UK Invests for Students Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All UK students* are eligible to participate in UK Invests.

*must be 18 years or old and have a Social Security Number

In year 1, the university will invest approximately $1 million in this initiative through private and philanthropic support. We believe this idea will garner a great deal of interest from donors, who know the importance of investing and saving as part of the trajectory of our students in leading lives of meaning and purpose.

UK’s rolling tuition average over the last several four years is now below 2 percent annually (1.6%); a decade ago, tuition and fee increases were averaging nearly six percent. Additionally, the institution has nearly tripled the amount of financial aid to students – scholarships and grants that don’t have to be re-paid – from $57m to $162m this academic year. UK Invests – the investment accounts and financial education efforts included – represents a third step, or next step, in these efforts.

We are addressing access. We are addressing affordability. Now, we are expanding on what we do to ensure students are prepared both educationally and financially when they leave UK.

We are ready to support you. Please email ukinvests@uky.edu with questions.

We have structured UK Invests so that it likely will not impact a student's financial aid package. However, each person's financial aid situation varies. If you have questions or concerns, we suggest you reach out to UK's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for a more specific analysis of your situation and the impact of incentives and awards through UK Invests.

International students with a Social Security Number can apply for a UK Invests account. For specific questions about eligibility, please contact us at ukinvests@uky.edu.

Linking your Fidelity app to the University of Kentucky using your linkblue credentials ensures that your account is officially associated with the university. This connection allows UK to deposit funds into your account when you complete university-designated incentives. Without this affiliation, the university is unable to transfer those funds to your Fidelity account.

You earn money to your account by completing assignments outlined in your UK Invests Canvas modules. The dollar amount for each assignment is listed with the assignment. If you have any questions, send a message via Canvas.

You may notice items labeled UK Invests on your account transactions page. You are not being charged by UK for those UK Invests items. Those items are simply a reflection of your UK Invests deposits passing through to your Fidelity® account.

UK processes payments every other Friday. Keep in mind — it takes a few business days after the payment is processed for the money to show up in your account.

UK Invests is exclusively working with Fidelity Investments. Any money earned by participating in UK Invests is deposited into your Fidelity® for UK Invests account. You may consult directly with Fidelity Investments and your other financial institution to review options for transferring money between accounts.

Depending on the amount of dollars you earn by completing incentives, you may have to pay taxes. And if you take money out of your account, it will be taxable.