New Era Scholarship

The New Era Scholarship is a collaboration between The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis (SFSTL) and select youth development agencies and high schools, whose active participants and students are eligible to apply. These agencies and high schools include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, College Bound, Jennings High School, KIPP St. Louis, St. Louis Internship Program, The Little Bit Foundation, UMSL Bridge Program, and Wyman’s Teen Leaders Program.

This renewable scholarship of up to $12,000 annually may be used at an accredited, nonprofit two- or four-year college, university, or technical school located in the state of Missouri or a select number of institutions in Illinois.

Thanks to a generous, anonymous donor, 150 scholarships will be made annually. Renewing students will be given priority and, as scholars graduate, new scholars will be added to fill those spots. Interested students should go to MyScholarshipCentral.org, follow the instructions to complete the General Application and then submit the supplemental applications for the New Era Scholarship by the deadline of April 15. Students who are selected to receive the New Era Scholarship may be given an opportunity to accept or decline an interest-free loan or other grants through The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis. Awards will be announced in June.

Read below to learn more about eligibility, the application process, awards and more.

More About the New Era Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Funded by a generous, anonymous donor, the New Era Scholarship is a collaboration between The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis (SFSTL) and nine organizations (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, College Bound, Jennings High School, KIPP St. Louis, St. Louis Internship Program, The Little Bit Foundation, UMSL Bridge Program, and Wyman’s Teen Leaders Program), whose participants are eligible to apply. This renewable scholarship of up to $12,000 annually may be used at an accredited, nonprofit two- or four-year college, university, or technical school located in the state of Missouri or a select number of institutions in Illinois.

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis conducts the application review, award process, and disbursement of funds to students. The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is a nonprofit organization, founded on the belief that an educated society is essential to a democracy. The Scholarship Foundation provides direct financial support to students in the form of interest-free, fee-free student loans and grants. In addition, SFSTL offers guidance to students and families navigating the financial aid process.

Eligibility Criteria

Active participants of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, College Bound, Jennings High School, KIPP St. Louis, St. Louis Internship Program, The Little Bit Foundation, UMSL Bridge Program, and Wyman’s Teen Leaders Program who are expected to graduate from a high school located within the New Era Scholarship's service area (City of St. Louis and St. Louis County; Cape Girardeau, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Scott, St. Charles, and Warren counties in Missouri; and the Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair) are eligible to apply.

Yes. Successful applicants will demonstrate academic potential, which is documented in the application process as follows:

Student is on track to earn a high school diploma, with a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
High school transcript demonstrates evidence of academic ability in selected major, progress in increasingly rigorous coursework, and focus.
Additionally, the following characteristics will further support a successful application:
- consistent attendance;
- steady or improving grade point average;
- choice of college that is a good match with interests and abilities.

When applying for the scholarship, applicants should provide an explanation of the ups and downs of their high school years, as well as a plan to address any concerns going forward.

Applications will be reviewed for character; specifically, they will be evaluated for evidence of honesty, forthrightness, responsibility, sense of community, and good judgment. Successful applicants demonstrate these characteristics through activities, personal statements, and essays. Essays are evaluated both on writing mechanics and responsiveness to a writing prompt. In addition, recommendation letters are reviewed in considering student character.

Yes. Applicants will be evaluated for financial need; each applicant is required to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at https://studentaid.gov. The output from this form, the FAFSA Submission Summary, which reports the Student Aid Index (SAI), is a required supporting document for the application. Applicants who are unable to file a FAFSA or are not eligible for Federal Student Aid are encouraged to immediately contact The Scholarship Foundation for instructions on an alternate process.

Application Process

Students are encouraged to contact The Scholarship Foundation with questions. Please call (314) 725-7990 or email info@sfstl.org to be connected with the designated staff member:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri: Dominesha Newton (dominesha@sfstl.org)
Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School: Ricky Hughes (ricky@sfstl.org)
College Bound: Ricky Hughes (ricky@sfstl.org)
Jennings High School: DeVonte' (DJ) Jackson (dj@sfstl.org)
KIPP St. Louis: Dominesha Newton (dominesha@sfstl.org)
St. Louis Internship Program: Ricky Hughes (ricky@sfstl.org)
The Little Bit Foundation: DeVonte' (DJ) Jackson (dj@sfstl.org)
UMSL Bridge Program: DeVonte' (DJ) Jackson (dj@sfstl.org)
Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program: Teresa Steinkamp (teresa@sfstl.org)

Complete applications will include the following documents, which will either be uploaded to the application or completed online:

High school transcript, with grades through fall of senior year;
FAFSA Submission Summary (Note: This is the processed summary from a completed FAFSA; the FAFSA Submission Summary is downloaded at https://studentaid.gov);
Recommendation (Please Note: Applicant will enter recommender’s name and email address; the system will automatically generate and email a recommendation form to that individual);
Essay: Please explain your interest in college and where you think it may take you. What have you done to prepare yourself to pursue higher education?
Additional essay OR creative piece: You may answer the essay prompt; insert a link to an online document (i.e. a website you created, art project, personal video, etc.); or submit another piece of writing you wish to share (i.e. essay, poem, short story, etc.). Your submission can be anything that tells us more about you and your passion if it is written or accessible with an internet link. No files may be uploaded for this question.
Financial Aid Offer Letter: This document outlines the federal, state, and institutional aid the student has been awarded by the college. Although this document may be accepted after the application deadline, award decisions cannot be finalized until this document has been received by SFSTL. Students are strongly encouraged to submit as soon as possible.

If you have additional questions about these requirements, please visit www.myscholarshipcentral.org, www.sfstl.org, or contact The Scholarship Foundation at (314)725-7990 or info@sfstl.org.

Awards Process

Disbursement Process

Funds from The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, including New Era Scholarship awards, will be disbursed directly to the student, in a check written out to the student. Students are advised to deposit these funds immediately in a bank account. Funds can then be used to pay tuition payments and other related educational expenses. Students are encouraged to speak with their Scholarship Foundation student advisor with specific questions regarding expenses. Tuition and fees should be paid off first; remaining funds can be utilized for textbooks and supplies; transportation expenses; and other cost of living expenses.

Most schools have an award displacement policy, which is their process for adjusting any institutional aid offered in response to outside aid a student is receiving. Students who choose to share award information with their schools might experience a reduction in financial aid offered by the college. If you elect to share this award information with your school, please consider asking for a copy of their award displacement policy first.

Renewal Process

Students who continue to meet eligibility requirements are eligible to renew. Academics will be evaluated each semester. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average; complete a consistent number of credit hours per semester (12-15 is ideal); demonstrate a pattern of enrollment in progressively harder classes; and, achieve success in classes that specifically support their major. Repeated failure in remedial or entry level classes or withdrawal from classes do not demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.

Continuing students will be notified in January, via email, that the renewal application is available. The renewal process consists of updating the general application on Scholarship Central and completing the Scholarship Foundation RENEWAL Application. Renewing students must also submit an official academic transcript and the most recent FAFSA Submission Summary by April 15^th. Additionally, spring grades and a new financial aid award letter will be required before the next round of fall funds are disbursed.

Resources & Support

The Scholarship Foundation will:

Provide one-on-one advising to New Era Scholars on topics related to academic, financial, and personal matters.
Monitor progress toward degree completion and performance, providing referral as needed.
Communicate expectations and requirements for renewal of the scholarship and make awards.
Be available to answer questions and provide guidance and support.

Scholarship Foundation Advising Staff
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
6825 Clayton Ave, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 725-7990
info@sfstl.org

All information is up-to-date as of January 2025; information is subject to change. For the most current information, please contact The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis at (314) 725-7990 or info@sfstl.org.