Catholic College Scholarships

For undergraduate and graduate students of the Catholic faith looking to find money for college, there’s a plethora of catholic college scholarships available to qualifying applicants.  Throughout history, the Catholic faith, the oldest and perhaps most revered following of Christianity, continues its vested concentration focused on assisting believers by offering financial aid through scholarship monies. 

The financial assistance granted through local scholarships as well as national awards is intended to help those in financial need, not only to cover tuition expenses, but also pursuing educational goals and giving back to the community. 

The college search for Catholic scholarships yields a surplus of available sources of financial aid.  Among the most prestigious Catholic scholarships is the Catholic Knights College Scholarship.  The financial aid is a one-time scholarship awarded exclusively to members of Catholic Knights.  Scholarship amounts vary depending on educational institute: Full time recipients enrolled in an accredited four-year private or public university are awarded $1,000, while recipients attending an accredited technical or community college receive $500 to assist with financial need.  The deadline to apply is March 31.

The requirements for applicants state that the student and parent or grandparent must be a financial product-owning Catholic Knight for a one year minimum prior to applying for the scholarship. 

Additional requirements:

• Students must be 23 years or younger;

• The student should have completed a minimum of 10 service hours with a Catholic Knight Branch or other related non-profit organizations;

• Service hours are required to be completed by the student between September 1st and March 15th of current academic year;

• The student has to send documentation of service fully completed with the application.

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Pro Deo & Pro Patria Scholarships

These Catholic scholarships are available annually to undergraduate students entering as freshmen to pursue a Bachelor’s degree.  Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements.  The Catholic University of America located in Washington, D.C. awards 12 scholarships each year.  Students enrolling in other accredited Catholic colleges or universities throughout the country are encouraged to apply to one of the 50 scholarships awarded annually.  The deadline to apply is March 01.

Requirements to be considered a viable candidate include:

• Be in good standing as a member of the Knights of Columbus;

• Be in good standing as a member of Columbian Squires;

• Son or daughter of a Knights of Columbus member or deceased member;

John W. McDevitt (Fourth Degree) Scholarships

The John W. McDevitt Scholarships is another source of aid for those in financial need.  The Catholic scholarship opportunities are awarded by the Knights of Columbus to 36 undergraduate students attending an accredited Catholic college or university in the United States.  Recipients must also be a good-standing member of the Knights of Columbus, or wife, widow, daughter or son of a member or deceased.  The scholarships are awarded based on academics.  Applications are available after October 1, and the submission deadline is March 1, annually.

Additional Catholic College Scholarship Resources

In addition to the Knights of Columbus scholarships, the following are several other highly regarded Catholic college scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students:

Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships

The Italian Catholic Federation provides Catholic college scholarships to promote the higher education of undergraduate students who are either Roman Catholic and of Italian descent.  Recipients must also maintain a 3.2 G.P.A. and resides within the Roman Catholic Diocese of California, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois.  High school graduates are awarded an initial $400 payable upon proof of full-time enrollment status following the first fall term following graduation.  Recipients are eligible for scholarship in the renewable amounts between $500 and $1,000.  Application deadline is March 15 each year.

Loyola University Zolp Scholarships

A unique Catholic scholarship opportunity for any Catholic student attending Loyola University Chicago named Zolp.  Upon applying for the scholarship, students must submit a copy of his or her birth certificate, along with either a baptismal certificate to the University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.  Prospective recipients are required to be admitted by February 1.  Scholarships amounts are contingent upon funding availability and number of eligible applicants.

The Winston-Salem Foundation Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund

The Winston-Salem Foundation Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund offers financial aid in the form of a loan.  Upon agreeing to work full time in a Christian-based service and successfully meeting the criteria, the loan will be forgiven without requiring the recipients to reimburse payment.

Undergraduate or graduate students of the Catholic faith searching for resources to find money for college are successful in their quest by beginning their college search online for available Catholic college scholarships.

You can also read about college scholarships for twins here.