10 Scholarships in Kansas To Save You Thousands on College
What’s Covered:
Are you a Kansas resident looking to attend college? Or are you looking to attend a college in Kansas? Either way, you’ve come to the right place to find scholarships to help pay for college!
Kansas is home to over 60 colleges and universities, including Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. With numerous colleges in the state, there are numerous types of scholarships available. Below we list out scholarships that can help you pay for secondary education.
Make sure that in addition to applying for scholarships, you complete your FAFSA and CSS profile, especially if you are looking for need-based opportunities.
10 Scholarships in Kansas To Save You Thousands on College
1. Kansas Scholars Program
Amount: $1,000 annually
Deadline: May 1
Eligibility:
- Certificate from the Kansas Board of Regents stating that you completed the Kansas Scholars Curriculum.
- Letter indicating that you were designated as a Kansas State Scholar by the Kansas Board of Regents.
- Enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester
- Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Demonstrate financial need
- Take the ACT by December of your senior year
Application Requirements:
- Complete the FAFSA and State of Kansas Student Aid Application each year.
- The application for the Kansas State Scholarship may be filled out online or a paper application may be mailed to the Kansas Board of Regents.
Kansas residents graduating from a Kansas high school may be eligible for up to $1,000 annually based on financial needs (measured by the Federal Methodology). Students may be able to renew this scholarship during all four years of their undergraduate studies.
2. The Rudd Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: TBD for class of 2022
Eligibility:
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Resident of the state of Kansas and qualify for in-state tuition
- Must have a cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or above
- Demonstrate financial need (Pell Grant-eligible)
- Plan to attend either Emporia State, Fort Hays State or Whita State University
Application Requirements:
- Complete FAFSA form annually
- Complete the online application
The Rudd Scholarship Program is specifically created for Kansas residents who qualify for a Pell Grant. Recipients are evaluated based on their grit, hard work, integrity, and determination to achieve long term goals. Rudd Scholars are expected to live on campus in pre-approved dorms, join residential learning communities, participate in college extracurriculars and be an active member of the Rudd Scholar Program. This competitive scholarship is a 4-year award that can be applied to pay for tuition, books, rooming, etc. and the application will open on October 11, 2021 for the class of 2022.
3. Promise Act Scholarship
Amount: Limited to average cost of what is charged by a two-year eligible public institution offering the same program
Deadline: TBD for class of 2022
Eligibility:
- Kansas resident (for at least three years)
- Graduated from a Kansas high school within a year or received a GED or other high school equivalency credential.
- 21 years of age or older
- Dependent child of a military service member who is stationed in another state and who (within the last year) graduated from an out-of-state high school or obtained a GED or other high school equivalency credential.
Application Requirements:
- Complete the Promise Scholarship Application
- Complete your FAFSA profile
- Enroll in an eligible program of study
- Sign a Kansas Promise Scholarship Agreement that you agree to live and work in Kansas for a minimum of two consecutive years following completion of your program
- Successfully complete an eligible program of study within 30 months of being awarded the scholarship
The Kansas Promise Scholarship is meant to assist students who are attending community colleges, technical colleges, Washburn Institute of Technology, and certain other private post secondary education institutes in the state of Kansas. Recipients are also expected to be enrolled in fields related to information technology and security, mental and physical health care, advanced manufacturing and building trades, or early childhood education and development. Your institution will determine how much you are awarded based on information you supply in your FAFSA.
4. Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: last Friday in November
Eligibility:
- College student currently enrolled in an aviation program
- Have at least a “B” average
- Recommendation from an aviation professional (although direct applications are acceptable)
- Residents of Kansas, Missouri, or Illinois
Application Requirements:
- Must be able to supply copies of pertinent training records
- Must submit the following documents:
- Appraisal and Endorsement
- Letter of Recommendation
- Scanned transcript showing GPA
The Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship was created in memory of Dan L. Meisinger Sr. who had a career in aviation for over 60 years. Applicants of this scholarship must be currently enrolled in an aviation program and should be high academic achievers. Recipients of this award will be provided an annual flight training scholarship.
5. Kansas Seed Industry Association Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility:
- High school seniors or current college students
- Attend a college in Kansas
- Must be seeking a degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Econ/Business, Agricultural Communications, Grain/Milling Science, Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Farm Management or Horticulture
Application Requirements:
- Two Recommendation Letters
- High School Transcripts (College Transcripts if applicable)
- ACT scores
- Paper application that should be mailed to KSIA
The Kansas Seed Industry Association (KSIA) looks to give out scholarships to individuals who are dedicated to pursuing a future in agriculture. Winners of the scholarship will be chosen from a KSIA Scholarship committee and will be based on criteria created by the association. Applicants (both high school and current college students) are expected to be majoring in a degree related to agriculture and should be planning to attend post-secondary education in Kansas. The two winners of the award will be recognized at spring award ceremonies and graduation.
6. Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship
Amount: up to $1,850 annually
Deadline: May 1
Eligibility:
- Must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- ACT score of at least 21 or SAT score of at least 1060
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
- High school rank in upper 33%
- Completion of Kansas Scholars Curriculum
- Selection by National Merit Corporation in any category
- Selection by College Board as a Hispanic Scholar
- Must attend a college in the state of Kansas (community college or four-year college/university)
- Be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester
Application Requirements:
- Complete your FAFSA profile
- Fill out the online form or print, complete and mail the application
- Submit the Ethnic Minority Scholarship Information Form completed by a high school official
The Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship is awarded to need-based, academically competitive students who identify as one of the following: African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic. Recipients may receive funds for their four years at college.
7. Korean American Scholarships Foundation (Mountain States Region)
Amount: Range from $500 – $5,000
Deadline: TBD for Class of 2022, but applications open April 2022
Eligibility:
- Must be of Korean Heritage (i.e. have a Korean parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, or be adopted from Korea)
- Will be a full-time student in a Mountain State (Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Wyoming)
- Must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Demonstrate financial need
- May be a high school junior or senior or undergraduate/graduate student
Application Requirements:
- Complete the online application process
- Complete your FAFSA profile
- Personal Statement
- Official Transcript
- Essay
- Recommendation Letter
- List of community service/extracurricular activities
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to Korean and Korean American students who are enrolled in a full time program in the U.S. Recipients are evaluated based on their financial need, scholastic achievement, letters of recommendation, essays and community service or extracurricular activities. If extra funds are available, students who do not identify as Korean may even qualify for scholarships.
8. William R. Kimel, PE Engineering Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility:
- Permanent resident of Kansas or Missouri
- Junior in college achieving their bachelors degree
- Enrolled in an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college/university in either Kansas or Missouri
- U.S. Citizen
Application Requirements:
- Completed paper application
- Transcript
- Resume or summary of internship/co-op experiences and other extracurricular activities
- Recommendation letters from two faculty members who have taught the applicant
- 500-word essay – “My engineering career goals and aspirations to achieve them”
The William R. Kimel, P.E. Engineering Scholarship is awarded annually to juniors in college at an ABET-accredited engineering program in Kansas or Missouri. Applicants will be evaluated on their cumulative college GPA, internship/co-op experiences, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, honors/scholarships/awards received since their high school senior year as well as their written essay. Applicants will be notified of the selection by May 1st and the scholarship, if received, will be disbursed to the recipient’s school in one installment for the Fall semester of their senior year.
9. Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Applications are accepted year round. Applications received by June 1st will be awarded in late July for the upcoming year while applications received by November 1st will be awarded in late November for the upcoming spring.
Eligibility:
- Students who are or have been foster children in the State of Kansas
Application Requirements:
- Paper or online application
- List school and community involvement
- Three references to help depict your character, academic potential, and community involvement (other than family members)
The Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship provides scholarships to high school, college, and trade school students who have been or are foster children and are seeking further education. The scholarship that is awarded may be used to pay tuition, dorming and/or textbooks. Furthermore, the scholarships will be paid directly to the school that the student is attending and will be paid in two installments, one for each semester.
10. Lorraine and Otis Smith Caddie Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
Deadline: August 1
Eligibility:
- Must be an employed caddie at Flint Hills National Golf Club
- Must have caddied 10 rounds in the past year
Application Requirements:
- Complete your FAFSA profile
- Complete online application
- Resume
- Essay – How has caddying at Flint Hills impacted your life?
- Extracurricular Activities
- Personal Essay
The Flint Hills National Golf Club is located in south-central Kansas and features land designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio. This golf club allocates the Lorraine and Otis Smith Caddie Scholarship Fund to its caddies to ensure that they are able to pay for their secondary education. Scholarships are awarded annually and may be renewable, however, they are not reissued every year to recipients. Recipients must reapply yearly for consideration.
Tips for Applying to Scholarships
Apply to Niche Scholarships
It is always a good idea to apply to scholarships that are niche to you since you will be in a smaller applicant pool. These can be scholarships specific to your state, your university, your major, or even your ethnicity. This list is a great place to start if you have a connection to Kansas!
Start Early and Be Organized
The best thing to do when entering your junior year of high school is to research different scholarships you may be able to apply to either during your junior year, senior year, or even once you’ve entered college. Taking note of scholarship applications that you are eligible for, as well as their deadlines, can help you make sure you are applying to as many scholarships as possible. Make sure to keep a calendar of scholarship deadlines to ensure that you are well prepared and ahead of the game. With your calendar, you will be able to prioritize your efforts towards scholarships with earlier deadlines.
Double, Triple Check Your Work
Most applications ask you to list out your extracurricular activities and may even require you to submit an essay/personal statement. You’re going to want to impress the committee reviewing your application, so it is important to make sure that you aren’t making any mistakes in your application. It may even be a good idea to get a second pair of eyes to read your essay and/or application – ask a friend, your sibling or your parents to help out!
Submit Early
You don’t want to be waiting until the last minute to submit your application! Doing so can cause lots of anxiety and stress towards getting the work done and may even cause you to make multiple mistakes along the way. You could even run into computer or internet issues if you are submitting online! Leave yourself a few days of buffer so that you can avoid any last minute problems that arise.
