Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association

MCCA Scholarship Overview

Description: The Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) invites Missouri cheerleaders whose coaches are current MCCA members to apply for its scholarships. The association awards 12 scholarships totaling $15,000. Awards include ten $1,000 scholarships, one $2,000 scholarship, and the $3,000 Suzy Thompson Scholarship.

• 12 scholarships are available.
• Total scholarship funding is $15,000.
• Each scholarship is awarded for one year and is non-renewable.

Eligibility and General Requirements

Eligibility: Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale by the end of their junior year. A school counselor will verify the GPA. The applicant’s coach must be a paid MCCA member by the February deadline.

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
• GPA verification is completed by a school counselor.
• The coach must hold current paid MCCA membership by the February deadline.

Application Requirements

Application: Applicants must complete the online MCCA Scholarship Application Form and provide all requested information. A personal email address is recommended because communication may be needed after graduation. The application must include two one-page letters of recommendation and an essay titled “What Cheerleading Means to Me.”

• Cheer coach recommendation: Address the applicant’s responsibility, reliability, leadership, and contributions to the team or program. If the applicant’s parent is the head coach, an assistant coach must write the letter.
• Community recommendation: The letter must come from a community representative, such as a local business owner, scout leader, religious leader, or 4-H leader. It should explain how the recommender knows the applicant and describe the applicant’s leadership, service, and other positive contributions to the community.
• Application review: The Scholarship Committee will not review applications in advance. Applicants may not resubmit an essay or recommendation if the application is disqualified.

Essay and Submission Standards

Essay format: The essay must be single-spaced, use 12-point Arial font, and be saved as a PDF. It may not exceed one typed page. Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be disqualified.

• Use the title “What Cheerleading Means to Me.”
• Submit a single-spaced PDF in 12-point Arial font.
• Limit the essay to one typed page.
• Noncompliant essays will be disqualified, and resubmissions are not permitted.

Award Presentation and Payment

Acceptance: Scholarship recipients must attend the MCCA Coaches Conference to accept their awards. The scholarships will be presented at a luncheon on Saturday, March 20, 2027, at Camden on the Lake Resort. Scholarship checks will be mailed directly to each recipient’s institution of higher education.

• Conference attendance is required to accept the scholarship.
• Presentation: Saturday, March 20, 2027, at Camden on the Lake Resort.
• Payment is sent directly to the recipient’s institution of higher education.