Pursuing higher education is a dream for many, but the rising cost of education makes it difficult for some to achieve. In Kansas, many students from low-income families continue to struggle to access quality education due to financial constraints. So, what’s the solution? Financial aid programs can help students in achieving their academic and career goals.
Kansas provides a variety of programs, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, tuition waivers, and loan assistance, to help students pursue their education. These programs consider financial need, merit, career goals, and service commitments while offering financial aid. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most reliable financial aid programs in Kansas to help students manage college costs.
Kansas Comprehensive Grant
Kansas Comprehensive Grant (KCG) is one of the most popular and reliable Kansas financial aid programs. It is a state-funded grant available to Kansas resident students who enroll in full-time undergraduate courses. This need-based grant is for students with urgent funding needs and does not have to be repaid. KCG is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding is limited; therefore, early applications are encouraged. Award amounts range from $500 to $3,500 at private institutions and $100 to $1,500 at public institutions.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Be a Kansas resident student.
- Enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking course in eligible institutions within the state.
- Pursuing a first bachelor’s degree.
- Have not received KCG for eight prior semesters.
- Show financial need with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 10,000 or less on the FAFSA.
Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship
The Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship supports first-generation college students and dependents of Kansas teachers or paraprofessionals pursuing their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship is awarded on both a need-based and merit-based basis. Recipients are chosen according to federal guidelines, considering both financial needs and academic proficiency. Priority is given to graduating high school seniors starting college.
The eligibility criteria are:
- First-Generation Student, which means neither parent/legal guardian has completed a bachelor’s degree. OR Dependent of a Kansas Educator, which means Parent/guardian must be an actively licensed teacher or paraprofessional in Kansas (pre-K–12).
- Must be a permanent resident of Kansas.
- Enroll full-time in an eligible Kansas college.
- Must maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree.
- Must demonstrate financial need based on federal methodology (determined through FAFSA).
Kansas Adult Learner Grant
The Kansas Adult Learner Grant provides financial assistance for students aged 25 or above seeking a bachelor’s degree in specific fields. Eligible areas include IT, security, healthcare, nursing, science, engineering, and aerospace. Other fields it covers are advanced manufacturing, education, early childhood development, business, accounting, and data analytics. This scholarship comes with a commitment—if someone accepts the funds, they have to live and work in Kansas after graduation. The grant is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Must be a Kansas resident.
- Should be 25 years of age or older.
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an eligible field at a qualifying four-year institution.
- Household income limits: $100,000 (family of two), $150,000 (family of three), plus $4,800 per additional member.
- Must complete FAFSA.
- Enroll as a full-time or part-time (at least six credit hours) in an eligible institution or program.
Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant
This grant supports students enrolled in designated technical education programs that are in high demand within the Kansas job market. The Kansas Board of Regents selects eligible programs and institutions. These include technical certificates or applied science degrees in critical industries with high demand and cost. This grant aims to strengthen Kansas’ workforce by supporting education in high-demand, critical industries. Priority in awarding goes to applicants with financial need.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Must hold a graduation degree from a Kansas high school accredited by the state board of education.
- Earned a Kansas State High School Diploma through the GED® Test.
- Complete a Kansas home school or non-accredited private school program per state guidelines.
- Be admitted to or enrolled in an approved career technical education program.
Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship
The Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship is a merit-based service obligation scholarship for students pursuing teaching degrees. This scholarship is open to bachelor’s and master’s students in teaching programs and licensed teachers pursuing endorsements or master’s degrees in high-need subjects. Those planning to teach in underserved areas also qualify for this scholarship. Recipients must fulfill their service obligation by teaching for one year per year of scholarship funding. The teaching commitment begins only after completing the funded degree program. This means recipients must teach in Kansas after completing their program.
The eligibility criteria include:
- Applicants must be residents of the State of Kansas and attending Kansas higher educational institutions,
- Enrolled in a program for teacher licensure in a high-need subject or underserved area in Kansas.
OR
Licensed teachers pursuing a new endorsement in a high-demand subject or teaching in an underserved area.
OR
Licensed teachers working toward a master’s degree in a critical-need subject or underserved region.
Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance
The Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance program offers financial support for Guard members in postsecondary education. It covers a portion of tuition and fees, capped at the rate charged by state institutions for enrollment. The exact percentage depends on available funding and the number of eligible applicants. Graduates must complete an additional 24 months of service in the Kansas National Guard. However, this assistance is only available for the fall and spring semesters.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Must be a Kansas resident.
- Pursuing a certificate, diploma, or degree program.
- Enlisted in the Kansas Air or Army National Guard.
- High school graduate or GED holder.
- Must not already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship
Aiming to address the nursing shortage in Kansas, Kansas Nursing Service scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing nursing degrees. The main obligation for receiving this financial aid is to practice as an LPN or RN in Kansas. This means recipients are required to practice nursing in Kansas and work for a sponsoring medical facility upon graduation. The sponsoring facility or agency itself offers employment upon the recipient’s license. Eligible sponsors include adult care homes, hospitals, health agencies, and state agencies.
The eligibility criteria include:
- Must be a Kansas resident.
- Admitted to a nursing degree program at an eligible Kansas institution.
- Preference is given to students enrolled for the full academic year.
- Must be enrolled full-time (minimum 12 semester hours or equivalent).
- Institutions must confirm full-time enrollment before funds are disbursed.
- Recipients must work for the sponsor for one year per year of scholarship support.
Conclusion
Financial aid programs are a lifeline for students who want to receive higher education and work in renowned fields. Government and private institutions offer both grants and scholarships to Kansas residents to allow them to pay their education fees. We have discussed top grants like the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, the Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant, and the Kansas Adult Learner Grant. Besides grants, there are scholarships like the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship, the Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship, the Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship, etc. For those who may still need additional funding, a money lender Singapore can provide alternative financial support. So, consider these financial aid programs in Kansas and choose the right one as per your eligibility and needs.
