P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Philanthropic Educational Foundation International

Description

Purpose and target

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship supports exceptional young women in their final year of high school who plan to pursue postsecondary education in the United States or Canada the following academic year. It recognizes candidates for demonstrated leadership, scholastic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and community service. The program is administered through local P.E.O. chapters and the P.E.O. Executive Office. Applications and awards are intended for students entering accredited institutions either full‑time or part‑time.

Key takeaways

• Scholarship for female high school seniors planning to start college the next academic year.
• Open to study at accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada.
• Focuses on leadership, academics, extracurriculars, and service.
• Administered via local P.E.O. chapters and the P.E.O. Executive Office.

Eligibility

Who may apply

Applicants must be recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada. Candidates need a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must demonstrate excellence across leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service, and potential for future success. The applicant must plan to enroll in an accredited postsecondary institution in the fall immediately following high school graduation, either full‑time or part‑time. All eligible applications are reviewed without discrimination.

Key takeaways

• Recommendation from a local P.E.O. chapter is required.
• U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident only.
• Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA: 3.0/4.0.
• Must plan to enroll in postsecondary education the fall after graduation.
• Evaluations are nondiscriminatory.

Award

Value

Scholarship amount

The STAR Scholarship provides a single award of $2,500 to selected recipients. The funds are intended to support the recipient’s first year of postsecondary study. Award disbursement and any institutional coordination are handled according to P.E.O. procedures. The amount is fixed for each annual award cycle.

Key takeaways

• Single scholarship award: $2,500.
• Targeted to support the recipient’s postsecondary studies.
• Amount is fixed per award cycle.

Application

Components

Required materials

The online application is organized into specific sections accessed via an Applicant Dashboard. Required items include a student profile, activity charts for extracurriculars, community/volunteer service, and awards/honors, a 700‑word essay, two letters of recommendation, and an unofficial high school transcript through 11th grade. Applicants under 18 must also complete the Request Section and provide parent/guardian information. Read all dashboard sections before beginning and save your work as you proceed.

Key takeaways

• Core materials: profile, activity charts, 700‑word essay, two recommendations, unofficial transcript (through 11th grade).
• Additional sections required if applicant is under 18.
• Application is completed via the online Applicant Dashboard.
• Save progress frequently; you may return before final submission.

Application

Process

How to apply

A local P.E.O. chapter interviews students and submits a chapter recommendation for those it chooses to endorse. After the chapter submits its recommendation, the P.E.O. Executive Office creates an online applicant account and emails the student login credentials and instructions. The applicant must complete and submit her portion of the application within 30 calendar days of receiving that email; the deadline is firm at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET). The application system allows saving and later completion before the final submission.

Key takeaways

• Local chapter interview and recommendation are prerequisites.
• Account created and credentials emailed after chapter submission.
• Applicant deadline: 30 calendar days from the P.E.O. email, 11:59 pm ET—no extensions.
• Application can be saved and completed in multiple sessions.

Application

Timeline

Key dates and deadlines

The applicant’s firm submission window begins when she receives the email with her account link and lasts 30 calendar days. Awards are selected annually and announced by April 30 each year. All applicants and their recommending chapters receive notification of award decisions by that announcement date. Plan your schedule so transcripts, recommendations, and the essay are ready before the account email arrives.

Key takeaways

• Submission window: 30 calendar days from account email.
• Firm deadline time: 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
• Awards announced and notifications sent by April 30 each year.
• Prepare materials in advance of the account activation.

Evaluation and

Notification

Selection criteria and communication

Applications are reviewed for demonstrated excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular involvement, community service, and future potential. Reviews are conducted without regard to race, age, national origin, religion, disability, or connection to P.E.O. The recommending chapter’s endorsement and the applicant’s submitted materials together inform selection decisions. Notification of awards (or non‑selection) is sent to all applicants and their recommending chapters by the annual announcement date.

Key takeaways

• Selection based on leadership, academics, extracurriculars, service, and potential.
• Nondiscriminatory evaluation policy applies.
• Both chapter recommendation and applicant materials influence decisions.
• All applicants and chapters receive notification by the announcement date.

History of the

Award

Origins

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to recognize and support outstanding high school women entering postsecondary education. The program was created to encourage leadership and scholastic achievement among young women and to expand P.E.O.’s scholarship offerings. Since its inception, the award has been administered through the P.E.O. Sisterhood’s local chapters and Executive Office.

Key takeaways

• Established in 2009.
• Created to support outstanding female high school seniors pursuing postsecondary study.
• Administered through local P.E.O. chapters and the P.E.O. Executive Office.