Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Kauffman Scholars program?
A: Kauffman Scholars is a college prep and scholarship program designed to help Kansas City area urban students prepare for and graduate from college. Students involved in this program will see college as an attainable goal, and will be encouraged to do the necessary work to prepare for a successful future. Participating Scholars who complete high school with their class will receive scholarship assistance from the program for a college education.
Q: Why was this program created?
A: Ewing Kauffman, the man who established the Kauffman Foundation, always believed that education was the key to success in life. He understood that many urban students often do not have the skills or opportunity to pursue a college education, and he wanted to help more students achieve that goal. He also understood that in today's economy, a higher education would be necessary to obtain a good-paying job with benefits. With this in mind, the Kauffman Scholars Program was created to help young people achieve the goals of a college education, an enjoyable career and a successful life.
By providing the funding for Kauffman Scholars, the Kauffman Foundation is working to offer hope and opportunity to a new generation of leaders in our community.
Q: How long will students be involved in the program?
A: To help more young people have the opportunity to go to college, students need to prepare for college during their middle and high school years. Kauffman Scholar students will start the program when they enter seventh grade, and program staff will provide support and services to these students throughout their middle school, high school and college years. Students and families can expect to be involved in Kauffman Scholars for 10 or 11 years.
Q: What will students gain from the program?
A: The ultimate goal of this program is to help all students develop to their full potential by becoming educated and prepared for a career and life that excites them. Students will receive coaching/mentoring, academic enrichment and career planning services. Students also will participate in recreational activities, weekend retreats and summer programs.
During the middle and high school years, students will receive a variety of services designed to meet their individual needs. Upon high school graduation, successful Kauffman Scholars will receive scholarship assistance for a college education.
Q: What are the obligations of a parent/guardian?
A: Parents/guardians of Kauffman Scholars are expected to support their children as they work to improve their academic and social skills. They are expected to attend parent meetings, to support their children in improving their grades and getting their schoolwork completed, and to make sure the student attends school regularly and participates in Kauffman Scholars services and events.
Q: What is the cost of the program to a student and his or her family?
A: There is no financial cost to the student or family to be involved in this program. The Kauffman Foundation provides funding for this program. Students and their families must commit their time and support to the program by working hard and doing what it takes to get to college. Parents also are expected to support their student's involvement in the program by attending parent meetings, college planning workshops and encouraging their student to do well in school. A student and his/her parent/guardian need to consider their time and commitment as the investment they make into the program.
Q: Why does the Kauffman Scholars Program begin with incoming seventh graders?
A: Students benefit from programs that begin early and occur over a sustained period of time. Experience has shown the Kauffman Scholars staff that the freshman year in high school is too late to begin working with students to prepare for college. Since rigor in the high school curriculum is required for college preparation then it's logical to assume that students need to finish middle school ready for the rigors of ninth grade. Middle school students are starting to make choices that have long-term consequences for their education and well-being. For this reason we believe that our work is the most intense during the middle school years and this is the reason we begin with seventh graders.