P.E.O. Record
The STAR Scholarship
Your Letter Can Have a Differentiating Impact
You have found an energized future leader who will graduate in the spring, and your chapter wants to write a letter on her behalf as she applies for the STAR Scholarship in its pilot project phase. This endeavor is much more than a mere formality. You will be introducing the student to the selection committee and discussing all the details to supplement her application.
Addressing each portion of the eligibility criteria is important. Most of the criteria require straightforward answers, like residency, or age. And yet, sometimes the criteria need extra explanation.
Here are some ways to approach some of the criteria.
Successful candidates will exhibit excellence in
- Academics Perhaps the school does not use a standard 4.0 basis for assigning GPA. Perhaps the student you want to recommend is home-schooled and has no GPA, per se. You will have to request that the student explain and document her basis of performance assessment. Your letter should provide additional details that will help the committee understand her scholastic achievement. Remember, this scholarship has a minimum 3.0 requirement on a 4.0 basis, so the student does not necessarily have to be at the top of her class. Explain how she has balanced academics with other demands and still maintained her performance level.
- Leadership Explain how she has taken on more responsibility as she has developed her leadership style. Increasing levels of responsibility in one area over time will help differentiate your student.
- Extracurricular activities
These activities may include school-sanctioned activities and other youth-oriented programs, for example Scouts, 4-H, sports, or religious or faith affiliation groups that teach life, social and leadership skills to members.
While it is important to note the number of activities, it is more important to delineate the extent of her involvement. Is she just a member? Or has she contributed significantly, in what ways, and for what period of time? Does she have a talent that has blossomed? - Community service This type of involvement might include volunteering opportunities at a hospital, political campaign, government entity, or non-profit groups. Has her service commitment developed over time?
- Potential for future success While this is a subjective area that needs your careful thought and explanation, we value your personal opinion. Substantiating your opinion with facts and examples will be helpful. Has she been recognized for her service or talent? Has her leadership resulted in important, impacting decisions? Has she overcome an obstacle? Has she exhibited an outstanding characteristic over a period of time? Has her leadership made a difference in a specific endeavor or service to others? Has she set and achieved an important goal? Has she helped develop programs that make her community a better place to live?
Will be attending an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the United States or Canada, full- or part-time
Your student may want to attend a professional school rather than a traditional university. If you are uncertain about its accreditation, ask the student to speak with the admissions aoffice and obtain a statement of accreditation to attach to her application.
While working with the student on the application materials, you might find FAQs helpful in the STAR Scholarship link at peointernational.org.
Thank you for writing a detailed letter of support for the student you want to recommend. Your efforts support the premise of the sixth project:
- Scholastic
- Talent
- Accomplishment
- Recognition
Together we can help young women reach for the stars.
STAR Scholarship at a glance
- Eligibility
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- Successful candidates will exhibit excellence in academics, leadership, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success
- A graduating senior, 20 years of age or under by application deadline of February 1
- Completing the final semester of her secondary education by application deadline
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 basis.
- Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada
- Will be attending an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the United States or Canada, full- or part-time
- Planning to attend post-secondary institution in the fall of year after graduation in the spring of year
- Students who graduate in December may be considered if the chapter requests a waiver in writing to the P.E.O STAR Committee
- Grant, Loan or Scholarship
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- Scholarship
- Merit Award. Based on excellence in academics, leadership, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.
- None
- Renewals and Financial Aid
- None
- Contract
- Full-time or part-time student at accredited institution
- Confirmation of enrollment
- $2,500 scholarship typically divided between 2 academic terms or semesters
- Application Forms
- Student and chapter recommendation forms available to chapters on P.E.O. website
- Completed chapter recommendation form and letter and student application form with essay, transcript, and letters of reference are sent by local chapters to P.E.O. Executive Office postmarked between January 1 and February 1 deadline.
- Application Requirements
- Student form with essay
- 2 letters of reference
- Latest original high school transcript
- Chapter recommendation form and letter
- Time to Apply
- Packet containing application and chapter recommendation must be sent to P.E.O. Executive Office, postmarked between the January 1 and February 1 deadline
- Sponsor
- Local chapter by voice vote and letter of recommendation
- Special Information
- Confirmation of enrollment required
- Funds must be used in the coming academic year or they will be forefeited