Incoming Freshmen Scholarships

**Applicants for the Presidential Scholarship and the Otis A. Singletary Scholarship must complete the competitive section of the admission application to be reviewed for these highly competitive scholarships, as a limited number of scholarships will be offered.

***Housing and dining stipend is available for Singletary Scholars living on campus in a UK residence hall during the first two years of enrollment only. 

****Applicants for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar/School for the Arts/School for Entrepreneurs Presidential Scholarship must complete the competitive section of the admission application to have their application reviewed for this highly competitive scholarship as a limited number of scholarships will be offered. 

**Applicants for the Presidential Scholarship and the Otis A. Singletary Scholarship must complete the competitive section of the admission application to be reviewed for these highly competitive scholarships, as a limited number of scholarships will be offered.

***Housing & dining stipend is available for Singletary Scholars living on campus in a UK residence hall during the first two years of enrollment only.

Academic Scholarships 

Students who meet the traditional or test optional minimum criteria, apply for admission and submit all supporting documents, including high school transcript, as soon as possible, but by no later than December 1, 2026*, will be considered for academic scholarships. Once admitted, eligible students are automatically considered for academic scholarships. Scholarship awards are limited and will be offered pending early application and availability of funds. In previous years, funds have been exhausted before the December 1* deadline. No additional application is required. 

Competitive Scholarships 

Students must meet the traditional or test optional minimum criteria, apply for admission, complete the competitive scholarship section of the admission application and submit all supporting documents, including high school transcript, as soon as possible but by no later than December 1, 2026*, to have their application reviewed in this highly competitive program. A limited number of awards will be offered. Selected applicants may be invited to campus for interviews. Please note, these scholarships are highly competitive. 

Selective Scholarships 

Students must have completed the programs listed, meet the traditional or test optional minimum criteria, apply for admission and submit all supporting documents, including high school transcript, as soon as possible, but by no later than December 1, 2026*. Once admitted, eligible students are automatically considered for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar James F. Hardymon Scholarship. Scholarship awards are limited and will be offered pending early application and availability of funds. In previous years, funds have been exhausted before the December 1* deadline. No additional application is required. 

*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time the following Monday.

For all scholarships listed above, students may receive only one award. A selective or competitive scholarship offer would replace an academic scholarship offer.

All scholarship offerings are subject to change each year.     

For four-year renewable scholarships, such as the Presidential, Bluegrass, James F. Hardymon, and William C. Parker Scholarships, students are required to maintain full-time undergraduate status (minimum 12 hours each semester) and achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Singletary Scholarship recipients are required to achieve a 3.40 cumulative GPA. Credit hour requirements are checked each semester and cumulative GPA is checked at the end of the spring terms.

Please keep a copy of and review your scholarship terms and conditions form for any specifics regarding renewal requirements. For more information, please visit the FAQ page.

William C. Parker Scholarship 

The William C. Parker Scholarship is awarded through a competitive review process designed to support student success. All incoming first-time freshmen with a minimum unweighted high school GPA of 3.00 will be considered. Scholarship recipients are selected based on their academic preparation and the strength of their admission essay. No additional application is required.

For maximum consideration, students should apply for admission by the Early Action deadline of December 1, 2026*.

Because of the large number of eligible applicants, meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee receipt of a Parker Scholarship. Awards are limited and are offered based on the overall review of each student's application and essay, as well as the availability of funds.

*If a deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time the following Monday. 

College and Department Scholarships 

Students who have chosen an academic program are encouraged to contact their college/department regarding scholarship opportunities. Requirements vary. Some UK colleges are now utilizing Scholarship Universe for departmental scholarship applications, but please check with your respective college regarding their specific scholarship procedures and deadlines. Contact information and webpages for the various UK colleges can be found here.  

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. Students can login to complete the student profile and search and apply for external and internal scholarship opportunities. The external scholarship opportunities are available through sources outside of the University of Kentucky. 

Some UK colleges are now utilizing Scholarship Universe for departmental scholarship applications, but please check with your respective college regarding their specific scholarship procedures and deadlines. Contact information and webpages for the various UK colleges can be found here. 

Institutional awards are not guaranteed. All students are considered based on timing of application, meeting requirements for admission, and doing so by established deadlines. Institutional aid programs are evaluated each year and are provided based on the availability of funds. 

The University of Kentucky Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships offers a limited number of need-based scholarships for incoming freshmen, currently-enrolled, and transfer students. For consideration, students must be admitted to the university and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The University of Kentucky’s Title IV code is 001989. Need-based scholarships offers are announced in late spring each year. Students are also encouraged to research College & Departmental Scholarships and Scholarship Universe for additional aid opportunities. 

Founders Scholarship - New for 2027-2028 Academic Year

Applicants must file a FAFSA. High-need undergraduate students who are not awarded competitive academic scholarships with a minimum 3.50 unweighted GPA or at least a 3.30 unweighted GPA with a 26 ACT/1230 SAT score or higher are considered. Awarded for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study. Awards will be made beginning in March as funds are available and no separate application is required.