Finding money for college shouldn't feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. If you're a Kentucky student planning for higher education, you're in luck. I've compiled this comprehensive guide to help your family navigate the scholarship landscape with confidence and clarity.
Kentucky offers hundreds of scholarship opportunities throughout the year. These range from small $500 awards to full-tuition packages worth tens of thousands of dollars. The key is knowing where to look and when to apply.
Quick Answer: Kentucky students have access to 72+ scholarships ranging from $500 to $20,000+. Many deadlines fall between January and April, with applications requiring essays, transcripts, and GPA minimums typically between 2.5 and 3.5. Use the filters below to find Kentucky university scholarships by deadline month and award amount.
Featured Opportunity: Charles L. Shor Scholarship
Charles L. Shor $5,000 Scholarship
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Award Amount: $5,000 (Multiple awards available)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors or students who graduated within the last five years attending schools in Indiana, Kentucky, or Ohio
The Charles L. Shor Scholarship stands out as one of the most valuable opportunities for Kentucky students. It's part of a larger pool of 60+ scholarships offered by the SME Education Foundation.
Here's what makes this scholarship special. One application opens doors to more than 60 different awards. The foundation has awarded over $19 million since 2005. Awards through this program range from $2,500 to $20,000.
Your student doesn't need to major in manufacturing specifically. The foundation supports students pursuing technical fields that support manufacturing. This includes engineering, technology, computer science, and related programs.
How to Use This Guide
I've organized all 72 Kentucky university scholarships below with interactive filters. You can search by deadline month, award amount, or both simultaneously. This helps you find opportunities that match your student's timeline and financial needs.
Click on any "Apply" button to visit the official scholarship website. Many deadlines repeat annually. If a deadline has passed, the sponsor will likely update it for the current school year. Always verify details on the official website before applying.
Filter Scholarships by Deadline and Amount
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Deadline | Eligibility | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Kaminski Memorial Scholarship | $4,000 | January 31st | Lisa Kaminski Memorial Scholarship awards $3,000 to a high school senior in the Greater Cincinnati area who plans to declare a STEM-related major. | Apply |
| Rogers Scholars Program | varies | January 31st | Rogers Scholars Program offers scholarships to students of partner universities. To be eligible to apply for the program, applicants must be current high school sophomores residing in one of the 45-co... | Apply |
| Built Ford Tough - FFA Scholarship Program | $1,000 | January 16th | Built Ford Tough - FFA Scholarship Program is for $1,000. To be eligible, applicants must have an FFA membership. Applicants are required to apply online and complete Ford Dealership Endorsement. | Apply |
| Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company Of Iowa Scholarship | $1,500 | January 9th | Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company Of Iowa Scholarship gives twenty $1,500 awards. This is available to members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) who are residents of one of the following stat... | Apply |
| APIASF/Sara Lee Foundation | $2,500 | January 19th | APIASF/Sara Lee Foundation ranges from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $20,000 awards. Applicants must be a female U.S. citizen, national or legal permanent resident of Asian and/or Pacific Is... | Apply |
| Louisville Artisans Guild Art Scholarship | $2,000 | February 15th | Louisville Artisans Guild Art Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors from Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, and Bullitt Counties in Kentucky, or Floyd, Clark, and Harrison Counties in Indiana. App... | Apply |
| Independence Bank Agriculture Scholarship | $5,000 | February 24th | Independence Bank Agriculture Scholarship is for $5,000. Must be a senior who attends high school or lives in Calloway, Daviess, Franklin, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, McCracken, McLean, Wa... | Apply |
| Don Halcomb Memorial Scholarships | $1,000 | March 1st | Don Halcomb Memorial Scholarships awards $1,000 to one high school senior entering college and one current undergraduate or graduate student. Applicants must reside in Kentucky and be pursuing a degre... | Apply |
| 16th District PTA Scholarship | Varies | March 6th | 16th District PTA Scholarship gives deserving young people the financial means to continue their education. This non-renewable scholarship is awarded to high school seniors attending Fayette County Pu... | Apply |
| Clark Scholars Scholarship | $1,000 | March 6th | Clark Scholars Scholarship is for $1,000. This is open to graduating seniors attending public high schools in Fayette County, as well as to immediate family members of CLARK employees who reside in Ke... | Apply |
| Gill-Elliott Scholarship | $2,000 | March 6th | Gill-Elliott Scholarship was established to honor William J. Elliott, a chemistry and physics teacher at Highlands High School for 32 years. This non-renewable merit-based scholarship provides an annu... | Apply |
| Jane Allen Newman Scholarship Fund | $2,500 | March 7th | Jane Allen Newman Scholarship Fund awards three scholarships of $2,500 each to high school seniors in Fayette, Harrison, or Union counties, Kentucky with significant financial needs who wish to furthe... | Apply |
| John and Maggie Price Scholarship | $1,000 | March 6th | John and Maggie Price Scholarship offers $1,000 annually to graduating seniors at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky, who plan to major in nursing at a four-year college. It's renewable fo... | Apply |
| Logan Thomas Family Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 | March 7th | Logan Thomas Family Memorial Scholarship is for $5,000. This is open to high school seniors attending Lee County High School in Beattyville, Kentucky who demonstrate financial need and have a cumulati... | Apply |
| Monica Combs Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 | March 7th | Monica Combs Memorial Scholarship is for $5,000. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors from Woodford County High School with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students must attend an accredited two-... | Apply |
| Murry Foundation Scholarship | $5,000 | March 7th | Murry Foundation Scholarship created by the Murry Foundation, supports students from Fayette County, KY, and Lancaster County, PA, in pursuing higher education. It offers a $5,000 renewable award. | Apply |
| R.L. Brown Foundation Scholarship | $2,500 | March 7th | R.L. Brown Foundation Scholarship awards $2,500 to graduating seniors from Bath County High School with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who show financial need. | Apply |
| Stephen L. Keller Scholarship | $2,000 | March 7th | Stephen L. Keller Scholarship awards $2,000 to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students in Kentucky with a 3.0 GPA or higher who plan to major in a business-related field. | Apply |
| Thomas B. Bright, JR., Memorial Scholarship | $1,500 | March 7th | Thomas B. Bright, JR., Memorial Scholarship awards $1,500 to employees or relatives of employees of companies belonging to the Kentucky Propane Gas Association. High school seniors and current undergr... | Apply |
| Thomas D. Urmston Scholarship | $3,000 | March 7th | Thomas D. Urmston scholarship was established to provide scholarships to female students who are graduating high school seniors attending Harrison County High School who demonstrate significant financial need and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to first-generation college students. | Apply |
| W.O. Davis Memorial Scholarship | Varies | March 7th | W.O. Davis Memorial Scholarship is for graduating seniors from Woodford County High School with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who demonstrate significant financial need. Preference is given to first-generation... | Apply |
| Edith Schwab Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | March 7th | Edith Schwab Memorial Scholarship awards a minimum of $1,000 to a graduate student pursuing a degree and career in public service. | Apply |
| Stewart Family Scholarship | $2,000 | March 7th | Stewart Family Scholarship provides a scholarship of up to $2,000 per academic year for students who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum ACT score of 17 or SAT score of 1190. All recipi... | Apply |
| The Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation | $1,000 | March 1st | The Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation offers numerous scholarships besides the three listed above. | Apply |
| Kentucky Corn Growers Association | $1,000 | March 1st | Kentucky Corn Growers Association offers four scholarships to high school seniors and current college students (two for high school seniors and two for college students) pursuing degrees in agricultur... | Apply |
| George Crafton Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | March 1st | George Crafton Memorial Scholarship awards $1,000 to high school seniors studying agriculture. The application requires two letters of recommendation, the most recent transcript, and a comprehensive e... | Apply |
| State Soil Conservation of National Resources Scholarship For Betty Barrick/ Non-Traditional Students | $1,000 | March 1st | State Soil Conservation of National Resources Scholarship For Betty Barrick/ Non-Traditional Students awards $1,000 to undergraduate students, age of 25 or above, who are pursuing a degree in agricult... | Apply |
| State Soil Conservation of National Resources Scholarship | $1,000 | March 1st | State Soil Conservation of National Resources Scholarship awards $1,000 to college students majoring in agriculture or related fields of natural resources conservation. The application requires two le... | Apply |
| Dual Credit Scholarship Program | Varies | March 1st | Dual Credit Scholarship Program provides assistance for Kentucky high school and home school students who are taking dual credit classes at a participating Kentucky college or university. Eligible stu... | Apply |
| ABAK Buena S. Bond Memorial Agriculture Scholarship Program | $1,000 | March 31st | ABAK Buena S. Bond Memorial Agriculture Scholarship Program offers four $1,000 scholarships to Kentucky incoming college or undergraduate students majoring in an agricultural-related field of study. | Apply |
| Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Freshman Scholarship | $1,500 | March 31st | Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Freshman Scholarship awards five $1,500 to students planning to major in Agriculture or an Agriculturally-related subject. To be eligible, applicants must be a graduat... | Apply |
| Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) Scholarship | $1,000 | April 14th | Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) Scholarship awards $1,000 to Kentucky high school seniors who are active in their school's STLP. Applicants must plan to attend college to pursue ... | Apply |
| Jennifer Casey Alderman Scholarship Award | $10,000 | April 15th | Jennifer Casey Alderman Scholarship Award offers $10,000 to a young adult who has lost a parent to metastatic breast cancer or has financial hardship due to a parent currently living with metastatic b... | Apply |
| The AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship | varies | April 18th | The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships to deserving high school and/or college students. To be eligible, students must major in and plan to pursue a career in advertising, marketing, public re... | Apply |
| BBB Thomas J. Klinedinst, JR Memorial Students of Integrity Scholarship | $2,500 | April 5th | BBB Thomas J. Klinedinst, JR Memorial Students of Integrity Scholarship awards two $2,500 to high school seniors who reside in BBB Cincinnati’s 20-county service area (Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, ... | Apply |
| Judith A Sanders Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | April 15th | Judith A Sanders Memorial Scholarship awards $1,000 to a student from the rural community of Graves County in Western Kentucky. To be eligible, applicants must be a senior of Graves County High School... | Apply |
| Eli M. and Sally L. Alexander Scholarship | $1,000 | April 15th | Eli M. and Sally L. Alexander Scholarship awards graduates of Murray High School with a GPA no less than 2.75. Applicants must enroll as full-time students at any accredited university. | Apply |
| James H. Boone Sr. Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 to $2,000 | April 15th | James H. Boone Sr. Memorial Scholarship awards a Murray High School senior planning to attend any college or university after graduation. Applicants must have at least a B average in high school. | Apply |
| MISD Foundation Scholarship | $1,000 to $2,000 | April 15th | MISD Foundation offers many other scholarships (besides the two listed above) to MHS students. | Apply |
| Mountain Telephone Scholarship | $3,000 | April 15th | Mountain Telephone Scholarship is for $3,000. To qualify, you need to be a U.S. Citizen residing in the Mountain Telephone service area, have a parent/guardian as a current member, graduate high schoo... | Apply |
| KYTESOL Scholarship | $1,500 | April 15th | KYTESOL Scholarship offers a scholarship of $1,500 to an ESL/LEP student graduating from a Kentucky high school based on the availability of funding. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist a des... | Apply |
| Rural Cyber Security Scholarship | $1,000 | April 15th | Rural Cyber Security Scholarship awards $1,000 to a student who grew up in a rural area that is pursuing a career in cyber security. To be eligible, applicants must be attending or planning to attend ... | Apply |
| River Valley AgCredit | $7,500 | March 14th | River Valley AgCredit Scholarship is available to incoming college freshmen pursuing an agricultural degree at an accredited university. Applicants must be primary residents of designated counties in ... | Apply |
| John and Sue Gompper Founders Scholarship | $1,000 | April 4th | John and Sue Gompper Founders Scholarship gives a $1,000 award to high school seniors who have participated in a youth soccer program. Eligible applicants must reside in Kentucky, be completing a coll... | Apply |
| Bill Kraus Memorial Scholarship Fund | $500 | April 30th | Bill Kraus Memorial Scholarship Fund awards no less than $500 to St. Xavier High School with at least a 2.0 GPA. | Apply |
| KBA Harry Barfield Scholarship | $2,500 | April 17th | KBA Harry Barfield Scholarship gives four scholarships of $2,500. This is available to students who are currently majoring in broadcasting or communications at a college or university in Kentucky. | Apply |
| Don Greer Heritage Club Memorial Scholarship Fund | Varies | May 1st | Don Greer Heritage Club Memorial Scholarship Fund awards students who have been employed at the Heritage Golf Club or caddied or are a legal dependent of a current employee of the Heritage Club. | Apply |
| Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | July 15th | Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship is for college freshmen currently under a physician's care for epilepsy/seizures (i.e. neurological seizures), undergoing treatment and/or taking anticonvulsant m... | Apply |
| The RFE KEEP Foundation Scholarship | $5,000 | May 3rd | The RFE KEEP Foundation Scholarship awards up to $5,000 per year to Kentucky students pursuing a field of study within the equine, animal science, or agriculture industry and/or whose family is employ... | Apply |
| Jamie Bax Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 | April 18th | Jamie Bax Memorial Scholarship awards one $5,000 scholarship and two $2,500 scholarships annually. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizen and resident of the Central United States who has Cys... | Apply |
| Alberta C. Kaufman Scholarship | $1,000 | May 10th | Alberta C. Kaufman Scholarship provides two $1,000 awards to Kentucky or Indiana residents who are graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled students at a 2 or 4-year college or university.... | Apply |
| National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDPRB) | $2,500 | May 15th | National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDPRB) awards up to eleven $2,500 scholarships to undergraduate students enrolled in an agriculture field of study with strong ties to dairy. Applicants mu... | Apply |
| James W. Kidwell Memorial Scholarship | $1,500 | May 12th | James W. Kidwell Memorial Scholarship is for $1,500. To be considered, applicants must attend the University of Kentucky, be full-time students, and plan to pursue a career in agriculture or related f... | Apply |
| Paul & Jill Hall Expand Your Horizons Scholarships | $1,000 | May 12th | Paul & Jill Hall Expand Your Horizons Scholarships gives two $1000 awards. To be eligible, applicants must have completed one year of college or technical school with at least a “C” average, be a full... | Apply |
| Louisville Agricultural Club Scholarships | $4,000 | March 31st | Louisville Agricultural Club Scholarship is available to high school seniors who are residents of designated counties in Kentucky or Indiana and plan to enroll in an agricultural or agriculture-relate... | Apply |
| Kentucky 4-H Foundation Scholarships | $500 to $1,000 | May 12th | Kentucky 4-H Foundation offers many other scholarships (ranging from $500 to $1,000) besides the three listed above. | Apply |
| Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | July 15th | Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship is available to college freshmen entering their Fall semester who live in Kentucky or Clark, Floyd, or Harrison counties in Indiana and are under a physician’s ca... | Apply |
| Tommy Bright Scholarship | $1,000 | May 20th | Tommy Bright Scholarship awards $1,000 to students who are children or grandchildren of a member or members’ employee of the Home Builders Association of Kentucky. | Apply |
| The National Ocean Scholar Program | $1,000 | June 2nd | The National Ocean Scholar Program provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in ocean sciences or an environmental science-related field. To be eligible, appl... | Apply |
| Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund | $3,000 | May 1st | Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund awards up to $3,000 per year to Kentucky residents attending approved LPN, ADN, BSN, or graduate nursing programs. | Apply |
| KWIA College Scholarship | $1,000 | June 30th | KWIA College Scholarship awards $1,000 to rising female junior graduate students in a Kentucky school or affiliate school with a 2.5 GPA or higher. | Apply |
| Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Eastern Regional Chapter offers American students of Korean descent | $500-$5,000 | June 30th | Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Eastern Regional Chapter offers American students of Korean descent awards between $500-$5,000. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, gradua... | Apply |
| Margie Holt Memorial Scholarship | $500 | June 5th | Margie Holt Memorial Scholarship awards $500 to applicants who are actively involved in the production or promotion of pork in Kentucky. To be eligible applicants’ families must be paid members of the... | Apply |
| Fox Pest Control Scholarship | $5,000 | October 31st | Fox Pest Control Scholarship awards $2,000 to a college student with a 2.5 GPA or above. | Apply |
| Tommy Thompson Scholarship | $1,000 | December 1st | Tommy Thompson Scholarship awards $1,000 to graduating high school seniors who are pursuing housing-related majors, including architecture, construction management, real estate, and government affairs... | Apply |
| Optometry Scholarship Program | $1,000 | February 20th | Optometry Scholarship Program provides Kentucky students the opportunity to attend a participating school of optometry to become certified practitioners rendering medical service in the Commonwealth. ... | Apply |
| The Otis A. Singletary Scholarship | Varies | December 1st | The Otis A. Singletary Scholarship is a competitive award that covers full in-state tuition and provides a housing stipend at the University of Kentucky. To be eligible, you must have a 3.8 GPA and a ... | Apply |
| Brown Fellows Program | Varies | February 2nd | Brown Fellows Program covers 10 students' full in-state tuition and gives them additional education allowance. To be eligible, applicants must have a 3.5 GPA and a 26 ACT or 1230 SAT. | Apply |
| Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars | $5,000 | December 31st | Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars is for rising college sophomores and juniors with $5,000 in financial support over a two-year period. The application requires a resume and a letter of recommendation. | Apply |
| Foundation for the Tri-State Kentucky Scholarships | Varies | March 15th | Foundation for the Tri-State offers numerous scholarships for high school students in Kentucky. | Apply |
| Community Foundation of Louisville Scholarships | Varies | March 2nd | Community Foundation of Louisville offers numerous scholarships to support students with their educational goals. | Apply |
| Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Scholarship | $2,500 | March 1st | Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation offers numerous scholarships to support children of Marine or Navy Corpsman, Chaplain, or Religious Programs specialists attached to a Marine unit with their post-h... | Apply |
How to Maximize Your Scholarship Success
After years of helping Kentucky families navigate financial aid, I've learned what separates successful scholarship applicants from everyone else. These strategies make a real difference when applying for kentucky university scholarships.
Start early and stay organized. Create a spreadsheet tracking deadlines, requirements, and submission status. Most families lose thousands of dollars simply by missing deadlines or forgetting required documents when pursuing kentucky university scholarships. If you want a simple system to get started, use my Free Scholarship Workbook.
Apply for local scholarships first. Competition is less intense than national programs. Many Kentucky-specific awards receive fewer applications than expected. Your odds improve significantly when competing against 50 local students instead of 5,000 national applicants. If you’re unsure where to look, start here: How to Find Scholarships You Qualify For.
Don't ignore small scholarships. Five $1,000 awards equal one $5,000 scholarship, but the smaller ones typically have less competition. Students who cast a wide net win more money overall through kentucky university scholarships.
Focus on renewable awards. A $2,500 scholarship renewed for four years provides $10,000 total. These offer the best long-term value for your college funding strategy.
Reuse and adapt your essays. Most scholarship prompts ask similar questions about goals, challenges, and achievements. Develop strong core essays you can customize for each application. This saves time and maintains quality.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Don't submit generic essays. Scholarship committees can tell when you've copied and pasted without personalizing. Reference the specific scholarship and explain why you're a good fit.
Proofread everything carefully. Simple spelling and grammar errors can disqualify otherwise strong applications. Have someone else review your materials before submission.
Follow all instructions exactly. If the prompt asks for 500 words, don't submit 750. If they want two recommendation letters, don't send three. Committees use these requirements to narrow the applicant pool.
Don't wait until the last minute. Technical issues, missing documents, and other problems always arise. Submit applications at least a week before deadlines.
Understanding Kentucky's Automatic Scholarships
The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) is one of the most important kentucky university scholarships because you earn it automatically through high school performance. Students with at least a 2.5 GPA each year at a certified Kentucky high school qualify.
The better your grades and test scores, the more you earn. KEES also provides bonuses for ACT/SAT scores and Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Advanced International test scores. Home school and GED graduates can earn awards based solely on ACT scores.
KEES represents guaranteed money for most Kentucky students. Make sure you understand how it works early in high school so you can maximize your award.
Getting Professional Help With Your Applications
Navigating dozens of different kentucky university scholarships is overwhelming. Most families need guidance to identify the best matches, strengthen applications, and develop compelling essays.
At Stand Out College Prep, we help families create comprehensive financial aid plans that reduce stress and maximize results. Our proven process helps students secure more funding for college without the guesswork.
We work with you to identify scholarships matching your profile, strengthen applications, and develop essays that stand out. Our clients consistently win more awards because we know what scholarship committees value. For extra guidance and a repeatable system, explore Scholarship Accelerator and browse more resources in our Scholarship Tips Library.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Remember, kentucky university scholarships represent real money that doesn't need to be repaid. Every hour you invest in the application process can pay dividends worth thousands of dollars.
The key is starting now, staying organized, and applying strategically. Use the filters above to identify opportunities matching your timeline and financial needs. Then create a plan to tackle them systematically throughout the year.
