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UCM Announces the Opportunity Scholarship for KC Scholars

The University of Central Missouri recently announced a new Opportunity Scholarship for KC Scholars which will begin Fall 2021. To aid in KC Scholars’ persistence and completion of college and help ensure that they are not taking on student loan debt, UCM is providing additional financial support to Scholars to help meet any unmet need.

For 11th grade (Traditional) KC Scholars scholarship awardees:

This UCM opportunity scholarship will cover the full published cost of attending UCM including tuition, general fees, textbooks, residence halls, and meal plan. This is a last dollar scholarship that will pay for any remaining need the student has after all other aid has been added to the student’s account. The only cost not included within this scholarship are flight fees associated with our aviation program. We will also include an additional amount to help cover travel expenses each semester to travel home or use for other expenses the student might incur. 

For Adult Learner KC Scholars scholarship awardees:

This scholarship will cover all the student’s tuition and general fees and textbooks throughout the year after all other aid has been applied. The only costs the students will have to cover is housing if they decide to live on campus. 

Requirements:

Once KC Scholars are enrolled at UCM, they must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater each academic year and remain eligible for renewed scholarship funding per KC Scholars Guidelines.

Additionally:

  • Scholars previously or currently enrolled at UCM will not be eligible for the opportunity scholarship. Only new incoming Scholars who enroll in FA21 or beyond are eligible.
  • The above will start in FA21.
  • UCM aid will be after all other KC Scholars, federal, state, and institutional aid has been applied and funds described above would cover any remaining costs after all other sources of aid are applied.
  • UCM aid will cover up to the $19,000 total per student for the remaining costs. UCM will fill the remaining unmet need up to $19,000.
  • This scholarship will be renewable for up to 8 semesters of enrollment at UCM.
  • UCM aid will be included on the financial aid summary provided to the student, to include language in the award letter to provide clarity to the estimate and that we would have a final number after other scholarships and costs are associated with the student’s account after enrollment.
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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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