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Before KC Scholars, college felt more like a dream than a plan

Great Jobs KC

A man wearing a multicolored traditional-style shirt stands against a plain white background, smiling at the camera, appearing free from financial stress.

Before KC Scholars came into my life, college felt more like a dream than a plan. I knew I wanted to pursue higher education, but I had no idea how I would get there financially, or even where to start. As an African and first-generation student, I never thought I would be able to receive financial assistance for college. Like many students, I was juggling school, family responsibilities, and the weight of figuring out a future I could barely imagine.

I first heard about KC Scholars through my high school English teacher, who emphasized, “This program changes lives.” I was skeptical but hopeful, so I applied. What stood out to me immediately was that KC Scholars wasn’t just another scholarship—it was a community. It was a system built to support students who, like me, needed more than just money—we needed mentorship, guidance, and a network that believed in us. 

One of my biggest challenges was self-doubt. Coming from a background where college wasn’t a given, I constantly asked myself, “Do I belong here?”. Add financial stress, family obligations, and a lack of direction, and the road ahead looked more like a maze than a path. But the moment I got that acceptance letter from KC Scholars, everything shifted. Suddenly, the “what ifs” turned into “what’s next?” I had the financial support to pursue college without being buried in loans.

I was so happy that I got accepted because in that moment, I had the confidence of saying I am going to college and will be the first one in my family to graduate. More than that, I had people in my corner cheering me on. It’s hard to put into words what KC Scholars has done for me. It’s more than a scholarship—it’s a lifeline. It’s knowing that when things get hard (and they have), I have a safety net of people and resources to help me keep going. It’s opened doors to academic and career opportunities I never thought possible.

One of my favorite memories must be the KC Scholars Award Ceremony. Standing in a room filled with other students just like me—first generation, driven, full of potential—it was one of the first times I felt truly seen and celebrated because I got both the Traditional Scholarship and College Saving Match. That sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger, will stay with me forever.

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About Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job placement assistance for young people from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all. For more information, visit www.greatjobskc.org.

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Being part of the KC Scholars Ambassador Program has even deepened my experience. It gave me leadership opportunities and allowed me to mentor incoming Scholars who were starting. Sharing my story and helping others navigate their paths has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Great Jobs KC has helped me start thinking beyond just getting a degree. It’s helped me connect the dots between education and real, fulfilling employment. The program’s focus on career readiness, job placement, and building a meaningful future makes it clear that they’re invested in our success after college, too, not just during it.

I’m currently majoring in Exercise Science and plan to attend grad school for Physical Therapy. Starting in the fall, I will be a senior at Rockhurst University, and I could not have done it without Great Jobs KC. I want to say thank you, and I hope KC Scholars continues to grow to help students like me. You are not just changing lives, you are investing in students’ potential who want to make a difference in their lives and the community. Thank you, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for placing me on the path with KC Scholars. My dreams feel so much more attainable now, and that’s because of the foundation KC Scholars helped me build. To anyone thinking about applying, do it, even if you’re unsure, even if you feel like you don’t check all the boxes. This program sees potential where others might overlook it. And if you give it your all, it will give you more than you ever expected in return.

A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

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Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
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