The University of Kentucky Academic Scholarship Program offers scholarship opportunities to outstanding undergraduate students who show the potential for superior academic performance. To be eligible for consideration for transfer scholarships, students must be planning to enroll as a full‐time undergraduate student for a first bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky beginning for Fall 2025. A student that will have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling at UK is not eligible for a transfer scholarship. Students who previously attended UK, but have since attended another institution, are considered a re-admit to the university and therefore not eligible for transfer scholarships.
Transfer Student Academic Scholarships
Transfer Academic Scholarships Priority Deadline: June 15, 2025*
UK awards academic scholarships for transfer students based on academic credentials provided with their admission application, date of acceptance, and funding availability. Applicants must have completed at least 24 transfer credit hours. Awards are renewable for 2026-27 with required 3.00 UK cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. Transfer student academic scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as funds are available, to those transfers earning at least 24 hours after high school graduation. Awards are made based on the cumulative GPA at the time of admission to the University of Kentucky.
| SCHOLARSHIP | RESIDENCY STATUS | CUMULATIVE GPA | ANNUAL AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Transfer | Kentucky Resident | 3.50 - 4.00 | $3,000 |
| Wildcat Blue | Kentucky Resident | 3.00 - 3.49 | $1,500 |
| Transfer Achievement | Non-Resident | 3.00 - 4.00 | $4,000 |
*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the application will remain open until 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the following Monday.
Competitive Transfer Scholarships
Applications for competitive Trustees, Phi Theta Kappa, and William C. Parker Transfer Scholarships are available on Scholarship Universe.
Students must be admitted to the university and have an active UK linkblue email account and password to apply.
A Competitive Transfer Scholarship (Trustees or PTK) will replace a Transfer Academic Scholarship.
How do I login to Scholarship Universe?
- Click here to access Scholarship Universe.
- Enter your linkblue email address (example: wildcat123@uky.edu) and password.
- Answer all student profile questions provided.
- Click on the “Scholarships” tab to begin applying for scholarships.
- Using the search bar search for a keyword such as, “Trustees.” or "Phi Theta Kappa."
Priority Deadline: June 15, 2025*
*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the application will remain open until 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the following Monday.
Trustees Scholarship
Scholarship Application Required on Scholarship Universe
Currently enrolled KCTCS students who will earn their Associate’s in Arts or Associate’s in Science Degree with a 3.50 cumulative GPA by the end of the Spring 2025 term, are eligible to compete for a limited number of two-year renewable awards which cover the difference between UK in-state tuition and KCTCS in-state tuition. Applicants must be pursing their first bachelor’s degree.
A Competitive Transfer Scholarship (Trustees or PTK) will replace a Transfer Academic Scholarship.
The deadline for receipt of the admission application, final transcript, and scholarship application is June 15, 2025*.
*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the application will remain open until 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the following Monday.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Scholarship Application Required on Scholarship Universe
Phi Theta Kappa members are eligible to compete for a limited number of two-year renewable awards which provide full tuition for Kentucky residents, or the difference between resident and non-resident tuition rates for non-residents (approximately $15,000). Applicant must be a PTK member in good standing, be pursuing a first bachelor's degree, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, and at least 48 credit hours completed prior to transferring.
A Competitive Transfer Scholarship (Trustees or PTK) will replace a Transfer Academic Scholarship.
The deadline for receipt of the admission application, final transcript, and scholarship application is June 15, 2025*.
*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the application will remain open until 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the following Monday.
College and Department Scholarships
Several colleges and departments at UK administer their own scholarship programs. Students who have chosen an academic program are encouraged to contact their college/department regarding scholarship opportunities. Requirements vary.
Non-Traditional and Part-Time Students Scholarships
Non-Traditional and Part-Time Student Scholarship Resources
Scholarship Universe
Scholarship Universe (SU) is an online scholarship platform that matches students to relevant, vetted external scholarship opportunities, as well as internal scholarships offered by the university. SU is available for currently enrolled UK students and admitted prospective students who have a linkblue account.