New Southeast Missouri State Scholarship Helps Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Members Pursue Higher Education

St. Louis, Mo. (KFMO) - Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) is pleased to announce a new memorandum of understanding with Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO).

This agreement will support efforts to make post-secondary education more accessible to the organization’s nearly 25,000 girl members from rural, urban, and suburban communities across their 28-county jurisdiction in eastern Missouri.
This scholarship program at Southeast Missouri State University will provide Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Highest Awardees (Girl Scouts who have completed the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Highest Award service projects) with a College Access Program Award, currently valued at $1,000 to $2,000 annually. 
This scholarship award is a renewable stackable award with other institutional merit aid based upon students meeting the criteria below each year:

• Full-time enrollment at SEMO each year.
• 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher.
• Completion of the SEMO Educational Access Program contracted requirements each year.
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) must be on file by March 1.
  

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is committed to promoting post-secondary planning to support the interests of all girls we serve. In alignment with GSEM CEO, Dr. Natissia Small’s efforts expand our traditional focus by creating innovative and relevant opportunities that complement the mission of Girl Scouting for all girls.

“It is overwhelmingly exciting to collaborate with Southeast Missouri State University to bring forth this tremendous opportunity for Girl Scouts in Eastern Missouri who have completed our prestigious Gold, Silver, or Bronze Highest Award service projects,” said Dr. Natissia Small.  

“This educational partnership speaks to the intentional steps we will continue to take to support all girls who express an interest in pursuing higher education,” says Small. "This critical work to holistically equip our girls with resources and opportunities for them to achieve lifelong success as future leaders in our communities and global workforce is relevant and necessary for today’s Girl Scout.”

“SEMO is excited to partner with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri to offer resources that inspire young girls to thrive academically and personally, and grow into confident, successful members of society,” said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University.