WORK READY KENTUCKY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Recognizing that too few able-bodied Kentuckians are gainfully employed, and too few Kentuckians have the skills needed for jobs that remain open in the commonwealth, Governor Bevin and the Kentucky General Assembly have made available $15.9 million for the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program. This scholarship makes certificate and diploma programs providing training in one of Kentucky’s top five high demand sectors available to Kentuckians who have not yet earned an associate’s degree or higher. Scholarship recipients may receive funding for up to 32 credit hours of academic coursework in approved certificate and diploma programs. Qualifying sectors for the 2017-2018 academic year are healthcare, advanced manufacturing, transportation/logistics, business services/IT, and construction.
The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship helps to ensure there is tuition assistance for Kentuckians of any age to pursue education and training for a career in a field with numerous job opportunities in Kentucky. The scholarship can be used at one of 21 participating colleges and universities across Kentucky, including all Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) campuses; public universities like Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), the University of Kentucky (UK), and Western Kentucky University (WKU); and private institutions including Campbellsville University and Sullivan University. A few scholarship-eligible programs include pharmacy technician certificate programs offered at KCTCS and Campbellsville University, numerous welding certificate programs offered at KCTCS, a web design and application certificate program at Sullivan University, diesel engine mechanic certificate programs offered at KCTCS, an applied data analytics program offered at WKU, and informatics certificate and diploma programs at EKU and KCTCS. A complete list of currently approved certificate and diploma programs is available on KHEAA’s website.
There is neither a minimum GPA nor a test score requirement for receiving the scholarship. Applicants need not be recent high school graduates. Eligible applicants include Kentuckians, young and mature, who have earned a high school diploma, but have not yet received an associate’s degree or higher. As well, the scholarship is available to students currently pursuing the Kentucky High School Equivalency Diploma or GED. Those students would be able to use scholarship funds to pay for tuition and fees while at the same time working toward GED completion. Scholarship applicants may not currently be in default on any obligation to KHEAA. Once awarded the scholarship, recipients will be required to earn a 2.0 GPA or higher each semester to be eligible to receive the scholarship the following semester.
The maximum scholarship award will be up to the in-state tuition and fees rate for full-time enrollment at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. For the 2017-2018 school year that amount is $4,080. Because the scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship award, the actual amount awarded will be equal the maximum scholarship amount minus all federal and state grants and scholarships.
A skilled workforce is essential for attracting and retaining businesses and good paying jobs in Kentucky. The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program is an important strategic investment in Kentuckians and in workforce development. To learn more about the scholarship and to apply, applicants and parents are encouraged to visit KHEAA’s website today. Applicants will be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship.
