High School Scholars Program
Each February, MOST accepts applications for the MOST High School Scholars Program from 8th grade students who are currently receiving a MOST scholarship. Since MOST believes that high school students should begin taking more personal responsibility for their education, the student completes the application for the scholarship on his or her own, and awards are based not only on the financial need of the family but also on the merit of the student. The awards are selective; not all 8th graders who apply for a MOST High School Scholarship will receive one.
Each 8th grade student will receive an application packet at his or her school in early February. Please make sure your child receives it, follows all instructions, meets all deadlines, and takes the completion of the application seriously. You and your child are both asked to sign the application form once it is completed, stating that the information is true to the best of your knowledge and that your child has completed the application on his or her own.
Application Deadline
Please note that the deadline for your 8th grader to submit an application for a High School Scholarship is Wednesday, February 29, 2012, which is earlier than the deadline for returning the Re-Qualification form that you will receive later. This deadline will be strictly enforced. Applications postmarked after February 29, or received in the MOST office after 5:00 pm on February 29, will not be accepted. Because of the strict nature of this deadline, please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as your child has received the high school application if you have any questions about how to complete it.
Award Decisions
Award decisions will be based mainly on a student’s grades, which, in most cases, must be a minimum of a C average. However, we will also take into consideration the student’s written essay; a recommendation from a principal, teacher or guidance counselor; extra-curricular activities; and general conduct and behavior. Of course, the student's family must still qualify financially, which will be determined by Re-Qualification paperwork submitted in March. The amount of high school scholarships is based on the same eligibility scale as for younger students, but the maximum amount increases to $1,800.
Continued Eligibility
In the High School Scholars Program, there is a Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for the continued participation after 9th grade which is assessed at the end of each school year:
- 9th graders – 2.5 GPA
- 10th graders – 2.75 GPA
- 11th graders – 3.0 GPA
Once a student reaches 12th grade with the required GPA, MOST will most likely continue the scholarship for that year. Part of the reason for this GPA requirement is that a 3.0 is the minimum GPA required to receive a HOPE Scholarship for colleges in the state of Tennessee. We hope your child will do well enough in high school to receive one of these or other scholarships and go on to a successful college career. Students failing to meet these minimum GPA requirements will be permanently inactivated from the MOST scholarship program.
