Second-Career Scholarship
Offered by Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust
About This Scholarship
The Second-Career Scholarship from the Selected Educational Trust — the charitable arm of Selected Independent Funeral Homes — is built for career changers. It awards $1,500 scholarships to students enrolled in ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs who previously worked full or part time in another career and are now entering funeral service as a second act. Four scholarships are awarded annually, two in the spring cycle and two in the fall.
Mortuary science is a classic adult-learner path: most students arrive after years in healthcare, ministry, the military, or business, and traditional scholarship programs aimed at 18-year-olds pass them by. This award flips that filter — prior work experience in another field is a requirement, not a liability. Membership in Selected Independent Funeral Homes is not required, though applicants related to a funeral home owner are excluded.
The application is online only: the form, a coursework and GPA assessment signed by your school (or a recent transcript), personal essays totaling no more than 1,500 words, a faculty recommendation, and a recommendation from a current or former employer. The fall 2026 cycle, sponsored by Chptr, is open now and closes at 11:59 p.m. CT on October 31, 2026.
Eligibility
- Enrolled and attending classes, full or part time, in an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program
- Previously worked full or part time in another career; funeral service must be a new career
- Not related to an owner of a funeral home operating in North America
- Not a former Second-Career Scholarship recipient
- Able to document mortuary science coursework and GPA
How To Apply
- Complete the online application on selectedtrust.org (only online applications are accepted)
- Have your school sign the Coursework and GPA Assessment Form, or attach a recent transcript
- Write personal essays totaling no more than 1,500 words
- Request one faculty recommendation letter and one from a current or former employer
- Submit the complete package by 11:59 p.m. CT on October 31, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be connected to a Selected member funeral home?
No. Membership in Selected Independent Funeral Homes is not required. However, applicants related to an owner of a funeral home operating in North America are not eligible.
What counts as a second career?
You must have previously worked full or part time in a different career, with funeral service as a genuine career change rather than your first profession.
How many awards are given?
Four $1,500 scholarships are awarded annually — two in the spring cycle and two in the fall cycle, subject to availability.