KEES Award
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).
- KEES Eligibility Requirements
- Students can register their KHEAA account and/or view their awards on KHEAA.com.
- KEES award estimates are based on full-time enrollment (12 credit hours).
- If you are enrolled for 6 to 11 credit hours, your award will be adjusted.
- If you are enrolled for less than 6 credit hours, you are not eligible for KEES.
- Student must be degree seeking at Jefferson Community and Technical College.
- Student cannot be receiving federal aid at another institution.
- KEES will expire five years after high school graduation or after eight semesters of use, whichever comes first.
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.
Transfer Students
As a transfer student coming to Jefferson, you will need to contact the Financial Aid Office and request that your KEES eligibility be reviewed. The GPA from your last college must be submitted to KHEAA by that college.
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 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 (12 credit hours) 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 (less than 12 credit hours) 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, attended KCTCS during your KEES suspension, and increased your cumulative GPA, your renewal GPA may need to be manually reported to KHEAA. Please contact the Financial Aid office about reinstating your KEES award.
Home School Students and GED Students
If eligible, home school and GED students must be reported manually to KHEAA to receive an ACT Supplemental Bonus. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you were a home school or GED student and KEES is not on your account. If you haven't submitted them already, Financial Aid will also need a copy of your high school/GED diploma (with graduation date) and your ACT/SAT score report.
