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Six students with backpacks stand below the text "Financial Literacy is an Investment In Your Future!" on a green background with a money icon.

Financial literacy, an investment in your future.

Financial literacy, an investment in your future. Great Jobs KC   Having Financial Literacy is an Investment in Your Future.   To ensure our Scholars ...
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A variety of white, illuminated paper sculptures and hanging forms resembling flowers and insects are displayed in an indoor gallery setting, inspiring creativity like an 11th-Grade College Scholarship competition.

Art, Culture, and Collaboration at KCAI

Art, Culture, and Collaboration at KCAI Great Jobs KC My name is Destiny Aguilar-Jimenez, and during my first semester at KCAI my main focus was ...
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Silhouette of a psychology student with a backpack and folder, standing in front of a school building with the text "LET'S GO. $50K TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. Perfect for those interested in global learning or study abroad experiences.

Our 11th-Grade College Scholarship Closes Feb. 27th at 5 PM!

Our 11th-Grade College Scholarship Closes Feb. 27th at 5 PM! Great Jobs KC If you had the opportunity to study at a highly qualified, local ...
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Six young women, including a study abroad psychology student, stand outdoors smiling for a group selfie with trees in the background.

Walking the World: Lessons in Psychology, Culture, and Connection

Walking the World: Lessons in Psychology, Culture, and Connection Great Jobs KC   Studying abroad has always been a dream, and visiting Senegal, Scotland, and ...
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A woman with long dark hair and glasses smiles at the camera, embodying resilience and reflection, with the Washington Monument and National Mall in the background.

Micaela Carter: Finding Her Future

Micaela Carter: Finding Her Future Great Jobs KC I first heard about KC Scholars through my high school since I’m a first-gen student and met ...
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Students and faculty stand beside research posters at a University of Missouri-Columbia undergraduate research event, showcasing projects on resilience and recovery. Names of Marena, Belle, and Rylee are indicated.

Research Circles That Take Scholars to the Next Level

Research Circles That Take Scholars to the Next Level Great Jobs KC Last semester, Belle, Rylee, and Marena, three KC Scholars at the University of ...
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Large illuminated "El Palo" sign on grass at dusk near water, with a person standing between the letters; KC Scholars logo in top right corner, symbolizing hope and relief from financial stress.

 I Once Said ‘No’ to The Adventure of a Lifetime: How KC Scholars’ Adult Scholarship Helped Me Say ‘Yes’ to Myself after 20 Years 

I Once Said ‘No’ to The Adventure of a Lifetime: How KC Scholars’ Adult Scholarship Helped Me Say ‘Yes’ to Myself after 20 Years Great ...
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Seven graduates in caps and gowns stand on outdoor steps, proudly wearing white stoles that read “Great Jobs KC Scholars”—a celebration of success achieved despite financial stress. A blue sign with the program’s logo appears in the lower right corner.

Navigating Your New Reality as a First-Generation Student

Navigating Your New Reality as a First-Generation Student Great Jobs KC University. A new chapter. An experience entirely your own. To honor the signing of ...
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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

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

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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