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.

Read through the requirements below, then fill out the form to request your personal application link.


πŸ—“οΈ Application Deadlines

  • For Summer 2024 and Academic Year 2024-2025
    • Apply May 15, 2024 to August 29, 2024

πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ“ 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 award (no additional application required).

Special Donor-Funded Scholarships
We offer a few additional special scholarship awards for students meeting the criteria.Β (No additional application required).

DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council (NLC) Graduate Award

ABF administers the Adventure Unlimited DiscoveryBound NLC Graduate Award Program.Β  This program is made possible through financial support from a generous, anonymous donor.Β  Limited funding is available for academic year 2024-2025, so apply early.

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 and Congressional Award funds are available on an annual basis, dependent upon external funding.Β 

βœ”οΈ Scholarship Requirements

Qualifications to apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship:

Olivia Morton, ABF 2021 graduate, University of Rochester
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:

  1. Request your personalized online application form.
  2. Contact your CS Reference and send them the form.
  3. Write your student statement.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

✍️ How to Apply for the NLC Graduate Award

Instructions:

  1. Request your personalized online application form.
  2. Write your student statement.
  3. Gather your confirmation of admittance or enrollment.
  4. Complete and submit your application by the deadline.

NLC graduates may also apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship if there is financial need.

Marshall McCurties, ABF 2021 Graduate, Columbia University

Marshall McCurties, ABF Graduate
Columbia University

πŸ‘€ 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.Β  If your application for membership in The Mother Church has been received by the Clerk’s Office, please contact Libby Scheiern directly.


☐ 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 or a peer.Β  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 (only)Β 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: Β 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

βœ‹ Applications Are Currently Closed

Our next application period will open on May 15, 2024. Please begin gathering your required documents.

Emily Martin, 2021 ABF graduate, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
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.Β  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 β€œmaster 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.