Catholic Order of Foresters Fraternal Scholarship
Offered by Catholic Order of Foresters
About This Scholarship
The Catholic Order of Foresters (COF) is a Catholic fraternal benefit society based in Naperville, Illinois, that has provided life insurance to Catholic families since 1883 and channels part of its mission into parish and community service. Its Fraternal Scholarship is a $1,000 award for incoming and current college students between the ages of 17 and 22, paid directly to the student's college or university.
What sets this scholarship apart is that it rewards service rather than grades or essays. To qualify, applicants either host a Feeding God's Children event during the application period, which is COF's signature program for collecting food and supplies for local charities, or serve as a religious education instructor at any level from kindergarten through Confirmation at their home parish or in their college town.
Students who have not yet done either can still start an application, and COF's outreach team will help them set up a qualifying activity. Applicants who do not win may try again the following year, and previous winners are allowed to apply and win again. The application window for the 2026-27 school year is open now and runs through June 30, 2027.
Eligibility
- Catholic Order of Foresters member for at least 15 months before the scholarship is awarded, and in good standing when it is awarded
- Incoming or current college student between the ages of 17 and 22
- Must either host a Feeding God's Children event during the application period (register online, send photos, and complete the post-event form) or serve as a religious education instructor (kindergarten through Confirmation) at a home parish or college-town parish during the application period
How To Apply
- Confirm COF membership of at least 15 months; non-members can contact a local COF agent about joining for a future cycle
- Plan your qualifying activity: register a Feeding God's Children event or arrange to teach religious education at your parish (COF's outreach team can help)
- Complete the online Fraternal Scholarship application linked from the COF Scholarships page before June 30, 2027
- If you hosted an event, send event photos to COF Fraternal Outreach and submit the post-event form
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply before I have hosted an event or taught religious education?
Yes. COF says you may apply without having completed a qualifying activity, and its outreach team will help you complete one during the application period.
Can past winners apply again?
Yes. Previous Fraternal Scholarship winners are eligible to apply and win again, and applicants who do not win can reapply the following year.
How is the award paid?
The $1,000 is paid directly to the student's college or university, and winners are notified by email.