The materials necessary for the design studios in Architectural Studies and Urban Planning + Design can exceed typical expectations, and should be factored into your budget considerations. While these courses do incur the typical textbook expenses, they also require the additional “tools of the trade” necessary in the design professions: drafting tools and paper, sketchbooks, cardboard, foamcore and other model materials. We do our best to minimize these costs, and negotiate a greatly reduced cost on tools with a local art supply house. The one-time cost for a first-year tool kit typically runs about $350, and the tools can be reused each semester. “Expendable” materials, such as paper and model materials, can run about $200 per semester.
The information below is only a synopsis of the opportunities available for our students. For the full list of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, be sure to visit here.
UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most Architecture, Urban Planning + Design students receive financial aid that reduces their tuition bill. The university offers various automatic scholarships to students. Freshmen who apply for admission and postmark all application materials by Jan. 15 will automatically be considered for renewable university scholarships of $1,000 to $3,500. Transfer students are also considered if their application materials are submitted by March 1 for fall or Dec. 1 for spring. Both undergraduate and transfer students must meet specific academic criteria. The key is to investigate the many scholarship opportunities and apply early.
| Automatic Scholarships | Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Curators ’ Scholar | $3,500 | ACT score 28 AND top 5% class rank; Missouri resident |
| Chancellor’s Scholar | $2,500 | ACT score 23 OR top 10% class rank; resident of Missouri or Kansas Metro Rate county Metro Kansas City, MO |
| High School Award | $1,000 | Graduate of KCMO or KCK public high school |
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is required for many kinds of financial aid. Complete an online form at fafsa.gov. Priority deadline: March 1. Be sure to indicate the UMKC code 002518. Hundreds of renewable scholarship funds are open to students attending UMKC. Qualifications, award amounts and application deadlines vary with each scholarship. For more information about scholarships or financial aid, visit our Student and Financial Aid department.
Some scholarships are competitive and require applications. Here is a sampling:
| Competitive Scholarships | Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees’ Scholars | Full tuition | Two of three: ACT score 30, top 5% class rank, 3.5 core GPA |
| Herman Johnson | Varies | 3.0 GPA; Kansas City area resident African-American |
| Victor Wilson | Varies | Kansas City, Mo., resident |
| Hispanic Matching | Varies | Recipient of Greater Kansas City Hispanic scholarship |
| Agapito Mendoza | $500 | ACT score 23 OR top 25% class rank; indicated Hispanic on application |
| Curators’ Transfer | 1,000, plus nonresident | 3.5 GPA, associate degree |
Students who are not from Missouri may qualify for a nonresident scholarship:
| Nonresident Scholarships | Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Minority | Nonresident fee differential | African American, Latino, Native American |
| Omaha & Lincoln, NE/Wichita, KS/Chicago/Texas | $1,000 plus nonresident fee differential | ACT score 23 OR top 10% class rank; resident of Omaha or Lincoln, Neb., Wichita, Kan., Chicago metro area or Texas |
| Chancellor’s Nonresident | Nonresident fee differential | Nomination by academic unit |
These are just a few of the other scholarships for which freshmen may qualify:
| Additional Scholarships | Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Bright Flight | $3,000 | Top 3% ACT or SAT; Missouri resident |
| National Merit/Achievement Finalist | $10,000 plus nonresident fee differential | Must designate UMKC as first choice |
| National Hispanic | $10,000 plus nonresident | |
| Recognition Scholar | fee differential | |
| National Merit/Achievement Semifinalist | $4,500 plus nonresident fee differential |
TUITION FOR KANSAS & “HEARTLAND” STUDENTS
Undergraduate students who are Kansas residents will receive Missouri in‑state tuition rates at UMKC. Undergraduate students who are “Heartland” residents will receive reduced out-of-state tuition rates at UMKC.
Missouri Reciprocal Tuition Agreement
Students who are residents of Missouri, successfully complete our program and are accepted into the K-State program, will automatically receive the Missouri Reciprocal Tuition Agreement for Kansas in‑state tuition at K-State through school year 2025-26.
Missouri Midwest Exchange
Students who are residents of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin or Kansas (non-metropolitan Kansas City area) qualify for a reduction in out-of-state tuition via the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), a multi-state tuition reciprocity program. Through the MSEP, public institutions agree to charge students no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate for specific programs; private institutions offer a 10% reduction on their tuition rates.
AUP+D Scholarships
There are scholarship opportunities designated for Architecture, Urban Planning + Design students. Students must fill out the Continuing Scholarship Application by March 1 to be considered. Some scholarships also require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit here for links to both forms.
Architecture, Urban Planning + Design Scholarship
Application information is provided during the academic year.
CFM (UMKC/Construction Facilities Management)
Established in 2008 by the Construction Facilities Management Division at UMKC, this scholarship is awarded annually to students in the department. Applicants must be from the Kansas City metro area.
CSI Scholarship
Established in 1997 by the Kansas City Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute, this $750 scholarship is awarded annually to students in the department. CSI is a national association of more than 13,000 volunteers, including architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, product representatives, manufacturers, owners and others who are experts in building construction and materials.
Joy D. Swallow Scholarship
Established in 2014, the Joy D. Swallow Scholarship is awarded annually to students in the department.
Tom Nelson/BNIM Scholarship
Awarded to an eligible undergraduate student with the intent to celebrate excellence in design in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning + design. Preference will be given to students studying Architecture, who are in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of a 3.0. Financial is considered.
American Planning Association/Kansas City Chapter Scholarship
Established in 2014, these two scholarships are awarded annually to students in Urban Planning + Design.
Helix Prize, in honor of Bud Persons
The Helix Prize is awarded to a second-year Architectural Studies student each fall. Selection is determined via a studio design competition, taking place at the end of the semester. The Helix Prize is sponsored by Helix Architecture and Design.
Nichols Prize
The JC Nichols Student Prize competition is open to all students in the Junior level Urban Planning + Design studio UPD 312. Selection is determined via a studio design competition, taking place at the end of the semester. The Nichols Prize is generously supported by the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation.
Professional Organization Scholarships
There are professional organizations that offer scholarships annually.
American Institute of Architects Kansas City Chapter
The local AIA chapter/Kansas City Architectural Foundation has a scholarship program that was established in 1992 for Kansas City-area students interested in pursuing a degree in architecture. The specific requirements and description can found at aiakc.org.
American Public Works Association of Kansas City Metro Chapter
The metro chapter of the American Public Works Association has the Myron D. Calkins Scholarship for Kansas City-area students interested in pursuing a degree related to public works.
Kansas City/The Builders’ Association
The local chapter awards more than a dozen scholarships every year. The specific requirements and description can be accessed online at The Builders’ Association.
Associated General Contractors of Missouri
This organization awards multiple scholarships every year. The specific requirements and description can be accessed online here.
APA KC Metro Section Student Scholarship
Every spring, the KC Metro Section of the American Planning Association offers an annual scholarship of $500 to an incoming junior or senior enrolled full time in the UMKC Urban Planning + Design program. Eligibility is limited to students from the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and selection is based upon the student’s commitment to planning, financial need and academic achievement. Application materials will be sent out every Spring.
Additionally, Urban Planning + Design students may be eligible for scholarship money from external organizations. It is up to the student to contact these organizations and apply for the scholarship by the deadline: