SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Before an individual can apply for a scholarship, minimum eligibility requirements must have been met and been verified through an online eligibility check. KC Scholars Eligibility Requirements

For those individuals who are eligible to apply and complete and submit their application and required supporting materials by the deadline, evaluation criteria are consistently applied to determine which applicants receive a scholarship or a college savings account (and those selected to participate in the match and incentives program). Near 200 volunteer community reviewers are selected and trained to utilize a scoring rubric from which they evaluate applicants’ essays and recommendations. Their scores help to determine scholarship recipients. The 100-point rubric considers the most important factors for each of the three program components (traditional scholarship, adult scholarship, and college savings account/match program), including:

• applicants’ motivation to go to college;
• applicants’ preparedness for college;
• applicants’ likelihood to complete college;
• completeness of essays in addressing prompts;
• financial need;
• GPA;
• county distribution for those selected for the college savings match and incentive program; and
• assurance of a diverse recipient pool that meets KC Scholars’ established goals.

Application evaluation criteria were determined by the KC Scholars Selection Criteria Workgroup and approved by the Steering Committee when KC Scholars was being planned. These groups were comprised of community members.

Training of volunteer community reviewers includes discussion about implicit bias and explanation of a strict conflict of interest policy. Community reviewers evaluate applications without names and schools being viewable to further ensure a fair and consistent evaluation process of all applicants.

Awardees – and non-awardees – are notified each May.

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact KC Scholars at info@kcscholars.org or 816-581-5700.