The James L. and Nellie M. Westlake Scholarship Foundation was established in 1981 pursuant to the provisions of the wills of James L. and Nellie M. Westlake for the purpose of assisting Missouri residents in pursuing a college education. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited four-year institution of the student’s choice.
This scholarship program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
Eligibility
Applicants to the James L. and Nellie M. Westlake Scholarship Program must:
- Be Missouri residents.
- Be graduating seniors at Missouri high schools who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the entire upcoming academic year at an accredited four-year college or university*. OR Be students who have completed one or two full years at a Missouri community college with sufficient credits to transfer to an accredited four-year college or university at the sophomore or junior level, respectively.
- Demonstrate limited financial resources with a family-adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less and an expected family contribution toward college of $7,000 or less.
- Have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale except community college applicants with one year transferable credits must have 2.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
*All students attending a participating Missouri College with an eligible SAT or ACT score will automatically have the Bright Flight Award Deducted as other aid.
Awards
Scholarship awards will cover the cost of tuition, plus approximately $2,000 additional to cover the cost of fees, books, and supplies. For freshmen, awards may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Awards for community college students transferring to a four-year college or university are renewable up to two years for students entering at the sophomore level, up to one year for students entering at the junior level or until a bachelor’s degree is earned. Renewal is contingent upon full-time study, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale for college freshmen, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for college sophomores and juniors, and continuation of the program by the James L. and Nellie M. Westlake Scholarship Foundation.
Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Notification
Applicants will be notified by email in mid-April. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.
Payment of Scholarships
Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of the James L. and Nellie M. Westlake Scholarship Foundation. Payments are made in one installment in early August.
Selection of Recipients
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
- Academic record
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
- Honors
- Work experience
- Statement of educational and career goals and objectives
- Unusual personal or family circumstances
- An outside appraisal.
The student must demonstrate limited financial resources with a family-adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less and an expected family contribution of $7,000 or less as calculated by Scholarship America to be eligible to receive an award.
Applications are evaluated and finalists are selected by Scholarship America. The Westlake Scholarship Foundation Education Committee will select recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision of Scholarship America and the Westlake Scholarship Foundation Education Committee as final.
Required Documents
As part of your application, you must upload the following document(s):
- Current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display the student name, school name, grade and credit hours earned for each course and the term in which each course was taken.
- Students currently or previously enrolled in college or vocational-technical school must include all college or vo-tech transcripts of grades from each school attended.
- High school seniors and students who have completed less than one full quarter or semester of postsecondary education must include a high school transcript of grades and provide a clear explanation of the high school’s grading scale.
- Copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 (please black out SSN) used for the Financial Information Page, or documentation verifying your non-taxable status. Ex: ward of court or social security document.
NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload an official copy of those test scores separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.
One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than February 5, 2025 3:00 pm Central Time.
Your application is not considered complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically.
How to Apply:
Awards Available: 1
Award Deadline: Feb 1, 2025