Navigating the Galaxy of Opportunities: A Guide to STAR Scholarship Recipient Requirements

For students striving for academic excellence and seeking financial assistance to achieve their higher education dreams, STAR scholarships offer a beacon of hope. These scholarships, with their diverse origins and specific criteria, aim to support students in various fields and stages of their academic journey. Understanding the requirements for different STAR scholarships is crucial for maximizing your chances of receiving one. This guide provides an overview of the eligibility criteria, application processes, and ongoing obligations associated with various STAR scholarship programs.

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship: Empowering Women Through Education

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship stands out as a significant opportunity for young women demonstrating exceptional achievements both inside and outside the classroom. Established in 2009, this scholarship underscores P.E.O.'s commitment to fostering the educational aspirations of women.

Eligibility and Selection

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a one-time award presented to graduating high school women who meet specific eligibility requirements determined by the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Board of Trustees. The selection process emphasizes a holistic review of the applicant's accomplishments.

Named and Endowed Scholarships

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship program offers avenues for creating named and endowed scholarships:

Named Scholarship: A one-time gift of USD $2,500 can establish a named P.E.O. STAR Scholarship in honor or memory of an individual or chapter. The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Board of Trustees selects the recipient using the same criteria as other recipients.
Endowed Scholarship: An endowed P.E.O. STAR Scholarship can be established through special endowed funds held by the P.E.O. Foundation. Income generated from the principal is used for scholarship distribution once it reaches the designated amount.

It is important to note that neither a named scholarship nor an endowed scholarship guarantees that a candidate from a specific chapter will be selected.

TechStar's Star Scholarship Award: Fueling STEM Aspirations

For students with a passion for science and engineering, TechStar's Star Scholarship Award provides financial support to pursue their academic interests.

Core Requirements

Applicants for the TechStar scholarship must meet the following criteria:

Enrollment: Be attending or be an incoming freshman to a two-year or four-year accredited college or university.
Major: Be majoring in a field of engineering or sciences.

Evaluation Criteria

The selection process considers the following factors:

Demonstrated Interest: Demonstrated or expressed interest in engineering research, engineering education, or the sciences.
Student Essay: A well-written student essay.
Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation.
Completed Application Form: A fully completed application form.

Important Considerations

The STAR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD is granted without regard to race, sex, religion, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. However, TechStar reserves the right not to award scholarships to unqualified applicants or in a given year. The scholarship is a one-time award, but applicants not selected are encouraged to reapply in the future.

WilmU STAR Scholarship: Making Education Accessible in Delaware

The WilmU STAR Scholarship aims to make higher education more accessible for Delawareans by offsetting tuition costs at Wilmington University.

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the WilmU STAR Scholarship, students must:

Be graduates from the SEED program.
Satisfy admission standards as determined by Wilmington University.
Be enrolled in a bachelor's degree-seeking program only.
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Complete 12 or more eligible credits in both fall and spring semesters.
Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 calculated on a 4.0 scale for coursework completed at WilmU.
Students enrolled in at least six or more credits during the summer semester are eligible for the WilmU STAR Scholarship.

Award Details

The WilmU STAR Scholarship provides half tuition* to eligible students. The scholarship is typically applied to the student’s account within five business days after completing the application steps.

A&S STAR Scholarship: Investing in Professional Development

The A&S STAR Scholarship supports professional development for staff members within the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S).

Requirements for Application

Staff members pursuing Track 2 who complete at least 20 hours of STAR credit and are interested in continued professional development can apply for a STAR Scholarship up to $500. Any staff member (salaried or hourly) in A&S who has completed 20 hours of STAR in the calendar year prior to their application date can apply for a scholarship (e.g., staff who completed 20 hours between November 1, 2023 - October 31, 2024, can apply for a spring 2025 scholarship.

Application Process

Eligible staff members should apply using the STAR Scholarship Application form; the application opens in a separate window. Applications will be reviewed by the A&S STAR Scholarship Committee. Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 15, for summer / fall scholarships, and by November 15 for spring scholarships.

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Post-Award Commitment

Award recipients will agree to serve on the A&S STAR Scholarship Committee (no additional compensation) to review applications for the two years following their award.

City Colleges of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago Partnership

This program facilitates the transfer of students from the City Colleges of Chicago to Loyola University Chicago (LUC).

Key Requirements

Participants in this program must adhere to the following requirements:

Enroll at any of the seven City Colleges of Chicago in coursework that meets Loyola University Chicago (LUC) transfer requirements.
Submit a participation form at least one semester prior to enrolling at LUC.
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all transferable coursework taken at the City Colleges of Chicago with no grade lower than a “B” in the transferable coursework.

Permissions and Data Sharing

By participating in this program and submitting the participation form, students grant Loyola University Chicago and their community college permission to disclose educational records, including transcripts, academics, admission, financial aid, and advising information, as appropriate. This permission is required by law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”).

Additional Requirements

By July 1, 2026: Submit any missing documents that are required to secure your financial aid.
By August 15, 2026: Register full-time for Fall 2026 courses. After paying the tuition deposit, students will receive information on completing course registration.
Once registered, students will receive a bill itemizing tuition and fees. If any portion of the bill is not covered by secured financial aid or a secured third-party payment, students must either pay that amount in full or establish an automated payment plan by, or within seven days of registration if registering for classes after August 1.

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