Pioneers of Inclusion Scholarship

On February 11, 1944, Father Claude Heithaus, S.J., delivered a powerful sermon addressing racial prejudice in America. This sermon was pivotal in SLU’s decision to admit African American students, making it the first university in a former slave state to establish an official policy for their admission. This historic change occurred ten years before the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in education illegal. The Pioneers of Inclusion Scholarship Endowment (POISE) was established in 2014 by SLU’s Black Alumni Association, commemorating 70 years since this historic shift. This initiative honors the legacy of students who pioneered desegregation at SLU, while also supporting current students who carry forward this legacy of courage and inclusion. As in 1944, SLU continues its commitment to social justice, working to neutralize the effects of inequality through its mission. POISE aims to enhance SLU’s affordability for students with financial needs who exemplify this legacy and strive to create more inclusive environments.

Criteria for Application:
The scholarship is intended for high-achieving, urban, first-generation undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to attend or continue their education at Saint Louis University but face financial challenges. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to community service.

Key criteria include:
- Applicants may be in any undergraduate enrollment status.
- Students must achieve and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Applicants must demonstrate a financial need for aid.
- The scholarship is renewable through an annual application and review process.
- Recipients can pursue an undergraduate degree in any area of study; however, preference will be given to those focusing on STEAM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Mathematics.