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Criteria and Application Process

OSP Application Deadline:

Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:59PM

The OSP Application will be available on October 1, 2024. The Opportunity Scholars Committee will make its final selections in March 2025.


  1. Candidates must apply for admission to UMSL prior to or concurrent with their OSP application. UMSL applications must be sent to the UMSL Office of Undergraduate Admission by December 31st. 

  2. Candidates must be graduates of high schools in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

    1. Missouri Counties: Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Warren, and Washington

      Illinois Counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair

  3. Candidates must be current high school seniors who will be starting college full time in the Fall Semester 2025.

  4. Recipients must meet 2 of the 3 following requirements by December 1st: 

    • Have earned a 3.5 cumulative grade point average

    • Have a composite score of 26 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent)

    • Rank in top 10% of high school class (if your school does not rank, you only need to meet one of the two other criteria).

  5. Recipients should demonstrate involvement and potential for leadership through extracurricular activities or community service, and commitment to advancing the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

  6. Preference is given in this scholarship to individuals who identify as first-generation or face substantial challenges in accessing a university education. 

  7. No later than January 6, 2025, students must complete the UMSL Online Scholarship Application prior to completing the Opportunity Scholars Program application. Please review the tutorial for using the online scholarship application to see how you will be directed to complete the Online Scholarship Application and how to locate the Opportunity Scholars Program application.

  8. Recommendations are required from two (2) school officials familiar with the student’s academic performance and involvement in school and community service. Recommendations must be submitted by Jan. 6, 2025. Recommendations are requested through the application. Students will need the name and email address of the recommending individual to request the recommendations. Applicants should consult with these individuals prior to submitting their names in the application. Applicants should also follow up with their references to ensure they received the request and understand the need to complete the reference.

  9. Students must submit a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than Feb. 1, 2025. UMSL’s Federal School Code is 002519.

  10. Based on the information provided in the application and on the recommendations received, up to twenty-five candidates will be selected as St. Louis Scholars and will be invited to interview for the OSP scholarship. The interview will be held on Feb. 22, 2025. Be sure to hold that date as interviewees are required to attend the interview day in order to be eligible to receive either scholarship.