Overview of Kansas Scholarships & Grants

Kansas offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs for both in-state and out-of-state students. This guide covers automatic merit scholarships from major universities, full-ride opportunities, statewide grants, and private-school awards. Whether you’re a high school senior, current college student, or parent planning ahead, you’ll find reliable information to help make higher education in Kansas more affordable.

Kansas Comprehensive Grant and Career Technical Workforce Grant can help reduce costs.

What Is the Income Limit for the Kansas Promise Scholarship?

The Kansas Promise Scholarship includes an income limit determined by the applicant’s household federal adjusted gross income (AGI). For a family of two, the income limit is $100,000; for a family of three, it’s $150,000; and for families of four or more, the limit is $150,000 plus an additional $4,800 for each extra household member. Individual applicants applying as independent students must also meet these income requirements. The scholarship aims to make higher education accessible to middle- and lower-income families by covering tuition and fees not already paid by other aid.

What Kansas Scholarships Are Available?

Kansas offers several state-funded scholarships that reward academic achievement, financial need, and career goals. Prominent programs include the Kansas State Scholars Program, which supports high-achieving high school graduates who complete a rigorous academic curriculum; the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, which provides need-based assistance for students attending public or private institutions in Kansas; and the Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant, which funds students enrolled in technical education programs preparing for high-demand jobs. Each program helps Kansas residents pursue higher education while strengthening the state’s workforce and talent pipeline.

What Scholarships Are Available for High School Seniors in Kansas?

High school seniors in Kansas can apply for a variety of scholarships that recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. The Dane G. Hansen Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship rewards outstanding students from northwest Kansas who show leadership and service to their communities. The Kansas State Scholars Program identifies and supports students completing the recommended Scholars Curriculum in high school, offering financial aid for college attendance. In addition, many Kansas community foundations and civic organizations provide local scholarships that can be combined with state and institutional awards.

What Is the Kansas Promise Scholarship?

The Kansas Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship designed to make education in high-demand fields more affordable. It covers tuition, fees, and required materials for eligible Kansas residents attending community or technical colleges in the state. Eligible programs of study include healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, early childhood education, and public safety. In exchange, recipients must agree to live and work in Kansas for at least two consecutive years after completing their program. This program helps ensure that the state retains skilled workers in industries vital to Kansas’s economy. For current program details, visit the Kansas Board of Regents.

What Scholarships Are Available for Nursing Students in Kansas?

Nursing students in Kansas have access to several scholarship opportunities aimed at expanding the state’s healthcare workforce. The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship provides financial assistance to nursing students who agree to work in a Kansas medical facility upon graduation. Awards cover partial tuition, fees, and living expenses in exchange for a work commitment at an eligible healthcare site. Additionally, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation Scholarship offers funding to nursing students pursuing degrees at Kansas colleges and universities. These programs ensure that nursing graduates can enter the workforce with reduced financial burden while filling critical healthcare positions statewide.

What Grants Are Available for College Students in Kansas?

Kansas students can also qualify for several need-based and career-oriented grants. The Kansas Comprehensive Grant helps low-income residents afford tuition at participating public and private universities, with awards ranging up to several thousand dollars per year depending on need and institution type. The Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant provides up to $1,000 per year for students enrolled in approved technical education programs at Kansas community or technical colleges. These grants, along with federal options like the Pell Grant, help reduce financial barriers to education and prepare students for success in the Kansas economy.

What Scholarships Are Available at the University of Kansas?

The University of Kansas (KU) offers numerous merit-based and need-based scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students. Major awards include the Chancellor’s Scholarship for top academic achievers, the KU Excellence Scholarship for high-performing students from across the country, and the Jayhawk Generations Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance for children and grandchildren of KU alumni. In addition, the university offers departmental scholarships for specific majors, such as engineering, business, and health sciences. Many KU scholarships are automatically considered upon admission, making early application advantageous.

What Is the Kansas Pell Grant?

The Kansas Pell Grant refers to the federal Pell Grant program, which provides need-based aid to undergraduate students. Although administered federally, the funds can be used at eligible Kansas colleges, universities, and technical schools. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Pell Grants do not need to be repaid, making them a key source of financial aid for low-income Kansas students pursuing their first college degree.

What Is the Kansas Hero Scholarship Act?

The Kansas Hero Scholarship Act provides educational benefits to the dependents and spouses of Kansas military service members, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical responders, and public safety personnel who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The program covers tuition, fees, and required materials at Kansas public institutions, ensuring that families of those who served the state have access to higher education. Administration and eligibility details are available through the Kansas Board of Regents.

Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025 Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.