Overview

The program provides scholarships to up to 250 undergraduate STEM scholars each year. Students from around the world will be selected based on academic and non-academic criteria. Each Kummer Vanguard Scholar will receive $2,000 a year for up to four years, and the scholarships may be combined with other university scholarships to provide a broader array of financial support for students.

Questions?

If you have questions about the scholarship contact Student Financial Services at 573-341-4282 or sfs@mst.edu. 

The Kummer Vanguard Scholars Program is designed to support success as a student at Missouri S&T and to expand thinking around the five core areas: Entrepreneurship, Research, Design and Build, Social Responsibility and Leadership.

The Kummers’ vision is to provide greater opportunities for qualified and deserving students to pursue college degrees in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Fred earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from S&T and went on to establish HBE Corporation, a leading design-build firm for hospitals and health care facilities. His wish for the scholarship that bears the Kummer name is to provide today’s students with the same world-class education he received at S&T

Kummer Vanguard Scholars will engage in a breadth of special opportunities and programs, including the following:

  • The Kummer Vanguard Scholars kickoff event as part of Opening Week.
  • Serving on the Kummer Vanguard Scholars Student Steering Committee.
  • Mentorship and connections with upperclassmen Kummer Vanguard Scholars, senior-level faculty members, Kummer Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Doctoral Fellows, alumni, and leaders of innovation.
  • Integration with student success and support programs to improve the holistic student experience.
  • Participation in a rotational program with focus areas in entrepreneurship, undergraduate research, leadership, community service and more.
  • Participation in the annual Kummer Day — a conference showcasing student experiences and innovation.
  • Opportunities, beginning with your sophomore year, to serve as mentors to newly admitted Kummer Vanguard Scholars.

The criteria for selecting Kummer Vanguard Scholars will cover broad categories based on the vision that June and Fred Kummer have set for the program, including increasing access and successful completion of a college education. While not required, students are highly encouraged to complete a FAFSA. The idea is to select students who are qualified, motivated, and deserving to become Kummer Vanguard Scholars. The ideal Kummer Vanguard Scholar is someone who:

  • Consistently goes above and beyond the necessary requirements
  • Seeks new ideas, collaborates, and is always striving for continuous improvement
  • Has ambitious desires to change the future, make an impact, and add value in a local, regional, or global way.
  • First year students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 on an unweighted 4.0 scale and meet one of the following:
    • A 26+ ACT/1240+ SAT score, or
    • Qualifying test optional application for admission*, or
    • Confirmed as A+ eligible from a designated A+ Missouri high school
  • New transfer students must be transferring in a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Pursuing a STEM major at S&T, including biological/life sciences, business and management systems, chemistry, computer science, economics, education, engineering, information sciences, mathematics, physics, psychological science, teacher education in science or math.
  • Admission to a STEM program at S&T and securing a spot for advising and registration (A&R) or Transfer Advising Day (TAD) by selecting a date to attend and paying the A&R/TAD deposit. If you have not completed the A&R/TAD process, please visit
  • Offered to students starting on-campus at Missouri S&T in fall 2025 who are not sponsored by a company or government.

If you were admitted as a test-optional student, information that you provided at the time of admission for test-optional students will be used in lieu of the test score.

Students that meet the eligibility requirements may apply. You are required to fully register for an A&R event by February 15 if you are offered a spot as a Kummer Vanguard Scholar in the first round, and April 10 if selected in the second round. Apply below.

The criteria for selecting Kummer Vanguard Scholars will cover broad categories based on the vision that June and Fred Kummer have set for the program. While not required, students are highly encouraged to complete a FAFSA. The idea is to select students who are qualified and deserving to become Kummer Vanguard Scholars.

Apply now

Application Deadline

Due to the competitive nature of the program, applications will be reviewed with two deadlines.

  • Deadline 1 – January 15
  • Deadline 2 – March 15

Process Details

After each deadline, the eligible pool of candidates will be reviewed. Students not selected after the first deadline, will be able to opt in to the second review by updating their Kummer Vanguard Scholars application. Students should expect to receive a decision within 14 business days of each deadline.

Once you have been admitted as a Kummer Vanguard Scholar you will receive a welcome packet with additional program information, key dates and eligibility requirements.

Additional information regarding requirements for current scholars is available on the program page.

Kummer Vanguard Scholars Program