The University of Kentucky is pleased to provide scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen. Scholarships at the University of Kentucky are categorized as academic, competitive and automatic.

• Academic - Based on academic credentials on file in Admissions, pending early application and availability of funds. Completed admission application and high school transcript must be received by December 1, 2016, in order to be considered for an academic scholarship. Qualifying test scores must be received by January 15. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
• Competitive – Presidential and Commonwealth Scholarships - Requires unweighted GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale and minimum 31 ACT or 1420 SAT* (M+EBRW), and completion of competitive scholarship section of Admission application, by December 1, 2016.
• Competitive – Otis A Singletary Scholarship - Requires unweighted GPA of 3.80 on a 4.0 scale and minimum 33 ACT or 1490 SAT* (M+EBRW), and completion of competitive scholarship section of Admission application, by December 1, 2016.
• Automatic - Kentucky GSP/GSA Scholarships and Patterson Scholarships

Academic Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

Admitted students with qualifying GPA and test scores on file in the Office of Admission will be considered for the following awards. No scholarship application is required, as academic credentials from the admission application will be reviewed. Scholarship awards will be offered pending early application and availability of funds. Completed admission application and high school transcript must be received by December 1. Academic scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis upon admission to the University. After December 1, students are still encouraged to apply to the University, but scholarship opportunities may be limited. Students who apply by December 1 may submit ACT and/or SAT scores until January 15 (to include December ACT and SAT test dates) for scholarship consideration, contingent on availability of funds. Please note that combined test scores, also known as a superscore, from two or more tests will not be considered. December tests are the final ACT and SAT test dates for academic scholarship consideration and must be sent directly to the University for arrival by January 15.

*SAT scores reflect SAT exams taken March 2016, or later. For questions concerning SAT exams taken prior to March 2016, please contact the Academic Scholarship Office at (859)257-4198, or academicscholar@lsv.uky.edu.

Provost Scholarship

Incoming Kentucky resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 26 or SAT* (M+EBRW) is 1240, and who achieve a 3.30 unweighted high school GPA, will be considered for a Provost Scholarship. The Provost Scholarship provides $1,500 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.

"see blue." Scholarship

Incoming non-resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 25 or SAT* (M+EBRW) is 1200, and who achieve a 3.00 unweighted high school GPA, will be considered for a "see blue." Scholarship. The "see blue." Scholarship provides $7,000 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship

Incoming non-resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 25 or SAT* (M+EBRW) is 1200, and who achieve a 3.50 unweighted high school GPA, will be considered for a Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship. The Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship provides $8,000 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Kentucky Heritage Scholarship

Incoming non-resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 30 or SAT* (M+EBRW) is 1390, and who achieve a 3.50 unweighted high school GPA, will be considered for a Kentucky Heritage Scholarship. The Kentucky Heritage Scholarship provides $10,000 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.

* For all nonresident scholarships, a change in residency or a change to resident tuition rates may impact your eligibility for this scholarship.

Competitive Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

The University of Kentucky also provides a competitive scholarship application for higher valued scholarships for resident and non-resident students with a minimum test score of 31 ACT or 1420 SAT* (M+EBRW) and minimum unweighted GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale. The Otis A. Singletary Scholarship requires a minimum test score of 33 ACT or 1490 SAT* (M+EBRW) and minimum unweighted GPA of 3.80 on a 4.0 scale. Please note that combined test scores, also known as a superscore, from two or more tests will not be considered. A competitive scholarship offer would replace one of the above academic or an automatic scholarship offer.

To apply for a competitive scholarship, students must complete the competitive academic scholarship section of the undergraduate admission application and submit by December 1. Students must also have a qualifying test score and GPA on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admission by the December 1 deadline – October ACT and November SAT are therefore the final test dates for competitive scholarship consideration. After December 1, students are still encouraged to apply to the University, but scholarship opportunities may be limited. Early application is strongly encouraged!

The Otis A. Singletary Scholarship

Four-year awards providing the cost of tuition and an allowance for room and board. Requires a minimum test score of 33 ACT or 1490 SAT* (M+EBRW) and a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.80 on a 4.0 scale.

The Presidential Scholarship

Four-year awards providing the cost of tuition. Requires a minimum test score of 31 ACT or 1420 SAT* (M+EBRW) and a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale.

The Commonwealth Scholarship

Four-year awards for $2,500 per year; Kentucky residents only. Requires a minimum test score of 31 ACT or 1420 SAT* (M+EBRW) and a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale.

Automatic Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

Patterson Scholarship for National Merit or Hispanic Finalists

National Merit® or Hispanic® Finalists who designate UK as their college choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by mid-April are eligible for the Patterson Scholarship. The Patterson Scholarship is in addition to the UK National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarship of $2,000, which is awarded though the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The Patterson Scholarship is a renewable scholarship, which provides the cost of tuition and an allowance for room and board. No scholarship application is required for the UK National Merit® or Hispanic® Finalist Patterson Scholarship. If a student is awarded a Singletary Scholarship, that award will replace the Patterson Scholarship. Students may receive only one scholarship through the Academic Scholarship Program.

Kentucky Governor's Scholars/School for the Arts Alumni Scholarships

The University of Kentucky offers special scholarships to students that complete the Kentucky Governor's Scholars and/or Governor's School for the Arts summer programs. The Governor's Scholars/School for the Arts Scholarships are for incoming freshmen only. The following scholarships will be awarded to eligible students, provided the student is admitted and has the qualifying test score and GPA on file with the Office of Undergraduate by January 15. December tests are the final ACT and SAT test dates for scholarship consideration. No application is required.

GSP/GSA Presidential Scholarship

GSP/GSA students applying with a minimum test score of 31 ACT or 1420 SAT* (M+EBRW) and minimum GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale will receive a Presidential Scholarship, which provides in-state tuition for up to four years of undergraduate study, provided the student is admitted and has the qualifying test score and GPA on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admission by January 15. Minimum test score requirements are based on the composite or total score from one test date. Combined scores, also known as a superscore, from two or more tests will not be considered. If a student is awarded a Singletary or Patterson Scholarship, that award will replace the Presidential Scholarship.

GSP/GSA Provost Scholarship

All other eligible GSP/GSA students will receive a Provost Scholarship, which provides $1,500 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study, provided the student is admitted by January 15. After January 15, GSP/GSA students are still encouraged to apply to the University but scholarship opportunities may be limited. If a student is awarded a Singletary or Patterson Scholarship, that award will replace the Provost Scholarship. Students may receive only one scholarship through the Academic Scholarship Program.

William C. Parker Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship promotes the University of Kentucky’s Strategic Vision of Diversity and Inclusion.  In order to obtain the educational benefits of a diverse student body, the University will aggressively admit and retain students from all segments of society including students of different races, ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexes, sexual orientation, gender identities, disability status, religious traditions, political beliefs, and geographic backgrounds.  Factors which are considered in the holistic evaluation of William C. Parker Scholarship Applicants include contribution to diversity, test scores, grades, essay, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, awards and recognition, and community service. Awards will be based on the applicant’s ranking within the competitive pool, with values ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. Students may receive only one award through the William C. Parker Scholarship Program.

For more information on the William C. Parker Scholarship Program please visit http://seeblue.com/parker 

College and Department Scholarships

Students should check with their college as well as the individual programs within their college for information about available departmental scholarships. Requirements and application deadlines vary by department. Other departments on campus such as the Student Government Association also offer scholarship funding. Click on the above link to access information and website links for the many of the Colleges and departments across UK's campus that offer scholarships.

Additional Scholarships