FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Monday, April 1, by 11:59pm CST.
• No late applications will be accepted.

• All applications must be submitted using our online portal.
• We will walk you through the application if you need help navigating it.
• Your sponsor must also submit their letter of recommendation through the online portal.

• We will review your application to make sure you qualify. If you’re missing any information, we will ask you to provide that by the April 1 deadline.
• You will get an email confirming your eligibility to move to the interview stage of the application.
• In April, you will participate in a 20-minute Zoom interview with two board members.
• If awarded a scholarship, you will be informed in May.

• Yes. You can use your scholarship funds anytime during the current cycle, which runs from June 1 – May 31. 
• Scholarships are awarded in May and can be used beginning June 1.
• You must use your funds between June 1 – May 31. Leftover funds do not roll over from year to year.
• You can reapply for the scholarship each year.

• You must have ONE YEAR by the application deadline of April 1. 
• This has to be 12 consecutive months.
• If you do not have 12 months right now but will have the time by April 1, you are eligible to apply and can submit your application now.

• Your primary recovery program must be a 12-step recovery program: AA, NA, HA, CA, etc.
• You can participate in other programs, but they cannot be your primary recovery program.
• You must have a sponsor from a 12-step recovery program.

• You must have at least a part-time job to qualify for the scholarship.
• If you work for yourself (cleaning houses, babysitting, etc.), you can still apply as long as we can verify you do this work.
• If you are unemployed but will have a job by April 1, you can still apply if you provide proof of employment (such as an offer letter).
• Doing work-study, student teaching, or an internship as part of your academic program qualifies as employment.

• If you can provide proof of disability you can apply.
• Proof of disability is the benefit verification letter from the Social Security Administration.

• As long your permanent residence is in the St. Louis and Kansas City region, and you can volunteer for the organization in some capacity, you can attend school in a different state.
• St. Louis region: counties served are St. Louis (city and county), St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, St. Francois, and Ste. Genevieve counties in Missouri, and Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Montgomery, Bond, Clinton, Jersey, Green, Macoupin, and Calhoun counties in Illinois. View a map here.
• Kansas City region: counties served are Clinton, Clay, Platte, Jackson, Cass, Johnson, Lafayette, Ray, Caldwell, and Carroll counties in Missouri, and Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami, Franklin, Douglas, Leavenworth, and Jefferson counties in Kansas. View a map here.

• Yes, as long as it is accredited.
• Many scholarship recipients attend classes online.

• Scholarships range in amount based on need, the strength of your recovery program, and the cost of your educational program.
• The average scholarship amount in 2023 was $3,200.
• The maximum amount for undergraduate, technical, vocational, and certificate programs is $5,000, and for graduate programs it is $3,000.
• Typically, first-time awardees will not receive the maximum amount.

• Scholarships are awarded in May.
• You have between June 1 – May 31 of the following year to use your funds.
• Funds do not roll over from year to year.
• You can use all of your funds during one semester or split it up between multiple semesters.

There is no limit to the number of times you can receive the scholarship. You are welcome to reapply each year if you continue to meet the qualifications and follow the scholarship requirements. 

• Funds can only be used for tuition, books, and supplies for technical programs.
• The scholarship does not cover laptops.
• Funds are sent directly to your educational institution and/or bookstore.

• Funds can only be used for tuition, books, and supplies for technical programs.
• The scholarship does not cover living expenses.
• Funds are sent directly to your educational institution and/or bookstore.
• You cannot receive a refund of leftover scholarship funds as cash.

• We have funds available and want to help!
• Financial need is only one factor of many that we consider when awarding scholarships.

• No, please spread the word. We want to fund as many people as possible.
• Each scholarship is awarded on an individual basis, not by the number of people who apply.

• There are two other scholarships available in addition to the primary scholarship.
  • The Barbara Murphy Single Parent Scholarship is available to qualified single parents. Read more about it here.
  • The Gina May Wiese Memorial Fund is available to applicants who have been a scholarship recipient for at least one year and meet other criteria. Read more about it here.
• Additionally, there may be matching funds available from participating universities. Learn more about collegiate matching programs here.

• In the spirit of 12-step recovery programs, we believe that service work is very important.
• Giving back to the organization also helps us keep our expenses down to fund more scholarships.
• It gives our recipients a chance to connect with other students and individuals in the community in their chosen careers.
• Our Scholarship Celebration is fun!

• Beth Robinson is the scholarship administrator.
• You can text or call (text preferred) at 314-719-2880 or email at [email protected].
• Our office hours are from 9 am – 2 pm, Monday – Friday. If you contact us outside of business hours, we’ll reply as soon as we’re in the office.
• If you need urgent help, call the main line at 314-719-2880, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.