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 scholarship, tuition assistance 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. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin.
Applicants to the James L. and Nellie M. Westlake Scholarship Program must:
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.
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, and 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.
Applicants will be notified by email in mid-April. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.
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.
As part of your application, you must upload the following document(s):
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 10, 2022 3:00 pm.
Your application is not considered complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically.