Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Tuition Waivers, Reciprocity Agreements and Other Discounts

Tuition Waivers

The Kentucky legislature has set into statute several ways students may qualify for free or reduced tuition at KCTCS, a state university or a vocational school operated and funded by the Kentucky Department of Education. 

To qualify, the student must be a Kentucky resident or a family member of a (once) Kentucky resident. (See sidebar for state definitions of residency.) The amounts granted by these waivers vary, and may be dependent upon state and federal funds available for use.

Students who believe they qualify for a tuition waiver should contact the financial aid office of their intended school to receive further instruction on the application process.


Guiding Legislation

Members of the Military and National Guard

Family of Military Members or National Guard

Family of Civil Servants

Educators and Child-Care Employees

Foster or Adopted Children

Nonresident Children and Siblings of Graduates

Residents of Coal-Producing Counties

Senior Citizens


Reciprocity Agreements

Tuition reciprocity agreements allow a qualified resident from one state to attend certain colleges in other states for a greatly reduced tuition rate. Usually these programs are reserved for students who live in the same region but not the same state. It is important to note that reciprocity may only apply to certain schools in the region.

For more information and how to take advantage of the agreement, contact the financial aid office of the student's intended school.

Current Agreements


Other Discounts Available

Kentucky offers several ways for students to save on tuition costs. With exception of Academic Common Market and campus institutional aid, these programs are offered through the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). Below are listed just a few of the options available. To get personalized assistance in learning what's available and applying, contact the KHEAA outreach counselor for the student's region.

Academic Common Market

Academic Common Market, a program available through Kentucky's participation in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and facilitated by the Council, provides tuition assistance for those student's wishing to major in a program not offered at a Kentucky institution. Learn more about the Academic Common Market.

College Access Program Grants

College Access Program Grants (CAP grants) are need-based grants given to students who prove financial need based on income. To learn more, contact staff at the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) by email at studentaid@kheaa.com or by calling 800-928-8926.

Contract Spaces

Contract Spaces, another SREB initiative, is a state scholarship program that reduces tuition costs for veterinary medicine or optometry professional programs. To learn more, contact staff at the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) by email at studentaid@kheaa.com or by calling 800-928-8926.

Institutional Aid

In addition to state and federal sources, most Kentucky colleges and universities offer additional financial aid or grants to offset tuition costs. To view average amounts of grants and scholarships offered, check out the "Financial Aid" tab of the Kentucky Students' Right to Know dashboard. To get more information about institutional financial aid, contact the financial aid office of the student's prospective school.

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships (KEES program) provide scholarships to Kentucky students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA each year of attendance at a high school. To learn more, contact staff at the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) by email at studentaid@kheaa.com or by calling 800-928-8926.

Kentucky Tuition Grants

Kentucky Tuition Grants (KTG Program) are need--based grants available for students attending in-state private colleges. To learn more, contact staff at the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) by email at studentaid@kheaa.com or by calling 800-928-8926.

WorkReady Kentucky

For those interested in a workforce certificate or associates degree, Kentucky has a WorkReady Scholarship, which is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the state covers remaining tuition costs after financial aid has been applied. Over 2,600 course options are available in the following areas.

To learn more, contact staff at the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) by email at studentaid@kheaa.com or by calling 800-928-8926.

Last Updated: 8/17/2022