Scholarships

2017-2018 GCU Scholarship Requirements

To be eligible for a GCU scholarship, the student must be a member of the GCU for at least five years (as of January 30, 2017) with either:

• a permanent life certificate
• or an annuity with a minimum balance of $2,000

Membership requirements must be maintained throughout the application and award process in order to receive any scholarship award.

Online scholarship applications will be available October 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017.

Opportunities for College Students

The National Scholarship

The National Scholarship is a $1,500 award for members who:

• are attending college (or other post-secondary education) as a full-time student
• maintain a 2.75 GPA
• meet all application and eligibility requirements

Along with an online application, applicants must submit:

• essay (at least 500 words)
• letter of recommendation from a parish priest, college chaplain or other clergy
• fall 2017 grade transcript (unofficial transcript accepted)
• photo

The Academic Performance Scholarship

The Academic Performance Scholarship is a $750.00 award for members who:

• previously received the National Scholarship
• maintain a 3.3 GPA as a full-time student
• meet all application and eligibility requirements

This award can be received a total of four times; does not have to be consecutive years.

• fall 2017 grade transcript (unofficial transcript accepted)

Opportunity for High School Students

The Athletic Scholarship

The Athletic Scholarship is a $1,500 award for one male and one female member who:

• are high school seniors
• participated in at least one organized sport
• participated in at least one community service or volunteer activity
• maintain a 2.3 GPA
• will be seeking a degree program in the following academic year

Along with an online application, applicants must submit:

• letter of recommendation from coach/instructor/organizer of each sport the student has participated     
• letter of participation from organizer of at least one volunteer activity the student has participated
• school photo
• photo of student participating in sporting activity or in sports uniform
• current grade transcript

The GCU Bowling Scholarship

GCU Districts (and lodges without a district) are encouraged to hold annual Jr. Bowling Tournaments. One female and one male member in the age 16-18 category will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. A list of tournaments will be available in February and must be completed by May 31.

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, each youth must:

• be between the ages of 16 and 18 as of May 31 the year of the tournament
• be the official winner or qualified alternate of their respective tournament as certified by the Athletic Director
• be an active GCU benefit member for a minimum of five years
• have at the time of the tournament either a permanent life policy* or an annuity product with a minimum balance of $2,000

Application & Notification Process

Required supporting documents for each scholarship are due January 31, 2018 and may be emailed to events@gcuusa.com.

Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt email for supporting documents. PLEASE DO NOT CALL.

The GCU Scholarship Committee will meet at the end of April 2018. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email in May 2018 informing them if they received a scholarship award.

Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance Scholarship

The Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance annually awards at least one $500 scholarship to a member from one of the fraternal societies domiciled in Pennsylvania. Last year the organization awarded 6 scholarships.  

Applicants must be a PA resident, a member of a fraternal society with membership in the PA Fraternal Alliance (GCU members are eligible) and be a 2017 high school graduate attending a college full time in Fall 2017.

If you are interested please see the entire application here.