Tuition Waiver for Kentuckians 65 and Older
Commonwealth of Kentucky (KRS 164.284), granted by public colleges
Apply any timeRenews each year
Kentucky residents 65 or older pay no tuition or fees at Kentucky state-supported colleges and universities.
- How much
- All tuition and fees waived
- Who qualifies
- Age 65 or older; Kentucky resident; admitted to a state-supported institution; space-available.
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No statewide deadline; varies by institution.
- How to apply
- Apply for admission to a Kentucky public college or university and ask its admissions or financial aid office for the senior citizen tuition waiver
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (apps.legislature.ky.gov) and page 2
The details
Under KRS 164.284, when a Kentucky resident aged 65 or older is admitted and enrolls at any state-supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky, the institution waives all tuition charges and fees. The college may deny the waiver if classes are full or free admission would require an additional course section.
More money from Kentucky
- Optometry Scholarship$15,000 per recipient (2026-27; varies yearly with funding)
- College Access Program (CAP) GrantUp to $2,500 at a two-year institution; up to $5,300 at a four-year institution (2026-27)
- Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)Up to $3,300 for the 2026-27 academic year
- Early Graduation Scholarship CertificateOne-half of the state portion of the average per-pupil SEEK base guarantee for the graduation year (one-time)
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)Varies: $187-$500 per year of college for each high school year with a 2.75+ GPA, plus ACT/SAT bonus up to $500 and AP/IB/CAI supplements of $200-$300 per qualifying score (free/reduced lunch students)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.