MAEO Scholarships Application 2026

MAEO Student Scholarships 2025-26

The Michigan Alternative Education Organization sponsors the following student scholarships. Please read the description and requirements before applying. Students may apply for more than one of the awards but should do so by filling out separate applications (submit one and re-enter the site to fill out another).
STARS Futures Award-
Students who win this award will receive a scholarship of either a $500 or $1000 to use toward college, trade or the training program of their choice. ALL post secondary learning experience(s) will be considered.

Requirements-

Applicants are asked to submit a letter describing their future plans, providing their chosen college or trade program name, a description of their chosen program, why the program is the right fit and the impact that completing it might make on their future. They will also submit at least one letter of recommendation from a MAEO member. They may add more letters of recommendation from staff at their school, adults in the community or other supportive mentors.

Students who are selected will receive very specific instructions regarding how to claim the award, these will include: providing a letter of acceptance, the mailing address, and contact person at the college, trade program or class (the check will be sent to the organization).

STARS Career & College Competition Award-
Students who are selected for this award receive a fee waiver to attend the STARS Career & College Competition in May, 2026 at Delta College. (see www.maeo.org/maeo-stars for more information)

Requirements-

Students applying are asked to submit a short video or essay answering why they are an alternative education STAR, what makes them resilient, and how they show leadership in their school, home or community.

STARS Community Investment Award-

Students who are selected for this award will receive money to invest in making their community better in some way.

Requirements-

Students are asked to provide a video or essay description of a current or future planned community investment- financial investment, time/resources investment, reasons for choosing this project, how it would positively impact their community, and what it will mean to the student to have the opportunity to oversee this project. The funds must be spent to completion by the end of the calendar year (December 31, 2026).
1. Choose the award you're applying for
Award Categories*

STARS FUTURES Award ($500 & $1000 awards)STARS Career & College Competition Attendance Award ($63 award)STARS Community Investment Award ($250 award)
3. Applicant Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant's School District/School Name*
Applicant's Age*
Applicant's Expected Year of High School Completion*
Applicant's Email*
example@example.com
4. Applicant's Information
In essay form make sure you have all of the following criteria: 1) introduce yourself 2) explain why you are applying for this scholarship 3) tell why you are a good candidate to win this award 4) describe how you would use the financial assistance attached with the scholarship 5) tell how your school has been helpful in your growth as a student or person. If you are applying for the FUTURES award, also tell us about the college, trade, training or class that you would plan to use your $ for.*
250-300 words
Upload community letters of recommendation, supporting documents, photos or evidence to support your application.

Max file size: 10mb
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5. MAEO Member- School mentor

Student's applying must do so with a school mentor's knowledge. The school mentor can be a teacher, administrator, counselor, aide or secretary but they must be a MAEO member. Membership is free- if not already a member, go to www.maeo.org for easy access.
Provide a CURRENT email address for your MAEO member school member:*
example@example.com
Provide the full name of your school mentor *

First NameLast Name
Tell us about your mentor you listed and why they were the person you chose to help you.*
No less than 200 words
Upload a letter of reference from your school mentor. You can also provide other references, artifacts such as certificates, awards and essays etc.- these aren't required but are highly recommended as final selection often comes down to these pieces of "extra" information about the applicant.

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Our MAEO membership will have the opportunity to read and vote on the applications. Names and school names are not shared.

Student identities are protected.
Award acknowledgements are communicated in the following way- an email sent to the student's email address, copied to the school mentor's email address and a certificate & award letter will be sent to the school.

It is important to RETAIN the award letter as it has step-by-step instructions for cashing in your financial award. School personnel- consider placing a copy in the student's file or easy access location.
For the accountability of our organization, awards are sent directly to finance departments or school contact provided, never directly to the students.
Please verify that you are human*
Should be Empty:

MAEO Student Scholarships 2025-26

1. Choose the award you're applying for

3. Applicant Information

4. Applicant's Information

5. MAEO Member- School mentor

Our MAEO membership will have the opportunity to read and vote on the applications. Names and school names are not shared.

Award acknowledgements are communicated in the following way- an email sent to the student's email address, copied to the school mentor's email address and a certificate & award letter will be sent to the school.

For the accountability of our organization, awards are sent directly to finance departments or school contact provided, never directly to the students.