Epps Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Introduction
The Epps Scholarship Fund, established by attorneys Willie and Mischa Epps at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, provides financial support to Missouri high school seniors planning to pursue a legal career. The fund honors Dr. Willie James Epps, Sr. and Dr. Barbara Bacon Epps—both raised in rural, impoverished, segregated Mississippi—who overcame significant obstacles to become the first members of their families to attend college. Each earned a Ph.D. in education and taught at schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. They taught their children that faith and education are the foundation for success; both children later became licensed attorneys and remain active in church. To promote the scholarship, Willie and Mischa Epps work through local churches, which share application and deadline information with their congregations.

Purpose
The scholarship supports college-bound seniors who have expressed a desire to continue on to law school. Awards are based on academic performance, demonstrated financial need, and a clear interest in pursuing a legal education.

Eligibility
- Must be a graduating high school senior who resides in Missouri.
- Must plan to enroll in a four-year college or university and later attend an accredited law school.
- Prior recipients are not eligible to reapply.
- This award is limited to high school seniors (it is not renewable).

Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated on academic achievement, financial need, and records of community service. Applicants must submit the official scholarship application available from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

Award and Disbursement
- Each scholarship is at least $2,000 per year.
- Payments are split into two equal installments and disbursed in August and January.
- Recipients must remain enrolled in classes and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) to receive the second installment.
- Award amounts vary.

Application—Supplemental Questions
Applicants must respond to the following prompts:
1. Describe leadership experiences: how you have led, influenced others, helped resolve conflicts, or contributed to sustained group efforts. Include responsibilities you have assumed in or outside of school.
2. Explain how attorneys have positively impacted our community, state, or nation. You may discuss an individual attorney or a group.
3. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced, the steps you took to address it, whether you sought help, the role that person played, and what you learned about yourself.

How to Apply
Request and submit the scholarship application through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Applications will be reviewed annually.