Looking to avoid student loan debt? Here’s some scholarships open to Ky. students
The average Kentucky student pays $10,888 per year in college tuition and fees, eclipsing the national yearly average by about $1,500.
The price of a college education is rising across the U.S., and students are searching for ways to help foot the bill and avoid private and federal loans.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid allows students to be considered for a variety of scholarships, including the College Access Program Grant and the Kentucky Tuition Grant.
The FAFSA closes June 30 for the 2022-23 academic year. It opened Oct. 1, 2021, for this cycle, and corrections or updates must be made by Sept. 10.
The application is due in Kentucky as soon as possible after Oct. 1 as awards are given until funds are depleted. Fill out the FAFSA as early as you can for the best chance at securing the most aid for which you are eligible.
Outside scholarships are available to supplement any federal aid, and some opportunities are unique to Kentucky residents. We’ve rounded up some that are still accepting applications as of April 19.
Here’s what to complete besides the FAFSA for more help.
Kentucky scholarships
Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1,500 per semester
Application deadline: June 8
Who qualifies:
Kentucky residents
Accepted to and enrolled in a program of nursing: pre-licensure (licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, bachelor of science in nursing), bachelor of science in nursing completion, graduate program or certificate program
Enrolled in an academic term beginning after August of the application year and not completing coursework before November of that same year
Able to complete a minimum of nine credit hours for graduate programs or 12 credit hours for pre-licensure or BSN completion programs. The credit hours can be spread across the spring, summer and fall semesters.
What’s required:
GPA
Preference is given to applicants demonstrating financial need
Official transcript
Copy of acceptance letter to nursing program
Teacher Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $2,500 per semester
Application deadline: May 2
Who qualifies:
Kentucky residents
U.S. citizens
Be admitted to a teacher education program pursuing initial teacher certification at participating Kentucky college or be a certified teacher pursuing additional certification for classroom teaching
Demonstrate financial need
Meet school’s satisfactory academic progress requirements
What’s required:
Teach one semester at a Kentucky public or certified non-public school for each semester scholarship is received
Complete teacher education program
Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program
Amount: The balance left after subtracting federal and state grants and scholarships from the tuition and fees assessed by the student’s eligible institution
Application deadline: Rolling. Awards are given until funds are depleted.
Who qualifies:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Kentucky resident
- High school graduate, or enrolled in/have completed GED program
- Qualifying fields of study for the 2021-22 year, including health care, advanced manufacturing, transportation/logistics, business services/IT and construction
What’s required:
- The FAFSA must be completed along with the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship application.
- The applicant must have not earned an associate’s degree or a higher degree.
- Must be enrolled or accepted at an eligible postsecondary institution
Scholarships available across the U.S.
North American Network Operators’ Group Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000
Application deadline: 3 p.m. CDT May 18 (The sponsor reserves the right to close the program early when 50 applications have been received. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.)
Who qualifies:
Current post-secondary undergraduate or graduate student
Pursuing a degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, network engineering or telecommunications (for graduate students only)
Plan to enroll in at least six credits at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
What’s required:
Current, complete transcript of grades
500-word statement describing how the scholarship money would impact your college career
One online recommendation form, which must be submitted on your behalf by 3 p.m. CDT May 21
Naviste’s Next Steminist Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000
Application deadline: 3 p.m. CDT May 17
Who qualifies:
Identify as female
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
25 years old or younger as of May 17
Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00
High school senior/graduate or current undergraduate student enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited four-year college or university in the 2022-23 academic year
Eligible majors: computer science, computer engineering, computer hardware engineering, computer software engineering, electrical engineering, game and interactive media design, information systems, information technology, management information systems, systems engineering
What’s required:
Current, complete transcript of grades
60-second unlisted YouTube video describing your dream career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics
One online recommendation form, which must be submitted on your behalf by 3 p.m. CDT May 20
The Ralph Center Art Scholarship: Promoting Diversity in the Arts
Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: May 1
Who qualifies:
Applicants who are at least one of the following ethnicities: African American, Native American, Hispanic, Latino or Asian and Pacific Islander
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Current high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student
Intends to be registered as a full-time student in the fall
Minimum GPA of 3.00
What’s required:
Current or most recent GPA
ACT or SAT score
Description of extracurricular activities, awards, sports, work-related efforts, etc.
Answers to scholarship questions, including top three core values, defining life moment, obstacles
Two- to three-minute video
Against The Grain Production Artistic Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Application deadline: May 31
Who qualifies:
High school senior, undergraduate or graduate student
Ethnicity must be at least 25% Asian American and/or Pacific Islander
Eligible majors: film, theater, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, mass communications, etc.
Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
What’s required:
Demonstration of leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities
Transcript
Artistic portfolio
Resume
Letter of recommendation
Essay with 500 or fewer words
Lead with Languages Teacher Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,500 per academic year, renewable for three years after initial award
Application deadline: 5 p.m. EST May 27
Who qualifies:
High school senior
Accepted and planning to attend an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution, leading to credentialing as a language educator
Have taken at least two years of the same language in high school or present documentation of proficient results
GPA of 3.0/4.0
What’s required:
High school transcript
College acceptance letter
Personal essay of 200 or fewer words
Letter of recommendation from your language teacher in high school
A note: Scholarship requirements are not all-inclusive. Visit each scholarship’s website for full application information.
Do you have a question about higher education in Kentucky? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out the form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published April 19, 2022 at 4:19 PM.
