Edward Jones Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities

The Edward Jones Scholarship is a need-based scholarship program designed to support students in the St. Louis metropolitan area pursuing higher education. Funded by Edward Jones, Geraldine and Robert Virgil, and Penny Pennington and Mike Fidler, it aims to empower young people and provide them with opportunities they might not otherwise have. As Robert Virgil stated, this scholarship enables girls who previously couldn't imagine attending college to achieve that dream, recognizing education as the path to a fulfilling future.

Eligibility Criteria

The Edward Jones Scholarship has specific eligibility requirements that applicants must meet to be considered. These requirements ensure that the scholarship reaches students who demonstrate financial need and are actively involved in specific youth development programs.

Geographic and Programmatic Requirements

Residency: Applicants must be residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area. This includes the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, as well as Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, and Warren counties in Missouri. Illinois residents from Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties are also eligible. Participants of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri who reside in Cape Girardeau or Scott counties, Missouri, are also eligible to apply.
Participating Agencies: The scholarship is specifically for graduating high school seniors who are active participants in one of the following youth development agencies:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis
- Cardinal Ritter College Prep
- College Bound St. Louis
- Hope Ignites (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis)
- LifeWise STL

Academic and Financial Requirements

GPA: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Financial Need: A significant financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or similar need calculations, is a crucial requirement.
Educational Goals: The scholarship supports students seeking a professional certification, associate, or bachelor's degree.

Application Process

Interested students should visit MyScholarshipCentral.org and follow the instructions to complete the General Application. After completing the general application, students must submit the supplemental application for the Edward Jones Scholarship by the application deadline, April 15. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required documents are submitted by the deadline.

Required Documents

To complete the application, students must submit several supporting documents, including:

High School Transcript: A current high school transcript, including grades through the fall semester of the application year, is required. The transcript should show the applicant's name, school, grades, and cumulative GPA.
FAFSA Submission Summary: Applicants must upload all pages of the FAFSA Submission Summary report. If unable to file a FAFSA, the applicant should contact The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis for guidance.
Financial Aid Offer Letter: A financial aid offer letter from the school the applicant plans to attend for the upcoming academic year is required. If the letter is not received by the application deadline, it should be submitted as soon as it becomes available. The financial aid award letter should include the college name, applicant name, and details of loans, grants, and scholarships offered.
Essay: Applicants are required to submit an essay addressing their passion and commitment to improving the world around them. The essay should describe the issues that are important to the applicant, why they care about these issues, and why it is important for them to be addressed.
Additional Essay (Optional): Applicants may choose to submit an additional essay describing a challenge they have faced and how they dealt with it or submit something of their creation.
Cost of Attendance Documentation: Documentation from the school the applicant plans to attend, showing the total cost of attendance, must be uploaded.

Additional Information Required in the Application

The application also requires detailed information about the applicant's background, activities, and financial circumstances. This includes:

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Employment History: Information about the applicant's current and past employment, including employer names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week.
Parental Information: Full names and contact information for parents or legal guardians, their marital status, and whether they have a bachelor's degree. If parents are divorced, a copy of the portion of the divorce decree relating to child support and college expenses may be required.
Extracurricular Activities: A list of significant volunteer and extracurricular activities, including dates of involvement, brief descriptions, and leadership positions held.
Honors and Awards: A list of significant honors and awards received, including names, dates, and types of recognition.
Supporters: Information about individuals who have supported the applicant's ambition to pursue higher education, and how they have provided support.
Financial Circumstances: A description of any unusual financial circumstances that should be taken into consideration, such as changes in income or medical costs.
Housing Plans: The applicant's housing plans for the school they plan to attend.
Other Financial Awards: A list of any other financial awards the applicant has been notified about, including the name of the award, the amount, and whether it is renewable.
Siblings: The names and ages of any siblings, and the schools they are attending (if any).

Selection Process and Award Details

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis administers the Edward Jones Scholarship. Students selected to receive the scholarship may also be given the opportunity to accept or decline an interest-free loan or other grants through the Foundation. The selection process considers academic preparation, commitment to higher education, the quality of the essay(s), and any unusual circumstances. Officers or employees of Edward Jones do not participate in the selection of award recipients.

Award Amounts and Renewal

Each scholarship will be no less than $2,500 per academic year. Renewal of the scholarship is based on satisfactory progress toward a degree, continued demonstration of financial need, and timely submission of the renewal application.

Notification and Authorization

Applicants will be notified of their application status (offered or denied) in June. By signing the application, applicants authorize The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis to examine, verify, and discuss their academic and/or financial records with relevant parties. They also authorize the Foundation to share personal information and application status with third parties, such as parents, counselors, or community-based organizations, if authorization is granted.

Additional Edward Jones Scholarship Opportunities

Besides the scholarship administered by The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, there are other Edward Jones-related scholarships.

The Ron and Christine Lemonds-Edward Jones Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is the dependent child of a home-office employee of Edward Jones. Recipients must demonstrate academic strength and unmet financial need as an undergraduate at a nonprofit, nationally accredited two-year or four-year college or university. The St. Louis Community Foundation selects recipients based on their commitment to and academic preparation for higher education, the quality of their essays, and consideration of unusual circumstances. Renewal is based on satisfactory progress toward a degree, continued demonstration of financial need, and timely submission of the renewal application.

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Edward Jones Scholarships at Other Institutions

Edward Jones also supports scholarships at various colleges and universities, often focusing on students majoring in Personal Financial Planning or related fields. These scholarships typically require a strong academic record (GPA of 3.0 or better), demonstrated leadership skills, and potential for success as financial services professionals. Financial need, as demonstrated by FAFSA, is also often a consideration.

Examples of such scholarships include:

Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students majoring in Personal Financial Planning at various institutions.
Scholarships for graduate students in the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Department, with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Scholarships that prioritize students who demonstrate financial need according to FAFSA.
Scholarships for students in the College of Human Sciences, with a GPA of 3.0 or better for graduate students.
Scholarships for dependent children of Edward Jones home office associates.

Edward Jones' Commitment to Education

Edward Jones' commitment to education extends beyond scholarships. As a St. Louis institution, Edward Jones is dedicated to having a positive community impact, especially regarding the potential of young people. The company supports various college readiness programs and initiatives aimed at empowering students and helping them achieve their educational goals.

Edward Jones also offers opportunities for students to gain practical experience in the financial services industry. Students may be considered for summer internships with Edward Jones in St. Louis, providing them with valuable hands-on experience and exposure to potential career paths.

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