FRANKFORT, KY -- The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) recently released the Kentucky Innovative Scholarship Pilot Program annual report for 2022-23.
The program, funded by Kentucky’s legislature in 2022, is the nation’s first statewide scholarship program for displaced individuals who have legally resettled in the Commonwealth and wish to pursue an undergraduate postsecondary certificate or degree at a Kentucky higher education institution.
The legislature’s action comes as a critical response to the state’s shifting population demographics. Kentucky ranks fourth in the nation for its number of displaced persons compared to other states. While displaced students may receive Pell grants, they are often left with unmet financial need and rely on other aid sources to make college a reality. During the program’s pilot phase, nearly 350 displaced students received last-dollar financial assistance and support services to attend two- and four-year institutions in a wide variety of career-focused programs.
“I’d like to commend our state’s leaders for their investment not only in the program, but in the transformative power of postsecondary education,” said CPE President Aaron Thompson. “Through these scholarships, we are fueling endless opportunities for our displaced students and supplying a source of diverse talent for Kentucky’s workforce.”
To strengthen the program’s outcomes, a portion of the funding was allocated to provide professional development and resources for campus staff serving displaced students. As part of these efforts, several partnerships among postsecondary, local, federal, national and philanthropic organizations were established to strengthen supports around these student populations. The collaborative model, built on best practices, has been recognized in the Chronicle of Higher Education and by national higher education organizations.
“The Innovative Scholarship program has empowered Kentucky’s displaced students, allowing them to pursue postsecondary credentials and achieve success in the Commonwealth despite the challenges they have faced,” said KHEAA Executive Director Jo Carole Ellis. “We commend the General Assembly on its vision and are proud to have administered the pilot program in partnership with CPE.”
In addition to serving displaced students, the program also enabled 146 Kentucky students to learn with others from across 20 different countries to help develop citizens and a culturally competent workforce that appreciate the value of cultural differences and international collaboration.
To learn more about the program and view the report, visit https://cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/internationalstudents.html.
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KHEAA is the state agency that administers the merit-based Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program, as well as need-based grants and other programs to help students pay their higher education expenses. Kentucky Lottery funds pay for many of those programs. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit kheaa.com; write KHEAA at PO Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602; or call 800-928-8926.
The Council on Postsecondary Education is leading transformation in our workforce, economy and quality of life by advancing progress in educational attainment across Kentucky. As the state’s higher education coordinating agency, we champion high-quality, inclusive and affordable postsecondary opportunities that prepare students for civic engagement and sustainable careers. That’s why we are undertaking the 60x30 goal, an ambitious effort to raise the percentage of working-age Kentuckians with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by the year 2030. At CPE, we believe that higher education matters – for everyone.
