WHO CAN APPLY?
You must meet all of the following requirements to apply:
- Be a current 11th grader during the application cycle;
- 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);
- Be lawfully present in the U.S. or DACA eligible and DACA applied/approved;
- 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
- 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.
HOW TO APPLY
We will award many more Traditional Scholarships this year than last. Apply so you are considered for a life-changing scholarship.
- You will need to create an account on this website
- You will complete the application on-line, including:
- Answering essay questions
- Providing a copy of your current high school transcript from 9th grade until the present
- Providing verification of ACT/SAT scores if you have taken the test(s)
- Providing names and emails of 2 individuals who will complete an online recommendation form (letters of recommendations are not accepted but must be completed online)
Consider attending one of the Scholarship Application Workshops
For a detailed checklist click Traditional Checklist
WHERE CAN THE SCHOLARSHIP BE USED AND FOR WHAT PROGRAMS?
The scholarship may only be used at one of the 17 colleges and universities in the KC Scholars Postsecondary Network.
Traditional scholarship recipients receive up to 5 years of support to complete their college degree or credit-bearing credential. It is possible to complete a credential or associate’s degree and then continue on to complete a bachelor’s degree if a recipient remains eligible. Click here for List of Colleges and Universities
THE TRADITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED AT THE END OF 11TH GRADE
Unlike most other scholarship programs, which award scholarship near the end of 12th grade, KC Scholars awards its Traditional Scholarship at the end of 11th grade.
This gives the student and their family assurance that college is indeed possible and attainable!
The Traditional Scholarship is up to $10,000 per year up to 5 years, and is awarded directly to the college or university of enrollment. Scholars must maintain a cumulative 2.5 high school GPA and enroll full-time in college the semester immediately following high school graduation and remain enrolled full-time in order to remain eligible.
WHAT PREVIOUS TRADITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE SAYING
As of fall 2019, the first and second cohort of Traditional Scholarship awardees are enrolled in college. There are currently 631 Traditional awardees from 2017 and 2018 and that number will grow each year.
Awardees have shared that:
- The day they received the scholarship was the happiest day of their lives
- KC Scholars changed their lives
- Receiving the scholarship let them know that college was possible
- Earning a scholarship reduced the stress of the family as they now know they can afford college
- KC Scholars is like a family that cares about you and your success
- KC Scholars made it possible for them to attend their dream college
- KC Scholars means everything to them
HOW DO YOU REMAIN ELIGIBLE UP TO 5 YEARS?
To remain eligible once enrolled in college, Scholars must meet minimum annual requirements and complete a short renewal application each year.
Exact requirements are found in the KC Scholars Program Guidelines.
FAQs
You must fill out the Free Online Application for Federal Student Aid forecaster: FAFSA4caster. You will need information regarding your family’s income and assets to complete the forecaster. If your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on the forecaster is 12,000 or less, you are eligible to apply for KC Scholars. For assistance in completing the FAFSA4caster, KC Scholars has created the following guide: FAFSA4caster
The traditional scholarship is valued up to $10,000 a year, renewable for up to 5 years. To remain eligible once enrolled in college, students must meet minimum annual requirements and complete a short renewal application each year to determine continued eligibility. To remain eligible, a student must also maintain continuous full-time enrollment, with summer attendance optional.
Each year, at least 250 traditional scholarships will be awarded.
Application materials will be reviewed, evaluated and scored to select scholarship recipients.
While you do not have to take the ACT or SAT test to apply for KC Scholars (you may qualify with just a cumulative GPA of 2.5) you will have to take either the ACT or the SAT before the end of your senior year to attend college.
Scholarships will be paid directly to one of the 17 colleges and universities in the KC Scholars Postsecondary Network at which you are enrolled.
Yes! We want to ensure you are successful getting to college and completing your degree. KC Scholars has partnered with a few support organizations and with 17 colleges and universities to provide assistance such as one-on-one and group advising, assistance with college admissions and scholarship applications, FAFSA completion assistance, advice for parents and families and campus tours. Click here to see other Resources.
Yes. In order to receive the KC Scholars scholarship, you must plan to attend one of the 17 KC Scholars colleges or universities.
No, the KC Scholars scholarship cannot be used toward dual credit classes or other college classes taken during high school.
You must continuously attend college to remain eligible for KC Scholars. Students who continually attend college are more likely to complete college. Continuous enrollment does not include summer, but it does include fall and spring semesters each academic year. KC Scholars’ staff will only consider an exception for an unavoidable and extenuating circumstance.
Yes, if the courses count toward a credit-bearing credential or degree and are offered by any of the 17 colleges and universities in the KC Scholars Postsecondary Network.
Applications open in early January annually. Watch the website for the exact date!
The deadline to apply is in early March annually. Watch the website for the exact deadline date!
Notifications to both recipients and non-recipients are made in early May annually. Watch the website for the exact notification date!
Click here for an application checklist (what you need to do and what materials you will need each step of the application process).
You must graduate from a public, charter, or private high school or be home-schooled in the six eligible counties to receive the KC Scholars Traditional Scholarship.
All questions should be directed to info@kcscholars.org. Please allow up to two business days for a reply.
Please review the Program Guidelines carefully for any additional questions.
Applications closed. Check back for dates for the 2020 application cycle.