A planning aid, not affiliated with KHEAA. KHEAA posts your official earned awards in MyKHEAA. Payouts can be reduced if lottery funding falls short (KHEAA).
Paste from a spreadsheet or type with commas. Leave a year blank if it has no grade yet.
Names stay on this device. Exam scores count only for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in any high school year, so list them only for those students.
For a three-year graduate or a home school or GED student, use One student and its More options.
Earlier copies on this device
How KEES money adds up
Each high school year earns an award from that year's KEES GPA: $187 at 2.75 up to $500 at 4.0 ($125 at 2.50 before 2026-27). Your best ACT or SAT adds $36 to $500, and lunch-eligible students get $200 to $300 per qualifying AP, IB or Cambridge exam. A GPA between rows earns the row below it, so 3.38 pays the 3.30 amount (KEES money chart). Home school and GED graduates get the test award only (under More options).
The 2.75 rule, class by class
| Class of | 2.50 is enough in | 2.75 needed in |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | All four years | None |
| 2027 | Grades 9 to 11 | Grade 12 |
| 2028 | Grades 9 and 10 | Grades 11 and 12 |
| 2029 | Grade 9 | Grades 10 to 12 |
| 2030 and later | None | All four years |
HB 500 sets 2.75 for 2026-27 and 2027-28; the 2028 budget decides later years.
Example: a Class of 2028 junior
Maya's KEES GPA was 3.42 as a freshman ($350) and 3.18 as a sophomore ($275). She aims for 3.30 this year ($325) and 3.50 as a senior ($375), and her ACT is 23 ($321). That is $1,646 a year of college, $6,584 over four years. Raising this year to 3.40 adds $25 a year. Open Maya's plan
Questions families ask
Is KEES money per year or per semester?
Your high school total is paid for each year of college, half each semester if you are full time. Part-time students get a share by credit hours, down to 50% at 6 hours.
How much KEES money can you get?
Up to $500 per high school year (a 4.0) plus up to $500 for an ACT of 28 or more, so $2,500 a year or $10,000 over four years. AP, IB and Cambridge awards for lunch-eligible students come on top.
Is KEES based on weighted GPA?
Yes. AP, IB, Cambridge and dual credit classes count on a 5-point scale, other classes on a 4-point scale. Your school reports this KEES GPA, which can differ from your transcript GPA.
What changed with the 2.75 GPA rule?
The 2026-2028 state budget (HB 500) pays no GPA award for a year below 2.75, starting with 2026-27. Awards earned earlier with 2.50 to 2.74 stay. The 2028 budget decides whether the rule continues.
How do I check how much KEES money I have?
Sign in to MyKHEAA at kheaa.com. KHEAA posts each year's award after your school reports your GPA. If a year is missing or wrong, tell your school counselor.
How long does KEES money last?
Up to 8 semesters within 5 years of graduation, or until you finish a bachelor's degree. Designated five-year programs get 10 semesters within 6 years.
What GPA do I need to keep KEES in college?
A 2.50 cumulative GPA after the first year, then 3.00, or 2.50 to 2.99 while on track to graduate (otherwise the award is halved). Below 2.50 you lose it until you raise your GPA.
Can KEES awards be cut?
Yes. KEES is paid from lottery money and KHEAA says amounts may change with available funds. In February 2026 KHEAA warned a House draft meant 12% and 13% cuts. The final budget added about $15 million a year, near KHEAA's forecast.
Sources: KRS 164.7879 and KRS 164.7881, HB 500 (2026 Ky. Acts ch. 168) Part I, K, 2, (4), 11 KAR 15:040 and 15:090, KHEAA Getting In, Class of 2027 (July 2026), the KHEAA KEES page and KHEAA's February 26, 2026 budget testimony. Not affiliated with KHEAA or the Commonwealth of Kentucky.