1891 Financial Life Grants & Scholarship Opportunities

We are a big believer in education and offer members various grant and scholarship programs to help offset the cost of school. 

Catholic School Grants

We offer several Grant programs – from preschool through to high school. An applicant for a grant must be a beneficial member of 1891 Financial Life 6 months by the application deadline. Certificates must be inforce and active.

Catholic Preschool Grants: Grants are awarded each year in the amount of $300 each. Members of 1891 Financial Life enrolled in a parish sponsored-run preschool program may apply. Funds are made payable directly to the recipient’s Catholic school or parish program. Catholic Preschool Grants DUE May 31

Catholic Grade School Grants: Grants are awarded each year in the amount of $300 each. Members of 1891 Financial Life entering kindergarten through eighth grade may apply. Both applicants and recipients may reapply the following year, except for eighth-graders. Funds are made payable directly to the recipient’s Catholic school. Catholic Grade School Grants DUE May 31

Catholic High School Grants: Grants are awarded each year in the amount of $300 each. Members of 1891 Financial Life in the eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh grades may apply. Both applicants and recipients may reapply the following year. Funds are made payable directly to the recipient’s Catholic school. Catholic High School Grants DUE May 31

Religious Education Program Grants (CCD): Grants are awarded each year in the amount of $50 each. Only members of 1891 Financial Life in grades K-11 who are enrolled in a parish-sponsored education program may apply. Funds are made payable directly to the parish. Religious Education Program Grants (CCD) DUE May 31

An independent entity conducts the lottery drawing for each grant program and is independent of the Home Office. Recipients of a Catholic school grant can also participate in other 1891 Financial Life scholarship programs.

Scholarships

An applicant for a scholarship must be a beneficial member of 1891 Financial Life one full year by the application deadline. Certificates must be inforce and active.

Applicants must apply each year for a scholarship. Please send this form each year to apply:

Deadline is March 1 for College and Master's scholarships. For the Occupational Training a member may apply once, any time in the year.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
•  Student completing an undergraduate degree.
•  $1,000 a year up to $4,000 total – Student needs to apply each year.
•  College Scholarship Application DUE March 1

NEW!  MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIP
•  Adults pursuing a graduate-level Master’s degree.
•  Scholarship may also be used for nursing, veterinary, health degrees, etc.
•  $1,000 a year up to $2,000 total – Student needs to apply each year.
•  Master's Scholarship Application DUE March 1

OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
•  High school seniors or adults pursuing a technical or vocational training program.
•  $500 a year up to $1,000 total – Student needs to apply each year.
•  Occupational Scholarship Application - May Apply 1x Per Year

An independent committee, made up of educators, choose the winners of all scholarships. No officer or member of 1891 Financial Life has any jurisdiction over the selection of recipients. 1891 Financial Life reserves the right to change or discontinue these programs at any time.

Continuing Education Grants 

1891 Financial Life awards ten (10) continuing education grants of up to $250* annually to members interested in learning new skills (such as computer classes or foreign language) or wishing to pursue a new hobby (like cooking, gardening, arts & crafts, etc.). These grants can be used for credit or non-credit courses at a community college, park district, or other qualified institution. They are awarded by lottery to qualified members 26 years of age and older. Applicants must be a beneficial member of 1891 Financial Life 6 months by the application deadline. Certificates must be inforce and active.

*Actual class fees are paid up to $250, including instructor required course supplies. 1891 Financial Life reserves the right to change, suspend or discontinue these programs as circumstances warrant.

Continuing Education Grants DUE MAY 31

Religious Life Education Fund (ReLiEF)

1891 Financial Life’s Religious Life Education Funds are donated by local Impact Teams at their annual diocesan association meetings and 1891 Financial Life will donate $400 for each Diocese or Region.

Individual members may also donate and 1891 Financial Life will match the donation up to $100 per donation.

The funds are made available to seminarians for the priesthood and men and woman who are studying for religious life.

ReLiEF Matching Funds Form

Diocesan Communication Grants

1891 Financial Life recognizes the importance of ‘getting the message of our faith.’ We offer a grant each year in support of diocesan communication efforts. Application due July 31.

Diocesan Communication Grant Application DUE July 31