KANSAS CITY — Great Jobs KC is proud to announce the 2026 awarding class of its flagship KC Scholars 11th-Grade Scholarship Program. In its 10th anniversary year, 778 high school juniors across the six-county Kansas City region have been selected to receive scholarships of up to $50,000 each, representing a staggering total community investment of $38.9 million.

The milestone announcement has been met with citywide recognition. The Mayor of Kansas City has officially proclaimed May 5th, 2026 as KC Scholars Day in Kansas City, a testament to the program’s decade-long impact on the region’s students, families, and workforce. In celebration, Kansas City’s iconic Union Station will be lit up in honor of the 778 scholars and the communities that have rallied behind them. Together, these civic tributes reflect what this program has always represented: a city that believes in its young people and is willing to show up for them.

“Today isn’t just about financial aid; it’s about a promise to 778 students that their zip code and financial circumstances will not define their destiny,” said Jimmy Swift, Chief Operating Officer at Great Jobs KC. “By awarding nearly $39 million today, we are ensuring that the next generation of Kansas City’s workforce is educated, empowered, and ready to lead.”

This program reflects a decade of community support and a dedication to bridging the gap between high school and family-sustaining careers. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 per semester for up to six years, paid directly to one of the 26 partner colleges and universities in the KC Scholars College Network.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Awarding Class:

• Total Investment: $38,900,000 in scholarship funds
• Number of Recipients: 778 students currently in the 11th grade
• Regional Impact: Awardees hail from across Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas, and Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri
• Investing in Success: In addition to the $50,000 award, recipients receive dedicated college-readiness coaching and transition support from Great Jobs KC throughout their senior year and college careers

The 11th-Grade Scholarship is unique because it is awarded a full year before high school graduation. This early intervention provides students and their families with the financial certainty needed to focus on academic excellence rather than the stress of college affordability — a structural innovation that sets KC Scholars apart from nearly every comparable program in the country.

As Great Jobs KC marks its 10th anniversary, the 2026 awarding class stands as the most powerful proof of what is possible when a community invests in its people. From a mayor’s proclamation to a landmark lit in their honor, Kansas City is saying clearly and collectively: these 778 scholars matter, and their futures matter to all of us.

About Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC, a 501(c)(3) organization, drives regional economic stability and mobility by ensuring low- and modest-income individuals achieve family-sustaining careers. Our programs prepare the future workforce through two core pathways: college scholarships (up to $50,000) and tuition-free training in high-demand fields. We ensure success by providing one-to-one support for every participant, from enrollment through their first year of employment. greatjobskc.org