Change is challenging. Just over one year ago, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis had closed ScholarShop after 57 years of operation, and the community was concerned about the future of the nearly 100-year old organization. A groundswell of community support has fortified its work in response to these significant changes. The Foundation remains laser-focused on meeting pressing student needs, demonstrated by the awarding of $4,709,700 in interest-free loans and grants to 501 area students. That’s an increase of 20% over 2017. This year not only has the Foundation awarded more dollars to students, but it has also added new programs and expanded existing programs, putting even more students on the path to success.
The Scholarship Foundation promotes educational access and degree attainment for St. Louis area residents through a combination of financial support, advising services, and student-led advocacy. Diminishing state grant aid and increasing tuition costs places higher education out of reach for a growing proportion of area students. The cornerstone of the Foundation’s work is to close the financial aid gap. Each year, the Foundation provides last-dollar aid to 500 students and counsels more than 6,000 students and family members on navigating the complex college admissions process.
Since its founding in 1920, The Scholarship Foundation has assisted 11,500 students with over $84 million in direct financial support to pursue postsecondary education. As the Foundation approaches its centennial in 2020, it invites the community to celebrate the values put forth by its founding mothers who worked together to create an affordable path to higher education. Degree attainment is key to family economic mobility and the strength of the St. Louis region.
