Kummer Vanguard Scholars Program
The Kummer Vanguard Scholars Program is a new competitive program established through a portion of a generous gift of $300 million from June and Fred Kummer, longtime supporters of Missouri S&T. 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.
About the program
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 Impact and Engagement and Leadership.
The program is limited to no more than 500 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 $1,000–$3,000 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.
Exclusive opportunities
Kummer Vanguard Scholars will engage in a breadth of special opportunities and programs, including the following:
- Free attendance at one of the Miner Immersion one-day events on the S&T campus during the spring prior to the start of their first semester.
- The Kummer Vanguard Scholars kickoff event as part of Opening Week.
- Opportunities to serve 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 services and more.
- Participation in the annual Kummer Vanguard Scholars Day — a two-day conference showcasing student experiences and innovation.
- Opportunities, beginning with your sophomore year, to serve as mentors to newly admitted Kummer Vanguard Scholars.
Program Requirements
- Joining S&T as a first-time freshmen for the Fall 2022 semester.
- First year students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 on an unweighted 4.0 scale and a 26+ ACT/1240+ SAT score*.
- New transfer students must be transferring in 24 college level, transferrable credits at the start of the entering term and have a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
- Pursued a rigorous course of study in high school in math and science courses.
- Show evidence of readiness for and commitment to pursuing STEM majors, including biological/life sciences, business and management systems, chemistry, computer science, economics, education, engineering, information sciences, mathematics, physics, psychological science.
- 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
*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.
Application Deadlines
Due to the competitive nature of the program, applications will be reviewed in batches.
- Deadline 1 – December 15
- Deadline 2 – January 15
- Deadline 3 – February 15
- Deadline 4 – March 15
After each deadline, the eligible pool of candidates will be reviewed. Those who do not receive the scholarship in the first pool of candidates will be automatically moved to the candidate pool for the next deadline and so forth. This review process will continue until deadline 4 or until the scholarship funds are exhausted. Students should expect to receive a decision within 7 business days of each deadline.
Students that meet the eligibility requirements may apply. You may apply prior to fully registering for an A&R event, but will be required to do so by March 1st if you are offered a spot as a Kummer Vanguard Scholar. 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.
Admitted Kummer Scholar Requirements
Once you have been admitted as a Kummer Scholar you will receive a welcome packet with additional program information.
Students may remain a Kummer Vanguard Scholar for eight academic semesters by continuing in active participation in the Kummer Vanguard Scholars Program, continuing a STEM major, maintaining a 3.0 GPA, and making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree, which is reviewed annually. The student must maintain full-time status as a Missouri S&T student.
Have questions about the scholarship?
Contact us at sfa@mst.edu or 573-341-4282.