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The Donnelly Promise
Beginning in Fall 2026, Donnelly College will launch the Donnelly Promise, a transformative tuition guarantee that offers eligible Kansas & Missouri residents a degree at no cost.
For more than 75 years, Donnelly College has served students in the heart of Kansas City, offering affordable, accessible higher education to a diverse population. Now, we are reaffirming our mission by launching the Donnelly Promise for eligible Kansas and Missouri residents.
With college affordability a national concern, Donnelly is leading the way by covering the cost of tuition and fees for eligible students. We are committed to investing in the Kansas City metro population and empowering the region’s workforce, families, and future leaders.
Steps to a Tuition-Free Degree
- Apply.
- Submit Transcripts.
- Submit FAFSA (Donnelly School Code: 001914) as a Pell-eligible student from Kansas or Missouri.
- Send ACT scores or take ACCUPLACER for free on Donnelly’s campus.
This Tuition Guarantee is available to new Donnelly students pursuing a traditional associate degree and to new transfer students with an associate degree seeking a bachelor's degree. Recipients must be Pell-eligible, determined by completing the FAFSA, and their eligibility will be verified with an award letter signed by both the Financial Aid and Admissions Directors. Recipients must enroll in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 and meet Donnelly College admission criteria, but are not required to meet a minimum high school GPA. To maintain eligibility, recipients must remain continuously enrolled full-time (full-time enrollment is at least 12 hours per semester in fall and spring with summers terms not included), maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (minimum 2.0 GPA), and file an annual FAFSA to demonstrate ongoing Pell eligibility. The guarantee covers up to 6 semesters of full-time study, and total aid, including federal or state grants, cannot exceed actual tuition and fees charged. Aid may be combined with other federal or state grants, but total combined awards/assistance will not exceed actual tuition and fees charged.
Questions? Contact:
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Catholic Engagement and Senior Admissions Counselor