Overview
This highly competitive, full tuition & fees, scholarship will be awarded to seven (7) fall 2025 first-time freshmen.
This would be a revised scholarship offer and will supersede any other offer that was provided by admissions. This is a four-year package renewable with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00. Out of state residents who become Missouri residents will be assessed instate tuition and forfeit out of state scholarships.
To apply for the Distinguished Scholars Award, all eligibility requirements must be met and all instructions followed for an application to be considered.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Distinguished Scholars Award is met by the following criteria:
- Receive a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 after six semesters of high school coursework
- Receive an ACT superscore of 29 or better OR a SAT EBRW superscore of 1330 or better before the December 1, 2025 deadline
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident outside the state of Missouri
- Be a spring 2026 high school graduate
- Applied for admission to Missouri S&T no later than November 14, 2025
- Submit an application by the deadline, December 1, 2025 11:59pm CST
How to Apply
Submit your essay via the scholarship application and apply for admission at least two weeks before the December 1 deadline, to allow time to process your application. Visit apply.mst.edu to complete the online admissions application, and submit your high school transcript and official test score.
Required Essay
In February 2025, Missouri S&T achieved the prestigious R1 Research designation, joining a select group of universities recognized for very high research activity. Earning this status reflects S&T’s dedication to innovation, discovery, and impactful problem-solving across disciplines. However, behind every research breakthrough are moments of trial, error, and even failure—essential parts of the innovation process.
Research a current Missouri S&T research project that interests you (you may explore opportunities through department websites, faculty research profiles, or S&T’s Office of Sponsored Programs or Research & Innovation websites). Briefly describe the project and explain why it stands out to you. Then, reflect on a time when you experienced failure in a personal, academic, or extracurricular project. How did that experience help you grow, and how could the lessons you learned support or inform your contribution to the S&T research project you selected?
This essay should demonstrate both your curiosity for research and your capacity to persevere and learn from challenges—core values that drive innovation at S&T.