Academic Scholarships

Overview:
The Funeral Service Foundation awards dozens of academic scholarships annually to students enrolled in ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited funeral service programs. The Foundation has awarded over $1 million in academic scholarships since the program's inception in 2002.

Number of Awards: 25+ scholarships available per cycle (semi-annual: spring and fall)

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Eligibility:

• Full- or part-time students in good standing
• Enrolled in ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institutions/programs
• Must be attending classes and actively pursuing a degree in funeral service at time of application
• Students who are enrolled but have not yet begun coursework are not eligible

Named Scholarship Funds Include:

• Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship
• Shipley Rose Buckner Memorial Scholarship
• Mark Hornibrook & Harry Pontone Memorial Scholarships
• Steve Mack Memorial Scholarship
• Louis & Josephine Pontone Memorial Scholarship
• Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship
• Jack Springer Memorial Scholarship (with CANA)
• Todd Van Beck Memorial Scholarship
• Edward J. Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship (with APFSP)
• John Carmon Scholarship
• Bob Horn Scholarship
• Steve Lang Scholarship (Homesteaders)
• Funeral Directors Life Memorial Scholarship
• Brenda Renee Horn Memorial Scholarship (with SCI National Scholarship Program)
• Steve Mack Memorial Scholarship (with SCI National Scholarship Program)
• Memorial Classic Scholarships (funded by Tom Johnson Memorial Classic golf tournament)
• Foundation '45 Scholarships
• Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship (inaugural 2025)

Special Programs:

• Journey to Serve Scholarship ($5,000): Available to U.S. or Canadian military veterans age 18+ enrolled or accepted into ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited funeral service program
• Hunter M. Harbeson Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): Available to U.S. military veterans age 18+ enrolled or accepted into ABFSE-accredited funeral service program

Application Cycles:

• Spring cycle: February 15 - April 1
• Fall cycle: September 15 - November 1

Funeral Service Foundation
13625 Bishop's Dr.

Application Process

Common Application Format:
All academic scholarship candidates are required to:

1. Answer five essay questions (maximum 250 words per question)
2. Submit a brief video (no longer than 2 minutes)
3. Military veteran candidates must also supply an overview of their military service

Required Supporting Materials (by deadline):

• Most recent transcripts from the ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institution
• Letter of good standing from the institution's registrar, bursar, or financial office
• Letter of recommendation from an instructor or program director

Important Notes:

• Late applications are not accepted
• Those who miss the deadline can reapply in the next cycle
• Past applicants who have not been awarded are encouraged to reapply
• Scholarships are paid directly to institutions to offset tuition, fees, books, and supplies