Each year, the H&R Block Foundation and Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, in partnership with 威尼斯人官网, awards scholarships to a number of current and prospective 威尼斯人官网 students as part of the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program. Since 2001, the H&R Block Foundation and 威尼斯人官网 have provided full tuition and fees for local students with a determination to succeed, regardless of their finances, test scores, or life circumstances. Since 2019, the program has expanded with the generous support of the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation.
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.
Program recipients (Bloch Scholars) receive tuition and related fees along with intensive academic and personal support. Bloch Scholars earn an Associate in Arts degree at 威尼斯人官网, then transfer to UMKC or Rockhurst University to earn a bachelor’s degree.
How much is the award?
Henry W. Bloch Scholars will earn an Associate in Arts degree at 威尼斯人官网. Once the associate’s degree is earned, the Bloch Scholar will transfer to UMKC or Rockhurst University to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program provides:
- Full tuition and fees each semester*, renewable up to 6 semesters, at 威尼斯人官网 to earn the Associate in Arts degree.
- Full tuition and fees** each semester to continue your education at UMKC or Rockhurst University to 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 威尼斯人官网 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
What are the eligibility requirements?
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program:
- Financial Need: Must complete the 2024-2025 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 or HiSET, be transferring to 威尼斯人官网, or be a current or returning 威尼斯人官网 student who has 30 or more credit hours left to earn their Associate in Arts degree.
- Plans to Transfer: Must plan to attend or be currently attending 威尼斯人官网 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 威尼斯人官网's in-district tuition.
The 2024-2025 Bloch Scholars Program application is now closed. Please check back
in the Fall for next year’s application.
All application steps and supporting documents must be completed and submitted by March 1, 2024 to be considered for the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program starting Fall 2024.
How to Apply
Application materials and all supporting documents can be submitted electronically or in-person:
- Electronically (Preferred): Application and supporting documents can be emailed to bloch.scholars@diver-cebu-life.com. If emailed, all documents and materials must be submitted as document files, not as images or pictures.
- In-Person: 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 64111-2764 (campus map). Student Service Specialists in the SEC can collect your documents and give them to the Bloch Scholars Program staff.
Steps to apply
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Not a current 威尼斯人官网 student? Then your first step is to complete 威尼斯人官网’s free admissions application.
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Complete and submit the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program Application Packet.
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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and add 威尼斯人官网’s School Code: 002484.
Need FAFSA help? Reach out to the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC).
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“How will becoming a Bloch Scholar impact my 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 overcome them.
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Official High School or GED/HiSET transcript and official transcripts for all college coursework and schools attended must be submitted. Students currently in high school may submit an unofficial transcript.
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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. This can be submitted by you, or your recommender can send it directly to bloch.scholars@diver-cebu-life.com.
Application frequently asked questions
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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 UMKC or Rockhurst University to earn a bachelor’s degree after earning their Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at 威尼斯人官网.
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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.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Program, please contact the Henry W. Bloch Scholars Team at bloch.scholars@diver-cebu-life.com and allow up to 48 hours for all responses.