A+ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

A+ Scholarship program overview

This program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.  Many 4 year Universities are also offering Scholarships and incentives to A+ Scholarship Program graduates.

In 1997 Oak Park High School became an A+ designated high school. Since then Oak Park High School has had over 2,400 students graduate with A+, who have submitted over 172,000 hours of tutoring and mentoring.   

The Class of 2018 graduated 121 of its students with A+!  Between the entire class over 11,705 tutoring and mentoring hours were earned! Many of these students are using their A+ Scholarship at local Universities and Community Colleges, valued at over $1,195,200 of scholarship dollars.
*How will your college know you are an A+ Graduate?  They will know by your final high school transcript.  All you have to do is request your final transcript through Parchment to have your final transcript sent to your school(s) of choice.  If you meet all requirements it will have an A+ Seal noting you are an A+ Graduate.  This is the official document proving your A+ eligibility. Please know that it takes some time for this to process. If your school doesn’t note that you are an A+ graduate, talk to your admissions counselor first.

Available A+ Scholarships

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Click the image for the senior A PLUS completion guide.

Steps to completing A+


     1. Complete the A+ Agreement and Tutor Training 
  1. Watch for announcements and posted bulletins for A+ opportunities and sign up for tutoring in the A+ Office (inside the counseling center)
  2. Tutor 50 hours; maintain 2.5 GPA, 95% attendance, and good citizenship; score proficient or advanced on the Algebra I or higher EOC. 
  3. Return all paperwork to A+ Office inside the counseling center. You can also turn in hours served at this link Community Service and Tutoring Hours Log.  Never assume that we have your hours—it is the student’s responsibility to turn in hours. 
  4. Senior Year (see documents & links tab)
            a.    Complete FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov from Oct. 1 - Feb. 1
                  b.    Register for Selective Service (All males who turn 18 prior 
                            to high school graduation).
                  c.    Meet all eligibility requirements by graduation
                  d.    Request a copy of your final transcript through parchment be sent to                              the school of your choice.

Eligibility

The following criteria must all be met for eligibility in the A+ Student Financial Incentive Program:  
  1. Be a US citizen or a lawfully documented immigrant.
  2. Attend an A+ designated school for at least two years to graduation (A+ schools are state of Missouri only).
  3. Complete the Enrollment form to join Oak Park High School's A+.
  4. Attain an attendance rate of at least 95% by graduation.
  5. Earn at least a 2.5 cumulative, weighted grade point average by graduation (4-year colleges/universities may have higher minimum GPA requirement).
  6. Complete at least fifty (50) hours of unpaid tutoring and/or mentoring. Students may earn up to 12.5 hours of the 50 in a pre-approved job shadow, or 12.5 of pre-approved internship.
  7. Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of unlawful use of drugs and alcohol. Students may not accumulate 10 days OSS for any reason.
  8. Score proficient or advanced on the Algebra I or higher level math end-of-course exam or meet the sliding ACT/GPA scale.
  9. Apply for federal financial assistance as early as Oct. 1 (Free Application for Federal Student Aid- FAFSA
  10. Register for Selective Service (All males who turn 18 prior to high school graduation).
Job Shadow or Internship earn up to 12.5 hours shadowing or interning with someone of your choice. Student are required to set this up for themselves and it must be unpaid and outside of school times. 
Adventure Clubs and Summer School Tutoring please contact Missi Gegen to check out availability.

Do you have questions?

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The video below is a great representation of the A+ Scholarship Program created by Cape Girardeau Central HS. Note: the GPA requirement at South is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale-- the video states 6.5 on an 11 scale. Published on Aug 5, 2012
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The Missouri Lottery is making a difference for public education. Meet some of the students who have used an A+ Scholarship for college. Published on Nov 21, 2013

benefits

Reimbursement for tuition and general fees* subject to legislative appropriation paid for by the state to any of Missouri's public community colleges, career technical schools and one private technical school. When state funds are available, students also can be reimbursed for up to 50% of their textbook purchases. Funding for the Student Financial

Incentives will be made available after the student has made a good faith effort to first secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment. Parents must complete and send in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Parental income is NOT a criteria for A+ student incentive reimbursements. 

Students may receive this incentive for a maximum of six (6) semesters, must be enrolled as a FULL-TIME student and maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the institution. Students are eligible to use the incentive for UP TO FOUR years after high school graduation.

All funds for the A+ Scholarship Pam are subject to yearly state budgetary appropriations.

Fees are limited to general fees that all students are required to pay. 
Funds become available semester following the student's graduation.

*Incentives portion of the A+ Scholarship Program is the sole responsibility of the State of Missouri.

Say hello!

Dr. Mike Dial
Assistant Principal / Attendance / A+ Coordinator
(816) 321-4474

Missi Gegen
A+ Administrative Assistant
(816) 321-6102​

Forms

Student Agreement Form​ (enroll in the program - only need one for all of High School career)
A+ Tutor Log/Hours Form
Pre-Approved Internship/Job Shadow Form (up to 12.5 earn-able hours)
A+ Approved College Visit Form (up to 4 per student for an A+ excused absent)
Attendance Appeal Application (completed senior year)
Citizenship Appeal Application (completed year of infraction)
A+ Tutoring Block Application (senior's only)
Tuesday/Wednesday Night Tutor Application
MCC Leadership Grant Application

Oak Park high school Guidance & counseling
825 NE 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64118 / Office (816) 321-5325  / Fax (816) 413-5450