Albert Baker Fund Scholarships (US and Canada) & DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council (NLC) Graduate Awards
The Albert Baker Fund (ABF) provides tuition scholarships to Christian Scientists pursuing degrees or certificates at accredited post-secondary institutions including community colleges, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and vocational training programs.
Quick Links:
Need assistance with your application? We are here to help!
🗓️ Applications are Open!
- For Summer 2023 and priority processing for Academic Year 2023-2024
- Apply April 17, 2023 to June 1, 2023
- Final deadline for Academic Year 2023-2024 scholarships
- Final application date: September 8, 2023
- Spring Term 2024 (only if you did not apply for Academic Year 2023-2024)
- Apply November 2, 2023 to February 2, 2024
🧑🎓 Scholarships We Offer
The Albert Baker Fund (ABF) provides tuition scholarships to Christian Scientists pursuing degrees or certificates at accredited post-secondary institutions including community colleges, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and vocational training programs.
Scholarship funds are made payable directly to the educational institution.
The Albert Baker Scholarship
The Albert Baker Scholarship awards up to $3,500 per academic year based on financial need. These funds are used for tuition and fees.
Pass Your Blessings Forward Scholarship
Based on your financial needs, you may also qualify for an additional $1,500 Pass Your Blessings Forward Scholarship (no additional application required).
Special Donor-Funded Scholarships
Click here to see the additional requirements for our special scholarship awards (no additional application is required for these scholarships).
DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council (NLC) Graduate Award
Graduates of the DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council (NLC) are eligible to apply for the NLC Graduate Award for up to 4 years of post-secondary education. Eligibility for this award ends 6 years after graduation from the NLC program. Graduates may also apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship if there is financial need.
NLC Graduate Award Levels:
- Graduated NLC and achieved Congressional Award Gold Level*
$7,500 per year ($30,000 max) - Graduated NLC and achieved Congressional Award Silver Level*
$6,000 per year ($24,000 max) - Graduated NLC
$5,000 per year ($20,000 max)
* NLC and Congressional Award funds are available on an annual basis, dependent upon external funding. Funding has been secured for 2023-2024 academic year.
✔️ Scholarship 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.
- You are a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada. (Assistance is offered in other countries).
- You are enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution (including community colleges, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and vocational training programs).
- You have financial need as shown in your FAFSA / CSS.
Olivia Morton, ABF Graduate
University of Rochester
✍️ How to Apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship
YOU CANNOT SAVE YOUR PROGRESS IN OUR ONLINE APPLICATION. You must complete your application in one session (allow 1-2 hours). You will have to start over completely if you do not have all required documents.
Instructions:
- Contact your CS Reference and send them the form.
- Write your student statement.
- Gather all other required documents. Many of the required documents may take several weeks to receive from third parties, so plan accordingly. Attachments must be submitted at the time of application.
- 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.
✍️ How to Apply for the NLC Graduate Award
Instructions:
- Write your student statement.
- Gather your confirmation of admittance or enrollment.
- Submit your application by the deadline.
You may also apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship if you have financial need.
Marshall McCurties, ABF Graduate
Columbia University
👀 Gather Your Required Documents Ahead of Time
Documents must be saved in PDF format. You must complete the application in one session. There is no ability to save your progress during the application. Gather all required documents PRIOR to beginning the application.
☐ 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.
☐ Christian Science (CS) Reference
An active Christian Scientist who has personally witnessed your practice of Christian Science and can speak to your character, integrity, and current practice of Christian Science, must complete an online CS Reference form on your behalf. This person cannot be an immediate family member. Your application will not be processed until we have received the completed CS Reference form. Here is the URL to send to your CS Reference: https://www.tfaforms.com/4961710
☐ Student Statement
If you are a returning applicant, do not copy / paste your Statement from a previous year. You must write a new statement each year. We are interested in how you have grown in the past year. 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, Year in School, and NLC Graduation Date, if applicable.
☐ Academic Transcript
The academic transcript for your most recently completed high school or college term must include your name, date of the term, grades for courses taken during the term, and the term GPA.
☐ Letter of Enrollment / Acceptance of Admission or Course Schedule
First year students must provide a letter showing enrollment or acceptance of admission for the upcoming term at your accredited institution. Returning students must provide a course schedule for the upcoming term.
☐ Confirmation of Tuition Fees
Acceptable documents include an invoice or bill from your institution, a copy of your Financial Aid letter from the institution, or information from the institution’s course catalog or website with tuition pricing included.
☐ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from FAFSA or CSS Profile
Your application must include your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from EITHER the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR), or the school-provided EFC based on the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.
Submit a PDF that shows your official EFC amount.
Students enrolled in graduate programs may submit a copy of their most recent IRS 1040 tax return form along with an annual personal budget instead of the EFC from FAFSA or CSS.
If you have questions regarding the EFC and financial aid calculations, please contact Libby Scheiern: Libby.scheiern@albertbakerfund.org
☐ 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.
☐ 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
👍 Begin Online Application
Please ensure you have read thoroughly the Scholarship Requirements and have gathered ALL Required Documents BEFORE you begin the application. You cannot save your progress during the application and will need to submit all document attachments in one session.
Christian Science Reference Form
Please email this URL (https://www.tfaforms.com/4961710) to your Christian Science reference to fill out and submit to ABF.
Select a Scholarship Application to begin (for US/Canada students only):
Albert Baker Scholarship Application
DiscoveryBound NLC Gradate Award Application
Combination Albert Baker Scholarship Application +
DiscoveryBound NLC Graduate Award
All required documents must be submitted in PDF format with your application. Upon successful submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation email.
Emily Martin, ABF Graduate
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Special Donor-Funded Scholarships
Some applicants may qualify for these special scholarships.
- Entering freshmen who are residents of Alaska – If you live in Alaska and are entering college as a freshman, you may be eligible for a special scholarship. To be eligible, you must notify ABF by March 15 of your senior year in high school. Furthermore, you must apply before the start of your freshman year. Once you are awarded a scholarship as a freshman, you may re-apply for your remaining years of study.
- Undergraduate and graduate students attending University of California, Davis – If you are attending or planning to attend UC Davis, you may be eligible for a special $1,000 annual scholarship in addition to your Albert Baker Scholarship. You may re-apply 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. This $1,000 annual scholarship is awarded to one music student each year. All levels of training and experience, including established musicians, are eligible to apply.
