Frankfort, Ky. - Thousands of Kentucky high school students with a 2.5 or higher grade point average for the 1998--99 academic year are now receiving notices of the money they’re earning for college under the new Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES).

"We are extremely pleased to be making announcements to these Kentucky students who are our first KEES recipients," Governor Paul Patton said. "KEES awards, along with full funding for Kentucky’s need-based grant programs, are making higher education more affordable for Kentuckians."

Award notices were sent today to 19,931 Kentucky high school graduates. They’ll receive the money if they go to college or take some other form of advanced education in the state. According to projections by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), the $7-million available in lottery proceeds this year should adequately cover those graduates who actually take advantage of the awards. In the coming weeks, annual award notices will be sent to this year’s sophomores, juniors, and seniors who earned an award for their academic performance during the 1998-99 school year. After these notices are mailed, this year’s freshmen will receive information about how they can earn a KEES award.

Award amounts were calculated by the KHEAA from information provided by high schools to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) regarding students’ grade point averages and highest composite ACT (or equivalent SAT) scores achieved prior to graduation.

Eligible students who do not receive an award notice prior to September 15 should contact their high school guidance counselor to ensure their student data has been transmitted to KDE.

Students whose information has been provided to KHEAA by KDE can access and view their KEES award accounts by visiting KHEAA’s Web site at www.kheaa.com.

"High school students will have the opportunity to earn KEES awards during the next academic year, and we encourage each and every one to maintain or improve their grades and test scores," said Paul P. Borden, KHEAA Executive Director.

KHEAA is the state agency that administers KEES and several other student aid programs, including grants, scholarships, work-study, savings, and Federal Family Education Loans, to help families meet higher education expenses.

For the most up-to-date information about KEES, visit www.kheaa.com; write to Tim Phelps, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, 1050 US Highway 127 S, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-4323; call 1-800-928-8926, extension 7397; or e-mail tphelps@kheaa.com.