American Water Works Association-Kansas Section

American Water Works Association-Kansas Section supports students preparing for work in the waterworks industry through education-focused financial aid tied to Kansas study and water-related technical fields. A clear example is the Terry L. McKanna Scholarship, which offers awards of up to $2,500 and serves both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities. The scholarship is directed to students pursuing bachelor’s or graduate degrees in civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, and related water resources study, linking the organization’s support to the professional pipeline for waterworks careers. The organization’s scholarship activity centers on a defined audience: U.S. citizens who are U.S. residents, attend school in Kansas, and are preparing for careers in the waterworks industry. Eligible applicants include college freshmen through seniors, fifth-year and other continuing undergraduates, and graduate students. The program requires an essay and is identified as neither need-based nor merit-based, indicating a selection framework tied primarily to field of study, educational level, location, and career direction. American Water Works Association-Kansas Section’s role, as evidenced here, is closely connected to Kansas-based higher education and the development of future professionals in water and environmental fields. Its support reaches students at multiple stages of college and graduate study, and it concentrates that support on disciplines central to water systems and environmental stewardship. The Terry L. McKanna Scholarship also operates on a defined annual cycle, opening on February 1, 2026, and closing on August 15, 2026, which shows an organized application process for students planning academic and career paths in Kansas waterworks-related professions.