Christmas is an important religious holiday for Christians, and many of you may be busy tearing open presents, indulging in special treats and spending time with friends and family.
But December isn’t just a significant month for Christians. The eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah officially ended December 24. Earlier this month, Buddhists recognized Bodhi Day, commemorating the day that the Buddha achieved enlightenment. And December 21 marks the winter solstice, which is the official start of winter and a major milestone in a number of religious traditions.
In recognition of such an important month, here is a look at some religious scholarships. Spend your holiday break researching these excellent opportunities.
[Find out more about scholarships for Jewish students.]
If you’re under 25 years old and identify as a Christian, consider applying for the Young Christian Leaders Scholarship. Every month, the YCL selection committee chooses 10 nominees from the pool of applicants. Each nominee’s photo and profile is posted on the organization’s website, and members of the public are encouraged to vote for the winner of a $1,000 scholarship.
You can apply on a monthly basis and reapply 90 days after winning. Applications are due on the 15th of every month. To be eligible, you must be under 25 and a current high school senior or college student.
Jewish students should look to local organizations and federations for scholarship resources. For example, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles invites high school seniors “who demonstrate academic strength, financial need, and a commitment to leadership, community service and Jewish Engagement” to apply to become a Brawerman Fellow, joining a group of exceptional young Jewish leaders.
[Be sure to apply to these generous scholarship award programs.]
Each fellow is given a $10,000 renewable scholarship. Students who live in Los Angeles County and are actively involved in the Jewish community of Los Angeles are encouraged to get their applications turned in before the Feb. 17 deadline.
The Islamic Society of North America offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for American Muslim students pursuing a college education. For example, the Dr. Abdulmunim A. Shakir Scholarship awards 20 scholarships worth $1,000 each and the Dr. Abdus Saleem Family Scholarship awards five $10,000 scholarships. Visit the organization’s website to learn more.
Young Hindus can turn to the Coalition of Hindu Youth’s Science and Sanatan Dharma Scholarship for help paying for college. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to current college students, and high school and middle school students can also enter scholarship competitions. The next application period opens up in February, so make sure to check the website for more information.
[Target college scholarships for nontraditional students.]
Though general college scholarships for Buddhist students remain relatively uncommon, many institutions offer scholarships for studying Buddhism. Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired, liberal arts university in Boulder, Colorado, offers a variety of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students, including The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation Merit Scholarship, designed to support grad students who wish to make significant contributions to American Buddhism. The generous scholarship offers recipients $10,000 to $15,000 each year. Applications are due on March 1.
In addition to scholarships offered by national and regional organizations, many churches, mosques and synagogues will offer their own scholarships for members, or will partner with local organizations. Whatever your religion, we recommend always checking with your place of worship if you’re in need of financial aid for college.
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