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KHEAA-Administered Programs

Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program

The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) helps Kentuckians who have not yet earned an associate's degree afford an industry‐recognized certificate or diploma. The WRKS program is available to college students and certain high school students who are enrolled in college coursework. Scroll down to see the high school student requirements.

  • A college student must:
    • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
    • Be a Kentucky resident
    • Be a high school graduate or be enrolled in or have completed a General Educational Development (GED) Program
    • Have not earned an associate's or higher degree
    • Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at an eligible postsecondary institution in an approved program of study that leads to an industry recognized certificate or diploma or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in a high‐demand workforce sector.
      • Qualifying areas for the 2022-2023 year are health care, advanced manufacturing, transportation/logistics, business services/IT, and construction
    • Not be enrolled in an ineligible degree program, such as a bachelor or other associate program, at the same or any other institution
    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the eligible postsecondary institution
    • Not be in default on any Title IV program or KHEAA administered program
  • College student application:
    • FAFSA
    • The 2022-2023 WRKS application. Log in to MyKHEAA to apply.
    • Subject to the availability of funds, award determinations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis by WRKS application date.
    • The 2022-2023 Work Ready KY Scholarship application will close on January 20, 2023 due to the exhaustion of program funding. Scholarship award commitments for the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters will be honored for all eligible students who apply by January 20, 2023. However, no new applications for the 2022-2023 year will be accepted after that date.
  • College student award:
    • Amount equals the amount remaining after subtracting federal and state grants and scholarships from the tuition and fees assessed by the student's eligible institution
    • Maximum award amount shall not exceed the in‐state tuition and fees rate for enrollment at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
    • The amount awarded for fees shall not exceed $400 per year
    • The WRKS Award Estimator calculates how much Work Ready KY Scholarship you could qualify for based on your tuition and aid amounts.
  • Eligibility limit:
    • Expires when the first of the following conditions is met:
      • Receipt of the scholarship for 60 credit hours of enrollment; or
      • Receipt of a first associate's degree

List of Approved Programs

WRKS Award Estimator