Kentucky students should be pleasantly prepared to see higher awards from the state’s financial aid grants this year.
Becky Gilpatrick, director of student aid services for the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, noted Tuesday afternoon that those seeking postsecondary opportunities — and who need help paying for their technical or college classes — will be eligible for an additional $38.2 million in state grants this academic session.
The maximum College Access Program (CAP) award for students attending four-year public and private colleges/universities will jump from $2,900 to $5,300. And for students in two-year schools, the maximum CAP grant is increasing $300, to $2,500.
The Kentucky Tuition Grant, which aids students attending Kentucky’s private colleges and universities, will also see an increase from $2,980 to $3,200.
During this session of the General Assembly, legislators increased the CAP grant program’s base General Fund appropriation to $134.1 million for next year — and that’s nearly a 40% increase from last year.
These funds are administered by the KHEAA, which also administers the Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship, or KEES, funds.
Diana Barber, KHEAA’s interim executive director, said the “combination of CAP and federal Pell Grant awards will cover tuition and mandatory fees at community colleges, and nearly all of the amount for the four-year public universities.”
CAP, KTG and KEES are all funded by Kentucky Lottery proceeds.
For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit kheaa.com online.
