How Can I Get Scholarships?
Southeast awards more than $20 million in scholarships each year. When you apply to Southeast, we review your application for most of our scholarships automatically, and award Academic scholarships at the time of admission. (Some scholarships have additional steps.)
All information below applies to scholarships awarded for 2024-25. For criteria from previous years, view the Terms and Conditions.
Academic Transfer Scholarships
Transfer academic scholarships are awarded at the time of admission to incoming transfer students who meet the eligibility requirements and apply to Southeast by the scholarship deadline. No separate application is required. These scholarships are only awarded before your first semester at Southeast and cannot be earned later.
Value
$1,000 - $2,000
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Fall Deadline
June 1 for fall semester start November 1 for spring semester start
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Eligibility
3.5 Transfer GPA ($2,000 value)
3.0 - 3.499 Transfer GPA ($1,000 value)
Residence Life Leadership Award
Value
$1,000
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Deadline
June 1 for fall semester start November 1 for spring semester start
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Eligibility
- Live in a Southeast residence Hall
- 3.25 transfer GPA
Phi Theta Kappa Award
Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society providing opportunities for students to grow as scholars and leaders.
Value
$500
Deadline
June 1 for fall semester start, November 1 for spring semester start
Eligibility
- 3.25 transfer GPA
Scholarships Are Stackable!
Many Southeast scholarships can be stacked on top of one another, so you get the most scholarship dollars possible. The total award value cannot exceed the annual cost of attendance.
- Transfer Academic Scholarship
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Residence Life Leadership Award
- Visual and Performing Arts Award
- Academic Support Center Awards
- Endowed & Sponsored Scholarships
- State Grants and Scholarships
- Pell Grant and other need-based awards
Scholarships with Straightforward Renewal!
Know what you need to maintain your scholarship eligibility. Hours represent the total number of Southeast credit hours earned in a scholarship year and may include summer hours. The GPA is your cumulative Southeast grade point average, excluding dual credit, at the end of the scholarship year, and may also include summer courses.
24 Hours/3.00 GPA
- Transfer Academic Scholarship
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Visual and Performing Arts Award
- Residence Life Leadership Award
24 Hours/2.75 GPA
- The number of renewal years may vary for freshman and transfer students.
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)
Housed within the Academic Support Centers umbrella, Education Access Programs (EAP) offers multiple scholarships opportunities. Review each to see specific details.
- Educational Access Program Merit Award
- College Access Partnership Award (CAP-A)
- Matching Success Award (MSA)
Student Support Services/TRIO
Housed within the Academic Support Centers umbrella, Student Support Services (SSS) and TRIO offer scholarships to qualifying participants of their programs. For additional information regarding program requirements or scholarships, visit the website (Academic Support Services) 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 $1000 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 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 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 & 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
- Student's family must be participant of the MOST 529 College Savings Plan on behalf of the student for a minimum of five years (prior to 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 Billy Hoskins at (573) 241-5446 or billy.hoskins@kellyhawks.org for more information. (Audition required)
Sundancers:
Contact Tatianna Parham at (573) 270-9270 or tparham@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: (573) 651-2141
Theatre and Dance: (573) 651-2149
Endowed Scholarships
Southeast awards 1500 endowed scholarships, totaling nearly $2 million annually. All admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarship opportunities. These scholarships range in value from $200 - $3000 annually.
Creation of endowed scholarships occurs when a donor gifts money to Southeast to create a scholarship fund. These donors may be alumni, businesses, community members, faculty/staff or other individuals who want our students to succeed academically and financially.
Beginning freshmen will be considered for these awards as part of the regular financial aid process; awarding for fall 2021 will begin in December 2020 and continue until the fall semester begins. Continuing Southeast students will automatically be considered and notified beginning in May 2021. 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.
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