Eligibility Criteria:

Scholar Selection Criteria and Process:

The selection of Thea Bowman Scholars will be done through an ad hoc committee of the Thea Bowman Foundation. Generally it is expected that a Thea Bowman Scholar:

• Is a high school student transitioning to college or a current freshmen or sophomore at one of our partner colleges or universities.
• Has been accepted to attend one of our accredited Catholic college or university partners listed on  the application. The applicant must gain acceptance to the college or university based on his or her own merit. The Foundation will not be responsible for assisting or influencing the admission process.
• Is a United States Citizen.
• Possess a minimum High School GPA of at least a 3.0
• Is active in high school activities.
• Be a student of good character.
• Be highly recommended by either a high school faculty member or high school principal.

(Please note that this scholarship is for students of African‐American descent only.)

Application Packet Content:

Scholarship Application

The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation application is available after January 1 of each year by filling out the online application below.

Essay

Applicants are required to submit a 600‐word minimum essay using the following topic. Essays should be typed.

• Sister Thea Bowman’s gravestone bears the simple epitaph, “She tried.” What did Sister Thea Bowman try to do? Please expound upon the impact of the life of Sister Thea.

Official Academic Transcript***

Applicants should request an official academic transcript from their high school. Transcripts should be included in the student’s application packet to be forwarded to the foundation.

Official Letter of Acceptance***

Student must include a copy of the University’s official acceptance letter.

Financial Need

• Student must submit a copy of FASFA SAR to the Foundation as evidence of financial need.***
• Student must submit a statement of financial need. This statement is not to exceed 300 words. (Statement must be typed and double spaced.)

Once a student is accepted as a foundation scholar each student must:

• Give permission to the admitting college or university to grant the Thea Bowman Foundation access to grades and financial aid information, for purposes of granting or maintaining financial assistance.
• Have approval on of housing choices by the mentor or the director of the foundation.

General expectations of Thea Bowman Scholarship recipients:

• Meet regularly with their college or university mentor and participate in all activities that are related to their educational, personal, social, civic, and spiritual growth.
• Complete 30 hours per year of spiritual growth and development service
• Leadership involvement.
• Attend and participate in summer enrichment symposiums sponsored by the Foundation.
• Behavior will be in keeping with the moral and ethical standards of the Catholic Church.
• Understand it is the goal of the Thea Bowman Foundation that students maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. All educational efforts must be consistent with that goal.
• Funds may not be available for students who do not complete minimum standards.
• Students are expected to participate in selected fundraising activities (selling raffle tickets, attending the annual fundraising dinner, attending meetings with potential donors, etc.).