Reimagining Success in Education
The 25-26 MCC Bloch Scholars Program Application is Now Open!
Application deadline: March 1, 2025
The Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program is a need-based scholarship program designed for local Kansas City area students with a drive to succeed who intend to earn a bachelor's degree but may not be considered for traditional scholarships based on past academic performance or life circumstances.
Since 2001, the H&R Block Foundation and MCC have provided full tuition and fees for local students who are determined to succeed, regardless of their finances, test scores, or life circumstances. The program continues to grow with the generous support of the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation.
Program recipients (Bloch Scholars) receive tuition and fees along with intensive academic and personal support. Bloch Scholars earn an Associate in Arts degree at MCC, then transfer to the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) or Rockhurst University to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Bloch Scholars Program Opportunity and Award
Students must apply for and be accepted to the Bloch Scholars Program. Accepted Scholars earn an Associate in Arts (A. A.) degree at MCC to prepare for transfer. Once the A. A. degree is earned, Scholars transfer to UMKC or Rockhurst to earn a bachelor's degree.
The program provides:
- Funds to pay for 100% of your tuition and fees each semester at MCC, renewable up to 6 semesters.*
- Funds to pay for 100% of your tuition and fees each semester at UMKC or Rockhurst to continue your education and earn a bachelor's degree, renewable up to 6 semesters.*
- A personal coach to help you learn the ropes and stay motivated.
- Encouragement to keep working towards your dream.
*Recipients may not be awarded any other MCC scholarships, as the Bloch Scholarship will always be applied towards tuition and fees prior to other funding. The Bloch Scholars Program does not cover the cost of textbooks.
**At UMKC and Rockhurst, the Program does not pay for parking, meal plans, textbooks, or on-campus housing.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program at MCC:
- Financial Need: Must complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA and demonstrate financial need; nor be considered for traditional scholarships due to past academic performance or life circumstances.
- Student Status: Must be a graduating high school senior, have a GED, HiSET or high school diploma, and be a new, current, or returning MCC student. Must have 30 or more credit hours left to earn their Associate in Arts degree.
- Plans to Transfer: Must plan to attend or be currently attending MCC with the intent to earn an Associate in Arts degree and then transfer to UMKC or Rockhurst to earn a bachelor’s degree.*
- Residency: Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident living in Missouri in one of the following counties: Jackson, Clay, or Platte. Must be eligible for MCC's in-district tuition.
*Professional Programs (ex. Dentistry, Medical, Pharmacy, Law, Physical Therapy, Architecture, etc.) are excluded.
How to Apply
Application deadline March 1, 2025
Steps to apply
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Not a current MCC student? No worries! Your first step is to complete MCC’s free admissions application.
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Complete and submit the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program Application Packet.
Download the application packet
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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and add MCC’s School Code: 002484.
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Visit www.fafsa.gov to complete and submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA. When listing schools, be sure to include MCC using our code: 002484.
Need FAFSA help? Visit www.mcckc.edu/eoc or call 816.604.4400 for more information about our Educational Opportunity Center (EOC).
If you have concerns around completing the FAFSA, please contact bloch.scholars@mcckc.edu.
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“How will becoming a Bloch Scholar impact your educational and career goals?” Within the essay, identify your strengths, accomplishments, and educational goals. You may choose to include struggles or life-changing barriers you have experienced and how you have overcame them, but it is not required. Please type your essay.
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A transcript is a copy of a student's academic record listing courses taken, grades earned, and honors and degrees received.
You must send your official High School or GED/HiSET transcript to MCC. You must also submit official transcripts for all colleges/universities you have attended or attempted credit at (including dual credit in high school).
Current high school seniors may submit unofficial transcripts at the time of application.
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Include a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, supervisor, manager, etc. who is familiar with your academic work and character.
Your recommender should answer the question, "Why is (insert your name here) a good candidate for the Bloch Scholars program at MCC?"
This letter can be submitted by you, or emailed directly from your recommender to bloch.scholars@mcckc.edu.
Submitting your application and materials:
Your application is not complete until all documents are submitted and all steps are completed. Your Bloch Scholars Program Application, Essay, Unofficial Transcripts (if applicable), and Letter of Recommendation can be submitted electronically or in-person:
- Electronically (Preferred): Application and supporting documents can be emailed to bloch.scholars@mcckc.edu. If emailed, all documents and materials must be submitted as document files, not as images or pictures.
- In-Person: Your application and supporting documents can be submitted in-person to Penn Valley’s Student Enrollment Center (SEC). The address is 3201 Southwest Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64111 (campus map). Student Service Specialists in the SEC can collect your documents and give them to the Bloch Scholars Program staff.
All application steps and supporting documents must be submitted by March 1, 2025 to be considered for the Bloch Scholars Program starting Fall 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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No, it is not required to submit everything together. Applicants may submit the Bloch Scholars Application Packet and then choose to submit additional materials (ex. FAFSA, essay, letter of recommendation, etc.) at another time prior to the March 1st deadline.
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Yes, the program expectation is that Bloch Scholars will transfer to University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) or Rockhurst University to earn a bachelor’s degree after earning their Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at MCC.
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The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree provides a well-rounded educational foundation that prepares students to select appropriate majors and career paths, help them transfer, and successfully complete baccalaureate degrees.
By earning the A.A. degree, students also complete the CORE 42 - the framework for general education that all Missouri public two-and four-year institutions of higher education adopted.
For more information, visit Missouri Higher Education Core Transfer Curriculum.
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Each Bloch Scholar works with their Bloch Scholars Coach to determine which university is the best fit for them, based on factors such as intended major and long-term goals.
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The Bloch Scholars Program does not cover the cost of textbooks. Bloch Scholars are responsible for covering non-tuition related expenses.
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Bloch Scholars may take a limited number of fully online (Internet) courses with permission from their Bloch Scholar’s Coach. However, students are not permitted to take all of their courses in an online (Internet) format.
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Yes, Bloch Scholars can take their classes at any one of MCC's four physical campuses:
- MCC-Blue River: 20301 East 78 Highway, Independence, MO 64057
- MCC- Longview: 500 SW Longview Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64081
- MCC-Maple Woods: 2601 NE Barry Road, Kansas City, MO 64156
- MCC-Penn Valley: 3201 Southwest Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64111
Questions?
If you have questions about the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program, please contact the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Team at bloch.scholars@mcckc.edu and allow up to 48 hours for all responses.