THE FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION.
We are proud to invest in education for the region.
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.
Scholarships Offered
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, type written testimonial stating the intended use of the scholarship award to the Scholarship Fund Committee prior to August 15th of the award year
Award Amounts: One 4 Year Institution Degree Scholarship ($1500), one Allied Health Scholarship ($1500), and one Skilled Trades Scholarship ($1500).
Application Deadline: April 30th, 2024
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.
Oliver Springs High School
Requirements:
- Graduate from Oliver Springs High School
- GPA of 2.6 or greater
- Have taken AP courses
Award Amount: One-time, $500 award
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024
Betsy Layne High School
Requirements:
- Graduate from Betsy Layne High School
- GPA of 2.6 or greater
- Have taken AP courses
Award Amount: One-time, $1000 award
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024
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 2024
Award Amount: Number and amount of awards varies
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024
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
- ACT score of 25 or higher
- Have filed FAFSA
Award Amount: Award amounts vary (renewable for up to 4 years of undergraduate study)
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024
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: January 31st, 2024
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: January 31st, 2024
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 15th, 2024
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: March 31st, 2024
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 2024
- Intent to attend a college or university in the state of Kentucky
Award Amount: Award amounts and renewable years vary
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024