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Henry W. Bloch Scholarship

Each year, the H&R Block Foundation, partnering with the Donnelly College, awards scholarships to a number of Donnelly students as part of the Henry W. Bloch Scholars program.

This scholarship provides the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree from Donnelly College and continue on to the University of Missouri-Kansas City to earn a bachelor's degree.

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

  • Have financial need and be Pell grant eligible, and not be considered for traditional scholarships due to past academic performance or life circumstances. 
  • Be a graduating high school senior or have a GED, or be a current Donnelly College student with no more than 30 credit hours earned and a 2.5 GPA
  • Plan to attend Donnelly College
  • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident residing in the Kansas City Metro Area

** Nursing, Middle and Secondary Education degrees are excluded

What the Scholarship Awards
  • Funds to pay for tuition and fees each semester*. (Scholarship is renewable for up to six semesters at Donnelly and up to six semesters at UMKC.)
  • A personal coach to help you learn the ropes and stay motivated.
  • The opportunity to continue your education and renew your scholarship at UMKC when you complete your Associate in Arts degree (General) 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

How to Apply for the Bloch Scholarship

         Tynisa Collins
         Henry W. Bloch Scholars Coach/Advisor
         608 North 18th Street
         Kansas City, KS 66102

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov and include a copy of your Student Aid Report 2020-2021 provide by FAFSA with the application
  • Include two letters of recommendation from one of the following: an instructor, a college counselor, staff or administrator or a high school counselor or administrator with the application
  • Include a one-page supplemental essay
  • Include official and in progress transcripts from your high school or wherever you received your diploma and all transcripts for all college course work and institutions attended

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

Henry W. Bloch Scholarship Program History

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 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 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 average students like himself who have the drive and determination to succeed.

For additional information, contact:

Tynisa Collins

Academic Advisor