Educational scholarships available from the Episcopal Church

March 15, 2010 [Office of Communication] Applications are now being accepted for more than 60 scholarships available through the Episcopal Church.

Earmarked for education and schooling for Episcopalians, funding for the scholarships is derived from numerous trust funds that have amassed over the years.

"These trust funds are part of the heritage of the Episcopal Church," explained Margareth Crosnier de Bellaistre, director of investment management and banking. "Some of the trust funds date over 150 years."

De Bellaistre pointed out the oldest scholarship trust fund, The Mary E. Hinman Fund, dates to 1879.

All materials -- the list of scholarships, the guidelines, the application form and the instructions for filling out the form -- are available online here. The list of trust funds and scholarships is here.

Applications are reviewed by scholarship subcommittees comprised of representatives from throughout the church. Their recommendations are then reviewed and announced by the Scholarship Committee of the Episcopal Church.

The amounts of the scholarships vary according to the availability of payouts from the funds. Annual payouts from the funds are determined by the Executive Council upon recommendation of its investment committee. Principal amounts of each fund are always maintained.

The deadline for applications is April 15, 2010.

Eligibility
In many cases, the scholarships are geared to particular audiences and students, explained Antoinette (Toni) Daniels, co-director of mission and chair of the scholarship committee. "Trusts are given for particular areas of interest. Some of the scholarships are very specific."

Among the specific communities who can benefit from the scholarships are: American Indians/Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino/Hispanics, children of missionaries, medical missionaries, men in the ordination process, Pacific Island Americans, children of living or deceased bishops and clergy; Chinese girls; and others.

Requirements
Daniels noted that there are requirements for applying: the applicant must be an Episcopalian, must be a member of the Episcopal Church, and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop. Only complete applications will be considered, she said.

The complete list and application instructions are available online here.