ABFSE National Scholarship Program

About this scholarship

The ABFSE National Scholarship Program provides competitive tuition awards to students already studying funeral service or mortuary science at an institution accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Awards generally range from $1,500 to $2,500 for an academic year and are paid directly toward tuition after the college certifies enrollment. Applicants must have completed at least one semester or quarter in the accredited program and must have a term beginning after the April or October award decision; students with less than a full term remaining may be considered for a partial award. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, F-1 international students, and DACA students may apply. The application has two required parts. First, the student submits the official online form, including financial information, funeral-service education details, activities, work history, and a personal essay explaining the decision to enter the profession. Second, the student mails the email confirmation and supporting package to ABFSE. That package includes program-director proof of enrollment, one faculty recommendation, one recommendation from an employer, community leader, or other nonfamily member, and an official funeral-service or mortuary-science transcript. The transcript must document at least five technical funeral-service courses or 15 semester credits or the equivalent. Late or incomplete packages are ineligible. Applicants may apply once per calendar year by March 1 or September 1; the next deadline is September 1, 2026.

Eligibility

• Attend a funeral service or mortuary science program accredited by ABFSE
• Have completed at least one semester or quarter in the accredited program
• Have at least one term of the program beginning after the scholarship award date
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, F-1 international student, or DACA student
• Complete the official online scholarship form and personal essay
• Provide proof of enrollment from the accredited program director
• Submit one faculty recommendation and one eligible nonfamily recommendation
• Provide an official program transcript showing the required technical coursework or credits
• Mail the confirmation and complete supporting package by September 1, 2026