University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit tiers for Missouri, Kansas, and nonresidents
Competitive Foundation awards and hidden-gem scholarships
Honors perks and UMKC’s standout academic specialties

If your student is considering UMKC, you’re probably asking what the real price tag looks like—and how scholarships can help bring it down. This guide walks through the full cost of attendance, automatic merit for Missouri and Kansas residents, competitive Foundation awards, and hidden funding for first-gen and local students. For state-specific help, check out our Missouri aid guide, or explore the full CRP scholarships hub to compare other universities.

💰 Cost of Attendance at UMKC

Category	In-State (MO & KS)	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits)	$14,666	$32,306
Housing & Meals	$15,452	$15,452
Books & Supplies	$786	$786
Transportation	$1,971	$2,761
Personal Expenses	$1,142	$1,142
Total (before aid)	$34,017	$51,657

Average Net Price: According to federal data, UMKC students paid an average of $23,720 per year after scholarships and grants (no loans). In plain English, that’s what families actually paid out of pocket on average in the most recent NCES data year.

Reciprocity & Regional Discounts: Kansas residents automatically pay the same rate as Missouri residents. This discount can save families more than $15,000 a year compared to standard out-of-state tuition. No extra application is needed—just proof of residency.

Cost & Reciprocity FAQ

Who qualifies for in-state tuition? Missouri residents and Kansas residents automatically qualify for the in-state rate.

How much can scholarships reduce the price? Automatic and competitive scholarships can reduce the bill by thousands each year, sometimes bringing nonresident costs close to in-state levels.

Do families need to apply for reciprocity? No. Kansas students automatically receive in-state tuition at UMKC once residency is verified.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

UMKC automatically considers all first-time college students for a range of merit scholarships when they apply for admission. No separate application is required. These awards are based on high school GPA and, if submitted, ACT/SAT test scores. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and maintaining the GPA/credit load listed for each award.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Curators’ Scholar Award	$5,000/yr	Missouri residents; ACT ≥28 or GPA ≥3.75	No	Yes — maintain 2.75 GPA & 12+ credits/semester	Top MO students with 3.8+ GPA or 29+ ACT
Academic Excellence Award	$5,000/yr	Kansas residents; ACT ≥28 or GPA ≥3.75	No	Yes — maintain 2.75 GPA & 12+ credits	Top KS students with 3.8+ GPA or 29+ ACT
Chancellor’s Award	$3,500/yr	MO or KS residents; ACT ≥25 or GPA ≥3.5	No	Yes — 2.75 GPA & 12+ credits	Strong 3.5–3.7 GPA students
Provost’s Award	$2,000/yr	MO or KS residents; ACT ≥22 or GPA ≥3.0	No	Yes — 2.75 GPA & 12+ credits	Solid B students (3.0–3.4 GPA)
District HS Award	$1,500/yr	Graduates of select Kansas City district schools	No	Yes — 2.5 GPA	KC local students from designated high schools
Metro KC HS Award	$1,000/yr	Graduates of specific KC metro high schools	No	Yes — 2.5 GPA	Students from listed metro-area schools
Roo Advantage Scholarship	Covers tuition & fees	Pell-eligible MO or KS residents; FAFSA by April 1 (Fall) or Dec 1 (Spring)	No (FAFSA required)	Yes — 2.5 GPA & 24 credits/yr	Low-income MO/KS students filing FAFSA early

*Eligibility is based on UMKC’s published GPA/ACT cutoffs. Awards are mutually exclusive (students receive the highest scholarship they qualify for). Renewal requires meeting GPA and credit-hour benchmarks.

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do I need to apply separately? No. All admitted students are automatically considered for automatic merit scholarships.

Does UMKC superscore ACT/SAT? Yes, UMKC considers your best subscores if you submit test results. Awards can be given based on GPA alone since UMKC is test-optional.

Can these stack with other awards? They can stack with state or need-based aid, but students only receive one UMKC automatic merit award (the highest for which they qualify).

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

UMKC offers a wide range of donor-funded and Foundation scholarships that require an additional step beyond admission. These awards are competitive, meaning they have limited slots and selection is based on essays, recommendations, interviews, or specific donor criteria. Students apply through the UMKC Scholarship Portal (AcademicWorks), which opens in the fall with deadlines typically between January and March.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
UMKC Foundation Scholarships	$500 – $5,000/yr (varies by donor)	Open to undergraduates; criteria vary (academic merit, leadership, financial need, community service, donor intent)	Yes — via UMKC Scholarship Portal	Most are renewable if GPA and major requirements are met	Students with 3.3+ GPA and evidence of leadership, service, or compelling essays; many tied to majors or identity groups
KC Scholars Program	Up to $10,000/yr	Kansas City-area high school students; financial need; FAFSA required	Yes — KC Scholars application	Yes — if GPA and credit load maintained	Local KC students who are Pell-eligible or from first-generation backgrounds
School/College-Specific Competitive Awards	$1,000 – $7,500/yr (varies)	Majors in Nursing, Conservatory (Music, Theatre, Dance), STEM, Business, Education	Yes — department or portal	Yes — typically GPA ≥3.0	Students with talent (music audition, theatre portfolio) or academic excellence in professional majors

*Eligibility ranges are based on current UMKC Scholarship Portal listings and donor criteria. Exact award amounts and requirements change yearly; always confirm in the portal before applying.

Competitive Scholarship FAQ

Why are these scholarships considered competitive? They require essays, recommendations, auditions, or interviews, and are awarded to a limited number of students.

Are deadlines earlier than admission deadlines? Yes. Most Foundation and donor scholarships have priority deadlines in January–March.

Can competitive awards stack with automatic merit? Often yes, but some donor awards may replace a lower-value automatic award. Always read the scholarship’s stacking rules.

Do out-of-state students qualify? Yes. Competitive and donor-funded awards are open to all admitted students, regardless of residency.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

In addition to automatic and competitive awards, UMKC offers a variety of “hidden gem” scholarships that many families overlook. These include state-funded awards, local community programs, departmental and donor funds, and opportunities tied to leadership, first-generation status, identity, ROTC, and even performing arts ensembles.

Scholarship / Program	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
A+ Recognition Award	$1,500/yr	Missouri high school graduates who completed the A+ program	No	Yes — maintain GPA & credit load	MO students from A+ designated high schools who complete program requirements
KC Scholars Program	Up to $10,000/yr	Kansas City-area high school students; often Pell-eligible or first-gen	Yes — via KC Scholars application	Yes — if GPA and credits maintained	First-gen and low-income KC-area students who apply on time and submit FAFSA
UMKC First Gen Roo Scholarship	$1,000–$2,500/yr	First-generation undergraduates at UMKC	Yes — via UMKC Scholarship Portal	Yes — maintain 2.5+ GPA	First-gen students active in campus programs and maintaining academic progress
Army & Air Force ROTC Scholarships	Full tuition & fees or housing allowance + monthly stipend	U.S. citizens; meet physical/academic standards; contract to serve after graduation	Yes — national ROTC application or campus-based	Yes — meet GPA/fitness/service terms	Leadership-oriented students who apply early and commit to military service
Conservatory Talent Awards	$500 – $7,500/yr	Music, Dance, Theatre majors; audition or portfolio required	Yes — department audition/portal	Yes — maintain major & GPA	Talented performers who excel in auditions and maintain academic progress
Departmental & Donor Foundation Awards	$500 – $5,000/yr	Varies by major (Business, Nursing, STEM, Education, etc.)	Yes — UMKC Scholarship Portal or department	Yes — criteria vary	Students who connect with faculty, apply via portal, and meet GPA/major criteria
Leadership & Service Awards	$1,000 – $3,000/yr	Students active in leadership roles (student government, orientation leaders, service organizations)	Yes — UMKC Scholarship Portal	Yes — maintain GPA & campus involvement	Students with a track record of leadership and campus service
Identity-Based Awards (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Women, Veterans)	$500 – $5,000/yr	Underrepresented students; criteria vary by donor fund	Yes — UMKC Scholarship Portal or specific program	Varies	Students who self-identify and meet donor criteria, often combined with leadership or service
Marching/Spirit Band & Ensemble Participation Stipends	$250 – $2,000/yr	Musicians/dancers in UMKC ensembles or partner marching groups; audition required	Yes — audition with Music/Performing Arts	Yes — with continued participation	Students who audition successfully and commit to rehearsals/performances
Clubs & Student Media/Arts Roles	$250 – $1,500/yr	Active members/leaders in student orgs, media (newspaper, radio), theatre crews	Varies — department nomination or portal	Often renewable if leadership role maintained	Students who take leadership roles in clubs or student media and balance academics

*Award ranges and GPA bands are based on published UMKC and donor descriptions. Exact amounts vary annually depending on donor funding and applicant pool.

Hidden Gems FAQ

Do hidden gem awards stack with automatic merit? Yes, most departmental, donor, and state-funded programs stack with UMKC automatic awards. Some donor funds may replace smaller institutional aid if they exceed it.

Are there first-generation scholarships? Yes. UMKC offers a First Gen Roo Scholarship, and first-gen students are prioritized in KC Scholars and several Foundation funds.

Does UMKC fund performing arts and marching band students? Yes. The Conservatory offers significant audition-based awards in music, theatre, and dance. Marching/spirit band participants can also receive stipends.

What about leadership and clubs? Students who take leadership roles in campus organizations, service, or media often receive donor-funded stipends or scholarships through the portal.

How early should students apply for hidden gems? Begin in the fall through the UMKC Scholarship Portal; many departmental and donor awards have January–March deadlines.

⭐ What UMKC Is Known For

UMKC is Kansas City’s only **R1 research university**, putting it in the top 6% of U.S. institutions for research activity. That means students have access to real-world discovery, cutting-edge labs, and hands-on opportunities—while still enjoying programs that thrive across the arts, business, medicine, law, and innovation.

Top Program Spotlight: Six-Year B.A./M.D. Program (School of Medicine) This accelerated medical pathway admits students directly from high school into a fast-tracked program combining liberal arts and medicine. It’s one of only a few such tracks in Missouri and places UMKC among elite institutions offering direct-entry MD options. *(Plus: UMKC is a Carnegie-classified Research 1 (R1) university, signaling national research prominence.)*

Other programs that shine regionally and nationally:

Doctor of Nursing Practice & Doctor of Pharmacy – Both ranked in the U.S. Top 40 for excellence.
Nursing (Doctor of Nursing Practice) – U.S. News ranked UMKC’s doctoral nursing program #19 nationally.
MFA Costume Design (Theatre) – A top-10 program in the nation, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Bloch School of Management (Business & Public Admin) – AACSB-accredited; UMKC’s MBA ranked #105 nationally; MPA in Nonprofit Management among the top 25 programs.
Education, Social Work & Psychological Sciences – UMKC’s graduate school ranked #65 among public ed programs by U.S. News.

🎖 Honors College at UMKC

The UMKC Honors College is designed for motivated students who want more challenge and more opportunity from day one. Admission is by separate application, and the program looks for students with strong academics, leadership, and curiosity about research or community impact. Deadlines typically fall in early spring, so applying early is important.

What a Typical UMKC Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA of 3.7+ (unweighted), AP/IB or dual-credit coursework, leadership in school or community, and an interest in undergraduate research or service projects. *These ranges are based on prior cohorts; exact cutoffs vary year to year.*

Why the Honors College Matters:

Priority class registration each semester
Dedicated Honors housing with a strong peer community
Small seminars and close faculty mentorship
Funding for study abroad, research, and national conferences
Capstone projects that strengthen grad school and career applications

Honors College FAQ

Is admission automatic? No. Students must submit a separate Honors College application or be invited to apply based on their admission profile.

Does it add time to the degree? No. Honors courses and projects are integrated into the standard four-year plan.

Are there scholarships for Honors students? Yes. While there isn’t a flat “Honors scholarship,” Honors students often receive priority consideration for departmental and research stipends.

When should students apply? Applications are typically due in early spring (February–March). Applying before the priority deadline improves chances of admission and aid.

🔗 Official Links

Final Thoughts

UMKC is a rare mix: a public research university with R1 status, but small enough that students can still access mentors, leadership opportunities, and citywide connections. Between automatic scholarships for Missouri and Kansas residents, a broad set of competitive and donor awards, and hidden gems like KC Scholars, ROTC, and Conservatory talent funds, most families will find meaningful ways to reduce the sticker price. For first-gen and local Kansas City students, UMKC can be especially powerful—pairing affordability with nationally recognized programs in health, business, and the arts.

✅ Last updated: August 26, 2025