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 afford an industry-recognized certificate or credential.

Student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Be a Kentucky resident

• Be a high school or GED graduate

• Have not earned an associate's or higher degree

• Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at an eligible postsecondary institution in an approved program of study that leads to an industry recognized certificate, credential, or diploma in a high-demand workforce sector.

• Not be enrolled concurrently in a degree-seeking program at the same or any other institution

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution

• Not be in default on any Title IV program or KHEAA administered program

**WKU does not offer any eligible associate's programs for Work Ready. If you are admitted into an associate's or bachelor's program, you do not qualify for Work Ready.

Application

• FAFSA
• Log in to MyKHEAA and complete the application.

Subject to the availability of funds, award determinations are made on a first-come, first-served basis by WRKS application date.

Award

Amount equals tuition amount minus federal and state grants and scholarships, up to the maximum amount.

Maximum amount shall not exceed the in-state tuition and fees rate for full-time enrollment at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

The amount awarded for fees shall not exceed $400 per year

Eligibility

Expires when the first of the following conditions is met: 

• Receipt of scholarship funding for the equivalent of four academic terms;

• Receipt of the scholarship for 60 credit hours of enrollment; or

• Receipt of a first associate's degree

Recipients must earn a grade point average of 2.0 or higher each semester the scholarship is received in order to be eligible the following semester.

For more information, visit KHEAA's website.

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

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 credentialing 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.

Award

Up to $3,000 per semester.

Up to $2,000 for summer.

The award will be prorated for students who are not full-time.

Service Commitment

Complete teacher education program.

Provide one semester of qualified teaching service at a school certified by the Kentucky Board of Education for every semester of scholarship receipt.

Application

Complete FAFSA

TeacherScholarship application

Sign in to your MyKHEAA account to apply.

The 2024-2025 Teacher Scholarship application deadline was May 1, 2024.

For more information, visit KHEAA's website.

 

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.