The 24-25 Traditional College Scholarship App is CLOSED! 

The 25-26 Application will open in January 2025



Our Mission

The O’Brate Foundation strives to improve opportunities for disadvantaged Kansas youth by assisting with emergency needs, providing scholarships to deserving youth, and addressing stumbling blocks lying in the path on the road to success.

Who We Serve

Kansas youth ages 17-25 who have been in foster care or are transitioning into independent living AND youth who have limited resources.

How We Serve

The O’Brate Foundation recognizes that the future is in the hands of today’s youth. We strive to make the future brighter and improve opportunities of success for disadvantaged youth in Kansas through our Scholarships and Immediate Needs Program. In addition to monetary assistance, we also incorporate the following services:   

  • Mentorship
  • Financial Literacy
  • Personal & Professional Development

Traditional College Scholarship

The O’Brate Foundation is committed to helping youth with limited resources succeed in reaching their educational goals and becoming positive contributors to society. We invest more than just money in our scholars by providing each of them a staff mentor to help work through the challenges of adjusting to college. In addition, we also provide our scholars with Financial Literacy programming and Personal & Professional Development opportunities and workshops. Our Traditional College Scholarships are based on financial need, renewable and range in size from $500 to $5,000 annually. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Financial Need
  • Age 17 to 25
  • 2.5 GPA or higher
  • Kansas High School Graduate or equivalent
  • Full-Time Student pursuing, or planning to pursue, an undergraduate or graduate level certification and/or degree at an accredited technical school, community college, or    college/university. 
  • Work Experience and Commitment to Work while in School 
  • Drive & Determination to Succeed

Deadline

  • OPENS: January -- CLOSES: May 1st

Application Access

  • Login to SM Apply > Click Traditional College Scholarship from the Programs Menu. No access code or permissions required for NEW applicants.

Dual-Credit Scholarship

The O’Brate Foundation desires for students with limited financial means to have the ability to take college courses while in high school. Our Dual-Credit Awards vary based on each student’s enrollment status and financial situation. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Financial Need
  • Age 17 to 25 
  • 2.5 GPA or higher
  • Pursuing a Kansas High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Work Experience and Commitment to Work While in School 
  • Drive and Determination to Succeed

Fall Semester Deadline

  • OPENS: August -- CLOSES: November 1st

Spring Semester Deadline

  • OPENS: January -- CLOSES: April 1st

Application Access

  • Login to SM Apply > Click Dual-Credit Scholarship from the Programs Menu. No access code or permissions required.

Immediate Needs Assistance

The O’Brate Foundation will consider, on an individual basis, addressing short-term immediate needs assistance to improve a youth’s chances for success if no other resources are available. The young adult applicants must be residents of Kansas who currently reside in Kansas and fall within the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines. 

Assistance is limited to the areas of Food, Shelter/Utilities and/or Clothing. We are unable to consider assistance requests relating to medical or transportation challenges. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Financial Need
  • Age 17 to 25 
  • 2.5 GPA or higher if attending High School or College
  • Work Experience
  • Drive & Determination to Succeed

Deadline

  • OPENS: January -- CLOSES: December 1st. Please note the implementation of a Deadline is new in 2024. Thus, the application will be available for the first 11 months of each calendar year and will close December 1st to allow for processing.

Application Access

  • The Immediate Needs Application must be started by an adult sponsor, which includes: teachers/instructors, school counselors, academic advisors, DCF case managers, or other qualified professionals. The adult sponsor should e-mail submissions@obratefoundtion.org to request access to the Immediate Needs Assistance Application. The request should include the adult sponsor’s First & Last Name and E-mail Address. An e-mail response from the O’Brate Foundation will be generated within 24 to 72 hours with directions on how to get started. The adult sponsor will start the application, then follow the instructions in the application to share the app with the youth in order for him/her to complete the remaining application tasks.

Programs

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