Southeast Missouri University Foundation

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

RESTRICTED SCHOLARSHIPS

Restricted scholarships are funds which are awarded each year by the Foundation to deserving students. Funding for the scholarship can be one-time or annual. Restricted scholarships provide the opportunity for donors to name the scholarship in their honor, in memory of a loved one, or a business or organization. Donors are also allowed to establish the criteria for awarding the scholarship.

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Endowed scholarships are long-term, perpetual funds that generate annual income, a portion of which is awarded each year by the Foundation to deserving students. The minimum principal required to endow a scholarship is $10,000, which may be paid through one gift, over time or by bequest. At the time the scholarship is fully endowed, a pre-established portion of the income will be used to make the annual scholarship awards.
The Foundation’s current policy allows five percent of the principal balance to be awarded each year. Additional earnings on the endowment are added to the principal to allow the fund to continue to grow. Contributions from any source may be added to scholarship endowments at any time.
Benefits of establishing an endowed scholarship include:

  • The donor(s) determines the selection of criteria within appropriate affirmative action and tax guidelines.
  • The donor(s) will be notified of the recipient(s) each year, receive a letter of thanks from the recipient(s), and be invited to attend an annual reception during Homecoming Weekend at which the donor(s) may meet the recipient(s).
  • The endowed scholarship will always be a part of Southeast Missouri University Foundation and benefit countless numbers of students.
  • The donor(s) and anyone else may make additional contributions to increase the endowment. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
  • The Foundation handles all the administration of the scholarship. The donor(s) can inquire at any time about the status of the scholarship.
  • A brochure is published annually that lists all the Foundation’s endowed scholarships.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE

  1. One Scholarship Award: A $10,000 scholarship may be awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student each year pursuing a degree in a specific field of study. In this case, the award would be based on academic success, talent in a particular discipline, or other criteria established by the donor in consultation with the appropriate University department or program. This type of award provides Southeast with a significant advantage in recruiting and retaining top quality students to the designated department or program. (The annual cost of tuition, fees, room and board for a full-time student at Southeast exceeds $12,500.)

  2. Awards to Several Students: Several scholarships may be awarded by either (i) placing a cap on the amount to be awarded to each student (such as $2,000 per student per year, or (ii) stating that the funds available from the endowment would be divided among the top X number of students (e.g., the top five students) who meet the designated criteria. The second choice would be the most beneficial because the scholarship awards will be able to grow in the future to keep pace with the rising costs of education.

  3. Bridge to Success Scholarships: This scholarship fund has been created by the Foundation and the University to provide resources to help students bridge the financial gap. Each year, approximately 15% of full-time freshmen and sophomores who are Missouri residents enroll at Southeast with unmet financial need. The pooled scholarship funds generated by the Bridge to Success endowment are awarded to students with unmet need who are identified by the University Scholarship Committee, after careful review and evaluation of scholarship applications. A named endowment may be established within this program, although additional criteria cannot be set by the donor and a specific student (s) will not be designated to a donor(s) as with an endowed scholarship described above.


To learn more about scholarships or to establish one today,
call the Southeast Missouri University Foundation at (573) 651-2252.