Rooted in Rural Scholarship

In partnership with The Patterson Family Foundation, we are pleased to offer a scholarship opportunity specifically for high school students attending rural school districts in specific counties** in Kansas and Missouri. 

Eligibility Guidelines 

  • High school senior attending a rural school district in specific counties** in Kansas or Missouri, planning to earn a degree at a participating college 
  • Priority given to applicants in the following fields of study: healthcare, agriculture, education, and business* 
  • Priority consideration is given to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and an ACT score of 21 or higher, with financial need 

Application Process 

  • Our application will re-open in January 2024.
  • Applicants are selected for interviews on a rolling basis. Not all applicants will be chosen for an interview. Once interviewed, those who receive the scholarship will be notified by mail by May 1 

Scholarship Specifics 

  • Must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher throughout college
  • Scholarship awards are typically up to $1,000 a semester, for up to eight consecutive semesters 
  • All monies are paid directly to the university for college-billed expenses only  
  • Each semester, students are required to write one thank you note, attend one mentoring session in person, and participate in our Ellis peer-to-peer mentoring program  

Residency Requirements: 

  • Students must have graduated a high school within the following counties in Missouri and Kansas.
    • Missouri Counties:

      Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Caldwell, Carroll, Clinton, Daviess, Dekalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Lafayette, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Pettis, Ray, Saint Clair, Saline, Vernon, Worth

    • Kansas Counties:

      Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Comanche, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Edwards, Elk, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lane, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Ness, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rawling, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Thomas, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte