University of Kentucky Scholarships for Students enrolled in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies Certificate

Thanks to generous donors, the University of Kentucky has multiple scholarships for UK students in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Certificate program available! Apply through the new, dedicated DWBS scholarship portal starting in January 2025

When you apply to for a Distilling scholarship administered by UK, you will be considered for any of the scholarships listed below (and more are being added), based on the scholarship criteria and eligibility requirements. That means: only one application will be needed to be eligible for a number of scholarships. The scholarships are open to all students in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Program, not just those in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment or those studying at UK full time.

Deadline will be March 1st 2025; Application will go live in early January

Hank and Kathy Thompson Scholarship

The Hank and Kathy Thompson Scholarship Fund was created specifically to aid UK students pursuing studies and careers in the spirits industry. 

The Hank and Kathy Thompson Scholarship Fund is open to students attending UK from Jefferson County or who are pursuing education in distillation and have exhausted their efforts for financial assistance. You can read an article about previous recipients, Alexa Narel and Tyler Thompson, here.

James B. Beam Scholars

The scholarship, endowed by Suntory Global Spirits, supports students who:

• are enrolled in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies Program
• are 21 or older
• have demonstrated unmet financial need
• preferably are residents of Kentucky

John and Elizabeth Koko Scholarship

The scholarship, endowed by John and Elizabeth Koko (co-founders of Horse Soldier Bourbon) is intended for students in UK's Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies Certificate with a U.S. military ties (veteran, active duty, or child of the veteran or active duty member of the military).

Learn more about John Koko and Horse Soldier Bourbon. (Must be 21 to view the site)

Bourbon Women Scholarship

This scholarship supports preferably students enrolled in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies Program at UK who are:

• non-traditional students
• have unmet financial need
• and completed at least half of the program's requirements, i.e. 2 + courses

Bardstown Collection Scholarship

The Scholarship is intended to support an undergraduate student who is enrolled in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies program at UK and preferably from Nelson County (this is a preference, but not a requirement)

Brewers of Central KY Scholarship

Brewers of Central KY awarded this scholarship to a student who:

is enrolled in Distillation, Wine, and Brewing Studies Program

is originally from Central KY

has an interest in brewing (enrolled in or completed AEN 341- Brewing Science and Technology)

External Scholarships Available to Students in Distillation, Wine and Brewing

Bourbon on the Banks Scholarship

The Bourbon on the Banks Board set aside $15,000 for scholarships for 2024-2025 school year.  The BOBF urges all qualified applicants to complete this application to be considered for scholarships to attend the Kentucky State University Fermentation & Distillation Program classes & courses or for those that live or work in Franklin County to attend other University's college level distillation, spirits, bourbon tourism, hospitality and event management degree or certificate programs. 

Recipients will receive up to $5,000 to offset the cost of attending college level distillation, spirits, bourbon tourism, hospitality and event management degree or certificate programs.

Fall 2025 Semester application deadline is April 1, 2025