USA Scholarships
Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship 2027
The Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship is a regional fund inside the SME Education Foundation portfolio for undergraduates tied to SME St. Louis Chapter 17. Students in manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or another manufacturing-related program at listed Missouri and Illinois campuses can compete for a merit award directories list at about $1,000. Reviewers look for a 2.5 GPA and give first preference to applicants who live within Chapter 17 boundaries, then to Missouri residents. You file one application at scholarships.smeef.org during the annual November-through-February window, and the portal routes you to Chapter 17 plus every other SME fund you match.
What is the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship?
Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship spreads SME Education Foundation money across the bi-state manufacturing corridor where Missouri and Illinois share employers, suppliers, and commuter students. The fund backs undergraduates at Florissant Valley, Missouri S&T, Southeast Missouri State, and both SIU campuses when their majors touch manufacturing or industrial technology.
You still file once at scholarships.smeef.org. Qualified files enter the Chapter 17 pool automatically when your campus and major match, and you may also surface for national SME awards in the same submission. That matters for community college students who plan to transfer within the region but need cash now for tools, fees, or books.
Residency preference is real but not absolute. Chapter boundary residents get first look, Missouri residents come next, and southern Illinois students with strong manufacturing stories still win when committees have room. A 2.5 GPA floor keeps the door open for students who shine in labs even if their first-year grades were uneven.
Plan backward from 1 February 2027. Register in the fall and double-check that the portal recognizes your school. Compare the Chapter 23 Quad Cities Scholarship guide if you study farther up the Mississippi River, or read the SME Education Foundation Scholarship guide for larger portfolio awards.
Eligibility
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✓Undergraduate at a Chapter 17 partner campusPublished directories name St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla), Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Confirm your school inside the live portal before you submit.
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✓Manufacturing or industrial technology majorEligible fields include manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, and other manufacturing-related degrees as defined in SME Education Foundation materials.
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✓Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPAApplicants need an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts that show your cumulative average.
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✓Full-time or part-time enrollmentBoth full-time and part-time undergraduates may apply when they meet major and campus rules.
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✓U.S. or Canadian citizenship or eligible residencyStandard SMEEF rules require U.S. or Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or an eligible student visa, plus attendance at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution.
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✓Chapter 17 and Missouri preferenceFirst preference goes to applicants residing within St. Louis Chapter 17 boundaries. Second preference goes to Missouri residents. Strong files from southern Illinois can still win when funding allows.
Benefits
- Typical award amount About $1,000
- Allowed uses Tuition, fees, or books
- Application path Single SME Education Foundation form
- Renewability Reapply each year unless renewed in portal
- Room and board Not a separate housing grant
Document checklist
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✓SME Education Foundation online applicationComplete the shared form at scholarships.smeef.org when the 2027-2028 cycle opens. One submission considers you for Chapter 17 St. Louis and all other eligible SME funds.
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✓Official or current transcriptProvide college transcripts proving a 2.5 cumulative GPA and enrollment at a partner campus.
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✓Personal statementDescribe your manufacturing career goals, co-op or internship work, and ties to the St. Louis metro or bi-state industry if you have them.
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✓ResumeList CAD projects, robotics activity, co-ops, SME Student Chapter roles, and leadership that show commitment to manufacturing.
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✓Recommendation letterSubmit at least one letter from faculty or an industry mentor who can speak to your academic performance and shop-floor potential.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
Which schools qualify for the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship?
Public directories list St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, Missouri S&T in Rolla, Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and SIU Edwardsville. Always confirm your campus inside scholarships.smeef.org before you submit.
How much is the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship worth?
SME Education Foundation listings show about $1,000 applied to tuition, fees, or books. Some cycles fund multiple winners when donations allow, so treat the offer letter as the final number.
What is the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship deadline for 2027?
Apply through scholarships.smeef.org before 1 February 2027. SME opens the shared application on 1 November each year, and late files are not accepted.
Do Illinois students qualify for the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship?
Yes, if you attend SIU Carbondale or SIU Edwardsville in an eligible manufacturing-related major with a 2.5 GPA. Preference still favors Chapter 17 boundary residents first, then Missouri residents.
What GPA do I need for the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship?
You need at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. That threshold is lower than many other SME chapter funds, which makes this award accessible to strong shop students still building their college GPA.
Do I need a separate application for Chapter 17 St. Louis?
No. You complete one SME Education Foundation application and the system routes you to every scholarship you qualify for, including Chapter 17 St. Louis.
How does Chapter 17 residency preference work?
First preference goes to applicants who live within St. Louis Chapter 17 boundaries. Second preference goes to Missouri residents. Preference helps break close decisions; it does not block qualified southern Illinois applicants entirely.
Where do I apply for the Chapter 17 St. Louis Scholarship?
Use https://scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ when the cycle is open. Background on SME Foundation scholarships lives at smeef.org, and questions go to [email protected].
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