The Kansas Bar Foundation is pleased to offer eleven scholarship opportunities. Applications are due January 15, 2025. Recipients will be announced in late February 2025.  Listed below are the various scholarships and corresponding eligibility criteria and application requirements. Visit the KBF Scholarship page to complete an application.

2025 Kansas Bar Foundation Scholarships

All scholarships require a transcript and two letters of recommendation. See the Before You Begin section to learn more details on the KBF Scholarship page. Applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation are due on January 15, 2025.

The Frank M. Rice Scholarship • $6,000
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in the state of Kansas by awarding tuition assistance to a student attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. The donor of this scholarship described the purpose of the scholarship as one that is intended to help law students become lawyers in the mold of Frank M. Rice who was “among the finest…in the Bar. He was at the top of his class…and always applied the highest level of legal scholarship to any legal matter in which he was involved.” The recipient must have been admitted to law school and must be a Kansas resident. 
Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a Kansas resident.
• Admitted to attend or currently attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law.

Judge Patrick D. McAnany Scholarship• $5,000
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in the state of Kansas by annually awarding funds to a student attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law, or the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. Preference will be given to law students with the intent to practice in a rural area of Kansas. In addition, preference will be given to students who display financial need and or are nontraditional students.

Eligibility Criteria

• Attending the University of Kansas School of Law, Washburn University School of Law, or the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law.
• Intent to practice in Kansas (preferably rural Kansas)

Hinkle Law Firm Scholarship • $4,000
This scholarship will be given to a law student at the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. Applicants should exhibit professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives, as demonstrated in application materials, and letters of recommendation. Applicants should also demonstrate a history of involvement in their community along with a bona fide intention to practice law in Kansas.

Eligibility Criteria

• Attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law.

The John E. Shamberg Memorial Law Student Scholarship • $4,000
This scholarship is designed for a Washburn University School of Law student who has an interest in plaintiff’s work as well as a bona fide interest in practicing in Kansas. The award will be based in large part upon a student's financial need. Students of culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

• Attending Washburn University School of Law.

The Frank C. and Jeanne M. Norton Scholarship • $3,000
This scholarship is available exclusively to Washburn University School of Law students in their second or third year of study who are not receiving any other scholarship support. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a 2L or 3L at Washburn University School of Law.
• Must not be receiving any other scholarship support.

Lathrop GPM Scholarship • $4,000
This scholarship promotes community service by awarding a law student attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law, and who has demonstrated a history of community involvement. Application materials should demonstrate the applicant's professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives. The award will be based in large part upon the student's merit or recommendation rather than financial need. Students of culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

• Attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law.

MVP Law Scholarship $5,000
This scholarship was started by MVP Law for incoming students with demonstrated interest to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Iowa in workers' compensation law, civil litigation, or insurance defense. The recipient will have the opportunity to be matched with a mentor from MVP Law and have a shadowing opportunity over the semester break. Applicants must exhibit MVP's core values and beliefs. At MVP, we live out our core values of being genuine, hardworking, having a firm focus, being confident, and striving for innovation in our work. Our core beliefs of respect for everyone, building real relationships, and maintaining a reputation for excellence have allowed the firm to flourish for more than 120 years. An award will be based on student participation in college/law school, community activities, financial need, and academic achievement.

Eligibility Criteria

• Intent to practice in the areas of workers' compensation law, civil litigation, or insurance defense.
• Intent to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Iowa.

The Justice Alex M. Fromme Memorial Scholarship Award • $2,000
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in the state of Kansas by awarding a law student attending either the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law who is committed to practicing law in Kansas. An award will be based on merit and recommendations rather than financial need.

Eligibility Criteria

• Attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law.
• Must be a Kansas resident.

Maxine S. Thompson Memorial Scholarship • $2,000
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in rural Kansas. Applicants must originally be from Kansas and attend either the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. Additionally, applicants must be committed to practicing law in rural Kansas, preferably western Kansas. An award will be based on merit and recommendations rather than financial need.

Eligibility Criteria

• Attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law.
• Originally from Kansas.
• Completion of at least 60 credit hours.
• Intent to practice in rural Kansas.

Capitol Federal Foundation Diversity Scholarship • (2) $500
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in the state of Kansas by awarding two 3L students. One student from Washburn University School of Law and one student from the University of Kansas School of Law will be recognized. Applicants must exhibit exemplary leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion within their law school and/or broader legal community. Recipients will be provided the opportunity to author an 850-word article about diversity and inclusion in the legal profession/ justice system. The article will be published in the Diversity Corner of the Kansas Bar Journal and the recipients will be invited to serve on the KBA Diversity Committee.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a 3L attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law

Case, Moses, & Zimmerman P.A. Law Student Scholarship • $2,000
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in the state of Kansas by awarding funds to a student who has demonstrated a bona fide intent to practice law in the state of Kansas. Applicants must exhibit professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives as demonstrated in application materials. The award will be based on student participation in law school, community activities, financial need, and academic achievement. Students of culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a 2L at Washburn University School of Law, University of Kansas School of Law, Creighton University School of Law, or Oklahoma City University School of Law.

All scholarships require a transcript and two letters of recommendation. See the Before You Begin section to learn more details on the KBF Scholarship page. Applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation are due on January 15, 2025.