Avoid scams!!!

Every year students and their families lose money to scam artists posing as legitimate scholarship funding agencies. To avoid being defrauded, be cautious about suspicious scholarship offers.

Consult the Federal Trade Commission

for tips, facts and reporting information. Also keep a few guidelines in mind while researching scholarships.

It might be a scam if:

• • You have to spend money to get money. Legitimate scholarship providers don't charge application fees, "redemption" fees or up-front taxes; nor do they ask students to make investments.

  • They want bank account or credit card information. Trustworthy donors won't ask for a credit card number to "hold" your award.

  • It's guaranteed. No one can guarantee that you'll receive a scholarship, and any promise of a money-back guarantee is a red flag.

  • You can't find the information anywhere else. Scholarship agencies don't keep information secret; they want to award scholarships. If a service promises to provide funds no one else knows about, be suspicious.

  • You win a contest you don't remember entering. If you receive a message saying you've been selected for an award or you're a finalist in a competition you've never heard of, it might be a scam.

  • It sounds too good to be true. Trust your instincts. If you're suspicious about an offer, you probably have a good reason.

P.E.O. Star Scholarship

Deadline: Your deadline is at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) 30 calendar days from when your link is sent to you from the P.E.O. STAR Project Supervisor. This deadline is firm. 

Award: $2,500.00

This is a non-renewable $2,500 scholarship for graduating women in their final year of high school which must be used in the academic year following graduation or it will be forfeited.

At the discretion of the recipient, funds may be paid directly to the recipient or to the accredited educational institution. Funds used for tuition and fees or required books and equipment are usually non-taxable for income tax purposes. Funds used for room and board might be reportable income for tax purposes. Recipients and their families will decide on the use of funds and will be responsible for any taxes incurred. Recipients and their families should seek professional tax guidance.

Application Requirements:

A woman is eligible to be recommended for the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship provided she:

• Exhibits excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success

• Has a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Is in the final academic year of her secondary education and is 20 years of age or under at the end of the calendar year

• Is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.

• Plans to attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the U.S. full time or part time in the fall of the academic year following high school graduation

• The applications of individuals who satisfy these eligibility criteria will be evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection.

• Please submit a CV or resume that satisfies the above requirements and further outlines your Leadership and Community Service.

https://www.peointernational.org/about-peo-star-scholarship-star

Living Memorial Scholarships - Passed out each December.

Note:  All Living Memorial Scholarships are due to Mrs. Kertz's/Mrs. Kayla's office no later than March 1.  

Each senior is given a folder with the LMS application and a list of Living Memorial Scholarships available.  Follow this list as it is the most accurate. 

A fillable application is available at: Fillable Living Memorial Scholarship Application

Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program

1. Deadline: 1st come, 1st serve until funding is completed

Award: Up to $2,000

This program is a private scholarship for students eligible for the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program and who meet one of the following

requirements:

• Have a 27 or higher on the ACT.

• Have earned a cumulative 3.80 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent on another scale) weighted or unweighted GPA through at least seven semesters at a Missouri high school. Please note, in order to qualify the GPA will need to be converted to a 4.0 scale.

For more information, see:  https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants/accessmo.php

The application is online at: myscholarshipcentral.org/apply 

You can pick up an information packet in the Counseling office.

Machens Drives Education Monthly Scholarship

Deadline: 15th of each month from August 15, 2025- June 15, 2026

Award: $2500

Machens Drives Education is a new scholarship program which began in 2019 for high school seniors! This scholarship program will run in September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April and May. During each month, one winner will receive one $2,500 scholarship. If you know a great senior that you think deserves a nomination, head to machensdriveseducation.com to tell us who they are and why they deserve it! 

Pick up a copy with more information in the Counseling Office.

https://www.machens.com/machens-drives-education 

Lariat Future Innovators Foundation STEM Scholarship

Deadline:  anytime during 2025-2026 school year

Award: $30,000

ABOUT

Our Lariat STEM Scholarship is directed towards students between 18-24, from lower-income families in rural areas, who are pursuing a degree in math or science. Students awarded the scholarship, and who continue to meet eligibility requirements, will receive funding annually as follows:

$6,000 as a Freshmen
$6,000 as a Sophomore
$8,000 as a Junior
$10,000 as a Senior

ELIGIBILITY

• You’re a student from a small town (25,000 people or less).

• Your family household income is $55,000 or less.

• You’re curious, highly motivated in and outside the classroom – and there’s not an obstacle you can’t tackle!

• You want to create an invention, have exceled on a project or won a science or math award!

• Want to explore space, mine asteroids, engineer the tallest buildings – or all the above? We want your passion.

• You mostly earn As in math and science at your school, maintain a 3.5 GPA or above and/or take AP courses

• Must be 18 to apply 

https://www.tun.com/blog/the-lariat-stem-scholar-program-application-form/