Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Emergency Resources

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In an emergency or crisis situation, UMKC aims to be a lifeline for students in need. These resources are to be used to prevent major interruption in completing academic requirements by students who have encountered unexpected financial obstacles.

UMKC Student Emergency Fund

  • Supports UMKC students who have an urgent need for temporary financial assistance, especially if it might prevent a student from continuing their degree program.
  • Applications completed on AcademicWorks are reviewed on a weekly basis, and students who have exhausted all available federal and state aid resources will be considered for the award.

Apply for the emergency fund

Short-Term Emergency Loans

  • Help cover expenses during unexpected or emergency circumstances
  • Must be paid off by the end of the semester in which they are borrowed, or July 10 for COVID-related circumstances
  • Contact us for more information and to apply

View eligibility and restrictions (PDF)

Kangaroo Food Pantry

  • On-campus resource for those dealing with food insecurity
  • The pantry also organizes the Kangaroo Pantry Meal Donation Program

Learn more about the pantry

More Support Resources

Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) Emergency Grant

The signing of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has provided additional emergency financial aid grant funding to UMKC called the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III.  This grant may be used to assist students through the COVID-19 global pandemic that have exceptional needs related to educational costs, food, housing, health care (including mental care) or childcare.

  • Academic year amount
    • Based on need as calculated by the FAFSA
    • If there is not a FAFSA on file, the need eligibility will be determined based on other extenuating circumstances that may be outlined in the students grant application
  • Eligibility
    • Enrolled in the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2021 term
    • Priority to students with financial need

Students have the option to indicate if they want the grant to apply first to their student bill or be sent to them as check or direct deposit.

Federal HEERF III Information

  • Total HEERF III Funds Received: $11,423,023
  • Total HEERF III Funds Awarded: $9,522,500
  • Number of students who received HEERF III Emergency Grants: 6,882

Information updated November 11, 2022.

HEERF II and III Quarterly Reporting

Federal CARES Act Emergency Funds

We are not accepting applications for Federal CARES Act emergency funds. The funds were completely disbursed as of Aug. 6, 2020. You may still apply to the Student Emergency Fund.

This federal program provides grants to students for expenses directly related to the disruption of their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Course materials and technology
  • Food
  • Housing and living expenses
  • Health-care and childcare costs
  • Expenses related to the impact of COVID-19

Federal CARES Act Reporting Information

UMKC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education and plans to use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (PDF)

  • Total CARES Act funds received: $3,531,361
  • Total CARES Act funds awarded: $3,531,361
  • Number of students eligible to participate in Title IV: 12,385
  • Number of students who received federal CARES Act grants: 2,442

Information updated Sept. 17, 2020.

View all CARES Act reporting metrics (PDF)

Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Emergency Grant

We are no longer accepting applications for the Federal HEERF II Emergency Grant. The funds were fully disbursed as of Feb. 22, 2021. You may still apply to the Student Emergency Fund.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) 2021 has provided an additional emergency financial aid grant for students. This grant may be used to assist students who have exceptional needs related to educational costs, food, housing, health care or childcare.

  • Academic year amount
    • Based on need as calculated by the 2020-21 FAFSA
    • If there is not a FAFSA on file, the need eligibility will be determined based on the students grant application
  • Eligibility
    • Enrolled in the Spring 2021 term
    • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
    • Priority to students with financial need

Students have the option to indicate if they want the grant to apply first to their student bill or be sent to them as check or direct deposit.

HEERF II Reporting Information

Additional Types of Aid