The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) is pleased to announce two ABFSE scholarships named as the National Scholarship Program and the Post-Graduate Scholarship Program. In order to apply, the applicant must have completed at least one semester (or quarter) of study in a program or be actively employed as a faculty member of a program in funeral service or mortuary science education accredited by the ABFSE. The program provides financial awards to the active faculty of/students enrolled in funeral service or mortuary science programs to assist them in furthering/obtaining their professional education.Scholarships are generally from $500 – $2,500 for an academic year and are applied directly to the student’s tuition charges after certification of enrollment.
The ABFSE serves as the national academic accreditation agency for college and university programs in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Education. Although its roots go back to the 1940s, the ABFSE became an autonomous agency in 1962. The accrediting function of ABFSE is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council On Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). It is organized for educational purposes in the interests of the public and of the funeral service profession.
Eligibility:
To be considered for an award, an application must:
National Scholarship Program
- Have completed at least one semester (or quarter) of study in a program in funeral service or mortuary science education accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students in coordinated programs are only eligible for an award during the period of attendance at the American Board accredited institution.
- Have at least one term or semester remaining in his/her program which will commence after the award date (April or September) in order to be considered for a full award. Students with less than a full term of study remaining will be considered for partial awards.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
Post-Graduate Scholarship Program
- Be actively employed as a faculty member of a program in funeral service or mortuary science education accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
- Provide a letter of application along with a resume.
- Provide a letter of recommendation and a letter from their department head (or higher) indicating that insofar as it can be currently known that the applicant will continue to be employed at the institution following the award of the advanced degree. (These two letters can be combined into one.)
- Provide confirmation from the registrar of the graduate institution that the applicant is enrolled in a graduate program and transcripts of any courses taken thus far.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
How to Apply:
To apply, the applicant must submit an online application through the given link: http://www.abfse.org/scholarship/
Supporting Documents:
- Personal Essay: Submit a written document (typed presentation). This “essay” is extremely important as it should address your decision and choice to pursue a funeral service education. Also, include significant experiences and special people that have had an impact on this decision.
- Civic/Church/Community Activities and Work History: provide detailed information regarding your work and community service history beginning during your high school years to the present.
- Letters of Reference: Two (2) letters of recommendation/verification must be submitted:
- Letter of Recommendation from a Funeral Service Industry related practitioner and
- Letter of Verification from the Program Director at the ABFSE accredited mortuary science/funeral service program where applicant is studying (provides official verification of attendance)
- Letters must be presented on professional letterhead
- College Transcripts: Submit an official of the transcript(s) for the Funeral Service/Mortuary Science Program you are attending.
- Only Funeral Service/Mortuary Science Program transcripts are required; non-Funeral Service/Mortuary Science program transcripts will not be accepted.
- Official transcripts must indicate completion of a minimum of five (5) funeral service education (non-general education/technical courses) or fifteen (15) semester credit hours or the equivalent need to be completed prior to submitting the application.
Submitting Details:
The applicant must mail all the required documents to the chair of the Scholarship Committee of the American Board of Funeral Service Education:
Scholarship Committee
American Board of Funeral Service Education
992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
Financial Aid and Award Money:
Scholarships are generally from $500 – $2,500 for an academic year and are applied directly to the student’s tuition charges after certification of enrollment is received from the college involved. Students may apply once per the calendar year for consideration.
Application Deadline:
The annual deadlines for all materials to be postmarked and submit online submissions are March 1st or September 1st.
Link for More Information:
http://www.abfse.org/html/scholarships.html
Contact Information:
If you have any questions regarding your application, contact by email at scholarships-at-abfse.org
