Navigating Kansas Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide to Funding Your Education
Pursuing higher education in Kansas can be more accessible with the numerous scholarship opportunities available. This article provides a detailed overview of various scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs offered by the state, universities, and other organizations, helping students navigate the process of funding their education.
General University Scholarships and Awards at Kansas State University
Kansas State University (K-State) offers a variety of university scholarships and awards for eligible incoming freshmen from Kansas. Applying for admission also serves as the application for general university scholarships and awards. Meeting the requirements and applying by the priority date ensures consideration for a scholarship or award.
K-State utilizes the best cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) in determining scholarship/award eligibility. Some awards also require an ACT/SAT score for consideration, though K-State does not require ACT/SAT scores to be eligible for scholarships. If renewal eligibility is met, the award may be renewed for up to three additional years (four years, eight semesters total).
Competitive Awards
In addition to general scholarships and awards, the university offers numerous competitive awards. Supplemental applications are typically due by December 1st.
K-State Scholarship Network (KSN)
Once admitted to K-State, students gain access to the K-State Scholarship Network (KSN). Submitting the KSN application by February 1st allows students to apply for even more scholarships, including college/departmental awards.
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Transfer Student Scholarships
Transfer students may also be eligible for scholarships and awards upon admission to the university. The application for admission doubles as the general university scholarship/award application. To ensure consideration, transfer students should apply by the December 1st priority date for the spring semester OR the May 1st priority date for the summer/fall semester. If renewal eligibility is met, the award may be renewed for up to two additional years (three years, six semesters total). Eligibility typically requires a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or above from transfer institution(s). Membership in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) during the semester prior to attending K-State may also be required.
Kansas 4-H Scholarships
The Kansas 4-H Scholarship program is available to graduating high school seniors, current college students, and graduate students who have participated in 4-H. Each scholarship has its own specific criteria, and applicants may qualify for multiple scholarships. The scholarship process combines the State 4-H Scholarships and the Vanier Family Scholarship Program (VFSP) applications.
Application Requirements
The application typically requires a cover letter and resume (in PDF format). Applicants need two references who can speak to their leadership, dedication, and commitment. Family members should not be used as references. References will not submit letters of recommendation.
Evaluation Process
Each application is reviewed by three judges using an evaluation score sheet. Scores between all judges are neutralized and then averaged. State 4-H Scholarships are then matched based on criteria and order of rank.
State of Kansas Scholarship and Grant Programs
The Kansas Legislature provides limited financial assistance to students with financial need through various grant and scholarship programs.
Read also: Affording KU
Kansas Comprehensive Grant
The Kansas Comprehensive Grant is available to students with financial need who are Kansas residents enrolled full-time at eligible institutions, including eighteen private colleges and universities, the six state universities, and Washburn University. To be considered, students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing one or more eligible colleges. Award amounts range from \$200 - \$10,000 at private institutions and \$100 - \$4,000 at public institutions.
Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship
The Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship is intended to assist first-generation college students and/or dependents of teachers and paraprofessionals in Kansas pursuing their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship is both need-based and merit-based, with recipients selected based on academic proficiency and financial need as determined by federal methodology.
Kansas Hero’s Scholarship Act
The Kansas Hero’s Scholarship Act (KSA 75-4364) provides a waiver of tuition and required fees for eligible dependents and spouses of certain deceased/disabled public safety officers and military personnel, and prisoners of war, attending an eligible public Kansas postsecondary educational institution. The student is 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. Because financial need is a priority in awarding this scholarship, students will need to file a FAFSA form.
Kansas Military Service Scholarship
The Kansas Military Service Scholarship pays towards an individual’s undergraduate tuition and required fees for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate coursework. 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.
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. 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 is not required. Students must have a GED or high school diploma to qualify for this assistance.
Read also: The University of Kansas explained
Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship
The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship requires an obligation to practice as an LPN or RN in Kansas. Students can have a sponsor and receive more funding. An eligible sponsor includes 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. Priority is given if the sponsor is a mental health center or treatment facility. The sponsor will provide employment upon licensure of the recipient.
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. The educational institution will determine the amount of the Promise Scholarship award based on information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with other financial aid that the student may be receiving.
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 or master's degree in hard-to-fill disciplines or 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
The Kansas Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship is 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 is given 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
The Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship is 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, including the University of Missouri - St Louis, Northeastern Oklahoma - Tahlequah, and Southern College of Optometry - Memphis.
EMERGE Program
The EMERGE program provides tuition and fees paid up to 15 credit hours, up to a maximum rate not to exceed the maximum rate that would be charged by the state educational institutions for enrollment. Students must be pursuing a Master's, Professional, or Doctorate degree at a Kansas post-secondary institution and must be a member of a Kansas Air/Army National Guard unit.
Kansas Nurse Educator Service Scholarship
The Kansas Nurse Educator Service Scholarship is designed to encourage graduate-level nursing students who agree to teach in a nurse education program at a Kansas postsecondary educational institution. Participating programs include 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
The Kansas Dental Education Opportunities Program is 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 (UM-KC). Applications are also available from UM-KC.
James B. Pearson Fellowship
The James B. Pearson Fellowship was established by former Kansas Senator Pearson to encourage graduate students from Kansas public universities to experience the global perspective gained from study abroad. Preference is given to applicants whose studies are directly related to foreign affairs. The average stipend provided is \$3,000. Awards are subject to the availability of funding. Applications are also available from graduate school offices.
Kansas Distinguished Scholarship Program
The Kansas Distinguished Scholarship Program was created to encourage Brasenose, Chevening, Fulbright, Madison, Marshall, Mellon, Rhodes, and Truman scholars from Kansas to continue graduate studies at Kansas public universities.
University of Kansas (KU) Scholarships
The University of Kansas (KU) provides four-year renewable scholarships to eligible freshmen who submit a complete application by the priority scholarship deadline of December 1st, unless otherwise noted. Scholarships are based on a student's overall GPA on a 4.0 scale (weighted or unweighted) at the time of application. Recipients receive written notification of their scholarship eligibility at the time of admission. Students enrolling in an exclusively online bachelor’s degree program are not eligible.
Renewal Criteria for KU Scholarships
Freshman scholarships expire after eight consecutive semesters of undergraduate study or upon graduation with a first bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. Transfer scholarships expire after six consecutive semesters of undergraduate study or upon graduation with a first bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time (i.e., 12 credit hours per semester) and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative KU GPA. Financial Aid & Scholarships verifies that students have met the renewal criteria after spring grades have posted.
Gap Year Policy
For students that take a gap year, KU will hold their scholarship until the next fall semester, as long as they don’t attend another college or university. Students that attend another school will be considered a transfer student and will be considered for a transfer scholarship.
Scholarship Reinstatement
Scholarship eligibility is reviewed annually at the end of each spring semester. If a student loses their scholarship, they have the next academic year to get their cumulative KU GPA to a 3.0 or higher. If a student does not meet the renewal criteria for their scholarship and has mitigating circumstances, they have the right to appeal for their merit scholarship to be reinstated. Appeals may be granted for medical/mental health issues, extenuating circumstances such as a death in the immediate family, or other hardships.
Additional KU Scholarship Information
KU merit scholarships are only for fall and spring semesters and are for the first bachelor’s degree. If an undergraduate student has received a scholarship through the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (FAS) dependent upon nonresident status and is subsequently granted residency or has a tuition adjustment, the scholarship will be cancelled or adjusted to the appropriate resident-based scholarship. Students enrolling in an exclusively online bachelor’s degree program or receiving the Edwards Campus Metro rate are not eligible for FAS merit-based scholarships.
Additional KU Scholarship Opportunities
On-campus groups, departments, schools, and offices at KU also offer scholarships. All students seeking additional KU scholarships can visit the University of Kansas Award & Scholarships Hub (UKASH). Students living on campus can seek out scholarships through KU Housing & Residence Life. Study-abroad participants can find study-abroad scholarships through the Office of Study Abroad & Global Engagement. Dependents of KU faculty or staff members may qualify for tuition assistance or the Pepsi Scholarship.
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