As the oldest and most established branch of Christianity with a vested interest in helping its adherents attain post-secondary education, some churches, universities, and private organizations have created scholarships for Catholic students to achieve their educational and career goals serving others in the community.

Scholarships for Catholic Students

While there is an enormous number of scholarships for Christians in general, it can be somewhat challenging for Catholic students to locate funding options specifically for their faith. Luckily, the following is a compiled list of the most generous scholarships for Catholic students just like you to reach your college dreams. Founded by Pope Francis, Catholicism is the biggest and earliest Christian denomination with all 2,851 dioceses around the world. The Pew Research Center reports that 20.8 percent of all Americans identify as Roman Catholic, which will be next only to evangelical Protestantism. Below are great Roman Catholic scholarships 

John W. McDevitt (Fourth-degree ) ScholarshipsDel Papa-Grimaldi College ScholarshipRalph M. Knight Chemistry and Engineering ScholarshipEvelyn and Kathryn Hau ScholarshipNational CCAA Scholarship ProgramFather Krewitt ScholarshipFirst Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Annual Scholarship ProgramItalian Catholic Federation ScholarshipsKnights of Columbus Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria ScholarshipsPaul and Jackie Greer ScholarshipRendich Trust Endowed ScholarshipRichard C. Vetter Memorial ScholarshipPatricia and William Fowler Jr. Endowed ScholarshipMary and Orlin Trapp Science ScholarshipWinston-Salem Foundation Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund

#1. John W. McDevitt (Fourth-degree ) Scholarships

Founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus upholds Father Michael J. McGivney’s vision by encouraging Catholic schooling through the $1,500 John W. McDevitt (Fourth-degree ) Scholarships Every Year. LEVEL: Qualified applicants will be graduating high school seniors who are starting their freshman year at accredited U.S. Catholic colleges with good standing. WORTH: $1,500 APPLICATION DEADLINE: From October 1st until the March 1st deadline, interested Catholics can request a mailed application. APPLICATION LINK

#2. Del Papa-Grimaldi College Scholarship

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit presents the Del Papa-Grimaldi College Scholarship for $3,500 annually for two full-time undergrads who actively participate in Catholic parishes. Being a Michigander from Metro Detroit’s Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Monroe, and Wayne counties is a prerequisite. Suitable applicants must also demonstrate economic need, study full-time at accredited U.S. or Canada colleges, hold a minimum 2.0 GPA, and engage in community service. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES WORTH:  $3,500 annually APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications and goals essays must arrive by May 31st to count. APPLICATION LINK

#3. Ralph M. Knight Chemistry and Engineering Scholarship

Located in Phoenix, the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) delivers the Ralph M. Knight Chemistry and Engineering Scholarship for $5,000 to lower tuition for STEM majors. It’s excellent for Catholics that are enrolling at accredited U.S. colleges for bachelor’s degrees in chemical or chemistry, manufacturing, mechanical, solar, structural, and materials technology. Even though there isn’t any GPA requirement, prospective freshmen need to be Arizonans graduating from Catholic high schools within the Diocese of Phoenix LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES WORTH: $5,000 to lower tuition for STEM majors. APPLICATION DEADLINE: submit online applications by May 1st. APPLICATION LINK

#4. Evelyn and Kathryn Hau Scholarship

Chaired by Arch-Bishop Paul Coakley, the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma has established many scholarships for Catholics since 1965, such as the Evelyn and Kathryn Hay Scholarship. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES WORTH: This four-year program provides “Sooner State” residents with $6,000 at public/private colleges and $12,000 at Catholic colleges total. APPLICATION DEADLINE: submit online applications by April 3rd. APPLICATION LINK

#5. National CCAA Scholarship Program

The National Catholic College Admission Association begins its CCAA Scholarship Program every Spring to randomly draw winners of $1,000 awards from each of its eight geographic regions from the Mid-Atlantic to Far West. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES, Graduating high school seniors should have been admitted into one of 141 CCAA members WORTH: $1,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Until March 1st, students who are enrolling full-time this Fall can submit their application online. APPLICATION LINK

#6. Father Krewitt Scholarship

Sponsored by the Catholic Kolping Society of America, the Father Krewitt Scholarship is granted for $1,000 to members or children of members of the Roman Catholic faith who are furthering their education or training at any accredited institution in the United States. Each participant in the program will be asked to send a completed application, proof of enrollment in post-secondary education, and a 500-word essay on the assigned theme of that academic year. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors s WORTH: $1,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 28th APPLICATION LINK

#7. First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Annual Scholarship Program

Annually, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Annual Scholarship Program awards more than 130 college scholarships for $1,250 each to young members in good standing with the association for at least three years and a hold a legal reserve certificate, term certificate, or minimum annuity certificate. Freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior, and full-time graduate students will be chosen by a committee of impartial judges based on academic achievement, family membership, leadership potential, and extenuating circumstances. LEVEL: Freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior, and full-time graduate WORTH: $1,250 APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 1st APPLICATION LINK

#8. Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships

Designed to provide financial support to further the education of students who are Roman Catholic and of Italian descent, the Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships are granted annually for up to $1,000 to children or grandchildren of federation members who live within the Roman Catholic Dioceses of California, Nevada, Illinois, or Arizona. Eligible applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher will be evaluated based on scholastic achievements, class rank, financial need, leadership potential, extra-curricular involvement, and recommendations. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors WORTH: $1,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 15th APPLICATION LINK

#9. Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarships

Administered by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, the Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarships are granted annually for $1,500 for incoming freshmen who will be enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate bachelor’s degree program at any Catholic college or Catholic university in the United States. Candidates must be a member in good standing of the Knights of Columbus, the son or daughter of such a member, or a member of the Columbian Squires. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors. WORTH: $1,500 APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1st APPLICATION LINK

#10. Paul and Jackie Greer Scholarship

Established by the Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF), the Paul and Jackie Greer Scholarship is awarded each year for $1,000 to graduating high school seniors from Newaygo County, Michigan who regularly attend All Saints Catholic Church in Fremont. Qualified applicants must attach two letters of reference from a teacher and church leader, be involved in community or church activities, and be highly motivated with a drive to succeed at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution within Michigan. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors WORTH: $1,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1st APPLICATION LINK

#11. Rendich Trust Endowed Scholarship

At Saint Peter’s University, the Rendich Trust Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually for $2,500 to two male students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, religious leadership potential, and commitment to joining the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church. Qualified candidates should be enrolled on a full-time basis with at least 12 credit hours each semester, have declared a major in Theology, and demonstrate financial need for assistance. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors. WORTH: $2500 APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 1st APPLICATION LINK

#12. Richard C. Vetter Memorial Scholarship

In honor of the Sergeant from the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn to acknowledge the challenges faced by families of the New York City Police Department, the Richard C. Vetter Memorial Scholarship is offered annually to an academically and/or financially deserving undergraduate Catholic student at St. John’s University who is the child of an NYPD police officer. Eligible recipients must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be enrolled on a full-time basis, and demonstrate financial need. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors. WORTH: varies APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1st APPLICATION LINK

#13. Patricia and William Fowler Jr. Endowed Scholarship

Annually, the Patricia and William Fowler Jr. Endowed Scholarship is granted for $1,500 to Catholic high school graduates who have been accepted or are currently enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at Hofstra University and will be participating in lacrosse or football. Selection for the renewable award for up to four years will be based on academic achievement, financial need as demonstrated on the FAFSA form, commitment to athletics, and participation in the Roman Catholic faith. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors. WORTH: $1,500 APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 3rd. APPLICATION LINK

#14. Mary and Orlin Trapp Science Scholarship

For members of the Protestant or Roman Catholic Church, the Iowa United Methodist Foundation provides the Mary and Orlin Trapp Science Scholarship for $1,000 to full-time students at any Iowa United Methodist university who are majoring in the physical sciences of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Zoology, Botany, or Mathematics. The selection for the renewable award will be primarily based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership ability, community service involvement, and high moral character. LEVEL: UNDERGRADUATES that is Graduating high school seniors. WORTH: $1,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15th APPLICATION LINK

#15. Winston-Salem Foundation Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund

Each year, the Winston-Salem Foundation offers the Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund to graduating high school seniors from Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Surry, Stokes, Yadkin, and Wilkes County of North Carolina who are dedicated to pursuing a degree in preparation for full-time service as laypersons within the Roman Catholic Church. Along with the application, candidates must submit a high school transcript, one letter of recommendation from a clergy member, and a signed college acceptance letter. Deadline: June 15th

CONCLUSION:

According to Ecclesiastes 7:12, “the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.” Attending college is an exceptional way to broaden your understanding, skills, and discipline for advancing your God-given talents. Forbes reports that college can cost up to $334,000over four years at private institutions though. Record-high tuition must be met with expansive financial aid packages to keep your vocational calling within reach. In addition to the above scholarships for Catholics, also check out the Catholic Financial Life Scholarship, Italian Catholic Federation Scholarship, PRCUA Education Fund Scholarship, and Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program.

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