Bloch Scholars Program

• Funds to pay for 100% of tuition and fees each semester.** (Scholarship is renewable for up to six semesters at Donnelly and up to six semesters at UMKC or Rockhurst.)
• A personal coach to help you learn the ropes and stay motivated.
• The opportunity to continue your education and renew your scholarship at UMKC or Rockhurst when you complete your Associate in Arts degree with an emphasis in Liberal Arts from Donnelly College.
• Encouragement to keep working toward your dream.

 **Recipients may not qualify for any other Donnelly College Scholarships

For years, the H&R Block Foundation, the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, and Donnelly College have worked together to provide full tuition and fees for local students with a determination to succeed, regardless of their finances, test scores, or life circumstances.

This offer is available to ALL students planning to enter a standard undergraduate program at UMKC and Rockhurst, not just those planning to enter the Bloch School, after earning an associate degree at Donnelly. 

Students are selected to receive this prestigious scholarship based on review of the following criteria:

• Have financial need and not be considered for traditional scholarships due to past academic performance or life circumstances.
• Be a graduating high school senior, have a GED/HiSET, or be a current Donnelly student with no more than 30 credit hours earned.
• Plan to attend Donnelly College to pursue an associate of arts degree and have intent to complete their bachelor’s degree at UMKC or Rockhurst. 
• Reside in the Kansas City metro area, including Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties in Missouri and Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas.

All application steps must be completed and submitted by March 1, 2025 to be considered for the Bloch Scholars Program.

1. Complete Donnelly’s Free Application for Admission. 
2. Complete the Bloch Scholars Program Application.
3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2025-26 and list Donnelly’s school code – 001914. Include a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) with your application.
   • If you are not eligible for the FAFSA, please fill out Donnelly's Family Contribution Estimator Form.
4. Include a letter of recommendation from one of the following: a principal, teacher, professor, counselor, coach, mentor, staff member or an administrator at your current or most recent school. The letter of recommendation should be provided by someone who is familiar with your academic work and character.
5. Include a one-page essay answering the following: Tell us about yourself and why you should be selected for the Bloch Scholars Program. Address the following question: "How will becoming a Bloch Scholar impact your educational and career goals?” Within the essay, you may identify your strengths, accomplishments, educational goals, and/or any struggles or life-changing barriers you have experienced.
6. Submit Official Transcripts – High school or GED/HiSET transcripts and all transcripts for all college coursework and institutions attended (including dual-credit and IB credit) must be sent to the Donnelly College Registrar.

All documentation can be uploaded and attached to the applicant’s Bloch Scholars Program Application or emailed directly to blochscholars@36837a.com with the subject line "Bloch Scholars Application Documents".

Note: If you receive an error opening the scholarship application, please check your pop-up blocker to enable access. 

It's the American dream. Two men start a company on a $5,000 loan and a prayer and turn it into one of the most successful companies in the world. It becomes a tax service that serves more than 24 million customers at more than 13,000 retail outlets and whose own tax return shows billions in income.

It is an amazing success story. Yet the H in H&R Block, Henry Bloch, was not a scholar.

Kansas City Roots

Henry W. Bloch was born in 1922 and attended Southwest High School. He was an average student at best, struggling to make the grades. His college career spanned the University of Kansas City and the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1944.

After distinguished WWII service, he and his brother Leon founded a bookkeeping company, the United Business Company. After several disappointing months, Leon left the business and another brother, Richard, joined the company.

On the brink of cancelling one of the side services they offered clients, tax preparation, they were persuaded to try running an ad. The day it ran, Henry received a fateful message from his brother, "Hank, get back as quick as you can. We've got an office full of people!"

The Rest is History

In 1955, the two brothers founded H&R Block. In just a few weeks. they grossed more than $20,000. The next year, they made more than $65,000.

In 1957, they began franchising the business. In 1962, the company made $800,000 and became a public company. Today it is a multi-billion dollar company.

A Scholarship with a Twist

In honor of his retirement from the Corporation, The H&R Block Foundation created a scholarship in Henry W. Bloch's honor that does NOT require a high GPA, high ACT score, or a high rank in school. Since 2000, this scholarship has provided funds for tuition and fees for students like Henry W. Bloch who have the drive and determination to succeed, regardless of their grades.