First-Time College Student

We know one of the most important factors in choosing a college is affordability. We offer a range of automatic and competitive renewable scholarships for eligible first-time college students.

Automatic Scholarships for Fall 2023

  • Beginning Fall 2023 automatic scholarships will be awarded based on ACT scores OR high school core GPA, as well as other qualifying criteria. High school core GPA is calculated from the 17 core requirements of the university, and is based on a 4.0 scale.
  • All first-time college students are considered for these awards with the exception of students in the schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Law.
  • Students will receive only the highest award for which they qualify, with the exception of high school graduates from the Kansas City Public School District or North Kansas City Schools who are automatically eligible for the District High School Scholarship. This award may be combined with the highest automatic award a student is eligible to receive, with the exception of the Metro Kansas City High School Award.
  • To be matched with the highest possible automatic award, you must complete the UMKC application for admission by January 15 for the Fall Semester or November 15 for the Spring Semester.
Automatic scholarships for first-time college students
Scholarship Academic year amount Qualifications Residency 
Curators' Scholar Award $5,000 28 ACT score or 3.75 high school core GPA  Missouri resident
Academic Excellence Award $5,000 28 ACT score or 3.75 high school GPA Kansas resident
Chancellor's Award $3,500 25 ACT score or 3.5 high school core GPA Missouri or Kansas resident
Provost's Award $2,000 22 ACT score or 3.0 high school core GPA Missouri or Kansas resident
Metro Kansas City High School Award $1,000 Graduate Kansas City, MO, or Kansas City, KS, high school Kansas City, MO, or Kansas City, KS, resident
Stackable automatic awards
Scholarship Academic year amount Qualifications Residency 
District High School Scholarship $1,500 High School graduate from Kansas City Public School District or North Kansas City Schools Missouri resident
Roo Advantage Covers remaining gap between gift aid (scholarships and grants) and remaining tuition and fees Pell-eligible and complete the FAFSA by April 1st Missouri or Kansas resident

 

View all automatic scholarships

Competitive Scholarships

  • Competitive scholarships are awarded based on criteria of each scholarship. Funding may be limited for certain competitive scholarships, and some awards require additional application materials.
  • The application period for most competitive scholarships is October 1–March 1.
  • Some awards may require additional qualifications, which will be listed in the application.
Premiere Competitive Scholarships
Scholarship Academic year amount Qualifications Deadline 
Trustees' Scholars Tuition & Fees, Room & Board, Books ACT 30 and/or 3.5 GPA, and/or Top 5% Class Rank Apply by December 1

Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program

Available to all students entering a standard undergraduate program, not just those planning to enter the Bloch School

Tuition & Fees Live in one of the five qualifying KC area counties.
Demonstrate financial need.
Not eligible to receive traditional scholarships
Apply by April 3

Marion H. Bloch Scholars Program

Available to all students entering a standard undergraduate program, not just those planning to enter the Bloch School

Tuition & Fees Live in one of the five qualifying KC area counties.
ACT 25 and a HS GPA of 3.6 or above 
OR
3.75 HS GPA or above
Apply by January 15
KC Scholars Up to $10,000 Live in 6 county metro area; Have at least: 2.5 cumulative HS GPA, or 16 ACT, or 800 SAT; 12,000 or less EFC from FAFSA Apply by March 1 of 11th grade year
Professional Career Escalators Scholarship
1,500 toward tuition
OR
2,500 toward campus housing
Be selected to participate in the Professional Career Escalators program Apply by March 1

Apply for competitive scholarships

Scholarship Spotlight

Emergency Resources

In an emergency or crisis situation, UMKC aims to be a lifeline for its students in need. These resources can help students who have encountered unexpected financial obstacles to complete their academic requirements without major interruption.

  • UMKC Emergency Fund
  • Short-term emergency loans
  • Food and housing assistance
  • Help with financial literacy

Find emergency resources

three people stand in front of shelves filled with canned and boxed goods at the Kangaroo Pantry

More Scholarship Opportunities

Some academic units offer scholarships to their students

Awards from private sources such as banks, institutions and organizations

Awards for eligible Missouri residents

Not a resident of Missouri?

Don't Forget to Fill Out the FAFSA

Many scholarships are based on financial need. File your FAFSA by the February 1 priority deadline.

UMKC FAFSA Code: 002518

Learn more about FAFSA