Nominate your students for KSBA’s scholarship and grant programs
Kentucky School Advocate
September 2023
By Josh Shoulta
KSBA Director of Communications
Nominations are open for KSBA’s 2024 First Degree College Scholarship and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Grant programs. When districts nominate high school students for these programs, they are helping Kentucky’s future leaders take one step closer to their dreams.
What kinds of student aid does KSBA award each year?
Two kinds of aid are available through the KSBA Educational Foundation:
KSBA’s First Degree College Scholarship program funds $2,500 scholarships for eligible Kentucky high school seniors to attend an accredited college or university. Student nominees must be the first in their immediate families to complete postsecondary degrees.
KSBA’s $250 CTE Student Grants support Kentucky high school students who are in pursuit of a CTE industry certification.
How does my district nominate students for these awards?
First, a school board must select its nominee(s). Any board of education in Kentucky may nominate two eligible students – one male, one female – for each of the aid programs. That means a district can submit up to four names: a male and female First Degree nominee and a male and female CTE Student Grant nominee. The online nomination forms are short, simple and intended to be completed by the student’s guidance counselor.
What can the CTE Student Grants be used for?
Each CTE industry certification track has its own associated costs. Students who are awarded these grants can determine for themselves how best to apply the funds, whether that’s supplies, books, technology, fees or even the cost of the industry certification assessment itself.
How many CTE student grants will be awarded this year?
In total, 100 students from 49 districts (orange) have received a CTE Student Grant in the first two years of the program.
KSBA will award up to $12,000 in CTE grants this year (48 total across the state, with roughly four grants for each of KSBA’s 12 regions). One hundred grants have been awarded in the past two years.
Are there any academic criteria for nominees?
Nominees for the First Degree College Scholarship must be a high school senior intending to enroll at a two- or four-year college/university and have an ACT reading score of at least 20. Nominees for the CTE Student Grant program can be a sophomore, junior or senior and have obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). The student must be enrolled in a CTE program at his/her high school, local CTE center or state-operated area technology center (ATC).
The deadline for KSBA’s student scholarship and grant nominations is Nov. 30. More information, including criteria and online nomination forms, can be found online at ksbaef.org/studentaid. Questions may be directed to 800-372-2962 or [email protected].