Pillars Program Contact
OFFICE OF ADMISSION
The Pillars for Excellence program provides full tuition scholarships (awarded annually at the freshman value) to highly qualified admitted students with exceptional intellectual ability.
Recipients of the scholarship are expected to demonstrate both the qualities of person that will allow a student to flourish in C-SC’s rigorous but community-orientated academic environment and in the challenging world beyond college.
ELIGIBILITY
To be considered for the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship you must:
- be ADMITTED to Culver-Stockton as a first-time freshman. Click here if you have not applied to C-SC;
- meet the following minimum requirements:
- 3.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
and - Complete the C-SC Leadership form on MyCulver.comAll C-SC Leadership forms will be reviewed by members of the C-SC Honors Board, who will determine eligibility for the competition
- 3.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
* The Pillars for Excellence Scholarship recipients are ineligible for additional institutional scholarships or awards throughout their career at Culver-Stockton. Pillars for Excellence Scholarships can be renewed annually at the value of the student’s freshman year if the student maintains a 3.2 cumulative GPA and continuous enrollment in the Honors Program at Culver-Stockton.
COMPETITION
- Visit campus between September 16 – December 6 with a Wildcat Ambassador
- Attend a session with our Pillars Scholar committee
- Submit an essay on a multi-faceted current event, assigned by the Pillars Scholar committee before the conclusion of the competition
* The Pillars for Excellence Scholarship recipients are ineligible for additional institutional scholarships or awards throughout their career at Culver-Stockton. Pillars for Excellence Scholarships can be renewed annually at the value of the student’s freshman year if the student maintains a 3.2 cumulative GPA and continuous enrollment in the Honors Program at Culver-Stockton.
ADVANTAGES
- Each competitor in the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship Competition is a Pillars Scholar. Pillars Scholars receive special recognition by the President, including a medallion presentation
- C-SC students may accrue up to $1,500 in travel study grants during their four years to use toward payment of any special fees associated with domestic or international travel courses. As an added benefit, Pillars Scholars receive an additional $500 of travel study grant upon initial enrollment at C-SC. Therefore, Pillars scholars are eligible for up to $2,000 in travel study grants.
- Both social and academic in nature, these gatherings allow Pillars Scholars to build a community, forge friendships, and participate together in campus events. At such gatherings, the Pillars Scholars attend our exclusive C-SC LEADS Seminar, learn about post-graduate fellowship opportunities, and, during purely social occasions, play games or enjoy a meal together.
- Outstanding competitors who are not awarded the Pillars for Excellence Scholarship may be eligible for up to an additional $1,000 in scholarship aid.
“Being a Pillars Scholar helps me financially get a foot in the door towards a hands-on learning experience. It provides a great opportunity for me to take advantage of our unique (12+3) schedule, and spend some of my time gaining insight into what the world has to offer by studying abroad.”
–Elizabeth Reed, Class of 2028
“Receiving the Pillars of Excellence Scholarship was a life-changing moment for me. It allowed me to pursue the degree and experiences I had always dreamed of at Culver-Stockton College while lifting a huge financial burden. The opportunities this scholarship provides, from global travel to participating in the honors program, have enriched my education far beyond the classroom. To future applicants, my best advice is to be unapologetically yourself—your uniqueness is your greatest strength, and this scholarship will help you grow into the person you are meant to be.”
-Keri Schindler, Class of 2028
The Pillars for Excellence and our Honors Scholars Program offers high performing students immersive enrichment opportunities in leadership, creativity, service, and research. We encourage our Pillars students to become involved in fine arts, athletics, student life, and Greek life as they develop the leadership skills unique to them.
- Haidee Heaton, Honors Program Director
Fine, Applied, and Literary Arts Division Associate Chair