Reverend Elie Collier Memorial Scholarship Grant

The Reverend Elie Collier Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Rev. Elie Collier, who founded an auto body business and a church dedicated to community service. Established to support students from the St. Louis area, this scholarship offers grants up to $4,500 for vocational training. It aims to empower individuals through education, ensuring they have the tools needed for career success. The renewable grants can be utilized for tuition or essential tools required for accredited programs.

Upon returning in 1946 from service in World War II, brothers Elie (Bud) and Raymond Collier had dreams of starting their own business in St. Louis. Despite facing racial and financial barriers, they built a thriving auto body business in their community, hiring and training men from the neighborhood. Generations later, Collier Autobody has been open for 77 years, in the same location for over 65 years, and is managed by Bud’s son and Ray’s grandson.
In addition to founding the autobody business, Reverend Elie Collier also went on to establish Ecclesia of Christ Cosmopolitan, a church committed to serving the community. Rev. Collier was a big proponent of training and education to earn a living wage. To honor his memory and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church, this scholarship has been created.
The Reverend Elie Collier Memorial Scholarship was established to provide support to community members and to equip students to be self-sufficient. The endowment provides grants of up to $4,500 to students seeking vocational training. These grants are renewable through graduation or for a maximum of ten semesters. Awards may be used for tuition or tools required for enrollment in an accredited, nonprofit vocational program. Scholarship funds may from time to time also be provided to cover initial career-related costs students may encounter, such as business training so that they can start their own businesses or tools and supplies necessary to practicing their trade.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for this scholarship, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
Demonstrate significant financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or similar need calculations. Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) over $17,500 must have significant and extenuating circumstances to be considered.
Have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or higher.
Be a resident of the St. Louis metropolitan area (City of St. Louis and St. Louis County; Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, and Warren counties in Missouri; and, the Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair) for at least two years prior to the date of the application; or will be graduating from a high school located within the St. Louis metropolitan area.