LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 21, 2025) – As the cost of higher education continues to challenge students and families nationwide, the University of Kentucky is taking a different approach — one that goes beyond tuition and scholarships to equip students with long-term financial confidence. Since 2022, UK Invests has helped students earn up to $500 each year by participating in activities tied to wellness, engagement, employability skills and financial literacy, with funds deposited directly into individual Fidelity investment accounts.
For Paul McKinney, UK's Associate Vice President for Student Financial Stability, the program represents the next step in the institution's commitment to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. A veteran of more than 30 years in higher-education finance, McKinney joined UK after seeing the potential of UK Invests to not only educate students about budgeting and long-term investing, but to meaningfully shape their financial futures. Since its launch, the university has disbursed over $2.2 million to participating students, who show higher GPAs and retention rates compared to their peers.
On this episode of "Behind the Blue," McKinney discusses the origins of UK Invests, the partnership with Fidelity and iGrad, and the program's unique focus on practical financial education — from understanding risk tolerance and compound growth to navigating AI-powered budgeting and investment tools. He also shares how UK Invests is influencing student behavior across campus, the lessons learned from its early rollout, and the program's potential to position a generation of graduates to make informed financial decisions that strengthen both their personal futures and the economy of the Commonwealth.
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"Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page.
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