The Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship creates a tuition-free pathway to college
Washburn University is extending its Together We Thrive program to residents and students of Northeast Kansas. The Northeast Kansas Advantage ensures that eligible full-time students from the counties listed below can receive a tuition-free college education from Washburn. Applying is simple. To receive your award, complete an admission application and have a valid FAFSA with all required documents on file at Washburn by the priority date:
- Fall 2025 priority date: March 1, 2025
- Spring 2025 priority date: October 1, 2024 (If you have not submitted the FAFSA by this date and still need help, please contact our Financial Aid office at financialaid@washburn.edu)
Grants 38%Scholarships 45%Northeast Kansas Promise 17%A part of Together We Thrive
The Northeast Kansas Advantage is part of a financial aid package called Together We Thrive. Together with merit scholarships and other financial awards, the program creates a tuition-free path to earning your bachelor's degree at Washburn.
Eligible students can receive the Northeast Kansas Advantage for up to four consecutive years or until you complete your first bachelor's degree, whichever comes first for students at Washburn University, covering the cost of up to 30 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters.
Northeast Kansas Counties:
- Atchison
- Brown
- Doniphan
- Douglas
- Franklin
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Johnson
- Leavenworth
- Marshall
- Miami
- Nemaha
- Osage
- Pottawatomie
- Wabaunsee
- Wyandotte
You qualify if:
You are a resident of the counties listed above
You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
Your GPA is a 3.0 or higher
You graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA on your high school transcript.
You’re financially eligible
If you are either Pell Grant Eligible OR demonstrate a household income of $75,000 or less AND have less than $75,000 in assets on your FAFSA.
No separate application required!
You're automatically considered for this award when you apply for admission to Washburn.
Renewal criteria
This renewable program pays the cost of tuition for up to 15 credit hours per semester at Washburn, up to 30 total credit hours per school year. To renew, you must complete the following criteria:
- Successfully complete at least 27 credit hours at Washburn during the school year
- Maintain a cumulative 2.0 or higher Washburn GPA
- Complete the FAFSA every school year by the priority date and remain financially eligible
Additional Information
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- Can this be applied to other school expenses besides tuition such as housing, books, etc.?
- The Northeast Kansas Advantage is a tuition only, last dollar scholarship. This means that all other scholarships, grants, waivers, third party payments, or other outside scholarships will be applied towards tuition first. The Northeast Kansas Advantage can not be applied to non-tuition charges.
- Do I qualify if I have other funding that covers my tuition?
- The Northeast Kansas Advantage is a last dollar scholarship for tuition only up to 15 credit hours for each Fall and Spring semester. If your tuition is covered by other scholarships, grants, waivers, third party payments, or other outside scholarships, then you would not be eligible.
- Can the Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship be used in the Summer semester?
- The Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship can only be applied during the Fall and Spring semesters at Washburn University.
- Am I eligible to receive the Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship if I am a transfer student?
- Yes, so long as you meet the eligibility criteria in addition to having a 3.0 college GPA.
- Will I qualify if I have already received a bachelor's degree or beyond?
- This scholarship is for students pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Students that have already received the equivalent of a bachelor's degree or beyond will not qualify for the scholarship.
- Do I have to maintain full-time status in the fall and spring semesters?
- Yes, you will need to maintain enrollment in at least 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester to receive the scholarship. Please contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping below 12 hours.
- Why has my Northeast Kansas Advantage amount changed?
- The Northeast Kansas Advantage is a last dollar, tuition only scholarship. If other forms of financial aid mentioned above are received the Northeast Kansas Advantage scholarship may be reduced or removed.
- Must I maintain continuous enrollment in order remain eligible?
- Yes, in addition to meeting all other eligibility requirements, you must remain enrolled full-time in each consecutive fall and spring semesters.
- Why is my Northeast Kansas Advantage not showing on my account?
- You must meet all eligibility criteria. The Financial Aid Office will notify you if you are eligible or potentially eligible for the Northeast Kansas Advantage. Please note, this may take a few weeks to determine your eligibility.
- If you meet all eligibility criteria but your tuition is covered by other forms of aid mentioned above in the FAQ, you will not receive the Northeast Kansas Advantage.
- What if I completely withdraw?
- You must contact the Financial Aid Office to speak with a Financial Aid Advisor before completely withdrawing. See official withdrawal policy.
- What does successfully complete mean?
- Successfully complete means completing and passing the course. Receiving an F or withdrawing from a course will not count as renewal hours.
- Is there a maximum time frame that I can receive the Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship?
- If you continue to meet renewal criteria, you are eligible to receive the Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship for up to 8 consecutive semesters or until you receive your first bachelors degree.
- Do I need to provide my final high school transcript?
- The final high school transcript is required to demonstrate graduation from high school.
- What if I do not have a final high school transcript?
- Acceptable alternative documentation includes the following: GED or Home School Transcript.
- What if I do not qualify for the Pell Grant?
- You will not qualify if you are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant because you have a Pell overpayment, have exhausted your Pell Grant lifetime eligibility, have already received a Bachelors degree, applied for a direct unsubsidized loan only, or have other Federal student aid eligibility issues.
- However, if the criteria above does not apply, you may still qualify if you meet the income requirements listed in the Eligibility section.
- You will not qualify if you are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant because you have a Pell overpayment, have exhausted your Pell Grant lifetime eligibility, have already received a Bachelors degree, applied for a direct unsubsidized loan only, or have other Federal student aid eligibility issues.
- What if my financial situation has changed?
- Please contact the Financial Aid Office to review your situation. Additional documentation may be required.
- What if my financial aid eligibility changes during the year?
- If your federal financial aid eligibility changes during the year, your eligibility for the Northeast Kansas Advantage may change. The Financial Aid Office will notify you of any changes.
- Will the Washburn University Together We Thrive initiative expand beyond Shawnee County and Northeast Kansas?
- Washburn University is committed to discovering partners who want to help expand the program beyond Shawnee County and Northeast Kansas.
- Who should I contact with questions?
- Please email admissions@washburn.edu with any questions.
- Can this be applied to other school expenses besides tuition such as housing, books, etc.?
This scholarship is just the beginning
You may also be eligible for other scholarships, including departmental scholarships.
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There are so many reasons to attend college in Topeka, from the excitement within the community and an active student life on campus to a strong job market and low cost of living off campus. Find out about all the opportunities you have to thrive in Topeka!
GET IN TOUCH WITH Admissions
Washburn University Admissions
Morgan Hall Suite 100
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
785.670.1030
admissions@washburn.edu
