Navigating the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship: Requirements and Beyond
Scholarships are vital funds awarded to students who meet specific criteria, such as merit, need, and background. These funds are generally considered gift aid, meaning they do not need to be repaid, whether a student does or does not graduate. This article delves into the details of the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship, exploring its requirements, eligibility criteria, and related opportunities.
Understanding the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship
The Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship is designed to assist first-generation college students and/or dependents of teachers and paraprofessionals in Kansas with their pursuit of their first undergraduate degree. It is both need-based and merit-based, with recipients selected based on academic proficiency and financial need as determined by federal methodology. Priority in awarding is given to graduating high school seniors entering their first year of college.
Scholarship Amount and Duration
A Kansas education opportunity scholarship shall provide for payment to a Kansas education opportunity scholar of an amount in each academic year not to exceed an amount equal to 75% of the average amount of the total tuition and required fees of full-time, in-state students. A Kansas education opportunity scholar may receive a Kansas education opportunity scholarship for not more than eight semesters of undergraduate study or the equivalent thereof, except that a Kansas education opportunity scholar may receive a Kansas education opportunity scholarship for not more than an additional two semesters of study or the equivalent thereof when the requirements of the program in which the scholar is enrolled include the completion of a fifth year of study.
Eligibility and Priority
The Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship is intended to assist first-generation college students and/or dependents of teachers and paraprofessionals in Kansas with their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship is both need-based and merit-based; recipients are selected based on academic proficiency and financial need as determined by federal methodology. Priority in awarding is given to graduating high school seniors entering their first year of college.
Because financial need is a priority in awarding this scholarship, students will need to file a FAFSA form.
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Additional Financial Aid
A Kansas education opportunity scholar who is also eligible to receive a Kansas comprehensive grant or a state scholarship may be awarded such grant or scholarship, or both, in addition to a Kansas education opportunity scholarship.
Related Scholarship and Grant Opportunities in Kansas
Kansas offers a variety of scholarships and grants to support students pursuing higher education. These opportunities cater to different fields of study, backgrounds, and needs. Here's an overview of some notable programs:
Kansas Comprehensive Grant
The Kansas Comprehensive Grant is available to students with financial need. Kansas residents enrolled full-time at eighteen private colleges and universities located in Kansas, the six state universities, and Washburn University. This grant is funded by the state of Kansas. The Kansas Legislature provides limited assistance to students with financial need. There is not an application for this grant. To be considered you must complete and submit the FAFSA, listing one or more eligible colleges in the FAFSA. The funding level allows about 1 in 3 eligible students to be assisted with award amounts ranging from $200 - $10,000 at the private institutions and $100 - $4,000 at the public institutions.
Kansas Military Service Scholarship
The Kansas Military Service Scholarship is available for the payment of tuition and fees at a public Kansas institution for students who are a resident of Kansas and has:
- served in military service in international waters or on foreign soil in support of military operations for which the person received hostile fire pay for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, or served less than such 90 days because of injuries during such military service;
- has received an honorable discharge or under honorable conditions (general) discharge from military service or is still in military service; and
- has provided copies of military discharge papers (DD-214 form) or active duty orders whichever such paper or order indicate the location of such person’s deployment and indicate the person has served after September 11, 2001, in any military operation for which the person received hostile fire pay.
Because financial need is a priority in awarding this scholarship, students will need to file a FAFSA form.
Read also: Affording KU
Please Note: Individuals who are also using Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits or Ch. 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment benefits should carefully consider how the Kansas Military Service Scholarship may affect those benefits. Generally, when a Ch. 33 or Ch. 31 user receives other aid that is designated solely for tuition and fees (known as restricted aid), the VA’s last payer clause states that VA will only pay any remaining tuition/required fees after restricted aid is applied. Because the Kanas Military Service Scholarship is restricted aid pays towards an individual’s undergraduate tuition and required fees for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate coursework, there is no tuition for the VA to pay when a student receives the Kansas Military Service Scholarship. Students can still receive their Ch.
Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance
The Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance provides a percentage of tuition and fees paid; up to a maximum rate not to exceed the maximum rate that would be charged by the state educational institutions for enrollment. The percentage is determined by the number of eligible students and available appropriations. Students may be pursuing a certificate, diploma or degree program and must be an enlisted member of a Kansas Air/Army National Guard unit. Full-time enrollment not required. Students must have a GED or high school diploma to qualify for this assistance. The member must not already have obtained a bachelor’s degree. The National Guard Educational Assistance is only available for fall and spring semesters.
Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship
The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship requires an obligation to practice as an LPN or RN in Kansas. If the student wishes, they can have a sponsor and receive more funding. An eligible sponsor means any adult care home, psychiatric hospital, medical care facility, home health agency, local health department or any state agency, which employs LPNs or RNs, licensed by the State of Kansas. The sponsor cannot be located in the following counties Butler, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, or Wyandotte. The sponsor will provide employment upon licensure of the recipient. Priority is given to the sponsor is a mental health center or treatment facilities to be a sponsor. The obligation for the scholarship is to work for the sponsor for one year for each year of the scholarship support received.
Kansas Promise Act Scholarship
The Kansas Promise Scholarship was created during the 2021 Kansas Legislative Session to assist students who are enrolled in specified high wage, high demand, or critical need industry programs at eligible Kansas community colleges and technical colleges, Washburn Institute of Technology, and certain private postsecondary educational institutions. This scholarship may be used toward tuition, required fees, books, and required program materials.
Your educational institution will determine the amount of your Promise Scholarship award based on information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with other financial aid that you may be receiving. The Kansas Promise Scholarship act is available at all Kansas Community Colleges and is a first-come first-served scholarship (High School seniors could apply now for summer or next fall). The deadline for Fall 2026 is March 1, 2026. To see the programs eligible at each college counselors should visit kacct.org and then click on the individual school links. There is $10 million dollars available across the state to ensure Kansas students who want to study in the most in-demand fields can do so at no cost to them. The fields of Physical or Mental Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing and Building Trades, Early Childhood or Elementary Education, Information Technology, and each school gets to choose one more program area are eligible.
Read also: The University of Kansas explained
Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship
The Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship is a merit-based service obligation scholarship program that provides financial assistance to both students pursuing bachelor's degree programs and currently licensed teachers pursuing an endorsement in hard-to-fill disciplines or master's degrees in hard-to-fill disciplines or either group planning to teach in an underserved geographic area. Recipients sign agreements to teach one year for each year of scholarship support in Kansas. Recipients are eligible to receive this scholarship for up to ten semesters, which includes both undergraduate and graduate work.
Kansas Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship
Designed to encourage primary care physicians to establish practices in rural areas of Kansas. Recipients receive $41,000 per year for up to four years of study at nationally accredited osteopathic schools. Preference goes to first-year students. Recipients return one year of practice for each year of assistance. Applicants must complete a program application and the designated financial aid application.
Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship
Designed to encourage optometrists to establish Kansas practices. Kansas helps to pay the difference between resident and nonresident tuition at eligible out-of-state institutions. Participating schools are University of Missouri - St Louis, Northeastern Oklahoma - Tahlequah, Southern College of Optometry - Memphis.
Kansas Nurse Educator Service Scholarship
Designed to encourage graduate level nursing students who agree to teach in a nurse education program at a Kansas postsecondary educational institution. The nursing programs that are currently participating are: Baker University, Fort Hays State University, Mid America Nazarene College, Pittsburg State University, Tabor College, St. Mary's University, University of Kansas Medical Center, Washburn University and Wichita State University. Scholarship amounts vary at each institution. Recipients will teach one year for each year of assistance after receiving a graduate degree. Applicants must complete an application available at the Nursing Department at the institution.
Kansas Dental Education Opportunities Program
Designed to encourage dentists to establish Kansas practices. Kansas helps pay the difference between resident and nonresident tuition at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Applications also available from UM-KC.
Kansas Hero’s Scholarship Act
The Kansas Hero’s Scholarship Act (KSA 75-4364) establishes a waiver which provides an opportunity for eligible dependents and spouses of certain deceased/disabled public safety officers and military personnel, and prisoners of war to attend an eligible public Kansas postsecondary educational institution without payment of tuition and required fees. The student will be responsible for all other charges associated with the student’s academic program. Applicants are encouraged to submit the completed application and required documentation as soon as they know which eligible school they will be attending.
Local Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
In addition to state-wide programs, several local scholarships and grants are available to students attending institutions in Kansas. These opportunities often have specific eligibility criteria related to location, field of study, or affiliation with certain organizations.
Ascension Via Christi Manhattan Education Scholarship
The Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan scholarship offers five $10,000 pre-employment scholarships annually to support students in high-demand healthcare fields like RN, Imaging, Lab, Respiratory Therapy, and Rehab Therapy. To be eligible, applicants must be current or prospective employees with AVCM, entering their final year of study, and committed to a minimum of two years of full-time employment with AVCM upon graduation. Recipients can receive up to $5,000 per semester, and if employment terms are not met, repayment may be required. Applications are accepted February 1 through April 30, with interviews conducted in May.
Flint Hills Veteran Coalition Scholarship
Use this application to apply for the Student Veteran Scholarship through the Flint Hills Veterans Coalition. Manhattan Tech's Office of Financial Aid will collect the applications and pass them along to the FHVC. Applications are due by September 15th for fall and February 1st for spring.
Fairy Godmothers Grant
The Fairy Godmothers Hand Up Grant, or HUG, is a needs-based, one-time financial assistance grant (one-time renewal to be determined) providing assistance to a woman who is accepted or enrolled in a course or courses at Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan Christian College, Bellus Academy or Kansas State University, including K-State's online programs. The applicant should have a personal goal of financial independence or job advancement through education.
Meadowlark Employee Nursing Scholarship
Meadowlark offers two scholarship programs for nursing students: an Employee Nursing Scholarship for current employees pursuing nursing degrees, which provides significant funding with a work commitment at Meadowlark, and the Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship in partnership with the Kansas Board of Regents for LPN and RN students already accepted into programs. This partnership provides financial support in exchange for a commitment to work post-licensure. Applications are reviewed annually.
KACRAO Scholarship
The Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) offers the Glenn Lygrisse/KACRAO Scholarship to Kansas high school seniors with demonstrated leadership. Each year, four $500 scholarships are awarded, one for each institution type: public four-year, private four-year, community college, and technical college. Eligible students must have a 3.25 GPA and attend a KACRAO member institution. Applications require three documents and are due in mid-March each year.
Additional Sources of Assistance
Beyond specific scholarships and grants, several organizations and resources can help students find and secure financial aid for college.
Kansas WorkforceONE HWI
Kansas WorkforceONE HWI operates a variety of federally funded grants that provide scholarship assistance for individuals pursuing training, leading to occupations in high-demand industries with solid salaries and reasonable retention rates. Eligibility guidelines apply. The Workforce Center also offers help with job search and placement services.
SER Corporation
Provides educational assistance for eligible students with work experience or a parent with work experience in agriculture. Through the Work Ethic Scholarship Program, the foundation provides financial assistance to individuals who demonstrate responsibility, a solid work ethic, and dedication to learning a trade. These scholarships can be applied to educational expenses in fields such as manufacturing, construction, and automotive repair.
Jerry Bailey Educational Opportunity Scholarship
Qualifying University of Kansas students have until March 1 to submit applications for the 2016 Jerry Bailey Educational Opportunity Scholarship. The scholarship is part of the Achievement & Assessment Institute’s (AAI) Center for Educational Opportunity Programs (CEOP) and was established to support underrepresented and first-generation students with limited income as they pursue undergraduate degrees at KU.
Applicants must be newly entering freshmen, transfer students or continuing undergraduate students at KU, and they must be enrolled full-time (12-plus credits) during the fall term of the scholarship award.
Scholarship Search Platforms
Several online platforms can help students identify scholarships they may qualify for:
- Kansas ScholarShop: Provided by the Office of the Kansas State Treasurer and powered by the Sallie Mae scholarship search engine.
- Going Merry: A free, one-stop scholarship platform that matches students with scholarships and helps them apply directly.
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: A national scholarship provider dedicated to advancing the education of promising students who have financial need.
- The NSHSS Foundation: Fosters the growth of students pursuing STEAM fields, business, economics, public policy, and environmental science.
- Scholar Snapp: A free, simple-to-use data standard that allows students to reuse their application information.
- Scholly: A mobile app that provides students with a fast and simple way to find scholarships for college.
Important Considerations for Scholarship Applications
- Deadlines: The deadlines listed are the dates on which the scholarship applications must be RECEIVED. Some scholarships do not have an updated deadline.
- First-Come, First-Served Basis: Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis and are based on the availability of funds.
- Application Procedures: It is the student’s responsibility to confirm and comply with the application procedure.
- Multiple Applications: A student may apply for more than one scholarship but may only accept one scholarship per academic year unless otherwise noted.
- Appeals: Applicants wishing to appeal institutional scholarship criteria should submit their written appeal to the Director of Financial Aid. Written appeals should include a letter of recommendation by the respective scholarship sponsor.
- Transcript Requests: If you need your official transcript printed or sent, you MUST see Mrs. If you need either an Official Transcript or a Counselor's Report filled out, allow for AT LEAST four days prior to the deadline.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
Please be advised. Some families have received letters from companies inviting them to financial aid/scholarship presentations that promise to help them find money to help defray the cost of college. Please know that all sources of financial aid/scholarship are equally available to all. These companies have no greater ability to access resources than school counselors or students and parents themselves. If you have to pay money to get money, it's most likely a scam. Millions of dollars are spent by anxious parents annually with no financial benefit and at additional expense.
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