The Research Foundation provides scholarship assistance to nursing and allied health students. Read more about our scholarships to find out if you are eligible to apply.
We offer financial assistance for:
- Traditional and Transfer BSN Students
- Doctor of Physical Therapy students
- Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiation Therapy Students
- Accelerated BSN Students
- Nursing Student Emergencies
Applicants must create an account with The Research Foundation's Scholarship Portal to apply for all scholarships except the Nursing Student Emergency Fund.
TRADITIONAL AND TRANSFER BSN
The Research Foundation supports the future of health care through funding of undergraduate nursing student scholarships.
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The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and support nursing through the funding of undergraduate nursing students. View a list of available named scholarships.
Eligibility
Individuals must be admitted to the traditional nursing program at Avila University, Research College of Nursing, or William Jewell College. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible. Nursing Accelerated Option and Nursing Accelerated Track students are not eligible to apply. Scholarships may only be applied to tuition.Deadline
The deadline to apply is April 1 with award notification by June 1. Scholarship funds will be distributed to the college or university by August 1.Application Requirements
• An essay that communicates what factors/experiences influenced your decision to choose nursing as a career. Explain how your leadership experience and/or community activities will have an influence on you as a professional nurse. If you have had clinical experience, please share a story of how it reinforced your decision to become a nurse. Include a statement that expresses why you should be considered for a scholarship award from The Research Foundation. Your essay must not exceed one typed page and must include name.
• Letter of recommendation from a faculty member. If uploaded by student, the letter of recommendation must be on official letterhead and signed. There is also the option to request that your reference upload their letter of recommendation to this application. (First-time applicants only)
• Completed Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Release Form. Download the FERPA form (PDF).
• Official transcript with current GPA sent by the university or college to scholarships@theresearchfoundationkc.org. An official transcript will also be required when accepting a scholarship. The transcript request process should be initiated with your university or college BEFORE you submit your application. The Research Foundation must receive your official transcript by April 1 for your application to be valid. (First-time applicants only)
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
The Research Foundation promotes physical therapy careers through scholarships for Doctor of Physical Therapy students.
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The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and support doctor of physical therapy students through the funding of $1,000 scholarships.
Eligibility
Individuals must be entering their second year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program with a graduation date of December 2026 at Rockhurst University or May 2027 at University of Kansas or University of Missouri-Columbia. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible to apply. Scholarships may only be applied to tuition.Deadline
The deadline to apply is April 1. Notification of awards will be made by June 1 and scholarship funds will be distributed to the university by July 6 if a scholarship thank you is received by June 30.Application Requirements
• An essay that communicates what factors/experiences influenced your decision to choose physical therapy as a career. Explain how your leadership experience and/or community activities will have an influence on you as a physical therapist. Include a statement that expresses why you should be considered for a scholarship award from The Research Foundation. Your essay must not exceed one typed page and must include name.
• Complete Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Release Form. Download the FERPA form (PDF).
• Copy of recent grades with cumulative GPA.
RADIOLOGIC, NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY AND RADIATION THERAPY
The Research Foundation gives scholarships to allied health students.
APPLICATIONS OPEN JULY 2025
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Application Details >>>
The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and support allied health students through the funding of Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiation Therapy scholarships. View a list of available named scholarships.
Eligibility
Students entering their second year in the radiologic technology program or nuclear medicine technology and radiation therapy students currently studying in the 12-month certificate program are eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled at Penn Valley Community College School of Radiology, Research Medical Center School of Radiology, Research Medical Center School of Nuclear Medicine Technology, University of Kansas Medical Center Nuclear Medicine Certificate Program or Washburn University Radiation Therapy Certificate Program. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible to apply.Application Requirements
1. An essay answering the following questions. Please include your career goals. Scholarship selection is based primarily on the essay component of the application. Your essay must include your name and not exceed one typed page.What factors influenced you to choose radiology technology, nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy as a career?
How would you see your role as a radiologic technologist, nuclear medicine technologist or radiation therapist influence patient outcomes in a positive manner?
2. Complete Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Release Form. Download the FERPA form (PDF).
Deadline
The deadline to apply is October 1. Notification of awards will be made by December 5. Funds will be distributed to the schools by December 20.
ACCELERATED BSN
The Research Foundation supports scholarships for students in accelerated nursing programs.
APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 2025
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The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage and support careers in nursing for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) students. The scholarships are funded by The Research Foundation through the Dr. Kay Sullivan Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Cheri Burchett Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, and The Research Foundation ABSN Scholarship Fund. View a list of available named scholarships.
Eligibility
Individuals must be enrolled in and currently attending an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Avila University, Research College of Nursing, or William Jewell College. Applicants must be in good academic standing and have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Scholarship selection is primarily based on applicants’ ability to demonstrate characteristics of excellence in clinical performance on the application essay.Deadline
The deadline to apply is June 21.Application Requirements
• An essay that communicates what nursing means to you; what you plan to do with your degree after graduation; and why you believe you should be selected for this scholarship. You must include how you demonstrate excellence in clinical performance. This essay should include your first and last name and not exceed two double-spaced typed pages.
• Letter of recommendation from a current nursing school faculty member. If uploaded by the student, the letter of recommendation must be on official letterhead and signed. There is also the option to request that your references upload their letter of recommendation to this application.
• Completed Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Release Form. Download the FERPA form (PDF).
• Transcript with cumulative GPA. The transcript does not need to be an official copy.
NURSING STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND
The Research Foundation helps nursing students in emergency situations.
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
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Eligibility
The Nursing Student Emergency Fund is available for traditional BSN and accelerated BSN students at Avila University, Research College of Nursing, and William Jewell College. If approved, applicants are eligible to receive up to $500 each calendar year.In order to be considered for support, students must be able to demonstrate and describe the emergency situation that caused them to need financial assistance. Tuition owed is not considered an emergency need.
Acceptable emergency situations include (but are not limited to):
- Housing insecurity
- Lack of transportation to class or clinical sites
- Utility shut-off notices
- Food insufficiency
- Other emergency needs identified by student
Application Requirements
To apply, complete the online application. Applications can be submitted at any time. The Research Foundation will update students on their application status 48-72 hours after it was submitted.
