Twenty years ago, the Kentucky Lottery began funding the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), with the support of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.
Since then, UofL students have received more than $202 million in aid from the program.
UofL student Elliott Kelly Jr. has benefited directly from the scholarship program. He now works with at-risk youth.
“A lot of times they act out because they don’t see anybody investing in them. When they see me they see someone who comes from where they come from, they see someone who has it paid for solely because of his work. It motivates them, it pushes them,” Kelly said. “Students in Kentucky are worthy of your investment … It motivates them to do better.”
Check out more from Kelly: