Roothbert Fund Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Roothbert Fund, Inc.
About the Roothbert Fund
Description: Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Roothbert Fund to help people with financial need pursue further education. Based in New York City, the Fund operates as a volunteer organization. Through its fellowships, the Fund supports undergraduate and graduate study at accredited institutions in the United States. It seeks candidates whose daily actions are guided by spiritual values.
- The Fund provides financial support for undergraduate and graduate study.
- Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spiritual values in their daily lives.
Eligibility and Preferences
Eligibility: The Fund supports students pursuing undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited U.S. institution. Graduate students and undergraduates who have completed at least one year of college are preferred. Preference is also given to applicants who live in or attend school in designated states and the District of Columbia.
- Preferred locations: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Award Value and Renewal
Award Value: Grants are typically $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed for subsequent years. Fellows may apply for renewal for each year they continue in the degree program supported by the Fund. The Fund does not provide renewals to support an additional academic program after the original program is completed.
- Renewal is available for continuing the same degree program, subject to application.
- The Fund does not support a second academic program through renewal.
Application Materials
Application Requirements: Applicants must submit the materials listed below through the Roothbert Fund application. The application provides further details, and applicants may save an application in progress. Completed applications must include recommendation letters and academic transcripts by the February deadline.
- The Roothbert Fund Application Form
- A scanned copy of an official transcript from the applicant’s current or most recent institution
- Three autobiographical essays
- Three letters of recommendation
Application Timeline
Application Timeline: The online application becomes available on November 1 each year, and completed applications are due in February by 11:59 p.m. Select candidates are invited to required interviews during March. Awards are announced in late April, and grant funds are sent directly to recipients’ institutions by late August.
- November 1: Online application opens.
- February: Application deadline; all materials must be submitted online.
- March: Required interviews are typically held in person in New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; or New Haven, Connecticut. Virtual interviews may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are responsible for their travel expenses.
- Late April: Award recipients are notified by mail.
- Late August: Grant funds are delivered to the recipient’s institution.
Fellowship Requirements
Recipient Responsibilities: Fellows are expected to maintain strong academic work and conduct and to stay in contact with the Fund. They must participate in annual community programming, including a weekend at Pendle Hill, a Quaker study center near Philadelphia. The Fund may revoke an award if a recipient fails to meet the terms of acceptance.
- Maintain a high standard of work and conduct, and submit transcripts to the Fund each year.
- Attend one annual Pendle Hill weekend; retreats are held in June and September and are led by former grant recipients.
- Complete seven additional hours of Fund programming, such as Playing in the Spirit, Fellowship Pods, and Social Hours.
- Maintain a close relationship with the Fund through correspondence and visits.
- Promptly inform the Fund of changes in academic or financial circumstances.
- Meet the terms of acceptance; awards are subject to revocation if those terms are not met.