Scholarships
There are many opportunities for scholarships at UMKC. You may receive scholarships based on merit, academic achievement, financial need, or special abilities.
Incoming Freshman (First Time College)
First time college students are considered for automatic and competitive scholarships.
Admission Application Deadlines for Scholarships:
January 15th – Freshman Automatic Scholarship application deadline for incoming Freshmen for Fall 2021
Automatic Scholarships
- Awarded based on ACT or SAT score and High School Core GPA on Admission Application
- Students in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, or law are not eligible for these awards
- Student will receive only the highest award for which they qualify
| Scholarship | Academic Year Amount | Qualifications | Residency | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curators' Scholar Award | $5,000 | ACT score 28 AND HS Core GPA 3.75 | Missouri Residents | Apply for Admission by January 15th |
| Academic Excellence Award | $5,000 | ACT score 28 AND HS Core GPA 3.75 | Kansas Residents | Apply for Admission by January 15th |
| Chancellor's Award | $3,500 | ACT score 25 AND HS Core GPA 3.5 | Missouri and Kansas Residents | Apply for Admission by January 15th |
| Provost’s Award | $2,000 | ACT score 22 AND HS Core GPA 3.0 | Missouri and Kansas Residents | Apply for Admission by January 15th |
| Metro Kansas City High School | $1,000 | Graduate of Kansas City, MO or Kansas City, KS High School | Missouri and Kansas Residents from Kansas City | Apply for Admission by January 15th |
| Nonresident Awards | ||||
| Chancellor's Historically Underrepresented Minority Nonresident Award | Nonresident Tuition Differential | African American, Hispanic, or Native American | Nonresident | None |
Review each award individually for complete details and restrictions, including renewability.
Transfer Student Scholarships
Transfer students are considered for automatic and competitive scholarships.
Admission Application Deadlines for Scholarships:
May 1st – Transfer Automatic Scholarship application deadline
November 15 – Transfer Automatic Scholarship application deadline (spring)
Current UMKC Students
Complete the UMKC Competitive Scholarship Application, on-line.
The application is open October 1 – March 1 for scholarships awarded for the following fall semester. Our scholarship committee will match you to the scholarships for which you qualify.
Not a Missouri Resident?
There are many options for students who are not Missouri residents to receive scholarships and awards that reduce tuition and fees to resident amounts. Some scholarships are awarded automatically based on the materials in your Admission Application, and some may require a separate application.
Nonresident Scholarships and Awards
Did you know that if you are from Kansas or the Midwest you may be eligible for a lower non-resident tuition rate?
Academic Unit Scholarships
These are scholarships awarded by the academic unit (school/program) to which you are admitted. A separate scholarship application may be required by the academic unit; check with your academic unit to find out more:
Additional UMKC and State Opportunities
The Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation provides innovative products and services to Missouri students, particularly those with insufficient financial resources, to prepare for, enter into and successfully complete higher education at Missouri institutions.
Missouri Family Education Loan Program
A private student loan program designed to provide borrowing options for Missouri students who have financial need but may not meet the traditional credit requirements for private loans.
Review the application packet for more details on how to apply and eligibility qualifications.
Finish Line Degree Completion Grant Program
The Finish Line Degree Completion Grant helps support students with past due balances and partners with UMKC resources to help students re-enroll and complete their degrees.
Apply
Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship
The Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy, is designed to provide scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and who have a need for additional resources for higher education.
Apply
Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation’s Access Extra Scholarship
The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation’s Access Extra Scholarship is a private scholarship for students eligible for the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program and who have a 27 or higher on the ACT.
Apply
Director’s Choice Grant Program
An emergency grant fund for students with urgent financial need that serves as a barrier to their educational success. To apply, contact the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office if you have an urgent financial need, which will be reviewed by the Director.
Outside Scholarship Information
Receiving an outside scholarship?
Please inform the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office of all scholarships and awards you receive from sources outside of UMKC. The scholarships and awards will be added to your financial aid package and may impact certain UMKC scholarships, UMKC grants, and/or loans. Email our office with the name and amount of your scholarship or award at finaid@umkc.edu.
Avoid Scams
It might be a scam if:
- You have to spend money to get money. Legitimate scholarship providers don’t charge application fees, “redemption” fees or up-front taxes; nor do they ask students to make investments.
- They want bank account or credit card information. Trustworthy donors won’t ask for a credit card number to “hold” your award.
- It’s guaranteed. No one can guarantee that you’ll receive a scholarship, and any promise of a money-back guarantee is a red flag.
- You can’t find the information anywhere else. Scholarship agencies don’t keep information secret; they want to award scholarships. If a service promises to provide funds no one else knows about, be suspicious.
- You win a contest you don’t remember entering. If you receive a message saying you’ve been selected for an award or you’re a finalist in a competition you’ve never heard of, it might be a scam.
- It sounds too good to be true. Trust your instincts. If you’re suspicious about an offer, you probably have a good reason.