Thea Bowman Scholars

Scholarship Sponsored by Sister Thea Bowman Foundation

Overview
The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation Scholarship seeks to inspire and support Black students who have experienced economic hardship by enabling access to a quality education at participating Catholic colleges and universities. Beyond financial assistance, selected scholars receive mentoring, spiritual and civic enrichment, and community service opportunities. Scholarship funding is made possible by donations to the Foundation and matching scholarships from partner institutions. Awards range from $7,500 to $10,000 and may be renewed annually as funds are received and approved by the Foundation’s governing board. Award amounts and availability depend on the partner institution chosen. The Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation is responsible for selecting recipients.

Who may apply
- Primary applicants: high school seniors preparing to begin college in the fall.
- Renewal eligibility: current freshmen or sophomores at a Foundation partner college or university may apply for renewal consideration if they remain in good academic standing at the partner institution.
- Scholarship recipients must be full-time students at an accredited Catholic college or university beginning in the fall semester.

Award use and disbursement
- Awards are designated for tuition, on-campus room and board, and required books.
- Scholarship checks are issued directly to the recipient’s institution.
- Only complete applications will be considered for award.

Key dates and notification timeline (2026)
- Application materials available: online application opens after January 1 each year.
- Remaining documents: must be emailed only after January 1 and received by the Foundation no later than March 26.
- Early Bird notification (for applicants who submitted by February 28, 2026): March 31, 2026.
- Regular award notification (for all eligible applicants meeting the deadline): April 30, 2026.
- Award letters issued to recipients by May 1 each year.
- Signed acceptance letters/agreements must be returned to the Foundation by July 1 each year.

Eligibility requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be of African‑American descent (this scholarship is restricted to students of African‑American heritage).
- Be a United States citizen.
- Be a high school student transitioning to college (or a current freshman/sophomore at a partner school applying for renewal) in good academic standing.
- Have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5.
- Have been accepted for admission to one of the Foundation’s accredited Catholic college or university partners (admission decisions must be made by the college/university independently; the Foundation does not intervene in institutional admissions).
- Be active in high school activities and demonstrate good character.
- Provide a strong recommendation from a high school faculty member or the high school principal.

Application components
All applicants must complete the online application (available after January 1) and submit the following supporting materials by the March 26 deadline:
1. Essay
- A typed essay of at least 600 words addressing the prompt:
"Sister Thea Bowman’s gravestone bears the simple epitaph, ‘She tried.’ What did Sister Thea Bowman try to do? Discuss the impact of her life."
2. Official academic transcript
- Request and include an official high school transcript.
3. Official letter of acceptance
- Provide a copy of the admitting college or university’s official acceptance letter.
4. Financial need documentation
- A copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) as evidence of financial need.
- A typed, double‑spaced personal statement of financial need, no longer than 300 words.

Submission instructions
- Complete the online application form (available after January 1).
- After submitting the online application, email the remaining required documents to the Foundation at the address provided on the application page. Documents must be emailed only after January 1 and must arrive no later than March 26. Only packets received as complete by the deadline will be evaluated.

Selection process
Recipients are chosen by an ad hoc selection committee appointed by the Thea Bowman Foundation. Award amounts vary by institution and are determined in collaboration with partner colleges and universities. Selection is based on the Foundation’s scholarship criteria and the applicant’s submitted materials.

Conditions for scholarship recipients
Once awarded, scholars must:
- Maintain full‑time enrollment at the approved Catholic college or university beginning in the fall.
- Grant the admitting institution permission to share grades and financial aid information with the Foundation for purposes of awarding and maintaining financial assistance.
- Obtain approval of on‑campus housing choices from the Foundation director or assigned mentor.

General expectations of recipients
Scholarship recipients are expected to:
- Meet regularly with their assigned college/university mentor and engage in activities that foster educational, personal, social, civic, and spiritual development.
- Complete 30 hours per year of spiritual growth and development service.
- Demonstrate leadership involvement on campus and in the community.
- Attend Foundation-sponsored summer enrichment symposiums.
- Conduct themselves in accordance with the moral and ethical standards of the Catholic Church.
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA (the Foundation’s goal is that students remain at or above this standard); failure to meet minimum standards may result in suspension or loss of funding.
- Participate in selected Foundation fundraising activities (for example, selling raffle tickets, attending the annual fundraising dinner, or meeting with potential donors).

Contact and additional information
- The Foundation works collaboratively with partner Catholic colleges and universities to expand funding and match scholarships when available.
- The Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation is responsible for final award determinations and communicating award decisions to recipients.

Note: Only complete applications submitted according to the stated timelines will be considered for awards.