Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)

Kentucky residents who attend a certified Kentucky high school and earn at least a 2.75 GPA in one or more years, then enroll at an eligible Kentucky postsecondary institution. Awards accrue automatically; no application is filed.

KEES is unusual among state merit programs: students accrue it a year at a time while still in high school rather than applying for it. For each year a Kentucky high school student earns a GPA of 2.75 or better, they bank a base award ranging from $187 (2.75 GPA) up to $500 (4.0 GPA). Beginning with the 2026-27 school year the minimum qualifying GPA rose to 2.75. Bonus awards are added for qualifying ACT or SAT scores, and students who received free or reduced-price lunch during any year of high school can earn further bonuses for qualifying scores on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge Advanced International exams. The total banked before graduation becomes the amount available each year of college, up to $5,000 per year. There is no application - the high school reports grades to KHEAA.

Renewal terms: Renewable for up to 8 academic terms. A 2.5 college GPA sustains the full award; 3.0 or better is required to earn any increase. Falling below 2.5 suspends the award.