Academics

DEADLINE: June 1, 2024

Scholarships will be awarded to continuing F-1 or J-1 undergraduate and graduate students based on minimum academic criteria and financial need. Selection of awards will be made based on the applicant’s ranking within the competitive pool. Tuition scholarships ranging from $500 – $3,000 will be awarded for the next academic year. This tuition scholarship is a one-year, non-renewable award, contingent upon full-time enrollment on the University of Kentucky Lexington campus and a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better for undergraduate students and a 3.00 or better for graduate students.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be:

• International students in F-1 or J-1 visa status
• Current students with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 for undergraduate or 3.0 for graduate and professional students
• Demonstrate evidence of financial need

Note: Sponsored students or students with a full assistantship or fellowship are not eligible.

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Slaymaker, Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Karen.slaymaker@uky.edu.

How to Apply

To apply you will need to address the following in the online general academic scholarships application.

1. In 500 words or less, discuss your progress toward graduation and the reasons for your current financial need. Please explain any event or situation that occurred which has made it more difficult to pay your tuition. Also, please include descriptions of all other funding sources that you have, or will have, in place to help you complete your degree at UK. Please describe your current plan to resolve any tuition balances.
2. Do you currently work on campus?
3. If you currently work on campus, how many hours per week do you work?
4. How are you currently funding your education?
5. What is your anticipated graduation date?

Deadline to apply is June 1

DEADLINE: June 1, 2024

This is an endowed scholarship in memory of an outstanding international student, Viji Jeganathan. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize an individual who demonstrates leadership and ability in bridging cultural differences and who by example promotes communication among students of diverse nationalities at U.K. or in the Lexington Community.

Award

One $1,000 scholarship

Criteria of Eligibility

• An International or American student.
• A Junior, Senior, or Graduate student who has completed at least three semesters at U.K.
• Currently enrolled full-time at U.K.
• Cumulative G.P.A. - 2.8 for undergraduate; 3.3 for graduates.
• Has participated in International Center programs or campus or community activities that promote international awareness and understanding.
• Demonstrates leadership ability by example
• Demonstrates exemplary character and integrity
• Has not previously received this scholarship

Selection Schedule

Application Deadline: June 1
Announcement of scholarship award will be in June and will be celebrated with the Global Impact Awards in the Fall semester.

How to Apply

To apply you will need to address the following in the online general academic scholarships application.

1. Upload a letter of recommendation from a U.K. faculty members or a staff member who can comment on your role in promoting cross-cultural understanding.   
2. Submit an essay of about 500 words discussing your own experiences with cultural or ethnic differences. Talk about the means you have used to overcome barriers between people or ways you have helped others to bridge differences that divide people

Deadline, June 1, 2023

Undergraduate students can also apply to the following scholarships using the same online general academic scholarship application. Just make sure you select all the scholarships you want to apply before you submit your application!

• Academic Excellence Scholarship
• William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship
• College and Departmental Scholarships

Academic Probation

ISSS meets will all international undergraduate students on academic probation to develop a plan for improvement. During these meetings, the International Academic Coordinator will work with students on academic probation to improve time management skills, develop better study habits, adjust to a different education system and create goals for success.   

What is academic probation? 

Students can be placed on academic probation if their grade-point average (GPA) falls below a certain level. Students are placed on probation if:  

1.  Their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Students on probation for this reason who achieve a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher shall be removed from probation. 

2. They have two consecutive UK academic terms with term GPAs below 2.0 regardless of their cumulative GPA. Students who achieve a 2.0 or better in the next term and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher will be removed from probation 

How do I calculate my GPA?  

Your GPA measures your academic success in your classes at UK. GPA is the ratio of the number of quality points gained to the number of credit hours in courses for which the grades A, B, C, D, or E were conferred. To calculate your GPA, please use the GPA Calculator on the Registrar's website: https://registrar.uky.edu/gpa-calculator

A program extension is intended for students who are unable to complete their degree program by the completion date indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019.

If you are currently maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing your degree but are unable to complete your program within the specified period on your I-20 or DS-2019, you must apply for an extension prior to the expiration date. Failure to do this will be a violation of your status.

An extension must be based on a documented illness or compelling academic reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems or credits lost in transfer of schools. Delays caused by academic probation, suspension or oversight are not acceptable reasons for program extensions.

The period of validity of the visa in your passport does not affect your stay in the U.S. It simply refers to the period during which you may enter the U.S. The notation "D/S" on your form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) means you can stay in the U.S. no later than the date specified on your I-20 or DS-2019 for the completion of your program of study, as long as you are enrolled at the university and have not violated your student status.

When completing for the e-form in iCAT you will be required to submit the following documentation:

Proof of Funding

• Updated assistantship letter, bank statement, letter from sponsor, etc.
• If U.S. Sponsor: Please submit a letter verifying he/she is willing to support you and a copy of his/her last bank account statement on bank letterhead
• If Personal Funds: Submit a copy of a recent bank statement showing liquid assets to cover the period of extension. The statement must be in English.  
• Government Sponsor: Updated financial guarantee with new end date.

• If Assistantship: Submit a letter from your department confirming your continued appointment and funding including dates of appointment, tuition remission, and total stipend amount for the duration of the extension.

Advisor Recommendation

• The recommendation should explain how the delay was unexpected and outside of the student’s control.
• Meet with your advisor to discuss your extension and expected completion date before submitting the extension request in iCAT.

Medical Documentation

• If the extension is needed due to illness, you must include a letter from your US health care provider (medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist) indicating that your health issue prevented your normal academic progress.

To request an I-20 or DS-2019 extension, please submit the online request form in iCAT at least two weeks prior to the program end date listed on your document.

For those on UK payroll: To continue on payroll, you must take your extended I-20 or DS-2019, passport and I-94 to 21 Scovell Hall to complete another I-9.

• Initial academic difficulties due to unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, English difficulties, or improper course level placement (one semester only). 
• Students in their final semester of study before graduation. 
• Students who have a medical problem certified by a physician or clinical psychologist (maximum of two semesters; number of course hours determined by physician).

• Initial academic difficulties due to unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, English difficulties, or improper course level placement (one semester only). 
• Students in their final semester of course work. 
• Students who have a medical problem certified by a physician or clinical psychologist (maximum of two semesters; number of course hours determined by physician).

Students who have a medical problem certified by a physician or clinical psychologist (maximum of two semesters; number of course hours determined by physician).

Medical RCL Documentation Requirements

Students requesting RCL based on a medical condition should submit a letter from a U.S. licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist with all the following information: 

• Student's Name 
• Semester for Recommended Reduced Course Load 
• Estimated length of condition 
• Recommendation for no enrollment or part time enrollment 
• Health Care Provider’s Name 
• Signature 
• Date of Signature 
• Address and phone number of doctor 

You must obtain this letter before submitting an RCL request in iCAT 

It is required by Immigration Law that you notify our office prior to departing permanently from the University of Kentucky and/or taking a temporary leave of absence.  You can do this by submitting the Departure Notice e-form in iCAT .

F-1 students who have been admitted or plan to attend another institution, college, or university within the United States, may request to have their SEVIS record be transferred to the new school in order to maintain their current SEVIS record. 

A SEVIS transfer is possible in the following circumstances: 

• transferring to another school prior to the completion of your degree, 
• completing your degree at UK and beginning another one at a different school, or 
• changing to another school to seek a degree during, or at the completion of your Optional Practical Training. 

Once you're admitted to your new school, you can transfer your SEVIS record by submitting a "Transfer request" e-form in iCAT.  A release date must be chosen before submitting the e-form. This is the date on which the SEVIS record will be released to your new school. It is recommended that you submit your transfer request at least 2 weeks before your requested release date. 

UK will retain control over your student records in SEVIS until the release date is reached. Students may apply to many schools but the SEVIS record can only be transferred to one school.  Please note that a transfer cannot be canceled after the release date has been reached. 

The SEVIS record must be released no later than 60 days after the last day of the last registered semester or summer session. 

If you have not graduated, you may need to officially withdraw from the University of Kentucky and/or from any courses for which you are currently registered.  You can do this in the Registrar’s Office, Room 12, Funkhouser Building. 

After the release date, obtain an I-20 from the transfer school. Report to the DSO at the new transfer school within 15 days of the program start date listed on the I-20. 

Optional Practical Training:  Students currently on Optional Practical Training are eligible to have their SEVIS record transferred to another school in order to begin a new program.  The transfer must occur prior to the end of the 60-day grace period at the completion of the OPT.  Transferring during OPT, cancels the remainder of the OPT work authorization. 

On-campus employment:  Students who have completed/graduated from UK and plan to transfer to another school the following semester to begin a new program of study cannot work on campus unless it is part of their OPT.  Students who have not completed their course of study at UK may work on campus until their SEVIS record is transferred to the new school or reach their program end date, whichever is earlier.