What is KC Scholars?

KC Scholars is creating the life-changing opportunity for thousands of individuals and is positively transforming the region’s workforce and economy. KC Scholars provides the opportunity for college for those who likely would not otherwise attend or completed by serving a 6-county area in the Kansas City area region including Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Platte, and Wyandotte counties.

HOW MANY AWARDS ARE MADE ANNUALLY?

A minimum of 500 scholarships are awarded annually:

  • 250 Traditional
  • 200 Adult Learner
  • 50 College Savings Match (with up to 500 College Savings Accounts seeded)

In May 2017, 635 awards were made. In May 2018, 919 awards were made. In May 2019, 1,354 awards were made.

The number of awards made annually is based on the external funds raised.

Types of scholarships

Traditional

Traditional Scholarship applications for current 11th graders is closed.  Check back for application dates.

Requirements to apply:

  1. Be a current 11thgrader during the application cycle;
  2. Be home-schooled or attend a public, charter, or private high school in the following 6 counties: Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte (MO) or Johnson and Wyandotte (KS);
  3. Be lawfully present in the U.S. or DACA eligible and DACA applied/approved;
  4. Have at least a 2.5 cumulative high school GPA (5 semesters from 9th grade to the fall semester of 11th grade) or at least a 16 on the ACT or at least an 800 on the SAT); and
  5. Be considered low- or modest-income. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forecaster must be 12,000 or less. The calculation is based on household income, number of members in the family and number of family members that will be in college at the same time. It is the amount of annual financial support a family can be expected to pay toward the student’s college education

Adult-learner

Application is closed. Check back for application dates.

Requirements to apply:

  1. Age 24 and up (as of August 31, 2020)
  2. Live in one of the six eligible counties (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson. Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  3. Low- to modest-income. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be 12,000 or less.
  4. Previously earned at least 12 college credits at an accredited, Title IV, postsecondary institution and has not earned a degree OR have previously earned an associate degree and will use the scholarship to earn a bachelor’s degree
  5. Not enrolled in a postsecondary institution for Fall.
  6. Lawfully present in the United States OR DACA eligible or DACA applied/approved

College Savings Match

You must fill out the Free Online Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need information regarding your family’s income and assets to complete the application. If your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is $12,000 or less, you are eligible to apply for KC Scholars. For more information, see KC Scholars FAFSA guide.

instructor and students in class

The mission of KC Scholars is to increase postsecondary education attainment in the greater Kansas City area.

KC Scholars provides the means – through scholarships, financial incentives to promote college savings, and support services – for low- and modest-income students and adults needing access to pursue and complete a postsecondary credit-bearing credential or degree. The program serves low- and modest-income high school students who are in public, charter, and private schools and home-schooled; and adults with some college, but no degree, and adults with an associate’s degree who are supported to earn a bachelor’s degree.

 

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.