Kentucky students will soon face a higher academic threshold to qualify for one of the state’s most widely used college scholarships.
State officials said the minimum GPA required to earn the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) will rise to 2.75 starting with the 2026–27 school year.
The update stems from language included in House Bill 500, the state budget approved during the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Officials with the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority say the new requirement will apply only to awards earned starting in the 2026–27 academic year. Any KEES funds students earned prior to that — including awards tied to GPAs below 2.75 — will remain intact and available for use.
The KEES program was created in 1998 and is funded through Kentucky Lottery proceeds. It is designed to reward academic achievement and help students pay for college by providing annual scholarship dollars based on high school GPA, along with bonus funds for ACT performance.
Students accumulate KEES awards each year of high school, with funds that can later be used at eligible colleges, universities, and technical schools.
Education leaders say the higher GPA requirement is intended to encourage stronger academic performance, but it may also limit access for some students who previously qualified under the lower threshold.
State officials say the change will be reflected in updated materials this summer, including resources on the KHEAA website and other guidance used by schools and families.
