The GE STAR Awards competition is open to children of eligible GE employees and retirees worldwide. Recipients, chosen through a selective application process, are awarded a one-time award in one of two categories to defray first-year higher education expenses. The first category is for those attending a four-year college/university (or equivalent outside the U.S.); the second is for those attending a two-year community college/vocational-technical school. Winners also select a teacher from their current secondary school to recognize and to guide the use of an award to the school.
Recipients attending a four-year school will be awarded a $3,500 award; the award to the secondary school will be $500. Recipients attending a two-year school will be awarded a $1,500 award; the award to the secondary school will be $500.
Recipients are determined in a highly selective global competition independently managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE), an international non-profit educational exchange organization.
Applicants will be selected on the following criteria:
- Academic achievement and potential (grade point average, rank-in-class, and test scores, etc.)
- Extracurricular and community activities, including work experience
- The student’s personal experiences and goals, as described in a written statement
- One Reference form