Children and Youth

A2. The Scholarship Committee supports the advancement of higher education of our church members and the community by:

Managing and making decisions about the financial resources provided by the Church for the scholarship funds in consultation with the Board of Trustees which maintains the scholarship funds

Providing scholarships for partial payment of college tuition and fees

Providing book grants

Providing seminars, workshops, webinars and other opportunities to support students and their families in the pursuit of higher education

Partnering with other church groups and external organizations to advance the understanding, preparation, and opportunities for higher education

Posting and sharing other student internship, scholarship and career opportunities

Collections at Church services

Gifts to the Scholarship Fund

Endowed scholarships or one-time scholarships created by individuals, families or groups in honor or in memory of a person, cause or event.

A4. Members of the Scholarship Committee are elected by the General Body of the Church. All candidates must be members of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ and follow the nomination process pursuant to the Constitution and Bylaws. Nomination to this Committee can be made by any Church Member. Individuals may also nominate themselves.

A5. Those eligible for Church member College Scholarships include members of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ. Community Scholarships are granted to graduating high school seniors from the following District of Columbia Public Schools located in Northwest Washington, D.C. including:

Anacostia High School
Ballou High School
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
Cardozo High School
Columbia Heights Educational Campus (formerly Bell
Multicultural)
Coolidge Senior High School
Dunbar High School
Eastern High School
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
School Without Walls High School
Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School
Woodrow Wilson High School
H.D. Woodson High School

High School Seniors, who are not Peoples Church members but who are active in the Peoples Church “Community” during their high school years in groups such as the Peoples Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops or Peoples Youth Ministry, are also eligible for Community Scholarships.

A6. Scholarships amounts may vary from year to year but are a minimum of $1,000, based on investment returns, donations, gifts, newly endowed scholarships, and one-time offerings/gifts.

A7. No. Scholarships are one-time awards that must be used to defray the costs of tuition and fees. While the intention is to provide the award for the first year of college, a member of Peoples Church who did not receive a scholarship for the first year may apply for a scholarship in a subsequent year of college. Community Scholars may only receive scholarships for the first year of college.

A8. Eligible students may apply for scholarships by the announced deadline, which has recently been the first Friday in May. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, content and completeness. Awards will be made at the annual Student Recognition Sunday in June.

A9. Peoples Church members who have received a scholarship and are enrolled full time in an accredited college or university, in good academic standing are eligible to apply for Book Grants. Book Grants may not be awarded in the same academic year that one receives a scholarship. Students may apply for a Book Grant following their first year of college. Book Grant awards may vary based on funds available; but are generally $500 or more. Students may apply for up to four Book Grants. A Peoples Church member who has not received a scholarship but is enrolled in an undergraduate program may also apply for up to four book grants.

A10. Eligible students may apply for a Book Grant by the deadline, which has recently been set at the end of the first week in December. Book Grant applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Awards will be made no later than the end of January following the deadline.

A11. No. In fact, scholarship recipients are requested to sign a statement, as part of the scholarship application, that these funds will be used to help defray the cost of college tuition and fees and in the case of Book Grants, for the purchase of books and materials for school.