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Top Kentucky Scholarships in 2022
When it comes to earning your college degree, Kentucky offers students top-notch academics and research opportunities. Kentucky scholarships are offered by the state, various organizations, and in-state colleges. Abraham Lincoln once said, “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky.” If you are a student in the Bluegrass State, keep on reading to learn more about the top Kentucky scholarships for students!
Jump ahead to:
- Kentucky student loan debt snapshot
- Top Kentucky scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Kentucky colleges and universities
- Additional Kentucky resources
- Frequently asked questions
Kentucky college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Kentucky residents owe $19.7 billion in federal student loan debt, with 601,000 students owing $32,779 on average (that does not include private loans). 51.4% of loan borrowers are under 35 years old. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Be sure to apply to as many as you qualify for.
Keep on reading to learn more about top Kentucky scholarships, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Kentucky!
Top Kentucky scholarships
Kentucky Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Kentucky residents attending approved LPN, ADN, BSN, or graduate nursing programs who demonstrate financial need
- Amount: $3,000 per year
- Deadline: Applications accepted between January 1 and June 8 annually
Community Foundation of Louisville scholarships
- Eligibility: Students in Kentucky. Additional eligibility requirements vary based on scholarship
- Amount: Varies based on scholarship
- Deadline: April 1 annually
Women Leading Kentucky scholarships
- Eligibility: Female undergraduate students with exceptional leadership abilities who are attending a Kentucky college/university. Must have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: $1,000 – $1,500
- Deadline: April 1 annually
Kids’ Chance of Kentucky
- Eligibility: Must be the child of a Kentucky worker who has been seriously, catastrophically, or fatally injured in a work related accident. Applicants must be between 16 to 24 years old
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April 15 and October 30 annually
Kentucky Broadcasters Association Harry Barfield Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students currently majoring in broadcasting or communications at a college or university in Kentucky. Award decisions made based on academic achievement, recommendations, extracurriculars, and essay. Priority given to students who are rising college juniors
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: May 1 annually
Kentucky 4-H scholarships
- Eligibility: Kentucky residents who are high school graduates in the year of application. Must have been an active Kentucky 4-H member for at least the last 2 years. Must be attending an institution of higher education in Kent full-time
- Amount: $500 – $1,500
- Deadline: Early May annually
Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky scholarships
- Eligibility: Kentucky students who graduated from a high school in the Appalachian region. Additional eligibility requirements vary based on scholarship
- Amount: $1,000+
- Deadline: Varies based on scholarship
Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship
- Eligibility: Kentucky residents with a high school diploma or working on their GED. Must not have an associate degree or higher. Be enrolled, or accepted, at an eligible postsecondary institution in an approved program of study that leads to an industry recognized certificate or diploma or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in a high‐demand workforce sector. Must complete FAFSA
- Amount: Up to $400 per year
- Deadline: Rolling
Blue Grass Community Foundation scholarships
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and high school students from Central and Appalachia. Additional eligibility requirements vary based on scholarship
- Amount: Varies based on scholarship. Around $1,000 – $5,000
- Deadline: Varies based on scholarship
Merit scholarships at Kentucky colleges and universities
Morehead State University
- Eligibility: Based on academic achievement, including GPA, test scores, challenging coursework, leadership and service experiences, awards and recognitions, essay, sample of work and interview
- Amount: Up to full cost of tuition for in-state students; up to full cost of in-state tuition for out-of-state students
- Deadline: Varies between March 15 and December 1 annually
University of Louisville
- Eligibility: Incoming first-years to University of Louisville. Must have a 3.5+ GPA
- Amount: $2,500 – full tuition
- Deadline: Apply for admission to University of Louisville by May 1
University of Kentucky
- Eligibility: Incoming first-years to University of Kentucky. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must have a 25+ ACT or 1200+ SAT
- Amount: $2,500 – full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Apply for admission to University of Kentucky by December 1
Asbury University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-years to Asbury University. Must have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: $10,000 – $16,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Asbury University
Murray State University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Murray State University. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must have a 21+ ACT score or have a 1060+ SAT score
- Amount: $1,000 – full tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Murray State University
Transylvania University
- Eligibility: Incoming students to Transylvania University. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must have a 21+ ACT. Students eligible for Premier Scholarships are selected based on application materials, academics, essays, and an interview
- Amount: $10,000 – full tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Transylvania University
Additional Kentucky resources
Kentucky Goes to College
The Kentucky Goes to College website offers access to scholarship resources that enhance the college experience by sharing information about various initiatives such as Close the Deal, Kentucky College Application Campaign and College Decision Day.
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA)
According to their website, KHEAA “administers several financial aid programs and disseminates information about higher education opportunities.” This is a one-stop shopping website for potential and current students in Kentucky, offering guidance on choosing a college, paying for it, and overall management of your finances.
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) Scholarship Database
This comprehensive list of Kentucky Scholarships includes statewide and county-specific programs for public and private colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools.
KHEAA Video Library
Prefer to learn through watching videos? The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority has you covered! Learn about choosing and paying for college. The website also includes videos for military and adults returning to college.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky offer free college?
The state of Kentucky does not offer scholarships that cover the entire cost of college, but there are programs sponsored by the state that provide funds for college such as Kentucky Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund.
