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Your Future.
Tuition-Free.

The Evolve502 Scholarship is an investment in our city’s young people, allowing eligible JCPS graduates to pursue their college and career goals. We believe that by making up to two years of college tuition-free, we will transform lives and our city.

 


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What is the Evolve502 Scholarship?

The Evolve502 Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship program that covers a student’s college tuition after federal and state aid has been applied. The scholarship application will open Aug. 7, 2023 to eligible JCPS Class of 2024 students and may be used to earn an associate degree, workforce credential or up to 60 credit hours at any Kentucky Community and Technical College including Jefferson Community and Technical College, or Simmons College of Kentucky.

Am I eligible?

Am I eligible?

The Evolve502 Scholarship application will open to all eligible JCPS Class of 2024 graduates on Aug. 7.

Applicants must be a Kentucky resident and complete one of the following requirements:

  • Attended JCPS since at least the 9th grade* and graduate from a JCPS high school in 2024 or
  • Earned a GED within 12 months of their original 2024 JCPS high school graduation date

Class of 2024 students who enroll in the military no later than 90 days after high school graduation may defer eligibility while in active duty.

*We encourage students who have not attended JCPS since 9th grade to submit an application. Once your application is received, a Student Success Coordinator will reach out to discuss available options with you, which may include submitting an appeal to the scholarship committee.

How do I apply?

Applying for the Evolve502 Scholarship is a four-part process:

  • Complete the Evolve502 Scholarship Application
    • JCPS Class of 2024 students can complete the online application beginning Aug. 7, 2023. It takes about 5 minutes to complete and must be submitted no later than July 15, 2024. We strongly advise completing the form as early as possible.
    • Once you apply, an Evolve502 Student Success Coordinator will email you and outline all the next required steps.  Your coordinator will be your main contact throughout the rest of the application process
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • If you’re a 2024 graduate, make sure you and your family complete the 2024-2025 application at studentaid.gov
    • When submitting your FAFSA, make sure to list the colleges you’re applying to
    • Get started on your FAFSA early. Ideally, you should have your FAFSA complete in early spring (before spring break)
  • Apply and enroll at any Kentucky Community and Technical College, including Jefferson Community and Technical College, or Simmons College of Kentucky
  • Complete your high school or GED requirements

Still have questions? Review the FAQ below or email scholarships@evolve502.org.

 

 

Additional help?

Eligibility

Am I eligible?

The Evolve502 Scholarship application will open to all eligible JCPS Class of 2024 graduates on Aug. 7, 2023.

Applicants must be a Kentucky resident and complete one of the following requirements:

  • Attended JCPS since at least the 9th grade* and graduate from a JCPS high school in 2024 or
  • Earned a GED within 12 months of their original 2024 JCPS high school graduation date

Class of 2024 students who enroll in the military no later than 90 days after high school graduation may defer eligibility while in active duty.

*We encourage students who have not attended JCPS since 9th grade to submit an application. Once your application is received, a Student Success Coordinator will reach out to discuss available options with you, which may include submitting an appeal to the scholarship committee.

What are the GPA requirements?

There is no GPA requirement for the Evolve502 scholarship. Students must meet JCPS graduation requirements and receive a high school diploma or GED to be eligible.

How do I maintain my eligibility?

To receive the Evolve502 Scholarship students must do the following:

  • Gain admission into an eligible institution
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year
  • Enroll in at least nine credit hours at an eligible institution by the fall semester immediately after graduation
  • Successfully complete nine credit hours each semester
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress while enrolled

I have completed my FAFSA and federal financial aid covers my full tuition. Should I still apply?

Yes! Any eligible student with a household income of $40,000 or below will receive an Opportunity Grant of $1,000 per semester (up to $2,000 per year, fall and spring only) to assist in defraying the total cost of attendance or to help students pay for unexpected expenses which might occur while enrolled. This grant is applied even if tuition if fully covered by federal or state aid.

Visit www.evolve502.org/opportunity-grant for more information.

Can I receive an Evolve502 Scholarship if I graduated early?

If you graduate from high school early, you are eligible for the Evolve502 scholarship. If you would like to attend college before the fall semester, please email us at scholarships@evolve502.org for an appeal form.

Can I take a semester off or gap year before using my scholarship?

No. Students must enroll no later than the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.

Can I take time off between college semesters? If so, what's the time frame they must complete their degree in?

Students are eligible to receive the scholarship for up to 60 credit hours, six semesters, or the completion of an associate degree; whichever comes first. So, yes, within that six semesters a student could take a semester off. However, the student’s first semester must be the fall after high school graduation.

How do I keep my scholarship after the first year?

Students must complete the FAFSA each school year and pass at least 9 credit hours each semester to maintain your scholarship.

  • If you have concerns about your ongoing status as a scholar, please contact your student success coordinator , who can connect you to academic resources at your college.

What can I do to go to college if I’m not eligible for the Evolve502 Scholarship?

Please check the following resources for assistance.

KHEAA

College Information

What degrees, credentials and colleges are eligible?

The Evolve502 Scholarship can be used to earn an associate degree, workforce credential, or as a pathway to earn a four-year degree at any Kentucky Community & Technical College or Simmons College of Kentucky .

How many credit hours are included?

Scholarships may be used for six semesters, 60 credit hours, or an associate degree, whichever comes first. Students are also eligible for up to six credit hours of developmental or ESL coursework.

Application Process

What information do I need to fill out the application?

You’ll need the following information:

  • Legal name
  • Date of birth
  • JCPS email
  • Phone number
  • Home address
  • Race
  • High school
  • Expected graduation year

How long will it take?

The Evolve502 scholarship application should take no more than five minutes to complete once you have all the information required. You should plan for about one hour to complete your FAFSA and about 30 minutes to complete your college application, which are also part of the application process.

What happens after I submit my application?

Once your application is submitted, one of our student success coordinators will reach out to discuss the required next steps outlined below.

 

Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

 

Complete your high school or GED requirements

  • Make sure you know how to access your transcript through Parchment as you will need your transcript when applying to colleges

 

Enroll at any Kentucky Community & Technical College or Simmons College of Kentucky

When will I find out if I’ve received the Evolve502 Scholarship?

Evolve502 strongly recommends completing all your required items as soon as possible to allow your application to be processed in a timely manner so you can begin enrollment in classes.

We recommend students follow this timeline to ensure their application is processed in a timely :

  • October: Complete Evolve502 Scholarship application
  • December: Have 2024-2025 FAFSA submitted and completed
  • January: Apply to an eligible college
  • March-May: Complete orientation at your chosen college as part of the enrollment process
  • May-June: Successfully graduate from high school
  • June: Scholarship award notification

 

In June, once your graduation from a JCPS school has been verified, Evolve502 will send via email a scholarship offer letter and a link to an online scholarship agreement. Once that agreement is submitted, we’ll let your selected college know you’re an Evolve502 Scholar.

If you do not complete your required items until after graduation, your approval will come on a rolling basis depending on when you submitted your items. Contact your student success coordinator at any time for an update on your status.

 

 

 

 

Additional resources

Is there any additional financial assistance?

Evolve502/University of Louisville 2+2 Program

Need Help?

Need help or Spanish language assistance? Email us at scholarships@evolve502.org or call 502-292-6222.