Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of aid you do not have to repay and are awarded based on merit (skill or ability), financial need or other factors. They are available through the University as well as external foundations and organizations, like your high school or community, religious or civic organizations, private foundations or the military.

UHSP offers scholarships based on merit and intercollegiate athletics, as well as UHSP donor-funded scholarships for current students.

University Scholarships

These are awarded by the University based on a student’s academic achievement, extracurricular activities, leadership experience and other accomplishments.

100% of admitted students receive a UHSP scholarship.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships, funded by UHSP alumni donors, are available to current students to help offset the costs of their education. Each spring, the scholarship committee connects student scholarship applications to more than 200 available scholarships to be dispensed for the following academic year. Criteria varies by scholarship.

Athletic Scholarships

As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), students have the opportunity to earn athletic scholarships while pursuing their academic endeavors.

Explore UHSP Athletics

Grants

Grants are awarded based on financial need, as determined by your FAFSA, and do not have to be repaid. The federal government is the largest source of need-based grants in addition to funding through the state of Missouri and UHSP. These can include:

○ Federal Pell Grant
○ Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
○ Access Missouri Grant
○ Missouri Bright Flight

Learn more about other financial aid resources

External sources

External scholarships are granted by local, regional and national foundations, businesses, charitable organizations, civic organizations and churches. For first-time, first-year students, high school guidance counselors are often a good resource to help identify these opportunities.

Start researching early and take advantage of applying during “scholarship season” (November-March of your senior year).

Learn more about other financial aid resources

Starting Your Scholarship Search

Scholarships can come from a variety of areas outside of universities and there’s no limit to the number you can apply for or receive. These can go a long way in closing the gap in funding your education.

You don’t have to wait to start researching and applying for the scholarships that might be a fit for you. While some scholarship criteria are limited to seniors, some are available to high school juniors.

Here are some easy tips to get you started:

Research your options. There are countless scholarships out there ready to help you fund your education. Start by researching some common sources, but also think outside the box. Talk with your high school counselor to find additional sources of funding you might not know about.
Start a Scholarship Spreadsheet. As you find scholarships that you qualify for, track them in a comprehensive spreadsheet so you can keep track of the scholarship name, award amount, important deadlines and your application status.
Consider setting up and email just for scholarship applications. Having a dedicated email address can help you keep all your scholarship information in one place, so important emails don’t get lost in the shuffle. Just make sure you remember to check it regularly.

Once you begin receiving scholarship offers, read your award letters carefully and connect with your college admissions representative with questions. There is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for, so be sure to take advantage of all available options.