A free, cohort-based college advising program for first-generation and underserved students in the Central Kentucky region.
The Admit Bound Academy is the flagship program of Bluegrass Scholars. It provides rising high school juniors and seniors with structured, hands-on college preparation from building a college list and writing essays to completing the FAFSA and comparing financial aid packages. The program is designed for first-generation college students, students "in the middle" who are motivated but lack individualized guidance, and families where a parent may have attended college but feels disconnected from today's process. Scholars are matched with a dedicated advisor who walks alongside them through every step. Families are included through parent workshops and regular communication. Every service is provided at no cost to the student or family.
One-on-one college advising sessions (twice monthly)
Monthly group workshops on college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship strategy
Essay writing support (personal statements and supplemental essays)
FAFSA completion assistance for scholars and families
Scholarship search and application support
College campus visits (virtual and in-person)
Quarterly parent and family workshops
College transition preparation (housing, orientation, course registration)
A community of peers going through the same journey
Junior Track (Rising 11th Graders)
A two-year journey beginning the summer before junior year. Scholars build college knowledge, explore options, strengthen their profiles, and enter senior year application-ready.
Senior Track (Rising 12th Graders)
An intensive one-year journey beginning the summer before senior year. Scholars move quickly through college list building, applications, essays, financial aid, and enrollment decisions with accelerated, hands-on support.
To be considered for the Admit Bound Academy, students must:
be a rising high school junior or senior,
live in Fayette County or a surrounding Central Kentucky county (Scott, Jessamine, Woodford, Clark, Madison, or Bourbon),
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unweighted),
be interested in pursuing education at a 2-year or 4-year college,
commit to full participation in the program and,
have at least one parent or guardian willing to participate in family engagement activities.
The Admit Bound Academy application for the inaugural cohort opened on May 4, 2026, and closes on July 15, 2026.