Funeral Service Foundation Academic Scholarships
Offered by Funeral Service Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Funeral Service Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association, offers dozens of academic scholarships through one application in two cycles each year: February 15 through April 1, and September 15 through November 1. Awards range from $2,500 to $5,000 and go to students enrolled in funeral service or mortuary science programs accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (or Canadian equivalents).
The single application covers a long list of named awards, and both full-time and part-time students in good standing qualify. The submission package asks for answers to five questions of no more than 250 words each plus a brief video (two minutes or less), along with your most recent transcript, a letter of good standing from an instructor or program director, and a letter of recommendation. Military veterans get a dedicated track: the Journey to Serve Scholarship pays $5,000 twice a year to US and Canadian veterans entering funeral service.
Funeral service is one of the trades where tuition help is scarce and employer demand is steady, so a foundation that hands out dozens of awards per cycle to a small applicant pool is unusually good odds. Students accepted into a program but not yet started are not eligible - wait until coursework begins.
Eligibility
- Enrolled full-time or part-time in an ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited funeral service or mortuary science program
- In good standing in your program (students accepted but not yet started coursework are not eligible)
- Journey to Serve track: US or Canadian military veteran, age 18 or older, enrolled or accepted in an accredited funeral service program
How To Apply
- Go to the academic scholarships page on funeralservicefoundation.org during an application window (February 15 - April 1 or September 15 - November 1)
- Answer the five application questions (250 words max each) and record a video of two minutes or less
- Upload your most recent transcript, a letter of good standing from an instructor or program director, and a letter of recommendation
- Submit online before the cycle closes November 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Funeral Service Foundation scholarships?
Most academic awards range from $2,500 to $5,000, and the foundation awards dozens per year across its two cycles through a single application.
Can part-time mortuary science students apply?
Yes. Scholarships are open to full-time or part-time students in good standing at ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institutions.
Is there a scholarship for veterans entering funeral service?
Yes. The Journey to Serve Scholarship awards $5,000 twice a year to US and Canadian military veterans who are enrolled in (or accepted into) an accredited funeral service program.