2025 Scholarship Application

ELMWOOD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID GUIDELINES

APPLICATION CRITERIA

The applicant must be a high school graduate, or enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution (college/university).

The applicant and/or parent or guardian must be a member of the Elmwood United Presbyterian Church. Evidence of membership and/or involvement must be included on the Application. Priority consideration will be given to active members who are involved in the life of the church.

Applicants will be judged on the neatness, promptness of response, and completeness of their submission. This includes fulfillment of requests for: (a) the latest available transcript; (b) a complete essay; (c) financial information, e.g., tuition, room & board costs, other scholarship information, etc.; (d) resume; and (e) a mandatory interview with the Committee. With limited funds, the Scholarship Committee prefers to give fewer, but more meaningful awards to those who demonstrate serious interest and academic success.

THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OF AWARDS: Scholarship and Financial Aid

Awards for financial aid will be made to:
High school seniors and college students who demonstrate a financial need.

Awards for scholarship will be made to:
High school seniors who have met the standard of excellence maintaining outstanding academic averages of a 3.0 or better upon graduation from high school.

College students who have met the standard of excellence maintaining outstanding academic averages of a 3.0 or better in a full year of post-secondary education.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Email your completed application, essay, transcript, and other requested information to:

[email protected]; or

send it to:
Valerie Best
Elmwood United Presbyterian Church
135 Elmwood Ave
East Orange, NJ 07018
[email protected]

You can also click on the link below to complete the form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFy432AUFuai_60Nrw1QnPNPp9j5zus66j_FSEslwCr1hC0w/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Filing Deadline: Sunday, May 24 2026 - College Students and Graduating High School Seniors
NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE.

Each applicant must submit the latest available transcript, with the applicant’s academic average to date. Information must be included to describe the grading system, e.g., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, etc. Until a clear, legible transcript copy is submitted, no application will be considered complete. A final transcript must be submitted before awards are granted.

New entrants to college must also provide a copy of their letter of acceptance.  Each applicant must prepare a concise, carefully worded, and grammatically correct typed essay. You may select one of the topics listed in the application. Each application must submit their resume.

Each student must be involved in church services and activities. Students are not limited in their activity. They can volunteer to help with a church ministry, participate in Sunday morning service, or volunteer remotely if they are away at school and/or away for an internship/summer job. Students will be required to describe their participation in the application below.

Each applicant must submit all of the requested information. It is expected that all information contained in the application be factual. The applicant must sign the application. If the applicant is under 18 years old, the parent or guardian must also sign the application.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be screened and evaluated solely by the Scholarship Committee.

All information received by the Committee will be discussed in complete confidence and used with the utmost discretion.

After receipt of the application including the transcript, the Committee will meet with each applicant. We will contact each person by phone to confirm the date and time of his/her interview. Interviews will be held from June 14th through June 27th. Applicants are required to have a face-to-face interview to receive a scholarship/grant. If an applicant cannot interview on the date given, it is the individual’s responsibility to contact the Elmwood Church Office at (973) 678-0055 option #1 or email [email protected] to schedule an alternate date.

The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026 during the 9:30 a.m. service at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church. Checks may be issued jointly to the applicant and parent/guardian.

SUMMARY OF CRITICAL DATES

Filing Deadline: May 24, 2026 Graduating High School Seniors and College Students

Interviews: June 14, 2026 - June 27, 2026

If there are circumstances that require a special interview time please describe them below: *

Award Presentation: Sunday, July 19, 2026 during the 9:30 a.m. service.

ELMWOOD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND/OR FINANCIAL AID

* Indicates required field

Name *

First

Last

Address *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Home Number *

Cell Number *

Email *

Parent's Email *

Parent or Guardian: *

First

Last

Are you a member of Elmwood? *

Yes No

Is your parent(s) or guardian a member(s) of Elmwood? *

Yes No

High School *

Year of Graduation *

Upload Here (High School Seniors must provide a transcript) *

Max file size: 20MB

College or University *

(If you are entering College as a first year student or a transfer student, you must provide a copy of your acceptance letter.)

Upload here (Copy of acceptance letter) *

Max file size: 20MB

Major *

Minor *

Career Objectives: *

Overall GPA: *

Expected Year of Graduation: *

Upload here (College Students must provide a transcript) *

Max file size: 20MB

Please list school activities in which you have been actively involved or played a leadership role (within the 2025-2026 school year).: *

Please list the ways in which you have been actively involved and engaged with Elmwood United Presbyterian Church (within the 2025-2026 school year): *

Please list any other activities, e.g., volunteer, civic, in which you have been actively involved, including offices held (within the 2025-2026 school year): *

Please provide the following information:

Tuition (Annual): *

Room/Board: *

Other Costs (Books, Commuting, etc.): *

Expected Financial Aid: *

Please describe how you plan to cover your college costs: *

Please list two references who can attest your character and verify your involvement in school and church activities (NO FAMILY MEMBERS).

Name *

First

Last

Name *

First

Last

Address *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Address *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Phone Number *

QUALIFYING ESSAY

Please select one (1) of the following questions and prepare a typed essay not to exceed 500 words. You should carefully review your submission for grammar, typos, neatness, etc. The essay is an important part of the application review process.

Select one (1) question

1. Tell us about your academic and career goals, as well as why you have decided to pursue them?

2. Tell us about a community service project or other activity that you have participated in and how it enriched your life?

3. Having the benefit of hindsight, what advice would you give a prospective college freshman and why?

4. Tell us how you plan to reach back and support students that aspire to go to college.

5. How has your Christian walk been challenged while at school? How have you overcome that challenge and remained strong in your faith?

Upload here (A copy of your Essay) *

Max file size: 20MB

Upload here (A copy of your resume) *

Max file size: 20MB

APPLICANTS STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE

I declare that the information contained in this application is true. I do understand that if any falsified information is included in this application, I forfeit any award presented in the current year and I will not be able to apply for a scholarship or financial aid with the Elmwood Scholarship Committee in the future.

Applicants under 18 years of age must submit a hard copy of the application, then scan and email a copy to [email protected]. Or submit via mail to: Elmwood United Presbyterian Church c/o Valerie Best, 135 Elmwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018.

By clicking the submit button below, you are confirming your Statement of Assurance and signing your application. You will receive a confirmation message once your application is submitted.

Submit