Submission Cycles
Applications accepted:
- February 15-April 1
- September 15 – November 1
Are you a military veteran looking for a scholarship? Apply here.
Terms & Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- Scholarships are open to full-time or part-time students in good standing who are enrolled in ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institution/program. Candidates must be currently attending classes and actively pursuing a degree in funeral service.
- PLEASE NOTE: Students who are enrolled, but have not yet begun coursework at the time of application, are not yet eligible to apply.
- New applicants as well as those who have applied in previous years, but have not been awarded an academic scholarship from the Foundation, are encouraged to apply.
- Foundation scholarships are subject to available funds, and are not renewable; a Candidate may only receive a Foundation-awarded academic scholarship one time.
- Foundation academic scholarships are for mortuary science/funeral service study only.
- Funding is sent directly to the school; under no circumstances will the Funeral Service Foundation make a payment directly to the student.
- Scholarship funding is attributable to existing and future balances. If the amount of the scholarship exceeds the balance, those proceeds will be returned to the Foundation by the school.
- Funding may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a scholarship recipient decides not to accept the award.
- The Foundation has no loan programs, vocational grants or assistance for graduate study available.
- The Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserves the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- If a student terminates his or her enrollment in the school for any reason, the remaining/unused balance of the scholarship must be returned to the Foundation only, may not be transferred to another school, and may not be paid to the student personally.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve. Time limits and other restrictions may be set by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of The Funeral Service Foundation are final.
Submission Requirements
Essay & Video
Each candidate is required to answer all questions in no more than 250 words per question, and submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes.
Additional Information
When you submit your application, you’ll also be required to upload:
- Your most recent transcripts from your ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institution.
- A letter of good standing from your institution's registrar, bursar or financial office.
- A letter of recommendation from an instructor or program director.
Learn more about available scholarship opportunities.
------------
What We're Looking for in a Candidate
Our scholarship evaluation is based on three core pillars that reflect a candidate's readiness to become a successful, sustainable leader in the funeral service profession. We seek to partner with candidates who demonstrate genuine passion, strategic vision, and personal commitment.
1. Merit & Professional Potential
We seek candidates who are forward-thinking and demonstrate high potential to make a lasting impact.
- Strategic Vision: Show us a clear, thoughtful plan for your professional future. Do you understand the opportunities and changes facing the profession, and can you articulate how you will apply new insights to advance your work or community?
- Unique Fit: Define the distinct skills, experiences, or unique perspectives that will enrich your service to families and elevate your potential as a leader.
- Impact & Interpersonal skills: Demonstrate how you have contributed to positive outcomes in your firm, school, or community — or share a clear plan for creating meaningful impact. We value candidates who show initiative in leading, collaborating, and uplifting others.
2. Commitment to Success & Full Potential
We assess the viability of your plan to ensure that this scholarship allows you to achieve your maximum potential without undue strain.
- Resilience & Sustainability: For professional development, articulate a proactive, personal strategy for sustainability and well-being.
- Feasibility & Dedication: Explain how our scholarship will serve as a critical resource. Show us that you have taken personal initiative in securing the resources needed to realize your goals.
- Maximizing Potential: We view this award as an investment in the most promising talent. Show us how removing financial or time obstacles will enable you to fully dedicate yourself to your studies or training, thereby maximizing your contribution and impact upon completion.
3. Authenticity & Communication
We value the personal honesty and professional maturity required to serve the public.
- Authentic Voice: Your responses should be personal, written in your unique voice, and demonstrate deep reflection. Show your ability to convey meaningful personal narratives (e.g., a defining moment, a growth experience, or a challenging transition) with maturity and sincere insight.
- Professional Poise (Video): For the video question, we assess your presence, clarity, and genuine connection to the material. Your ability to communicate effectively and engage an audience is essential for serving families and representing the profession.
- Professional Thoroughness: All applications should be complete, well-organized, and adhere to all word and time limits, demonstrating the high standard of attention to detail required in deathcare.
------------
AI Usage Policy for Scholarship Applicants
The Foundation values the authenticity and originality of every applicant's voice and experience. Therefore, while preparing your application, you may use AI tools (such as grammar checkers or editing assistants) for refining your work. Acceptable uses include checking grammar, improving sentence flow, or adjusting your personal narrative to meet word count limits.
However, all ideas, strategic analysis, and personal narratives must be original to you. It is strictly prohibited to use AI tools to generate the core content of the essays, formulate your main arguments, or select the specific personal experiences required by the prompts. Any submission found to contain non-original, AI-generated content may be disqualified, as your thoughtful, personal insight is the sole basis of our evaluation.
Academic Scholarships
Submission Cycles
Applications accepted:
- February 15-April 1
- September 15 – November 1
Are you a military veteran looking for a scholarship? Apply here.
Terms & Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- Scholarships are open to full-time or part-time students in good standing who are enrolled in ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institution/program. Candidates must be currently attending classes and actively pursuing a degree in funeral service.
- PLEASE NOTE: Students who are enrolled, but have not yet begun coursework at the time of application, are not yet eligible to apply.
- New applicants as well as those who have applied in previous years, but have not been awarded an academic scholarship from the Foundation, are encouraged to apply.
- Foundation scholarships are subject to available funds, and are not renewable; a Candidate may only receive a Foundation-awarded academic scholarship one time.
- Foundation academic scholarships are for mortuary science/funeral service study only.
- Funding is sent directly to the school; under no circumstances will the Funeral Service Foundation make a payment directly to the student.
- Scholarship funding is attributable to existing and future balances. If the amount of the scholarship exceeds the balance, those proceeds will be returned to the Foundation by the school.
- Funding may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a scholarship recipient decides not to accept the award.
- The Foundation has no loan programs, vocational grants or assistance for graduate study available.
- The Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserves the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- If a student terminates his or her enrollment in the school for any reason, the remaining/unused balance of the scholarship must be returned to the Foundation only, may not be transferred to another school, and may not be paid to the student personally.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve. Time limits and other restrictions may be set by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of The Funeral Service Foundation are final.
Submission Requirements
Essay & Video
Each candidate is required to answer all questions in no more than 250 words per question, and submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes.
Additional Information
When you submit your application, you’ll also be required to upload:
- Your most recent transcripts from your ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institution.
- A letter of good standing from your institution's registrar, bursar or financial office.
- A letter of recommendation from an instructor or program director.
Learn more about available scholarship opportunities.
------------
What We're Looking for in a Candidate
Our scholarship evaluation is based on three core pillars that reflect a candidate's readiness to become a successful, sustainable leader in the funeral service profession. We seek to partner with candidates who demonstrate genuine passion, strategic vision, and personal commitment.
1. Merit & Professional Potential
We seek candidates who are forward-thinking and demonstrate high potential to make a lasting impact.
- Strategic Vision: Show us a clear, thoughtful plan for your professional future. Do you understand the opportunities and changes facing the profession, and can you articulate how you will apply new insights to advance your work or community?
- Unique Fit: Define the distinct skills, experiences, or unique perspectives that will enrich your service to families and elevate your potential as a leader.
- Impact & Interpersonal skills: Demonstrate how you have contributed to positive outcomes in your firm, school, or community — or share a clear plan for creating meaningful impact. We value candidates who show initiative in leading, collaborating, and uplifting others.
2. Commitment to Success & Full Potential
We assess the viability of your plan to ensure that this scholarship allows you to achieve your maximum potential without undue strain.
- Resilience & Sustainability: For professional development, articulate a proactive, personal strategy for sustainability and well-being.
- Feasibility & Dedication: Explain how our scholarship will serve as a critical resource. Show us that you have taken personal initiative in securing the resources needed to realize your goals.
- Maximizing Potential: We view this award as an investment in the most promising talent. Show us how removing financial or time obstacles will enable you to fully dedicate yourself to your studies or training, thereby maximizing your contribution and impact upon completion.
3. Authenticity & Communication
We value the personal honesty and professional maturity required to serve the public.
- Authentic Voice: Your responses should be personal, written in your unique voice, and demonstrate deep reflection. Show your ability to convey meaningful personal narratives (e.g., a defining moment, a growth experience, or a challenging transition) with maturity and sincere insight.
- Professional Poise (Video): For the video question, we assess your presence, clarity, and genuine connection to the material. Your ability to communicate effectively and engage an audience is essential for serving families and representing the profession.
- Professional Thoroughness: All applications should be complete, well-organized, and adhere to all word and time limits, demonstrating the high standard of attention to detail required in deathcare.
------------
AI Usage Policy for Scholarship Applicants
The Foundation values the authenticity and originality of every applicant's voice and experience. Therefore, while preparing your application, you may use AI tools (such as grammar checkers or editing assistants) for refining your work. Acceptable uses include checking grammar, improving sentence flow, or adjusting your personal narrative to meet word count limits.
However, all ideas, strategic analysis, and personal narratives must be original to you. It is strictly prohibited to use AI tools to generate the core content of the essays, formulate your main arguments, or select the specific personal experiences required by the prompts. Any submission found to contain non-original, AI-generated content may be disqualified, as your thoughtful, personal insight is the sole basis of our evaluation.