Catholic College Scholarships

In 2011, Catholics in the U.S. numbered between 65.4 million and 77.7 million, according to the Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate (CARA), making Catholicism one of the largest Christian denominations in the nation. The percentage of Roman Catholics in the U.S. was estimated at 23.9% as of 2007, second only to Protestants at 51.3%, according to the CIA's World Factbook. The large number of Catholics in the United States makes the need for Catholic-specific scholarships important, particularly for Catholics who are economically disadvantaged and need help paying for college. Scholarships are also vital for helping those who wish to become priests afford a seminary education, as the Catholic church is experiencing a shortage of priests.

While an enormous number of scholarships exist for Christians in general, Catholic scholarships can be difficult to find. Some scholarship granting institutions who offer funds to Catholic students not only require the student to have above average academic standing and grades, but also expect the student to travel abroad to teach Catholicism or to become a missionary for a length of time determined by the sponsoring institution. While these options are ideal for some Catholic students, others would prefer to pursue other occupations outside of ministry, or minister in the U.S.

Some Catholic organizations are affiliated with specific heritages and only offer scholarships to students who are of a definite ancestry, such as Italian or Irish Americans. Other Catholic societies offer scholarships to Catholic students whose parents are members of the sponsoring society or organization and who are students of Catholic colleges or universities. While most colleges do not offer Catholic scholarships, Catholics will often qualify for general Christian scholarships.

List of Catholic Scholarships

• Catholic United Financial Post-High School Tuition Scholarship — $500 for students attending Catholic colleges and $300 for students attending non-Catholic colleges awarded each year to Catholic undergraduate students who have been a member of Catholic United for at least two years.


• Father Krewitt Scholarship — Up to $1,000 awarded to one Catholic undergraduate student who is a member of the Catholic Kolping Society. See here for more information.


• First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Scholarship Program (Undergraduates and Graduate Students) — Awards of $1,250 and $1,750 awarded each year to 100+ Catholic undergraduate and graduate students of Slavic heritage who have been members of FCSLA for at least three years prior to applying and meet all other requirements.


• First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Seminarian or Deacon (College) Scholarship — $1,250 to $1,750 awarded each year to Catholic undergraduate or graduate students who plan to enter the priesthood or become deacons. Note: these candidates will automatically receive a scholarship, provided they are approved and all necessary paperwork is complete.


• ICF College Scholarship Program — The Italian Catholic Federation awards $400 to $1,000 each year to Catholic undergraduate students of Italian heritage from selected states who meet academic, financial need, and character requirements. Scholarship amounts are based on which year of college you are in.


• John W. McDevitt (Fourth Degree) Scholarships — $1,500 awarded each year to approximately 36 freshmen undergraduate students who are attending a Catholic college or university, and who are members in good standing of the Knights of Columbus (or the wife, widow, son or daughter of such a member or deceased member).


• Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarship — Renewable $1,500 scholarships awarded annually to more than 60 college freshmen entering a Catholic college or university in the U.S. Must be a member in good standing of the Knights of Columbus, the son or daughter of a member or deceased member, or a member in good standing of the Columbian Squires.


• Knights of Columbus Matthews and Swift Educational Trust Scholarships — Varied amount awarded each year to Catholic undergraduate students who are children of Knights of Columbus members in good standing who were killed or disabled in combat, or who were killed as a result of criminal violence while in service as a firefighter or police officer.


• Knights of Lithuania National Scholarships — Scholarships awarded each year to a Catholic undergraduate and graduate students who are of Lithuanian heritage and who have been active members of the Knights of Lithuania for at least two years.


• National Association of Pastoral Musicians Scholarships — $1,000 to $3,000 awarded each year to undergraduate or graduate students majoring in theology/pastoral music. Many of these scholarships are associated with Catholic colleges and universities.

Top Online Religious Degree Programs

Click Here	Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Liberty University is one of the fastest growing Christian universities in the world with a vision to train Christ-centered men and women. They strive to provide excellent education in a variety of formats to accommodate any individual's needs.
Click Here	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. As a private, Christian university, Grand Canyon University offers quality education taught by academic and industry professionals who have a passion for teaching. They provide students with challenging and career-focused curriculum to prepare them for their careers upon graduation.
Click Here	LeTourneau University - Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. LeTourneau University offers exemplary programs for students seeking a variety of degrees, whether in Business or Health Care. Their knowledgeable faculty, small class environments, and hands-on learning opportunities help students develop leadership from a Christian perspective. .

Top Online Colleges

More Info	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctorate’s Degrees. At Grand Canyon University, students are offered the same quality education online as they are at traditional college campuses. They are an accredited college, which is highly valued by employers all around the world.
More Info	Liberty University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Liberty offers campus, online, or blended degree programs for students all around the world. Liberty provides a flexible and welcoming experience for students who want to continue their education in a Christian environment.
More Info	Brandman University - Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees. Brandman University offers complete support throughout a student's educational career. Faculty members have real-world experience and are trained educators in their fields of expertise. Program concentrations include those in Education, Business, Criminal Justice, and Social Science.
More Info	Saint Leo University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Saint Leo University offers students a variety of different degree choices to truly help them reach their career goals. As an accredited college, Saint Leo University offers a reputable degree that can be obtained at the convenience of their students.
More Info	Post University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Since 1890 Post University has been a student-focused, carreer-driven institution helping students to pursue their professional goals. Licenced by the state of connecticut throguh the department of higher education post truly is a great school and comes with high accredidation.
More Info	Kaplan University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Kaplan University is a premiere destination for students in obtaining their college degree online. Kaplan University Online offers a dynamic curriculum to every student and are taught by the very best professors in their field of study.

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.