Paying for college can be a challenge, but the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (GKCCF) is helping to ease that burden for students in and around Kansas City. Their robust scholarship program offers hundreds of opportunities for students and matches applicants to awards that fit their unique qualifications.
Our team learned about this opportunity from Annie Burndrett with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation when she gave us a great presentation about the benefits of Donor Advised Funds. Her insights also introduced us to the Foundation’s scholarship program and showed how valuable these resources can be for students, especially those connected to our clients, who are planning for their educational future.
How the Scholarship Program Works
Students can get started by visiting growyourgiving.org/scholarships and following three simple steps:
- Create an account through the scholarship portal.
- Complete the general application to provide details about academic history, extracurricular activities, and goals.
- Review your matches. The portal will recommend scholarships based on your responses, and you can then apply to each by providing any additional information requested.
The application season begins at the start of the year, but Annie encourages students to get organized well in advance. That means gathering transcripts, references, and personal statements now so that when January arrives, applications are ready to submit.
Scholarships for Every Student Profile
The GKCCF administers a wide range of scholarships. Some focus on academic achievement, others on financial need, community involvement, or unique personal circumstances. This variety ensures that students from many different backgrounds can find opportunities to help finance their education.
Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or pursuing a vocational program, there is likely a scholarship that fits your path.
Another Scholarship Search Resource
While the GKCCF offers incredible local opportunities, students can expand their search using other trusted tools.
One we have suggested to clients in the past is Scholly by Sallie Mae. Scholly provides a nationwide database of scholarships and uses your background, interests, and goals to match you with awards you might qualify for. It is a great complement to the GKCCF’s portal, helping students uncover additional funding sources beyond Kansas City.
Using both resources together could significantly help increase your chances of finding scholarships that fit your needs.
Creating a Scholarship Fund
The GKCCF also makes it possible for individuals, families, or organizations to create their own scholarship funds to support future generations of students. Here are a few key points:
- You can name your fund in honor of a person, school, or cause.
- The minimum to open a fund is $25,000, and contributions are tax-deductible.
- You can set the eligibility criteria, award amounts (minimum $1,000 annually), and participate in selecting recipients.
- The GKCCF manages the application process, payment distribution, and recordkeeping, making it a seamless experience for donors.
For donors, this can be a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy and make a tangible difference in the lives of students.
A Call to Action for Our Community
If you have students in your family, your network, or your community who are preparing for higher education, now is the time to encourage them to explore these scholarships.
The earlier they start, the more prepared they will be to submit strong, complete applications when the scholarship season opens. For more information, students can visit growyourgiving.org/scholarships, call (816) 627-3436, or email [email protected].
To explore nationwide opportunities, check out Scholly and see what additional scholarships you might discover.
Let’s work together to spread the word about these valuable resources and help more students achieve their educational dreams.
The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions, which may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by others in the firm, and are meant for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. is not compensated by this vendor, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.