Scholarships
GCU Invests in the Goodness of Education.
GCU believes that our young people will be tomorrow's leaders--the people who will carry our faith and traditions into the future. With our scholarship program, we invest in their education so they can give back when it's their turn.
2020-2021 GCU Scholarship Requirements
To be eligible for a GCU scholarship, the student must be a member as of December 31, 2019 of the GCU 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.
Applications for the 2021 awards will be available from October 1 through December 31, 2020
Opportunities for College Students
The National Scholarship
The National Scholarship is a $1,750 award for members with membership of 5 years or more and $1,250 for members with under 5 years of membership as of December 31, 2018 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:
- Volunteer activity report and photo collage of volunteer activities
- letter of recommendation from a parish priest, college chaplain or other clergy
- fall 2020 grade transcript (unofficial transcript accepted)
- photo
The Academic Performance Scholarship
The Academic Performance Scholarship is a $1,000 award for members with membership of 5 or more years and $500 for members with under 5 years of membership as of December 31, 2018 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 2020 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
Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance Scholarship
Application available for Pennsylvania residents only. Please use this link for application and information. PFA 2021 Scholarship Application
Application & Notification Process
Applications for the 2020-2021 awards will be available from October 1 through December 31, 2020.
Required supporting documents for each scholarship are due January 31, 2021 and may be emailed to events@gcuusa.com.
Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt email for supporting documents. PLEASE DO NOT CALL.
Applicants for 2020-2021 Scholarship
The GCU Scholarship Committee will meet at the end of April 2021. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email in May 2021 informing them if they received a scholarship award.