Memphis High School Scholarships for Current M.O.S.T. Recipients

Written by MOST Staff | Jun 14, 2022 2:01:46 PM

General High School Scholarship

Each spring, M.O.S.T. accepts High School Scholarship applications from eighth-graders who are currently receiving a M.O.S.T. scholarship and will enter ninth grade in the fall. M.O.S.T. believes that high school students should begin taking more personal responsibility for their education, so the students must complete a scholarship application, including short-answer questions and a brief essay. High School Scholarship amounts are based on the same income eligibility scale as for younger students.

In February, grade 8 M.O.S.T. scholars will be prompted to apply for the High School Scholarship. Please make sure your child follows all instructions, and meets all deadlines.

Note: M.O.S.T. will continue to collect student grades and conduct information throughout high school. If a student receives a final semester grade of a D or an F during high school, the scholarship will be up for review.

McDonnell Scholarship

In addition to the general High School Scholarship, M.O.S.T. eighth-graders may also apply for the highly selective McDonnell Scholarship, which will be awarded to up to five students each year. Honoring students who exhibit outstanding academic promise, leadership, and character, the McDonnell Scholarship is valued at 20% of tuition, up to $2,500.

Example: If rising ninth-grader Jane Doe qualifies for the general MOST High School Scholarship maximum of $3,300 (in 2022-23) and is selected as a McDonnell Scholar at the $2,500 maximum, then she would receive a total of $5,800 in MOST scholarships for the school year.

Application Process

Step 1:

Student designates on the M.O.S.T. High School Scholarship application that they are interested in applying for the McDonnell Scholarship. Only those who return the application by the March deadline and have marked that they want to apply for the McDonnell Scholarship will be included in the next step.

Step 2:

Student asks for two recommendation letters (one from a math teacher and one from an English teacher) and gives each a M.O.S.T. teacher recommendation form. Please make sure you stay on top of due dates.

Step 3:

M.O.S.T. contacts the student in late March to schedule a time to complete a standardized test and a writing assignment at the M.O.S.T. office in April. Based on grades, recommendations, essay, and test results, we will contact those students we wish to interview.

Step 4:

M.O.S.T. sends out McDonnell Scholarship acceptances to applicants and families via email and letter in late May.

Requirements to maintain the McDonnell Scholarship through grade 12:

Family requalifies financially each year
Yearly academic review (with a goal to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher)
Student provides annual write-up detailing challenges faced and growth experienced and highlighting personal/academic interests and school/extracurricular involvement.
Annual review meeting with M.O.S.T. staff

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