P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Focus Areas: High school seniors pursuing any field of postsecondary education

Program Description: Non-renewable $2,500 scholarship for graduating women in their final year of high school. Award must be used in the academic year following graduation or it will be forfeited. Recognizes and encourages academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement.

Eligibility Requirements

• Recommendation: Must be recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
• Citizenship: U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident
• Academic Record: Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Excellence Demonstrated: Excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success
• Postsecondary Plans: Plans to attend an accredited postsecondary education institution in the U.S. or Canada full-time or part-time in fall of academic year following high school graduation
• Non-discrimination: Applications evaluated without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection.

Award Use

• Must be used in academic year following high school graduation
• Award will be forfeited if not used in that academic year

Timeline

• Award Announcement: Annually by April 30
• Notification: Sent to all applicants and recommending chapters

Application Process

1. Local Chapter Interview: Members of local P.E.O. chapter interview student before deciding to recommend her
2. Chapter Recommendation: Local chapter votes and recommends student if approved
3. Applicant Notification: P.E.O. Executive Office emails applicant instructions for logging into online account
4. Application Completion: Must be submitted no more than 30 days after receiving email
5. Award Notification: Awards announced annually by April 30; notification sent to all applicants and recommending chapters

Required Application Materials

• Information about student and her background
• Extracurricular activities documentation
• Community service/volunteer activities documentation
• 700-word essay
• Two letters of recommendation
• Unofficial high school transcript (through 11th grade/junior year)

Additional Resources

• STAR Policies and Procedures document
• STAR Student Application Instructions