Columbia African American Association

Columbia African American Association Memorial Scholarship

The 2024/2025 application submission process is now CLOSED.

Thank you to all who applied! Applications are under review, and final decisions will be announced.

Stay tuned for updates.

2025/2026 Columbia African American Association Memorial Scholarship Application

Dear Scholarship Applicant,

The Columbia African American Association (CAAA) is committed to the development of America’s youth; specifically targeting African American students living in the Columbia, Missouri area. Our children are the future leaders of America and we accept the challenge and responsibility of preparing them for success. Our top priority is to cultivate and develop responsible citizens and leaders.

CAAA has established a scholarship fund to assist talented young African Americans in their pursuit of higher education (college, university, technical, trade and vocational schools). The CAAA Memorial Scholarship Fund will be presented in honor of former Columbia African American high school students who are now deceased. Applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements and deadlines to qualify. Children, relatives and friends of CAAA members are eligible to compete for the scholarship, however they must adhere to the same strict requirements.

This is the OFFICIAL 2025/2026 CAAA Scholarship Application. Applications received that do not meet all FOUR (4) eligibility requirements will not be considered. This application is intended to provide general information about the applicant and give the scholarship committee a glimpse into your personality; your academic and personal successes; and your future goals/ambitions. Our scholarship committee will review and score all applications and announce the winners in March during CAAA’s annual scholarship program. Incomplete application packages, those application packets not following submission guidelines or applications received after the deadline WILL NOT be considered.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicant must be African American.

2. Applicant must possess/maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (cumulative).

3. Applicant must attend high school in Columbia, Mo.

4. Applicant must submit complete 2025/2026 application and provide the requested attachments in PDF format (no photographs or JPEGs) ELECTRONICALLY NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2026 (see below).

Please Fill out/attach the sections below:

● Section A: General Information

● Section B: Student Profile

● Section C: Disclaimer Form

● Section D: Official Academic Transcript (“OFFICIAL” stamp and signed by Guidance Counselor)

● Section E: One Letter of Recommendation

● Section F: Written Essay Write a TYPED 500-word essay on one of the following 2025/2026 Essay topics: 1. History shapes our present and future. How does your understanding of history guide your goals, and how will you carry it forward in your education and community? 2. As the world continues to change, what is your plan to be a trailblazer and make a positive impact in your community? In addition to spelling, punctuation and grammar, essay will be graded on: ● Content: Does the content and overall message of the essay reflect the designated topic? ● Creativity: Is the writing creative, fresh, and innovative? ● Clarity: Is the essay easily understood and written with clarity?

Section A: General Information

Applicant's Name

Name of Parents / Guardian

Home Address

High School Graduation Date required

Guideance Counselor or Teacher Name

SAT Score

Date of SAT Score

Date of Birth required

Number of children in family

Phone

Counselor or Teacher Telephone Number

ACT Score

Date of ACT Score

Gender

Ages of the children in your family

Email Address

Other High School

Current Grade Point Average (GPA)

What college, university, technical, trade or vocational school are you planning to attend?

Address of the college, university, technical, trade or vocational school

Have you been accepted by the college, university, technical, trade or vocational school?

Yes

If you have not been accepted, to what schools or institutes have you applied?

Legacy Criteria - Is one of your parents or grandparents an alumni (graduate) of Battle, Douglass, Hickman, or Rock Bridge High Schools?

Yes

I will enroll in an accredited school or institute by Fall 2024.

Yes

If answer is “No”, please indicate your plans?

Name (include maiden name)

Relationship to student

Year graduated

Section B: Student Profile

What are your post high school and career aspirations and goals?

How will your career goals enable you to contribute to your community?

What high school organizations and activities did you participate in, and what leadership positions did you hold?

What awards and honors (academic, athletic, leadership etc..) have you received?

How did you support or volunteer in the community?

Identify training, experience, skills, and major accomplishments not covered above

Explain major hardship or difficulties you've experienced in your life and how you've overcome them. What did facing and reacting to these hardships reveal about you?

Why should you receive the Columbia African American Association Scholarship?

Section C: Disclaimer Form

Complete disclaimer information below:

I give permission to the Columbia African American Association Scholarship to use my name and photos in future CAAA publications (letters, web site, etc.). The parent/guardian signature is only required if student is 17 or younger

Applicant's Name

Parent/Guardian's Name

Applicant's Signature

Parent/Guardian's Signature

Date

Sections D, E, and F:

Official Academic Transcript (“OFFICIAL” stamp and signed by Guidance Counselor)

Upload File

Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

One Letter of Recommendation

Upload File

Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

Written Essay

Upload File

Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

Thanks for submitting!

Columbia African American Association

Columbia African American Association Memorial Scholarship The 2024/2025 application submission process is now CLOSED.

2025/2026 Columbia African American Association Memorial Scholarship Application

Section A: General Information

Section B: Student Profile

Section C: Disclaimer Form

Sections D, E, and F:

Columbia African American Association Memorial Scholarship

The 2024/2025 application submission process is now CLOSED.