KEES
The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) is available to graduates of an eligible Kentucky high school that are residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The scholarship is made available to eligible students by Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).
Students can view their awards via the KHEAA website.
New High School Graduates
As a new high school graduate, you do not need to request your KEES award. All your high school information has been reported for you by your high school guidance counselor. Once you have been admitted and enrolled, KCTCS will report your enrollment to KHEAA. To view your KCTCS account, please login to students.kctcs.edu.
Renewal Criteria for Continuing Students
To maintain your KEES award, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. In addition to being a degree seeking student and resident of Kentucky, KEES regulations require you to be 'on track' to graduate. Your 'on track' status will be sent to KHEAA along with your cumulative GPA at the end of each spring term.
- If you have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA you will receive your full KEES award.
- If you have a 2.50 to 2.99 cumulative GPA and meet the on track to graduate requirement you will receive your full renewal KEES award. If you have a 2.50 to 2.99 cumulative GPA but do not meet the on track to graduate requirement you will receive a 50 % reduction for the renewal of your KEES award
- If your cumulative GPA drops below a 2.5 you will lose the KEES award for the next academic year.
KCTCS On Track to Graduate Reporting
At the end of their second year (four semesters), students with a GPA of 2.50-2.99 must meet the following requirements to be considered on track to graduate and to receive FULL KEES award
| Student Progress | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Student has completed four semesters | Must have earned at least 48 credit hours |
| Student has completed five semesters | Must have earned at least 60 credit hours |
| Student has completed six semesters | Must have earned at least 72 credit hours |
| Student has completed more than six semesters | Not on Track |
Renewal GPA and on track to graduate status is reported to KHEAA at the end of each academic year in May. Please note only credits earned in the Fall and Spring will count towards your GPA and on track status. Credits earned during a summer semester will be counted towards your next academic year when GPA and on track to graduate is reported to KHEAA.
- Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will receive their full KEES award.
- Students with GPA of 2.50-2.99 who meet the above on track to graduate requirements will receive their full KEES award.
- Students with a GPA of 2.50-2.99 who do NOT meet the above on track to graduate requirements and attended full-time for at least one semester during the previous academic year will receive a KEES award reduced to 50% of their full award.
- Students with a GPA of 2.50-2.99 who do NOT meet the above on track to graduate requirements and attended part-time for both semesters during the previous academic year will lose their KEES award for the next academic year.
- Students with GPA below 2.50 will lose the KEES award for the next academic year.
Dual Credit courses do not count towards KEES college renewal GPA and on track to graduate status since these courses were already included in the high school GPA to determine the KEES base award.
Reinstating your KEES Award
If you had previously lost your KEES award due to a low GPA and attended KCTCS during your KEES suspension and increased your cumulative GPA, please contact the financial aid office as they may have to manually report your renewal GPA.
Award Amounts
Award estimates are based on full time enrollment. Your actual KEES award will be based on your enrollment status after the last day to add a class each fall and spring semester.
KEES Percentage for less than full-time
| Enrolled Hours | Award |
|---|---|
| Six | 50% |
| Seven | 58% |
| Eight | 67% |
| Nine | 75% |
| Ten | 83% |
| Eleven | 92% |
If you are enrolled for only 1 to 5 credit hours, you are not eligible for a KEES award . Keep in mind that the award expires if you do not use it within five years of your high school graduation.
Home School Students
Students that graduate from a home school may be eligible for a KEES ACT Supplemental Bonus. To be eligible for a KEES ACT award, a home school graduate must:
- Have an ACT composite score of 15 or better (SAT score of 710 or better) on a national exam.
- Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
- Be a Kentucky resident. You are eligible if you maintain your legal residence in Kentucky while attending the U.S. Congressional Page School or participating in an approved foreign educational exchange program. You are eligible if your parent or guardian maintains legal residence in Kentucky while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
- Not be a convicted felon.
Home School students must be manually reported to KHEAA to receive an ACT Supplemental Bonus.
GED® Students
Students that obtain a GED® may be eligible for a KEES ACT Supplemental Bonus. To be eligible for a KEES ACT award, a GED® graduate must:
- Have an ACT composite score of 15 or better (SAT score of 710 or better) on a national exam.
- Have had your 18th birthday occur on or after January 1, 1999.
- Have earned a GED® in Kentucky within five years of turning 18 years old.
- Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
- Be a Kentucky resident.
- Be enrolled in a participating college within five years of receiving a GED®.
- Not be a convicted felon.
GED® students must be manually reported to KHEAA to receive an ACT Supplemental Bonus.
