The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, commonly known as the KEES scholarship, is a unique program designed to reward Kentucky high school students for their academic achievements. Administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), this program allows students to earn money for college or technical school by maintaining good grades and performing well on standardized tests.
Unlike many other scholarships that require a lengthy application process or competitive essays, KEES is primarily merit-based and automatic for most Kentucky residents. If you attend a certified high school in Kentucky and perform well, you are likely already building a fund for your future education. This guide will walk you through how the program works, how much you can earn, and what you need to do to keep your funding during your college years.
How the KEES Scholarship Works
The KEES scholarship is structured to reward consistency throughout a student’s high school career. Students earn a specific amount of money for each year they achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher. These annual earnings are added together to create a “base amount” that is available for each year of college.
In addition to the base amount earned through GPA, students can earn a one-time bonus based on their highest ACT or SAT score. This combination of GPA-based earnings and test-score bonuses can significantly reduce the cost of tuition at eligible Kentucky institutions. Because the program tracks your progress automatically through your high school, you do not need to apply for it annually while in high school.
Eligibility Requirements for Kentucky Students
To be eligible for the KEES scholarship, a student must meet specific residency and educational criteria. Most importantly, the student must be a Kentucky resident and be enrolled in a certified Kentucky high school. There are also pathways for home-schooled students and GED recipients, though the process for these students involves slightly different documentation.
Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA for at least one academic year during high school to begin earning funds. It is also important to note that students must remain in good standing with their school. Issues such as felony convictions or permanent expulsions can result in the loss of eligibility for KEES funds.
Understanding the GPA Base Amount
The amount of money you earn each year depends directly on your unweighted GPA. The higher your grades, the more money is deposited into your KEES account. For example, a student with a 2.5 GPA might earn $125 for that year, while a student with a 4.0 GPA earns the maximum annual base amount of $500.
Because you can earn this amount for each of the four years of high school, a student who maintains a 4.0 GPA throughout high school would accumulate a base amount of $2,000. This $2,000 would then be available for each of the four years the student attends college, totaling $8,000 in base support. Even smaller amounts add up quickly and provide meaningful help with textbooks or fees.
Annual GPA Earning Tiers
- 2.50 GPA: $125
- 3.00 GPA: $250
- 3.50 GPA: $375
- 4.00 GPA: $500
Note: Amounts for GPAs between these markers (like a 3.2 or 3.7) are scaled accordingly. Every bit of effort to raise your GPA can result in more money for your education.
Earning the ACT or SAT Bonus
In addition to your GPA earnings, you can earn a bonus for your performance on college entrance exams. KHEAA looks at your highest composite score on the ACT or the equivalent score on the SAT. This is a one-time bonus that is added to your annual base amount.
The bonus starts at a score of 15 on the ACT, which earns a small amount, and increases up to a score of 28 or higher, which earns a $500 bonus. For example, if you earned a $2,000 base amount from your GPA and achieved a 28 on your ACT, your total annual scholarship would be $2,500. Over four years of college, this bonus adds another $2,000 to your total financial aid package.
KEES for Home-Schooled and GED Students
Students who are home-schooled or who earn a GED are still eligible for KEES funds, but the calculation method is different. Since these students may not have a traditional high school GPA reported to the state, their scholarship amount is typically based entirely on their ACT scores.
Home-schooled students must provide documentation of their residency and their ACT scores to KHEAA to determine their award. GED recipients may also qualify for KEES if they earn their GED in Kentucky and meet specific age and score requirements. If you fall into one of these categories, it is vital to contact KHEAA directly to ensure your scores are tracked and your account is established.
How to Track Your KEES Balance
It is easy to keep track of how much money you have earned for college. KHEAA provides an online portal where students can create an account and view their “KEES Award Account.” This portal shows your earnings for each year of high school and any bonus amounts you have secured.
To access your account, you will need to provide your Social Security number or your KHEAA Zip ID. It is a good idea for students to check this account at the end of every school year. If you notice that a year of earnings is missing or that your ACT score hasn’t been updated, you should contact your high school guidance counselor to ensure the data was reported correctly.
Using Your Scholarship in College
When you are ready to attend college, the process of using your KEES money is largely automated. You must attend an eligible postsecondary institution, which includes most public and private colleges, universities, and technical schools within the state of Kentucky. Some out-of-state schools may be eligible if they offer a program of study not available in Kentucky through the Academic Common Market.
Once you enroll in college, your school’s financial aid office will verify your enrollment and request the funds from KHEAA. The money is usually split between the fall and spring semesters. You do not receive a check directly; instead, the funds are applied to your student account to cover tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.
Maintaining Eligibility During College
Earning the KEES scholarship is the first step, but you must also work to keep it once you are in college. To receive your full award each year, you must maintain a certain cumulative GPA in college and make “satisfactory academic progress” as defined by your school.
Generally, you need a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the end of your first year of college to keep the scholarship for the second year. To maintain the full award amount for subsequent years, you typically need to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If your GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.99, you may still receive a portion of your scholarship, but the amount will be reduced. Staying focused on your studies in college is just as important as it was in high school to ensure you don’t lose this valuable funding.
Conclusion
The KEES scholarship is an excellent resource for Kentucky students, turning hard work in high school into tangible financial support for higher education. By understanding the GPA requirements and the ACT bonus structure, you can maximize the amount of aid you receive. Remember to check your KHEAA account regularly and stay focused on your college grades to keep your funding active.
If you found this guide helpful, explore our other articles on Money & Finance and Work, Career & Education to find more tips on navigating student loans, finding grants, and preparing for your professional future.