Scholarships

Below are descriptions and links to scholarships that Upward Bound students would be eligible for and can apply for. Remember, Upward Bound staff can help with applying for scholarships. If you need help, contact the Upward Bound office at 816.501.2438.


Helpful Tips When Applying For Scholarships:

  • Review the requirements before you apply
  • Save all user names and passwords. 
  • Proof read all fields on an application before moving forward in the process
  • If you're going to use someone as a reference or a recommendation, notify that person
  • Don't pay for a scholarship. It will be a scam!
Scholarships


104 $20,000 Scholarships Awarded
Funded through the generosity of the Members of the Association

As one of the nation's largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is the only major scholarship effort that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many aid programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger program also seeks students who have a commitment to use their college degrees in service to others.

The National Scholarship Program is awarded to eligible students in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. National Scholars receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • be enrolled full time as a high school senior, progressing normally toward graduation, and planning to enter college no later than the fall following graduation;
  • have a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited institution located in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution);
  • critical financial need ($50,000 or less adjusted gross income per family is preferred; if higher, an explanation must be provided);
  • involvement in co-curricular and community activities;
  • demonstrate academic achievement (minimum grade point average of 2.0); and
  • be a United States citizen

The Dell Scholars Program is about you, and your determination to succeed.

This is a program that looks beyond academic performance and grades. You don’t need the highest grades to apply. It rewards your determination to achieve great things through higher education.

Unlike many other college scholarships, the Dell Scholars Program recognizes academic potential and determination in students that have a definite need for financial assistance.

Criteria for Application

To be eligible to apply for the Dell Scholars Program scholarship, you must meet the below listed criteria:
  • Participating in a Michael & Susan Dell Foundation approved college readiness program for a minimum of two of the last three years
  • Graduating from an accredited high school this academic year
  • Earning a minimum of a 2.4 GPA
  • Demonstrated need for financial assistance
  • Planning to enter a bachelor's degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall directly after your graduation from high school
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
Dell Scholars are students who demonstrate their desire and ability to overcome barriers and to achieve their goals. Your application will be evaluated on your:
  • Individual determination to succeed
  • Future goals and plans to achieve them
  • Ability to communicate the hardships you have overcome or currently face
  • Self motivation in completing challenging coursework
  • Demonstrated need for financial assistance

GMS will select 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. We provide Gates Millennium Scholars with personal and professional development through our leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career. 

The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential by:
  • Reducing financial barriers for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with high academic and leadership promise who have significant financial need;
  • Increasing the representation of these target groups in the disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences, where these groups are severely underrepresented;
  • Developing a diversified cadre of future leaders for America by facilitating successful completion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; and
  • Providing seamless support from undergraduate through doctoral programs, for students selected as Gates Millennium Scholars entering target disciplines.
The Best Buy Children’s Foundation recognizes how important teens are to our community and our society. We’re eager to learn what is important to them and help provide access to opportunities for them. Best Buy and Best Buy Children’s Foundation serve a diverse population of young teens in the areas of learning and leadership and provide access to opportunities for teens through technology. Through its support of out-of-school programs, Best Buy will be a conduit for teens to reach development opportunities that are important to them. Best Buy will help teens develop the technology skills they will need for success in college, careers and life... and when they’re ready, we’ll help students in grades 9-12 reach their dreams of college by providing access to education through the Best Buy Scholarship Program.