Eligibility

A woman is eligible to be recommended for the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship provided she:

  • Exhibits excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success
  • Has a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Is in the final academic year of her secondary education and is 20 years of age or under at the end of the calendar year
  • Is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada
  • Plans to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada full time or part time in the fall of the academic year following high school graduation
  • Is recommended by and receives the vote of a local P.E.O. chapter
  • The applications of individuals who satisfy these eligibility criteria will be evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection.

 

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.

Chapter Recommendation and Application Process

When a local chapter identifies a prospective applicant, the local STAR Scholarship chair will arrange an interview to assess eligibility. If the chapter votes to recommend the applicant, the chair oversees the online application process.

The chapter will advise the applicant that she will be emailed instructions for logging into her online account to complete her portion of the application. Submission of the Chapter Recommendation Form must be made online, following the online instructions, between August 15 and October 15.

The Student Profile, Student Activity Charts, original one-page essay, two references, and unofficial high school transcript (through the 11th grade/junior year) must be submitted online no later than 30 calendar days after the applicant has received a link with login information. Canadian applicants must also include their Province Conversion Grading Scale.

Awards

Recipients will be announced annually by April 30. Notification is sent to all applicants and recommending chapters. Recipient award certificates will be mailed to recommending chapters for presentation at a high school awards ceremony or other public forum.

Endowed and Named Scholars

Endowed STAR Scholarships may be established in honor or memory of an individual or chapter. The funds are held in the P.E.O. Foundation.

A one-time gift of USD $2,500 may be designated as a Named Scholarship in honor or memory of an individual or chapter and must be received by the P.E.O. Executive Office no later than December 1 to be awarded in the ensuing academic year.

STAR Documents

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