Construction Update
The front entrance with parking at the UMKC Administrative Center is closed for construction. Please use the entrances on the east, south and north ends of building. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will remain open for calls and email. UMKC Central will be relocating to its new office in Atterbury Student Success Center from July 27 to August 14. Walk-in services may be limited or not available during that time.
First-Time College Students
We offer a variety of automatic and competitive scholarships for students enrolling in college for the first time at UMKC, many of which are renewable throughout your entire academic career.
About Automatic Scholarships
All first-time college students working on their first bachelor's degree who apply to UMKC by Jan. 15 for the Fall Semester or Nov. 15 for the Spring Semester are considered for UMKC automatic scholarships, with the exception of students in the schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Law. Scholarships are only available to students upon admission to the university; continuing students are not eligible for scholarship consideration. A student becomes a continuing student on the first day they begin courses at UMKC.
If you qualify for more than one automatic scholarship, you will receive the award with the highest amount per academic year, with the exception of the District High School Scholarship and Roo Advantage, which can be combined with the award with the highest amount per academic year for which you qualify. Students enrolling in the schools of Medicine and Pharmacy are not eligible for the Roo Advantage Scholarship.The Metro Kansas City High School Award cannot be combined with any other automatic scholarship. The Blue and Gold Distinguished Award will begin being offered to first time college students in Fall 2026.
If you qualify for more than one automatic scholarship, you will receive the one with the highest amount per academic year
Automatic Scholarships At a Glance
Click on the scholarship links for full award details.
- Blue and Gold Distinguished Award
- $7,500 per academic year
- 30 or higher ACT score AND 3.65 high school core GPA minimum
- Curator's Scholars Award
- $5,000 per academic year
- 28 or higher ACT score or 3.75 high school core GPA minimum
- Missouri resident
- Academic Excellence Award
- $5,000/per academic year
- 28 or higher ACT score or 3.75 high school core GPA minimum
- Kansas resident
- Chancellor's Award
- $3,500 per academic year
- 25 or higher ACT score or 3.5 high school core GPA minimum
- Missouri or Kansas resident
- Provost's Award
- $2,000 per academic year
- 22 or higher ACT score or 3.0 high school core GPA minimum
- Missouri or Kansas resident
- Metro Kansas City High School Award
- $1,000 per academic year
- Graduated from Kansas City, Mo., or Kansas City, Kan. high school
- Missouri or Kansas resident
Scholarships that can be combined with the other automatic scholarships in your aid offer.
- District High School Scholarship
- $1,500 per academic year in addition to the highest automatic scholarship you qualify for.
- Missouri resident
- Roo Advantage Scholarship
- Covers gap between scholarships and grants and remaining tuition and fees.
- FAFSA by April 1 for Fall admits and Dec. 1 for Spring admits)
- Resident of Missouri or Kansas
Competitive Scholarships
You must complete the competitive scholarship application to be considered for any competitive scholarships. The application period for most competitive scholarships is October 1 through March 1.
Because funding for some competitive scholarships is limited, it's important to apply as early as possible.
Competitive scholarships are awarded by how well you fit the criteria for the scholarship. Therefore, some awards require additional application materials.
Bloch Scholars awards are available to all admitted students entering a standard undergraduate program — not just those enrolled at Bloch School of Management.
Competitive Scholarships At a Glance
Click on the scholarship links for full award details.
- Trustee's Scholars
- Covers tuition and fees, housing, meal plan or stipend and books
- 3.5 high school core GPA minimum, 30 or higher ACT score or top 5% class ranking
- Apply by Dec. 1
- KC Scholars
- Up to $10,000
- Resident of one of six qualifying Kansas City-area counties
- 2.5 cumulative high school GPA minimum, 16 or higher ACT score or 800 or higher SAT score
- $12,000 or less FAFSA Student Aid Index
- Deadline varies
- Professional Career Escalators
- Choice between $1,500 toward tuition or $2,500 toward on-campus housing
- Admission to Professional Career Escalators program
- Apply by March 1
Scholarship Spotlight
Bloch School of Management
Bloch Launchpad offers a unique professional and leadership development opportunity and awards up to $10,000 in scholarship funding.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City
Awarded to incoming UMKC students who were an active member of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City during their senior year of high school.
Boys & Girls Clubs Scholarship
Kansas City Chiefs
$1,500 award for first-time college students with a 2.75 core GPA and high or medium need, with preference given to those with the highest need eligibility and first-generation college students. Must be from the Kansas City metro area or from Missouri.
Emergency Resources
We provide a variety of lifelines to students experiencing emergency or crisis situations. These resources help students when unexpected financial obstacles threaten to interrupt them from completing their academic requirements.
- UMKC Emergency Fund
- Short-term emergency loans
- Food and housing assistance
- Help with financial literacy
- Emergency resources
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Don't Forget to Fill Out the FAFSA
Many scholarships are based on financial need. File your FAFSA by the Feb. 1 priority deadline. Use the UMKC FAFSA code: 002518.