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HB 249

AN ACT relating to KEES scholarships for students attending noncertified schools.

2025 Regular Session

HB 249 expands Kentucky's KEES merit scholarships to noncertified school students, potentially increasing state costs while shifting lottery funds toward private and religious education.

to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
#education #elementaryandsecondary #finance #higher
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Bill Summary · HB 249

Legislative bill overview

HB 249 would expand Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) eligibility to students attending noncertified schools, a category that typically includes private, religious, and homeschooling programs. Currently, KEES scholarships are restricted primarily to students at certified public and some certified private institutions. This bill seeks to remove or modify those restrictions.

Why is this important

KEES is Kentucky's primary merit-based scholarship program funded by lottery revenue, distributing hundreds of millions annually to post-secondary students. Expanding eligibility could significantly increase program costs and shift scholarship distribution away from traditional public school students, while potentially affecting higher education funding mechanisms and state education equity considerations.

Potential points of contention

  • Program cost and sustainability: Expanding KEES to noncertified school students could substantially increase state expenditures without corresponding new revenue, potentially reducing awards for existing eligible students
  • Equity and access concerns: Noncertified schools often serve more affluent populations, raising questions about whether lottery-funded scholarships should subsidize private/religious education
  • Accountability and oversight: Noncertified schools may not meet the same academic standards, assessment requirements, or financial transparency as certified institutions, creating quality control questions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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