Ava’s Grace Scholarship Grant

Ava’s Grace Scholarship, founded in 2010, provides vital educational support to students with incarcerated parents or caregivers in Missouri and parts of Illinois. Offering scholarships up to $5,000 annually, it renews through graduation. This initiative promotes hope and community, transforming lives through education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, while also planning to pursue an accredited degree. This program, part of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, aims to foster a brighter future.

Since its founding in 2010, Ava’s Grace Scholarship has been breaking the cycle of incarceration through the gift of education. Through scholarships and a robust networking experience, Ava’s Grace supports students who have, or have had, an incarcerated parent or primary caregiver on their journey to and through college. Students who live anywhere in Missouri or in the Illinois counties that comprise the St. Louis metropolitan area are eligible to apply for scholarships of up to $5,000 per year. The scholarships are renewable through graduation or up to ten semesters.
Ava’s Grace is about Hope. It’s about Family. It’s about the Future. The scholarship provides HOPE to children whose dreams have been compromised and lives have been forever altered by the actions of others. As a result of education and community support, young people become productive members of their FAMILY unit and society. As of 2018, Ava’s Grace Scholarship is a program of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, striving every day to give students a better FUTURE.

Eligibility

To be eligible to be considered for this scholarship you must:

• Have a parent who is or has been incarcerated in a U.S. penitentiary (state or federal)

Be a permanent resident of Missouri, or the Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe or St. Clair for at least two years prior to the date of the application
Demonstrate significant financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or similar need calculations. Applicants with a Student Aid Index (SAI) over $17,500 must have significant and extenuating circumstances to be considered.
Have achieved a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average
Plan to attend an accredited, nonprofit college or university
Be seeking a first technical, first associate, or first bachelor’s degree

Ineligibility

Ministry and divinity degrees, are ineligible for funding. Students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply.