Each year, the H&R Block Foundation (partner with the MCC Foundation and MCC-Penn Valley) awards scholarships to a number of current and prospective MCC students as part of the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program. Since 2001, the H&R Block Foundation and MCC have provided full tuition and fees for local students with a determination to succeed, regardless of their finances, test scores, or life circumstances.
The Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program is designed to attract, encourage, and support promising students living in urban environments in Kansas City, who demonstrate financial need, and who want to earn a four-year degree but would not be considered for traditional scholarship programs. The Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program provides tuition and related fees along with intensive academic and personal support for students selected for the program. The Henry W. Bloch Scholars will earn associate degrees at Metropolitan Community College (MCC). Once the associate's degree is earned the student will transfer to UMKC to earn a bachelor's degree*.
*Available for all UMKC standard undergraduate programs, not just those planning to enter the Bloch School at UMKC.
How much is the award?
- Funds to pay for tuition and fees each semester**, renewable for up to six semesters.
- A personal coach to help you learn the ropes and stay motivated.
- The opportunity to continue your education and renew your scholarship at UMKC after you complete your associate degree with an emphasis in your intended UMKC major at MCC.
- Encouragement to keep working towards your dream.
What are the requirements?
Students are selected to receive this prestigious scholarship based on review of the following criteria:
- Have financial need and be Pell grant eligible; nor be considered for traditional scholarships due to past academic performance or life circumstances.
- Be a graduating high school senior, have a GED/HiSET, be transferring to MCC, or be a current or returning MCC student who has 30 or more credit hours left to earn their associate degree.
- Must plan to attend or be currently attending MCC with the intent to earn an associate degree and then transfer to UMKC*** to earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America, eligible for in-district tuition and reside in one of the following Missouri counties: Jackson, Clay, or Platte.
**Recipients may not be awarded any other MCC Scholarships.
***Student applying for professional programs (Dental, Medical, Pharmacy, Law) and Middle and Secondary Education excluded. Instead students must pursue a bachelor degree in a related program (example: 1. Bachelor in Arts or Science toward a Master of Arts Teaching, 2. Bachelor in Biology or Chemistry toward Professional program (Dental, Medical and/or Pharmacy).
Application deadline extended
All application steps and supporting documents must be completed and submitted by April 1, 2023 to be considered for the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program starting Fall 2023.
How to Submit Documents
At the top of each document print your first and last name, student MCC ID number or date of birth. There are 2 ways to submit your documents (email is preferred):
- Email (PREFERRED): bloch.scholars@mcckc.edu with the subject line "Bloch Scholars Application Documents".
- Deliver (on-campus): MCC-Penn Valley campus, Student Enrollment Center, 3201 Southwest Trafficway Kansas City, Missouri 64111-2764 (map)
How to apply
Download Application checklist (PDF)
Tips!
Two important parts of college applications are the letters of recommendation and the essays. When identifying a recommender, keep in mind:
- It is best to request recommendations from professors or other educators with whom you have had recent contact.
- A professor you have interacted with both in and out of class, such as through a student organization or a research project, is a great choice.
- Know your recommender well enough so that he/she can go beyond a generic letter and give a good illustration of your character for the admissions reviewers.
- Talk to the recommender to be sure he/she has all the information needed to write the letter. Provide a resume to your recommender.
- Give each your recommender enough time to complete and submit the recommendation. Aim for at least two weeks before the deadline, if not more.
Take advantage of the writing center at your high school or community college to assist you with your essay. Also, seek out the help of a professor or mentor for proofreading. Write a strong personal statement, take time to plan your essay, and do not forget to proofread.
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.