The UMKC Women’s Council established the Graduate Assistance Fund (GAF) fellowships in 1971 to assist UMKC women students in post-baccalaureate approved programs. The funds are designed to assist with the completion of requirements for graduate and first professional degrees, to help facilitate studies beyond the classroom along with enriching and encouraging educational experiences.

For more information about the GAF, please see the recent article in the UNews:  http://info.umkc.edu/unews/deadline-nearing-for-application-to-gaf/

Applications and faculty recommendation letters are due November 3rd (see full time-line below).

Eligible applicants
UMKC women graduate students in a post-baccalaureate approved program of study in A&S, SBS, BSOM, Conservatory, SOE, SCE, Graduate Studies, Nursing and first professional women students in Dentistry, Law, Medicine and Pharmacy. A student may only submit one application to the Women’s Council per year. Students funded in previous years may reapply as long as a final report is on file in the Women’s Council office. Past recipients may call to confirm reports on file.

Eligible funding requests
Support for research activities, scholarly activities or projects, community service or presentations, workshops, research or master classes related to applicant’s discipline or special needs requests. A maximum of $2,000 may be requested. Please keep in mind: the average GAF award is closer to $1,000.

Ineligible funding requests
Standard textbooks, university tuition, equipment, computer software or hardware and supplies routinely provided by your department or school.

The timeline for the Graduate Assistance Fund application process is below:

• September 9, 2014:  GAF applications open online at www.umkcwc.org
• November 3, 2014:  5 p.m. Deadline for application submission and faculty recommendations
• Mid-November:  GAF Committee members start the review process
• Early December 2014:  Selections Committee meets to select recipients
• January 2015:  Recipients notified by U.S. Mail
• February 2015:  Celebration Reception will be held to honor the GAF recipients and donors.