The United States has a long history of churches and other religious organizations giving money to youngsters seeking a college education. Such financial support has been particularly instrumental in the lives of African-Americans, whose denominations and local congregations have helped fund post-secondary education for high school graduates since Blacks first gained access to college campuses.
Churches have raised funds in a variety of ways, from fish fries, cake walks and ice cream socials to budget line items, a special category on offering envelopes and impromptu “love” offerings for students who need last-minute help with books, transportation or incidentals.
Whether $250 or $2,500, churches large and small, urban and rural, continue to help ease what can be a major financial burden. Their backing is a continuation of the history of the Black Church as an institution that endeavors to meet the needs of Black people in every aspect of life, and sees education in particular as key to upward mobility.
Since the establishment of historically Black colleges and universities, denominations such as Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal – which founded a number of the HBCUs – have provided institutional support while many local congregations give directly to their youngsters, noted Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., the James S. McDonnell distinguished university professor at Princeton University.
“For Black churches, education has been a paramount goal,” he said. “Local churches have supported education as a primary vehicle to aspiration for the next generation. It’s been important particularly for rural communities where kids went off and went away to college.”
In Black churches, scholarship funds are as common as food pantries, with awards often disbursed in the spring at a formal presentation in front of the congregation and usually for the first year of school.
Sometimes the amount is a few hundred, enough to cover some books, meals or transportation. Other times, the amounts are more substantial, often depending on factors such as a church’s membership size and the number of students who receive money.
