Naumovich Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Naumovich Scholarship Fund

Description
**Overview**
The Naumovich Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarship awards to Missouri students who are either graduating high school seniors or current college students. The program supports full‑time study at accredited, nonprofit trade/technical schools, two‑year colleges, or four‑year universities in the United States. Among otherwise qualified finalists, the fund gives preference to applicants with Polish ancestry (applicant, parent, or grandparent born in Poland). The scholarship is administered as a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation.

Key takeaways
- Open to Missouri high school seniors and current college students.
- Supports full‑time study at accredited U.S. nonprofit institutions.
- Preference for applicants with Polish descent among finalists.
- Administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation.

Eligibility
**Requirements**
Applicants must meet all eligibility conditions to be considered. Eligibility is limited to Missouri residents who are graduating high school seniors or current college students and who plan to enroll full‑time at an accredited nonprofit institution in the U.S. The program requires demonstrated unmet financial need, defined as cost of attendance minus family contribution and other grant aid. Incomplete or inapplicable submissions will disqualify an applicant.

Key takeaways
- Must be a Missouri resident and a high school senior or current college student.
- Full‑time enrollment planned at an accredited nonprofit U.S. institution.
- Demonstrated unmet financial need is required.
- Complete applications only — incomplete applications are not considered.

Selection Criteria
**How applicants are evaluated**
Selection is based on demonstrated academic potential, clarity of educational and career goals, extracurricular/community involvement, work experience, and financial need. Reviewers place weight on essays that explain goals and preparation, plus transcripts that show past success and likely degree completion. Community involvement and employment are considered evidence of commitment and preparedness. Finalists who meet all eligibility requirements may receive additional consideration for Polish ancestry.

Key takeaways
- Evaluation factors: essays, transcript, activities/work, and financial need.
- Essays should articulate academic/career goals and preparation.
- Transcripts should demonstrate academic success and persistence.
- Polish‑ancestry preference applies only among finalists who meet criteria.

Award Value
**Amount**
The standard award amount listed for the Naumovich Scholarship is $2,500 per year. Awards are issued directly to the recipient’s school for the recipient’s benefit. The program is described as renewable; the initial award amount for a given year is subject to the fund’s available resources.

Key takeaways
- Base award amount: $2,500.
- Payments are sent to the recipient’s institution.
- The fund supports renewable awards (see Renewal for rules).

Application Requirements
**Documents, essays, and uploads**
Applicants must provide a current FALL transcript showing name, school, grades, and cumulative GPA and must include an updated FAFSA Submission Summary and Student Aid Index. The application requires multiple uploads: next year’s college financial aid award letter (detailing loans, grants, scholarships), and documentation of the school’s total cost of attendance. Required essays include a 350‑word statement about gifts and strengths and a 200‑word explanation of field‑of‑study and career plans; applicants of Polish descent must also describe their Polish heritage and community involvement. Two recommendations (instructor, counselor, advisor, or supervisor) are requested, and applicants must certify the truthfulness of their submission with a signed statement.

Key takeaways
- Upload fall transcript and FAFSA Submission Summary (includes Student Aid Index).
- Provide next year’s financial aid award letter and cost‑of‑attendance documentation.
- Submit two recommendations and required essays (350 and 200 words); Polish essay if applicable.
- Complete the signature certification authorizing verification of records.

Application Timeline
**Key dates and timing notes**
Specific application deadlines are set in Scholarship Central; applicants should review the scholarship details before beginning the application. Application statuses are updated in June — either “offered” or “denied” — and applicants should monitor their Scholarship Central account for the decision. Scholarship funds are sent to recipient schools in August for the upcoming academic year. Applicants should ensure all required documents are uploaded in time for the June review.

Key takeaways
- Check Scholarship Central for current application deadline before applying.
- Decisions are posted in June via Scholarship Central.
- Funds are disbursed to institutions in August.
- Timely uploads of all documents are essential for consideration.

Renewal
**Reapplication and continuation rules**
Recipients may reapply for renewed funding for up to four total undergraduate years, provided they continue to make satisfactory academic progress and still meet eligibility requirements. Renewal is not automatic — continued eligibility, updated financial need, and available fund resources determine awards each year. Because financial need and fund availability can change annually, renewal amounts may differ from the initial award.

Key takeaways
- Renewal eligibility extends up to four undergraduate years with reapplication.
- Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and eligibility.
- Renewal amounts may vary year to year based on need and fund availability.
- Reapplication is required for each renewal year.

Notification and Disbursement
**Decision communication and payment process**
The St. Louis Community Foundation updates applicant status in Scholarship Central; finalists will see an “offered” or “denied” status in June. If awarded, the recipient is responsible for notifying the Foundation of any changes in college plans prior to disbursement. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the recipient’s school in August and require the recipient’s uploaded award letter and cost documentation before the final award amount can be determined.

Key takeaways
- Decision status appears in Scholarship Central in June.
- Recipients must update the Foundation if college plans change.
- Final award determination requires uploaded award letter and cost documentation.
- Funds are remitted to institutions in August.

Contact and Administration
**Administrator and policies**
The St. Louis Community Foundation administers the Naumovich Scholarship Fund and is responsible for determining eligibility, financial need, and award amounts. For questions about the scholarship or application process, contact Ellen Vietor, Scholarship Manager, at scholarships@stlgives.org or 314‑880‑4960. The program, as a component fund, adheres to the Foundation’s nondiscrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of protected categories.

Key takeaways
- Administered and determined by the St. Louis Community Foundation.
- Contact: Ellen Vietor, scholarships@stlgives.org, 314‑880‑4960.
- Scholarship program follows the Foundation’s nondiscrimination policy.

History of the Award
**Background information**
Publicly available information identifies the Naumovich Scholarship Fund as a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, but specific historical details such as founding year, donor background, or named benefactor history are not provided in the current program description. For donors, legacy details, or the fund’s origin, contact the Foundation directly for archival or donor‑history information. The Foundation can confirm any historical materials it holds and provide further context upon request.

Key takeaways
- The fund is a component of the St. Louis Community Foundation.
- No founding or donor history is provided in the current scholarship description.
- Contact the Foundation for archival or donor‑history inquiries.