Student Scholarships

THE FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION.

We are proud to invest in education for the region.

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The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky has several scholarships outlined below. If you meet the requirements and are interested in applying, please fill out this online application.

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Scholarships Offered

Bertee & Rhetta Faye Adkins Scholarship

When Bert T. (Bertee) Adkins started at Pikeville College in 1949, he didn’t have enough money to ride the bus the 12 miles from his Floyd County home to Pikeville, let alone enough for lunch every day. Bertee made the decision to leave Pikeville College and join the Air Force. After a 20-year military career, Bertee went on to obtain his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Eastern Kentucky University. There Bertee enjoyed a long, distinguished teaching career at his alma mater mentoring young students. However, he never forgot his struggle to complete his education. Bertee never wanted another student to have to make the decision between getting an education or eating lunch. As a result, Bertee set up the Bertee and Rhetta Faye Adkins Scholarship at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and the Floyd County Community Foundation for graduating seniors at both Oliver Springs High School in Oliver Springs, Tennessee and Betsy Layne High School in Floyd County, Kentucky.

Blackcats Alumni Scholarship Fund

The Blackcats Alumni Scholarship Fund was founded in 2023 by members of the Class of 1978. An idea was formed at the class reunion and so began the tradition of “Blackcats Give Back.” This is an annual scholarship fund for Prestonsburg High School seniors. Three scholarships will be available each year to graduating seniors of Prestonsburg High School pursuing degrees or certifications in the areas of 4 Year Institutions, Allied Health, and Skilled Trade. Learn more at https://blackcatsgiveback.org/.

Requirements:

• Graduating senior of Prestonsburg High School
• Be accepted and enrolled in a college/university/institution in one of the specified scholarship categories
• All recipients are required to submit a personal, typewritten testimonial stating the intended use of the scholarship award to the Scholarship Fund Committee prior to August 15th of the award year

Award Amounts: 4 Year Institution Degree Scholarship ($1500), Allied Health Scholarship ($1500), and Skilled Trades Scholarship ($1500).

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Cartis & Merkie Carpenter Scholarship

The Cartis & Merkie Carpenter Scholarship was created to assist students in Laurel and Clay counties in achieving their educational goals.

Requirements:

• Graduate from North Laurel High School, South Laurel High School, Clay County High School, or Oneida Baptist Institute
• Plan to file the FAFSA in 2025

Award Amount: Number and amount of awards varies

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

Craft Academy Scholarship

The Craft Academy Scholarship was established by Joe and Kelly Craft to recognize students graduating from the Craft Academy at Morehead State University. It is a unique opportunity to assist students in attending the school of their dreams, by reducing debt that may allow them to attend a college they never thought possible.

Requirements:

• Graduate from the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics
• Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Have filed FAFSA

Award Amount: Award amounts vary (renewable for up to 4 years of undergraduate study)

Application Deadline: April 4, 2025

Danny & Margaret Maggard Community Service Scholarship

The Danny and Margaret Maggard Community Service Scholarship was created to help seniors graduating from Hazard High School in pursuing higher education.

Requirements:

• Graduate from Hazard High School
• GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Interest in community service

Award Amount: One-time, $1000 award

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

East Kentucky Health Occupation Scholarship

The Pikeville Community Foundation created the East Kentucky Health Occupation Scholarship to provide scholarship opportunities for eastern Kentucky students who plan on studying and obtaining health-related degrees. This scholarship was inspired by three physicians with Eastern Kentucky ties that wanted to give back to their community.

Requirements:

• Graduate from Pikeville High School, Pike Central High School, East Ridge High School, Shelby Valley High School, Belfry High School, Betsy Layne High School, or homeschooled in Pike County (or student going into a graduate program or professional school such as dentistry, pharmacy, etc.)
• Planning to pursue a career in the medical field 
• GPA of 2.5 or higher

Award Amount: Award amounts vary

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

edith Campbell Educational Endowment

The Edith Campbell Educational Endowment was created in honor of Edith Campbell, a life-long resident of Eastern Kentucky with a resilient heart and a passion for education. She spent her life exemplifying the value of education. The scholarship is meant to support young Perry Countians who share her same passion for education.

Requirements:

• Open to seniors at Hazard, Perry Central, and Buckhorn High Schools.
• GPA of 2.0 or higher

Award Amount: $4,000 award to be spread out evenly over the duration of the awardee’s selected program

Application Deadline: March 14, 2025

James and Wanda Reynolds Higher Education Award

The James and Wanda Reynolds Higher Education Award scholarship is for seniors graduating from Letcher County or Jenkins Independent School Districts. Applicants should demonstrate financial need and have the strength of character which includes integrity, courage, generosity of spirit, compassion, respect of human dignity, commitment to community, and a sense of purpose and vision.

Requirements:

• Senior student in Letcher County or Jenkins Independent School Districts
• Unweighted GPA of 2.5 or greater

Award Amount: Renewable up to 4 years, $2,000/year award

Application Deadline: March 30, 2025

Midway University scholarship

Created by an anonymous donor to be awarded to a female student graduating from a Johnson County high school (or homeschool program) and attending Midway University.

Requirements:

• Graduate from Johnson County High School, Paintsville High School, Piarist School, or a homeschooled student in Johnson County
• Female student
• From a single parent household or orphaned
• High school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Minimum ACT score of 21
• Planning to attend Midway University

Award Amount: Up to $10,000/year scholarship, renewable for up to 4 years

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

Mountain mothers Scholarship

The Mountain Mothers Scholarship was formed by John and Betty Harris in honor of John’s mother, Marie Harris, and Betty’s mother, Margie Hamby. The Harris family has a strong belief that even a small act of kindness can make a large positive impact on someone’s life.

Requirements:

• Female student
• Senior at Shelby Valley High School or Pikeville High School
• At least a 2.0 high school GPA

Award Amount: One-time $1,000 award for students attending a trade school and $2,000 award for students attending a traditional college/university

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

Sharon Davis-Angell Scholarship

The Sharon Davis-Angell Scholarship Program is a 4-year renewable scholarship program available to graduating seniors from Harlan County and all of Bledsoe, Kentucky. The goal of the scholarship program is to support and empower students from Harlan County and all of Bledsoe, Kentucky to pursue their dreams and one day make a positive impact in their community.

Woodrow & Evelyn Johnson Scholarship

The Woodrow & Evelyn Johnson Scholarship was created in honor of the funder’s parents to assist graduates of Shelby Valley High School in achieving their educational goals.

Requirements:

• Graduate from Shelby Valley High School
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Plan to file the FAFSA in 2025
• Intent to attend a college or university in the state of Kentucky

Award Amount: Award amounts and renewable years vary

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025