Masonic Scholarship Fund of Missouri

Freemasons believe that education is essential to the strength, progress, and prosperity of our state and nation. In support of this belief, the Masonic Scholarship Fund of Missouri, Inc. proudly awards multiple scholarships each year to deserving high school seniors across the state.

Undergraduate Scholarship Application Process

Undergraduate Scholarship Applications Will Be Considered For the Following Scholarships:

• Masonic Merit Scholarship ($1,000/year, renewable up to four consecutive years)
• Ruth Lutes Bachmann Scholarship ($1,000/year, renewable up to four consecutive years)**
• Samuel Smith Stewart Scholarship ($17,000/year, renewable up to four consecutive years)

**The Ruth Lutes Bachmann applies to students pursuing a degree in Nursing or Teaching.

Please note, scholarship applications must adhere to the criteria to ensure consideration by the Scholarship Committee.

Selection of scholarship applicants is based on scholastic performance and aptitude.

Scholarship Criteria

• Grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• ACT Score (Scores considered 28-36).
• Involvement in extra-curricular activities.
• Graduates of one of Missouri’s public high schools, private high schools or students of the accredited home school program.
• Conditioned on enrollment as a full-time student (12 credit hours per semester or term) at an accredited college or university in the United States.
• Selection is made without regard to race, creed, sex or country of origin.
• No Masonic affiliation required.

Criteria For Missouri Undergraduate

• College Masonic Scholarships
• Grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• ACT, SAT-or equivalent test score. (Scores considered 18-36)
• Involvement in extra-curricular activities.
• Graduates of one of Missouri’s Public High Schools, Private High Schools or Students of the Accredited Home School Program.
• Conditioned on enrollment as a full-time student (12 credit hours per semester or term) at an accredited college or university in the United States.
• Selection is made without regard to race, creed, sex or country of origin.

Criteria For Continuing the Following Scholarships:

SAMUEL SMITH STEWART SCHOLARSHIP MASONIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

• $1,000/year scholarship available to students in any degree program
• The Masonic Merit Scholarship was established in 1985 with an assessment to each member’s dues as well as various donations received. By 1991 the fund had grown to award scholarships. These scholarships are available for students applying to four-year universities as well as community colleges.

RUTH LUTES BACHMANN SCHOLARSHIP (NURSING & TEACHING)

• Ruth Lutes Bachmann was a member of Tuscan Chapter #69, Order of the Eastern Star. She bequeathed funds to provide an education for the orphans living In the Masonic Home of Missouri, in St. Louis, who wanted to become teacher or a nurse. Upon the closing of the Masonic Home the trust was amended to provide scholarships for Missouri high school students pursuing careers in education or nursing.
• Must provide a current official college transcript showing a cumulative 3.0, or higher, grade point average.
• However, the Board retains the option to review each application on a case-by-case basis.
• Conditioned on enrollment as a full-time student (12 credit hours per semester or term) at an accredited college or university in the United States.
• These scholarships are for a limit of four years.
• Must be in residence. (This means Study Abroad Programs are not accepted)
• Student must contact the Grand Lodge Office with any address changes.
• Student must contact the Grand Lodge Office if they transfer to another college. (This information is imperative as it may affect the Scholarship.)

Samuel Smith Stewart Masonic Scholarship

• $17,000/year scholarship available to students in any degree program
• Dr. Samuel Smith Stewart created the Samuel Smith Stewart fund as a memorial to his parents. His wish was to provide for the betterment of mankind through education. Each year the Samuel Smith Stewart trust committee meets to determine the allocation of scholarships. The first four Samuel Smith Scholarships were awarded in 2001, in the amount of $2,500/year, renewable up to four years. Due to the stewardship of committee, in 2024, 10 Samuel Smith Stewart Scholarships in the amount of $17,000/year, renewable for four years were awarded.

Community College Scholarship

• $1,000/year scholarship available to students in any degree program