Catholic Order of Foresters Educational Award
Offered by Catholic Order of Foresters
About This Scholarship
The Catholic Order of Foresters, a Catholic fraternal benefit society headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, offers its Educational Award as a simple, low-effort benefit for members heading to college or job training. Up to 50 members receive $600 each year, and winners are chosen by random drawing rather than by grades, essays, or financial need.
The award is open to members ages 17 and older who attend or plan to attend an accredited college, university, or trade or technical school. There is no upper age limit, so adult members going back to school or starting a technical program are just as eligible as recent high school graduates. Unlike many scholarships, the money is paid directly to the student rather than to the school.
The main hurdle is membership timing. Applicants must have been COF members for at least 15 months before the award deadline and must be in good standing when the award is paid. Because the drawing is random, members who meet the basic requirements should simply apply every year they are eligible until they win. Past Educational Award winners and Fraternal Scholarship winners cannot apply.
Eligibility
- Catholic Order of Foresters member ages 17 and older
- Member for at least 15 months before the award deadline and in good standing when the award is received
- Attending or planning to attend an accredited college, university, or trade or technical school
- Previous Educational Award winners and Fraternal Scholarship winners are not eligible
How To Apply
- Confirm your COF membership has been active for at least 15 months
- Open the Educational Award application from the COF Scholarships page
- Complete and submit the online form by June 30, 2027
- Winners are selected by random drawing, and the $600 is paid directly to the student
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Educational Award based on grades or need?
No. Winners are chosen by random drawing from eligible members who apply, so there is no essay, GPA cutoff, or financial need test.
Can adult learners apply?
Yes. The award is open to members ages 17 and older with no upper age limit, as long as they attend or plan to attend an accredited college, university, or trade or technical school.
Can I apply for both the Educational Award and the Fraternal Scholarship?
Fraternal Scholarship winners are not eligible for the Educational Award, so a student who wins the Fraternal Scholarship cannot also receive this award.