The Albert Baker Scholarship – United States
The Albert Baker Fund (ABF) provides tuition scholarships to Christian Scientists who meet our academic and Christian Science requirements, and are pursuing degrees or certificates at accredited* post-secondary institutions including community colleges, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and vocational training programs.
* Accredited by one of the seven Regional Accrediting Organizations in the United States.
Note: The Albert Baker Fund will not knowingly send scholarship awards to schools that practice scholarship displacement.
Please carefully read through the requirements below, then click the link to request your personal application. If you any questions regarding these requirements or your ability to fulfill them, please contact Dr. Libby Scheiern.
Quick Links:
We are here to help! Libby Scheiern, PhD
Scholarships and Student Success
Email: Libby.scheiern@albertbakerfund.org
🗓️ Application Deadlines
Open Application Periods
- November 1 – December 20
- January 5 – January 30
- May 15 – August 29
Note: You may apply for an ABF scholarship once per academic year.
🧑🎓 Scholarships We Offer
Scholarship funds are made payable directly to the educational institution.
The Albert Baker Scholarship
The Albert Baker Scholarship awards between $1,000 – $7,500 per academic year based on the Student Aid Index (SAI). These scholarships must be used for tuition and fees.
Special Donor-Funded Scholarships
We offer a few additional special scholarship awards for students meeting the criteria. (No additional application required).
Jesse Gathungu, ABF Student
University of San Diego, CA
Studying Accounting and Psychology
✔️ Eligibility Requirements
Qualifications to apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship:
- You are a student of Christian Science and a current member of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.
- You are able to provide a Christian Science reference.
- You earned a minimum 2.5 GPA for your most recently completed academic term. A minimum 2.0 GPA for vocational training programs.
- You are a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
- You are enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution (including community colleges, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and vocational training programs) located in the United States, or another country where ABF operates.
- Academic requirements: in good standing, making satisfactory progress towards your degree or certificate, and minimum enrollment of at least half-time.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements or your ability to fulfill them, please contact Dr. Libby Scheiern.
Email: Libby.scheiern@albertbakerfund.org
Katrina Boyce, ABF Student
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Studying Industrial Design
✍️ How to Apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship
For new students or for students who are changing schools, you will need to submit a full application. If you are a returning student and your school has not changed, you will submit an abbreviated application.
Instructions:
- Request your personalized online application form.
- Write your student statement.
- Gather all required documents.
- Complete and submit your application by the deadline. Allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks for us to process your application. If you are awarded a scholarship, a check will be issued in the name of the institution and mailed to your permanent home address. It is your responsibility to deliver the check to your institution.
Samuel Ryan Manawat Sarmiento, ABF Student
Bowling Green State University
Studying Aviation Management Operations
👀 Gather Required Documents
All required documents below should be saved as individual PDF files. Your application will not be processed until all documents have been properly submitted.
👀 All Students (Both New and Returning)
☐ 1. Christian Science (CS) Reference (this is not an attachment, but information you will need to provide)
We require a reference from an active Christian Scientist who is not an immediate family member or peer who in the last year has personally witnessed your practice of Christian Science. They will be asked to speak to your character, integrity, and current practice of Christian Science including specific examples. Upon submission of your application, the Manager of Scholarships & Student Success will send an online form to your CS Reference to complete. Please contact your CS Reference to inform them that they have been selected to serve as your CS Reference.
☐ 2. Student Statement
Note on using AI to help with this section: Upholding the fairness and authenticity of the ABF scholarship application process is critically important to us. Therefore, we require that your student statement is authentic and written in your own voice. You are welcome to use AI to assist in the process of drafting an outline for your Student Statement, but please use your own words to write the Statement itself.
You must write a new statement each year. We are interested in how you have grown in the past year.
Writing Prompt: Please tell us about yourself, including your academic and non-academic interests. Share why you are furthering your education, your choice of career field, what you hope to accomplish with your education, and any future plans. Describe how you personally use Christian Science in your daily life, including specific examples. Include any other life circumstances you would like us to consider. The length of the essay should be one page, double-spaced, and no more than two pages. Label the top of your document with: Your Name, Date, School, and Year in School.
☐ 3. Academic Transcript
The most recent academic transcript (unofficial or official). This transcript must also include your registration for the upcoming term.
☐ 4. Confirmation of Tuition Fees / Invoice for School
This document includes the cost of attendance: tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. It also includes grants, scholarships, and loans awarded. This information can be found in your school’s portal or in a financial aid letter.
☐ 5. Student Aid Index (SAI) from FAFSA
Your application must include your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR).
Submit a PDF that shows your official SAI amount.
Students enrolled in graduate programs must also submit an SAI.
Each year, ABF uses data from the SAI to determine scholarship amounts for the upcoming academic year. Data received from other scholarship organizations, the Federal Government, and average cost of attendance, also inform our decision.
If you have questions regarding the SAI and financial aid calculations, please contact Libby Scheiern: Libby.scheiern@albertbakerfund.org
☐ 6. High Resolution Photo
Please send us a picture of yourself.
- High resolution (largest file or original size)
- Shot from waist up
- Shot against a plain or simple background
- Ask the photographer to tap on the subject’s face to make sure the camera is focused on that area
- Good lighting on face
👀 New Students or Returning Students Who Have Changed Schools (Additional Documents Needed)
☐ 1. Verification of Membership in The Mother Church (TMC)
To request verification of your membership in The Mother Church please email clerk@christianscience.com with your request and include your name, address, phone number, and membership number (if you have it). It may take several weeks to receive your email verification. Save the verification email as a PDF. Alternatively, you can submit your most recent per-capita form. If your application for membership in The Mother Church has been received by the Clerk’s Office, please contact Libby Scheiern directly.
☐ 2. Letter of Enrollment / Acceptance of Admission
First year students or students changing schools must provide a letter showing enrollment or acceptance of admission for the upcoming term at your accredited institution.
☐ 3. Official Financial Aid Letter
Submit the Financial Aid Letter from the Financial Aid Department of your institution that explains the total amount of monetary assistance (scholarships, grants and loans) your school is offering you.
☐ 4. Prepare Estimates of Your Educational Expenses
Estimate expenses for the following items. You will enter these amounts directly in the online application, no attachment necessary.
- Tuition
- Housing
- Supplies, books, and equipment (such as computer)
- Required fees (academic, healthcare, other)
- Meals
- Travel
✋ Applications Are Currently Closed
Our next application period opens on May 15. Please begin gathering your required documents.
Murilla King, ABF Student
Pepperdine University
Masters in Organization Development
Special Donor-Funded Scholarships
Some applicants may qualify for these special scholarships.
- Undergraduate and graduate students attending University of California, Davis – If you attend UC Davis, you may be eligible for a special $1,000 annual scholarship in addition to your Albert Baker Scholarship. Recipients may reapply for this scholarship for each year of study.
- Students studying music – If you are pursuing an academic degree in music, attending a professional development seminar or class, participating in a hands-on apprenticeship or internship, or studying with a master musician as part of a “master class,” you may be eligible for the Jean Burgdorff Memorial Endowed Scholarship. One scholarship is awarded each academic year.
