21 May MCCF Adds Reverse Scholarship to Support Workforce Recruitment
The McPherson County Community Foundation has announced the addition of a new reverse scholarship to the McPherson County Professional Recruitment (CPR) program.
The new tiered scholarship is designed to support individuals who plan to move, or have recently moved, to McPherson County for employment. Funding may be used to help repay student loans or cover cost associate with relocation.
Recipients may receive up to $5,250 over a three-year period, beginning with an initial $1,000 award. Participants may then reapply for a second-year payment of $1,750 and a third-year payment of $2,500. Recipients must verify each year that they are still living and working in McPherson County to remain eligible for continued funding.
Eligibility is based on both employment and residency within McPherson County. Applicants must either be relocating to the county for employment or be a recent college graduate, graduating in May of the current year, who is accepting their first job in McPherson County.
The Foundation expects to fund two applicants in 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by a committee of Foundation board representatives until both awards have been distributed, at which point funding for 2026 will close.
Applications for the McPherson County CPR reverse scholarship can be found here.
“It is our expectation that this funding will play a role in the retention and recruitment of talent in McPherson County,” said MCCF CEO Michelle Huddle. “As student loan debt becomes one of the biggest financial burdens for young professionals, programs like McPherson County CPR can help make career opportunities here more attractive.”
The Foundation also recently established the Kansas American Tooling Reverse Scholarship, which is aimed at attracting trade and service professionals to McPherson County. That scholarship provides reimbursements for equipment purchases and training costs related to employment.
About McPherson County CPR
McPherson County CPR was established by the McPherson County Community Foundation in 2025 with the mission of supporting local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities through reverse scholarships and workforce recruitment initiatives.
Unlike traditional scholarships, reverse scholarships provide funding after graduation or employment. These programs are commonly used as workforce recruitment and retention tools, helping communities attract and retain skilled professionals by easing the financial burden of student loans and career-related expenses.
“It is our goal to help these individuals and their families put down roots in McPherson County.” Huddle said.