Top 16 Kansas Scholarships in September 2023

How to win Kansas scholarships

Kansas is a diverse state ranging from farmland to bustling cities and prairies to flowing rivers. It’s no wonder you are curious how to win Kansas scholarships! The key to winning Kansas scholarships is to be uniquely and transparently you! This means searching for scholarships that align with your passions and career goals. Once you find these scholarships, you should then respond to scholarship  essay questions by detailing how the state of Kansas ignited your personal passion. 

For example, if you grew up near a farm in Kansas and learned firsthand about various crops and how to make them grow properly, it may be no surprise that you want to study agriculture in college. So, in your agriculture scholarship application, explicitly highlight how much your location in Kansas helped you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.

Connecting your uniqueness to the uniqueness of Kansas will make you stand out in Kansas scholarship applications. Doing so may just help you win Kansas scholarships and live out your career goals and dreams in the Sunflower state. 

Writing resources for writing Kansas scholarship essays 

In order to write a strong Kansas scholarship essay, you will need to review how to start a scholarship essay and how to end a scholarship essay. Additionally, looking over some Scholarships360 guides on common scholarship essay prompts and how to write an essay about yourself can ensure you are prepared for any essay a Kansas scholarship may require you to write. Lastly, review the ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships to make sure you are prepared to win Kansas scholarships! 

Kansas college loan debt snapshot

According to the Department of Education, Kansas residents owe $12.5 billion in federal student loan debt, with student borrowers owing $32,578 on average – remember this is just in federal loans, these numbers don’t also include private loans! Additionally, 52.6% of student loan borrowers in Kansas are under the age of 35. 

As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for. Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in Kansas scholarships, as well as Kansas scholarships!

Merit scholarships at Kansas colleges and universities

University of Kansas

• Eligibility: Incoming first-year students at University of Kansas with a 3.25+ GPA
• Amount: $1,000 up to $16,000
• Deadline: Admission to the University of Kansas 

Kansas State University

• Eligibility: In-state students who are incoming first-years to Kansas State University with a 3.1+ GPA and high SAT or ACT scores 
• Amount: $4,000 up to $20,000
• Deadline: Mid-December

Baker University

• Eligibility: Incoming first-years to Baker University with have a 2.0+ GPA and a 16+ ACT score
• Amount: $14,000 up to full tuition and housing costs
• Deadline: Admission to Baker University

Benedictine College

• Eligibility: Incoming first-year full-time students to Benedictine College with a high GPA and a high ACT/SAT/CLT score
• Amount: $10,000 up to full tuition 
• Deadline: Admission to Benedictine College

McPherson College

• Eligibility: Incoming first-years and transfer students to McPherson College with a high school GPA 
• Amount: Up to full tuition
• Deadline: Admission to McPherson College

Wichita State University

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen with strong GPA and ACT/SAT scores 
• Amount: $1,000 up to $6,000
• Deadline: March 1

Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity 

In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their own state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.

Here are a few well-known Kansas universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:

University of Kansas 

• In-state tuition: $10,092
• Out-of-state tuition: $26,960

Kansas State University

• In-state tuition: $11,876
• Out-of-state tuition: $28,348

How do you get in-state tuition? 

Being a Kansas resident significantly reduces the cost of tuition for Kansas universities and colleges. In order to become a Kansas resident for tuition purposes, you will need to have a continuous physical presence in Kansas for at least 365 days prior to the first day of classes for which you are applying for residency. During these 365 days, you will need to receive income and financial support from Kansas sources. Additionally, you will need to show intent to remain in Kansas indefinitely. Obtaining a Kansas driver’s license, voter registration in Kansas, car registration in Kansas, and owning a home in Kansas are all possible ways to show your intent. Lastly, you must prove that you are residing in Kansas for reasons other than educational purposes. 

Does Kansas offer tuition reciprocity? 

Yes, Kansas is a member of the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), which is a tuition reciprocity program. In this program, students from participating states are able to attend certain programs and colleges outside of their home state for a reduced cost. The states that participate in this program are Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. 

Kansas scholarship spotlight

Broadcast Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Kansas residents attending a post-secondary institution in Kansas who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a broadcast or related curriculum 
• Amount: $20,000
• Deadline: May 1

Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship

• Eligibility: Kansas students who identify as African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and/or Hispanic. Must demonstrate financial need. Must attend an institution in Kansas. Meet one of the following requirements:
  • Have a 21+ ACT score or 1060 – 1090 SAT score
  • Have a 3.0+ GPA
  • High school rank in upper 33%
  • Complete Kansas Scholars Curriculum
  • Selection by National Merit Corporation in any category
  • Selection by College Board as a Hispanic Scholar
• Amount: $1,850 annually 
• Deadline: May 1

Kansas Military Service Scholarship

• Eligibility: Residents of Kansas who served in any overseas military operation after 9/11/2001 for which they received hostile fire pay. Must submit a copy of DD-214 form or active duty orders. 
• Amount: Tuition and fees 
• Deadline: May 1 

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

• Eligibility: Must attend or be accepted to a nursing program at a Kansas school and commit to full-time service at a Kansas facility after nursing licensure
• Amount: $3,500 up to $4,500
• Deadline: May 1 

Kansas State Scholarship

• Eligibility: Kansas high school seniors who have completed the Kansas Scholars Curriculum and are designated a Kansas State Scholar by the Kansas Board of Regents
• Amount: $1,000 annually
• Deadline: July 1 

Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant 

• Eligibility: Kansas residents who are enrolled in an eligible career technical education program operated by a designated Kansas educational institution
• Amount: $500 up to $1,000 annually 
• Deadline: May 1 

Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship

• Eligibility: Kansas residents who are pursuing bachelor’s degree programs or are currently licensed teachers and must sign an agreement to teach one year for each year of scholarship support in Kansas 
• Amount: $1,263 up to $3,157 per semester
• Deadline: May 1 

KASF Mountain States Regional Chapter scholarship

• Eligibility: Students with Korean heritage who will be a full-time student in either Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, or Wyoming who have a 3.0+ GPA
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Late June

Kansas Health Information Management Association (KHIMA) scholarships

• Eligibility: Must be a member/student member of AHIMA and KHIMA. Must be a full-time or part-time student in your last year of studies at one of these programs:
  • HIA Program at the University of Kansas
  • HIT Program at Washburn University
  • HIT Program at Hutchinson Community College
  • HIT Program at Neosho County Community College
  • HIA Program at the University of Saint Mary
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: October 31  

Dan L. Meisinger, Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship

• Eligibility: College students enrolled in aviation programs with a “B” average or better. Preference will be given to Kansas, Missouri or Illinois residents 
• Amount: $2,500 
• Deadline: Last Friday in November 

Kansas Agricultural Retailers Association (KARA) scholarships

• Eligibility: Graduating Kansas high school seniors or current undergraduate students enrolled in a Kansas 4-year university, community college, or technical school studying an agricultural related field
• Amount: $500 up to $1,500 
• Deadline: Early March 

The Rudd Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Residents of Kansas who qualify for in-state tuition and are planning to attend either Emporia State, Fort Hays State, or Wichita State University
• Amount: Any remaining costs from tuition, fees, room and board and other college related expenses
• Deadline: January 1

Celebrate the West High School Art Competition

• Eligibility: An art competition for high schoolers who create a piece of artwork that reflects the West 
• Amount: $200 up to $1,500
• Deadline: Mid-April 

Additional Kansas resources

Kansas Board of Regents

This website is a one-stop shopping experience for students looking for information on the 32 public higher education institutions in Kansas, as well as financial aid, adult education, scholarships, and career and technical education programs.

Topeka Community Foundation

The Topeka Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for high school and college students in the Topeka area.

FAFSA Guide

On October 1st of every year, the FAFSA opens nationwide. For priority consideration, students in Kansas should submit their FAFSA applications by midnight on April 1st each year. Check out our handy guide for tips on completing the FAFSA.

Frequently asked questions about Kansas scholarships