Smithfield Church's Higher Education Scholarships –
A letter from the Smithfield Education Team

Dear friends,

In these uncertain economic times, pursuing higher education is more expensive - and more important - than ever. As you plan for the 2008-2009 academic year, Smithfield United Church of Christ would like to help.

Our congregation has been awarding scholarships since 1988 to assist deserving individuals pursuing academic goals. The scholarships honor the memory of Grace Schmidt and the many other church members whose bequests and generosity make this ministry possible. The amount of the award will vary based on how many eligible applications we receive, but will likely be between $300 and $1000. You may choose to receive the award as a gift card to your campus bookstore, as a check made out directly to your school, or as a check made out to you.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must:

• Complete the attached application form and return it to the church office no later than June 1, 2008.
• Be enrolled for the 2008-2009 academic year in a post-secondary program of study that leads to a degree or certificate. Associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional programs are all acceptable.
• Be a member or friend of Smithfield UCC, active in the life and ministry of the church, demonstrating this activity by:
  1. for local students: showing commitment to Smithfield United Church of Christ in the past six months or more by regular attendance in worship, participation in church activities, and/or membership in church committees or organizations.
  2. for students attending school away from Pittsburgh: participating in religious and/or community service activities on or around your campus, and visiting Smithfield UCC when your schedule permits.
• Give evidence of enrollment and academic progress by providing either:
  1. a letter from a school registrar, dean, or academic adviser certifying that you are a student in good standing making adequate progress toward a degree, or
  2. a current transcript, or
  3. for students beginning their degree program in the Fall, a copy of your acceptance letter or a letter from an admissions officer or guidance counselor confirming that you have submitted an application.

Your application form and evidence of enrollment must both be received no later than June 1, 2008, for your application to be considered. You can download the form [ pdf format] here and return it to the church office either in person; by mail to Smithfield United Church of Christ, attn: Scholarships, 620 Smithfield, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; or by e-mail to Liddy Barlow at lbarlow@smithfieldchurch.org.

Scholarship recipients will be announced no later than the first Sunday in July, and the funds will be disbursed in August.

If you have any questions about our church's scholarship program, please contact Liddy Barlow, Minister of Christian Education, at 412-281-1811 or lbarlow@smithfieldchurch.org. We look forward to receiving your application!

Yours sincerely,
The Smithfield Education Team

Liddy Barlow
Pat Arledge-Benko
Suzy Bossart
Rebecca Flowers
Jasmine Freeman
Norman Freeman
Adriane Harrison
Ron Pedersen<
/p>

Return to Education page

  – through you and me!