Southeast awards more than $20 million in scholarships each year.
Scholarships are a form of aid that doesn’t require repayment. They’re awarded based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, talent, athletic ability, leadership, participation in a specific campus activity, geography, or financial need.
These scholarships reflect our investment in your potential.
When you apply to Southeast, we automatically review your application for most of our scholarships and award academic scholarships at the time of admission. Additionally, there are a few things to know:
- Test scores can be combined for scholarship purposes. Did you take the ACT or SAT more than once? We'll combine your best ACT or SAT subscores to make a super score.
- Test scores are not required for scholarships. You’ve earned great grades, but test-taking makes your palms sweat. With a 3.25 high school GPA, you qualify for Copper Dome - no test required.
- Many scholarships are “stackable.” Many scholarships can be stacked and added together for a larger award. Plus, your need-based aid won't reduce your scholarship value.
- Scholarships are designed for simple renewal. Take the appropriate number of credit hours in a year and maintain a select GPA and the renewal process is quick and easy.
Applying for Aid
Cost should not be the factor that stands between you and success at Southeast. We know your education and your future are top priorities, and we’re committed to doing whatever it takes to make a quality education financially possible.
Copper Dome Scholarship (2025-2026)
The early admission consideration and scholarship guarantee deadline is March 1 (fall applicants) and November 1 (spring applicants). Copper Dome Scholarships will continue to be awarded until March 1 (fall applicants) and November 1 (spring applicants), as funds allow. No separate application is required. These scholarships are only awarded prior to your first semester at Southeast and cannot be earned later. Note: Applicants applying after the scholarship guarantee deadline will receive a maximum award of $3,000. Value is reduced if enrolled in regional campus lower-level courses.
- Available to beginning freshman
- Value increases annually for students who meet renewal requirements
- Value is reduced if enrolled in regional campus lower-level courses
Students beginning in Spring 2025, please view the 2024-2025 Terms and Conditions as there are differences in deadlines and test scores required for the Copper Dome Scholarship program.
Calculate Your Copper Dome Scholarship (2025-2026)
| ACT | SAT (ERW+M) |
2.75-2.99 | 3.00-3.24 | 3.25-3.49 | 3.50-3.74 | 3.75-3.89 | 3.90 or higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Score | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | |||
| 18 | 960 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 19 | 990 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 20 | 1030 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 21 | 1060 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 22 | 1100 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 23 | 1130 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | |
| 24 | 1160 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | |
| 25 | 1200 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| 26 | 1230 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| 27 | 1260 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| 28 | 1300 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| 29 | 1330 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| 30 | 1360 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 31 | 1390 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 32 | 1420 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 33 | 1450 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 34 | 1490 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 35 | 1530 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 36 | 1570 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Progressive Scholarship Values
The value increases each year continuously renewed!
| Copper Dome | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Total 4 Year Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,200 | $1,300 | $4,600 | |
| $2,000 | $2,100 | $2,200 | $2,300 | $8,600 | |
| $3,000 | $3,200 | $3,400 | $3,600 | $13,200 | |
| $4,000 | $4,200 | $4,400 | $4,600 | $17,200 | |
| $5,000 | $5,250 | $5,500 | $5,750 | $21,500 | |
| Residence Life Leadership | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $6,000 |
| President's | $10,000 | $10,500 | $11,000 | $11,500 | $43,000 |
Student, Mass Media: TV/Film
"Because of scholarships and financial aid, I will graduate from SEMO without any student debt. It’s an amazing blessing and I’m so excited to be able to focus on my career after graduation instead of having the stress of trying to pay back my loans as fast as I can."
Rachel Grubbs
President’s Scholarship
The President's Scholarship is Southeast's most prestigious scholarship and is awarded annually to five students who represent the top of all applicants to Southeast. Finalists and five recipients will also receive a $1,500 study-abroad stipend.
Value
$10,000
$7,000 for tuition and fees. $3,000 for residence hall fees); value increases annually for students who meet the renewal requirements.
Deadline
Complete by December 1
Apply for Admission at semo.edu/apply. Complete President’s Scholarship Application at semo.edu/presidentsscholarship. Send official high school transcript and ACT/SAT scores. Submit two letters of recommendation. Provide essay.
Renewal Requirements
Scholarship Renewal
30 hours / 3.5 GPA
Eligibility
- Test optional with 3.9 cumulative high school GPA OR 3.75 cumulative high school GPA with 31 ACT/1390 SAT
- May be combined with Endowed/Sponsored Scholarships
Will to Do Award
Deadline
March 1
FAFSA must be on file by March 1; verification and/or Review of Special Circumstances must be completed by July 31.
Scholarship Renewal
24 hours / 2.75 GPA
Must also meet annual deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
- Federal Pell Grant eligible
- Missouri Resident
- 2.75 cumulative high school GPA
- May be combined with Residence Life Leadership and Private Scholarships
- Eligible to fall start, beginning freshman
Residence Life Leadership Award
Value
$1,000
Applied to residence hall fees.
Deadline
June 1
Scholarship Renewal
24 hours / 3.0 GPA
Eligibility
- Live in a Southeast residence hall
- 18 ACT or 960 SAT and 3.00 cumulative high school GPA; or,
- Test optional with a 3.25 cumulative high school GPA
- Students will be recognized for the following activities: BETA Club, Boys State, DeMolay International, Girls State, HOBY, Eagle Scout, Girl Scout Gold Award, Missouri A+ high school graduate, and Missouri Renaissance Program.
Southeast A+ Scholarship — Kennett and Sikeston Regional Campuses
The Southeast A+ Scholarship is a University-sponsored scholarship, which closely mimics the State of Missouri A+ Scholarship Program. Students attending Southeast are not eligible for the State A+ Scholarship as it is only available at 2-year institutions.
However, for students enrolled at one of Southeast's regional campuses, we offer the Southeast A+ Scholarship, which has eligibility requirements and renewal criteria closely related to the Missouri A+ Program.
Value
Varies
The Southeast A+ Scholarship will pay 100 percent of tuition and technology/maintenance fees for 000-299 level courses that are not already covered by other awards specifically denoted to pay such fees.
Deadline
No Deadline
Eligibility
- High school graduate residing in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne county
- Submit a final high school transcript with the A+ Seal
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and clear the verification process (if selected)
- Enroll as a full-time, degree-seeking student at a Southeast Regional Campus in Kennett or Sikeston
- May not be combined with any other Southeast Academic scholarship
Endowed Scholarships
Southeast awards nearly 2,000 endowed scholarships, totaling nearly $3.1 million annually. All admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarship opportunities. These scholarships range in value from $200 - $3,000 annually.
Beginning freshmen will be considered for these awards as part of the regular financial aid process. Continuing Southeast students will automatically be considered and notified beginning in May.
While not required, completion of the FAFSA is recommended since some endowed scholarships require demonstrated financial need, as indicated by the FAFSA.
Although a separate application is not required for Endowed and Sponsored Scholarships, admitted students may receive a notification that they meet the requirements for certain awards that require additional information. These notifications will be sent in mid-December.
Participation Scholarships
Participation scholarships require that you are a participant of a particular academic department or group at Southeast. Common participation scholarships are listed below, but you may speak to your particular academic department to see if other scholarships exist.
Educational Access Programs (EAP)
Education Access Programs (EAP) offers multiple scholarship opportunities. Review each to see specific details at semo.edu/eap.
- Educational Access Program Merit Award
- College Access Partnership Award (CAP-A)
- Matching Success Award (MSA)
Student Support Services/TRIO
Student Support Services (SSS) and TRIO offer scholarships to qualifying participants of their programs. For additional information regarding program requirements or scholarships, visit the TRIO/EAP site or contact SSS at (573) 651-2512.
$750 - $2,000
Eligibility:
Students accepted by audition into the Southeast Marching Band will receive a $725 scholarship for each season of participation (maximum four fall seasons). Those students that have achieved All-State status will receive a $1,000 scholarship for each season of participation (maximum four fall seasons). As an enhancement, members who choose to live on campus for their third or fourth year the Marching Band Scholarship will be converted to a $500 and will receive an additional $2,000 housing scholarship. Students that receive Marching Band Scholarships must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours minimum) and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (music majors must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA).
Renewal:
Renewable each season of participation (max four fall seasons) in the Southeast Marching Band
Varies up to $3,000
Eligibility:
This scholarship is awarded to those who meet the following criteria.
- Will reside in a University residence hall
- Is an active participant in the Air Force ROTC program
- Is enrolled in AS199, AS299, AS399, or AS499
Renewal:
Renewable for seven semesters (maximum of eight consecutive semesters) or first bachelor's degree. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 semester GPA in Southeast courses (excluding dual credit) and complete a minimum of 12 Southeast credit hours per semester. Additionally, recipients must continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements listed above.
For additional information on Air Force ROTC or requirements, contact ROTC at (573) 651-2184 or afrotc@semo.edu.
Varies up to $3,000
Eligibility:
This scholarship is awarded to those who meet the following criteria.
- Will reside in a University residence hall
- Is an active participant in the Show Me GOLD program
- Is enrolled in NG001
Renewal:
Renewable for seven semesters (maximum of eight consecutive semesters) or first bachelor’s degree. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 semester GPA in Southeast courses (excluding dual credit) and complete a minimum of 12 Southeast credit hours per semester. Additionally, recipients must continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements listed above.
For additional information on Show Me Gold or requirements, contact (573) 651-2427 or gold@semo.edu.
$500 Annually
Value:
$500 per year ($250 per semester - fall and spring only)
Eligibility:
This scholarship is awarded to those who meet the following criteria.
- Incoming freshman/transfer student (admitted), or currently enrolled and in good academic standing with Southeast
- Submit the MOST Scholarship application by April 1, for the following academic year
- The student's family must be a participant of the MOST 529 College Savings Plan on behalf of the student for a minimum of five years (before applying)
- Full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours per semester)
- Complete the FAFSA by April 1, for the upcoming academic year
- Demonstrate high need
Southeast awards up to 25 MOST Scholarships per year. Final awards will be issued to applicants according to financial need.
Renewal:
This scholarship is non-renewable.
Varies, starting at $200
Cheerleading:
Contact Jennifer Boyd at jmboyd@semo.edu for more information. (Audition required)
Sundancers:
Contact Katherine Hart at kahart@semo.edu for more information. (Audition required)
Varies up to $1,500
Eligibility:
Available to beginning freshmen with a 21+ ACT or 1060 SAT and 3.0 cumulative GPA, or test optional with a 3.25 cumulative GPA. Available to community college students with 24 transferable hours and a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Art, music, theatre, or dance major
- Audition and/or portfolio may be required
- Apply to Southeast by December 1 (guaranteed consideration); awarded through March 1 as funds allow
Deadline:
July 1
Renewal:
3.0 cumulative Southeast GPA, completion of 24 Southeast hours per academic year, and approval of department chairperson.
To apply, contact the appropriate department:
- Art: (573) 651-2143
- Music and Marching Band (Music - Scholarships 9.1.3.3): (573) 651-2141
- Theatre and Dance: (573) 651-2149
Stackable Scholarships
- Copper Dome Scholarships
- Residence Life Leadership Award
- President's Finalist Scholarship
- Visual and Performing Arts Award
- Academic Support Center Awards
- Endowed and Sponsored Scholarships
- State Grants and Scholarships
- Pell Grant and Other Need-based Scholarships
*Total award value cannot exceed the annual cost of attendance.
For complete details on Academic Scholarships, review the Terms and Conditions. Academic (Freshman and Transfer) scholarships are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Academic (International) scholarships are awarded to non-U.S. citizens with lawful presence in the U.S. and the right per their visa status to enroll in a full-time course of study.
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Cape Girardeau, MO 63701