Frequently Asked Questions

When can I begin the scholarship application?
You can begin your application on December 1st (11:59 PM CST). Please note that incomplete and late applications are not eligible.

 When is the deadline for the Scholarship application?

 The deadline is May 31, 2025 (NO EXCEPTIONS!).

Why so particular about the application process?
1. To minimize administrative costs.
2. To see how well each applicant follows instructions.

Can I attend the college or university of my choice?
YES. Students can attend any accredited college, university, vocational or trade school in the United States.

Who is eligible to apply for the Scholarship?

All high school seniors, students with GED diplomas, undergraduate (2 year or 4 year) college students, and students at vocational or trade schools who meet the requirements below are eligible.

Requirements:

• The student must be graduating or a graduate from a high school in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
• The student must have maintained a 2.5 to 3.0 grade point average or better (on a 4.0 scale) during the final two years in school.
• The student must be 17-24 years old.
• The student must submit a completed scholarship application.
• The student cannot be a previous scholarship recipient.

Do I have to be currently enrolled in school to apply for this Scholarship?

You do not have to be currently enrolled in school to apply, but you must show evidence from an accredited institution that you will be enrolling, and that the scholarship support you seek will be applied there.

Is this a need-based or merit-based scholarship?
This is a merit-based scholarship. Recipients are selected based upon character, academic ability, achievement in and out of school, and future promise.

When will the scholarship funds be disbursed?
The scholarship award amount is determined each August and disbursed each September.  

Is there an application or processing fee?
There is no application or processing fee.

My school does not use a 4.0 grade scale, how can I convert my grades to this scale?

If your school uses number grades, use the GPA conversion table HERE.  

I don’t have a very high GPA, do I have any chance of receiving this Scholarship?

Yes, we take many factors into consideration when determining your candidacy for the Scholarship. Leadership, community service, the quality of your essay and other strengths are all taken into account in the decision-making process.
 

Our typical scholarship recipients demonstrate resiliency in the face of hardship, give back to their communities, and have GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0. Students with GPAs above this range are still encouraged to apply.

How can I maximize my chances of receiving this Scholarship?

Here are some steps you can take:

Start your application early and complete it on time. The earlier you start the application, the better chance you have to submit the application before the deadline. You also have more time to ask us questions in case any part of the process needs clarification.

Tell us about yourself and use specific details when sharing your extracurricular activities. We do not know anything about you until you share it with us. Specific details can help us understand how great you are. The same can be said about your essay. We don’t expect the essay to run too long but make sure your essay helps us learn more about you and your perspectives.

Review your application for grammar and spelling errors.

A photo is required. Please send us a head shot from the shoulders up similar to an ID card.
 

If your question has not been answered above, please direct your inquiry to: stlmaconite@yahoo.com