STATE OF KANSAS FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR)
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 520
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1368
(785) 296-3517

www.kansasregents.org

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Kansas.

The Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship Program

The Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship program is designed to assist financially needy, academically competitive students who are identified as members of any of the following ethnic/racial groups: African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic.

Program Description:

The Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship program is designed to assist financially needy, academically competitive students who are identified as members of any of the following ethnic/racial groups: African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic. Selection priority is given to applicants who are freshmen.

Academic Criteria:

The minimum academic requirements include one of the following:
1) ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 990
2) Cumulative GPA of 3.0
3) High school rank in upper 33%
4) Completion of Kansas Scholars Curriculum
5) Selection by National Merit Corporation in any category
6) Selection by College Board as a Hispanic Scholar

Recipients:

Students who meet minimum requirements comprise the applicant pool and selection is competitive based, generally, on completion of the Kansas Scholars Curriculum plus a competitive combination of all other criteria listed under "Academic Criteria." Undergraduates may receive funds for four years (five years if enrolled in a designated five-year program). Recipients must attend a Kansas community college, independent college, or state university.

Deadline:

May 1

Award Amount:

Ethnic Minority scholarship recipients may receive up to $1,850 annually based on financial need as measured by Federal Methodology using data submitted on the FAFSA and the availability of State funds.

Renewals:

Renewals must complete the FAFSA and the front page only of this state application each year. To be eligible for funding, you must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and have financial need.

The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship requires a commitment to practicing as an LPN or RN in a specific Kansas location. Applicants must locate a sponsor (generally a hospital or long-term care facility) to provide partial scholarship funding and provide employment upon licensure of the recipient.

Program Description:

Designed to encourage enrollment in nursing programs by Kansans committed to practicing in Kansas. Recipients sign agreements to practice nursing at specific facilities one year for each year of scholarship support.

Academic Criteria:

Minimum criteria include:
1. Acceptance to a Kansas nursing program (pre-nursing will not be funded) and,

2. Commitment by an eligible sponsor to fund up to half of the scholarship and provide full-time employment to the recipient within six (6) months after licensure.

Recipients:

Awards are made to students with the earliest receipt date of a completed nursing application. The FAFSA and the state application must be processed by the deadline date.

Deadline:

May 1

Award Amount:

Recipients who enroll in Licensed Practical Nurse programs are eligible for $2,500 each year of the program. Those enrolled in Registered Nurse programs are eligible for $3,500. Sponsors pay from $1,000 to one-half of the scholarship and the State of Kansas pays the remaining amount.

Renewals:

Recipients receive a renewal service agreement and promissory note from the Board of Regents in March of each year which must be signed and returned with a signed sponsor agreement. The Federal application and the front page only of the state application must also be completed each year.

Recipient Obligation:

Scholarship recipients work for the sponsor, who provided a portion of the funds, one year for each year of scholarship support. If the recipient changes majors or decides not to work for the sponsor as a nurse, the scholarship becomes a loan (with an interest rate equal to the Federal Plus Loan + an additional 5% subject to change annually) accruing from the date scholarship funds are released by the Board of Regents office.

State Scholars

State Scholars are Kansas residents who receive State Scholar designation in their senior year of high school. Criteria include having taken the ACT Assessment between April of the sophomore year and December of the senior year, AND completing the Kansas Scholars Curriculum. The 7th semester cumulative GPA and curriculum data are provided by high school officials to the Board of Regents in March.

Designation is based on an index which mathematically combines the ACT Composite score and GPA. Funding by the Kansas Legislature allows State Scholars designation to go to 20-40% of high school seniors who complete the Regents Scholars Curriculum. Applicants should complete the state application. Funding priority goes to Renewals.

Program Description:

The program is designed to assist financially needy students who have received State Scholar designation as a state scholar.

Academic Criteria:

Minimum requirements include:
1. taking the ACT Assessment no later than December of the senior year;

2. completing the Kansas Scholars Curriculum;

3. having curriculum and 7th semester GPA certified on the official roster by the high school counselor, registrar, or similar official;

4. graduation from a Kansas high school. The academic profile for the previous year scholars included an average ACT of 29 and average GPA of 3.90. (Only students who receive a letter of designation are eligible).

Recipients:

Students who meet minimum requirements comprise the applicant pool with designation (selection) of State Scholars based on ranking by descending index number. The number of designees is dependent on State funding levels.

Deadline: May 1

Award Amount:

Designated State Scholars may receive up to $1,000 annually based on financial need as measured by the Federal Methodology using data submitted on the FAFSA and on the availability of State funds.

Renewals:

State Scholars must complete the Federal application and the state application each year. Funding priority goes to upper-class students. Scholars may receive funds for four undergraduate years (five years if enrolled in a designated five year program). Scholars who are not financially eligible for funding one year may be eligible in a following year and should apply for aid each year to officially learn of eligibility. Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have financial need. Renewals are not notified. It is the responsibility of the State Scholar to reapply for funding each year.

Kansas Comprehensive Grants

Kansas Comprehensive Grants are available to needy Kansas residents enrolled full-time at eighteen private colleges and universities located in Kansas, the six state universities, and Washburn University. The Kansas Legislature provides limited assistance to financially needy students. To be considered you must complete and submit the FAFSA, listing one or more eligible colleges in the FAFSA. The priority receipt deadline is April 1 so the completed FAFSA should be mailed by March 15. The funding level allows about 1 in 3 eligible students to be assisted with award amounts ranging from $200-$3,000 at the private institutions and $100-$1,100 at the public institutions.

Vocational Scholarship

The Vocational Scholarship is available to eligible students enrolled in approved vocational programs at community or technical colleges and some two-year programs at four-year institutions. Applicants must take the vocational exam which is offered at various sites throughout the state on the first Saturday in November and March. See your high school or college financial aid advisor for applications or contact the Board of Regents. There are approximately 250 scholarships of $500.00 each awarded to the applicants with the highest scores. Approximately 1 in 2 applicants is funded.

State Funded Graduate Programs

Recipients must be Kansas residents. Additional information is available from the Board of Regents office.

Kansas Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship

Designed to encourage primary care physicians to establish practices in rural areas of Kansas. Recipients receive $15,000 per year for up to four years of study at nationally accredited osteopathic schools. Preference goes to first year students. Recipients return one year of practice for each year of assistance. Applicants must complete a program application and the designated financial aid application. Priority Deadline: May 1.

Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship

Designed to encourage optometrists to establish Kansas practices. Kansas helps to pay the difference between resident and nonresident tuition at eligible out-of-state institutions. Generally, recipients must return one year of practice for each year of assistance. Priority Deadline: May 1.

Kansas Dental Education Opportunities Program

Designed to encourage dentists to establish Kansas practices. Kansas helps pay the difference between resident and nonresident tuition at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Applications also available from UM-KC. Deadline: Rolling.

James B. Pearson Fellowship

Established by former Kansas Senator Pearson to encourage graduate students from Kansas public universities to experience the global perspective gained from study abroad. Preferences given to applicants whose studies are directly related to foreign affairs. The average stipend provided is $2,456. Applications also available from graduate school offices. Deadline: April 1.

Kansas Distinguished Scholarship Program

Created to encourage Brasenose, Clevening, Fulbright, Madison, Marshall, Mellon, Rhodes, and Truman scholars from Kansas to continue graduate studies at Kansas public universities. Kansas reimburses tuition and fees to recipients subject to funding constraints.

Other student financial assistance programs available: Workforce Development Loan Program, Foster Care Tuition Waiver, and Tuition and Fee Waivers for Dependents and Spouses of Deceased Public Safety Officers, Prisoners of War, and Deceased Military Personnel. For more information about these programs, call the Kansas Board of Regents office or visit our website.

Tuition Waiver Programs

Tuition Waiver programs are available for Foster Children and Dependents of Slain Public Safety Officers

You can apply for State of Kansas Student Aid 1 of 2 ways:

1. Complete the Online Form OR

2. Print, complete and mail the State of Kansas Student Aid Application

State Financial Aid Information

Find state financial aid information for the specific state that you live in. Find contact information for your local federal aid office, and get details about specific federal aid programs in your area.