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.
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 Belonging 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.
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 an 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 an 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.
William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship Program
for Undergraduate Transfer Students Entering Fall 2025
The William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship Program (WCP) directly supports the UK Strategic Plan goal to bring together many people as one community. Within this community is a broad range of lived experiences among our students, faculty and staff. Together, these experiences and backgrounds help UK create and sustain a community of inclusion, understanding and belonging. To that end, we want to better understand an applicant's experiences, beliefs, background and perspectives. By recognizing the influence of individual experiences on skills, knowledge, character and contribution, we will identify students who will positively contribute to a campus community where everyone belongs and where they thrive academically.
The William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship for Transfer Students is a one-year, non-renewable award, valued at $2,500 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Undergraduate transfer students entering the University of Kentucky for the first time in the Fall 2025 semester may apply for the William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship for Transfer Students. Applicants must be planning to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing their first bachelor's degree and must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50, with a minimum of 24 transfer credit hours earned. Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application and a 500-word essay on the listed topic.
Awards will be based on the applicant’s ranking within the competitive pool. Unfortunately, a William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship will not be offered to every excellent student who meets the requirements and applies. However, we assure each applicant that their application will receive consideration and fair treatment in what is a very competitive process.
Students may receive only one award through the William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship Program. Undergraduate students who will be receiving the four-year William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship for 2025-2026 are not eligible to be considered for this scholarship. Additionally, students currently applying to or enrolled in a professional or graduate degree program are not eligible for this scholarship and should contact their respective departments for scholarship information.
Application is available on Scholarship Universe.
Students must be admitted to the university and have an active UK linkblue email account and password to apply.
Deadline to Apply for Fall 2025: June 15, 2025*
*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the application will remain open until 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the following Monday.
For more information concerning the William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship Program, please contact:
William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship Program
217 W.D. Funkhouser Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0054
P: (859) 323-6334
E: parkerscholarship@uky.edu
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.