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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 university for close to free to earn your dream degree, would you? Great Jobs KC’s KC Scholars 11th-Grade College Scholarship application is open until February 27th at 5 PM, and can make an impact you may not realize was possible!  Our mission is to provide access to education opportunities that lead to household-sustaining jobs with benefits, and this scholarship is the first step. With 26 highly rated universities to choose from, our Scholars can expand their knowledge and earn a degree in hundreds of fields. As our mission originated with Ewing Marion Kauffman, we believe nothing should stand in the way of anyone pursuing a college degree. With funds directly paid to the college, our 11th-Grade College Scholarship helps to remove barriers that keep low and moderate-income students from achieving their dreams of going to college. 

So, how do you know if someone is eligible? The requirements are simple! This scholarship is available to current 11th-grade students living and attending school in Wyandotte or Johnson counties in Kansas, or in Clay, Platte, Jackson, or Cass counties in Missouri. These students must have a cumulative high school unweighted GPA of at least 2.5 or an ACT score of at least 16, or an SAT score of at least 800. Finally, you must be income-eligible (which you can check here: https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/), but U.S. citizenship or residency is not required.

But what makes our scholarship opportunity so special? We offer more than just financial support; we are here for our Scholars every step of the way! With hands-on, one-on-one support from Scholar Advocates, our Scholars are sure to excel within their degree studies. While it’s great to have someone who has been through the college process before, having peer resources is just as important. Select KC Scholars Network schools offer Ambassadors, current Scholars available for social and academic support. While it is important to excel in classes, we want our Scholars to have lifelong memories within their program. By hosting Ambassador events, our Scholars can connect with their peers, bounce ideas off one another, and create a campus environment they are excited to join. To learn more about the resources available to our Scholars, visit our website: https://greatjobskc.org/ambassador-program/  Do you know of someone who needs $50,000 for college? Or are your plans to earn a college degree? The future starts now; jump on this opportunity and start our application today! https://greatjobskc.org/apply/. 

The KC Scholars College Network offers nearly unlimited opportunities to achieve your dream! With 250 11th-Grade College Scholarships, with your choice of where in the network to go, and an almost unlimited number of opportunities if you are willing to be considered for our College-Specific Scholarships. For more information on the application process, watch this video to see how to get started today: https://greatjobskc.org/traditional-11th-grade/ 

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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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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