conference presentation, education abroad, summer study, or another Honors-connected academic project. The proposal matters because this is not automatic Honors money; it is small, targeted funding for students who can explain how the experience fits their Honors path.
Data last verified Sep 11, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Most Honors funding goes to students once they’re enrolled, for research, internships, and study abroad. The big freshman money (Presidential and Singletary) runs through the competitive scholarship process covered above.
Deadline Note: Honors and competitive scholarships share the December 1 deadline. Every Singletary Scholar is admitted to the Lewis Honors College, so students aiming for Singletary should complete both the Honors essay and the competitive section.
Honors Perks Worth Knowing
Honors Residential Experience: Admitted students pick rooms among other Honors students starting in March.
Gatton Honors Pathways: Up to 120 Honors students can join Gatton’s Global Scholars or Scholars in Engineering and Management tracks.
Internship money: The Rebecca Timmons Summer Internship Scholarship awards up to $5,000 for internship costs.
Study abroad help: Need-based Honors abroad grants are due December 1, with decisions by January 15.
Lewis Honors College FAQs (University of Kentucky)
Is Honors admission automatic for high-stat students?
No. Every applicant is reviewed on their essay, academic preparation, involvement and leadership, and awards. Strong grades alone won’t carry a weak essay.
Does my student need an ACT or SAT for Honors?
No. The Lewis Honors College doesn’t require test scores. Scholarship tiers are a separate question, covered in the automatic section above.
Does getting into Honors come with a scholarship?
Not by itself. Honors admission and scholarships are separate decisions. Once enrolled, Honors students get access to funding only they can apply for, like research grants, internship scholarships, and study abroad grants.
Can out-of-state students apply?
Yes. Honors is open to all admitted first-year students who apply by December 1, and non-residents compete for Singletary on equal footing.
Are Honors classes just more work?
UK describes Honors courses as broader and deeper, not simply “more” or “harder.” They’re smaller, discussion-based classes, and some are faculty-led study abroad programs.
UK is Kentucky’s flagship, land-grant research university. It also has something most flagships don’t: a full academic medical center on the same campus as its undergraduates. That shapes a lot of what UK does best. Health careers, agriculture, and hands-on programs tied to Kentucky’s economy are where the school really stands out.
Nationally Known Program: College of Pharmacy: UK’s pharmacy school has ranked among the country’s top programs for decades, and it trains students right alongside UK’s hospitals. One thing to plan for: undergrads usually start as pre-pharmacy students. Once a student moves into the PharmD program and pays professional tuition, their undergraduate scholarship ends, even if semesters are left on it.
Equine Science and Management: Lexington is horse country, and UK’s equine degree is one of only three standalone four-year equine programs at a land-grant university in the U.S. Students can focus on science, business, or communication and leadership.
Agriculture, Food and Environment: The Martin-Gatton College also runs one of UK’s largest scholarship programs, where one application covers dozens of awards.
Engineering: The Pigman College of Engineering is the state’s top-ranked engineering program. Several of its bachelor’s degrees are in the Academic Common Market, which can mean in-state tuition for students from participating Southern states.
Business: Gatton College of Business and Economics admits freshmen selectively as pre-majors and offers a Direct Admission Program for top students. It runs its own first-year scholarship application, due February 1.
Nursing and Health Sciences: Having the medical center on campus gives nursing and health sciences students clinical exposure that’s hard to match.
Communication and Information: UK’s journalism, media, and communication programs are a popular path for students heading into PR, media, and marketing careers.
🔗 Official University of Kentucky Links
Use UK’s official pages below to confirm deadlines, award amounts, and costs. Scholarship rules at UK change from year to year, so always check the source before you count on a number.
Here’s the big picture on UK. Getting in is the easy part. The scholarships reward the families who move first. The fall 2027 grid is more generous than it’s been in years, with up to $16,000 a year for out-of-state students and a path to merit money for Kentucky students with a 3.0 and no test score. But the money goes out on a rolling basis, and it has run out before December 1 before.
So the game plan is simple. Apply in the fall, check the competitive box if your student is anywhere near the Presidential line, and treat the admission essay like it’s worth money, because the Parker Scholarship says it is. Then, the day your student is admitted, log into ScholarshipUniverse and knock out the college, Legacy, and local applications. For students drawn to health careers, agriculture, or horses, UK offers programs few flagships can match.
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Leo Dimilo is the founder of CollegeReadyParent.org. He started the site after working through college costs with his own daughter, and he checks the numbers in guides like this one against each school’s official pages. The site is free, with no paywall and no lead forms.
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