We at The Albert Baker Fund love supporting our scholarship recipients, and contributions from our generous donors  make it all possible.  We couldn’t be more grateful!  We’ve been able to bless 407 students this year, here in the United States, as well as in Europe, Canada, the Philippines, and eleven countries in Africa.  Your generosity is blessing the world through our dear scholarship recipients!

I suspect you might have a good idea of how much it means to our students of Christian Science to receive a scholarship that allows them to further their education. But we thought you’d enjoy hearing straight from the students:

“I truly cannot put into words how grateful I am for The Albert Baker Fund’s support over these last four years. My college experience would not have been possible for me or my family without your continued support and encouragement.”

“I appreciate all of ABF’s work not just in my own life but in everyone else’s who you all have helped. It means a lot. You are a great organization.”

“I am deeply grateful for The Albert Baker Fund’s support, which allowed me to pursue my graduate degree while balancing my commitments as a faculty member, study abroad director, and parent.  This journey has reinforced my commitment to education as a force for good, and I look forward to paying forward the generosity I have received by mentoring and supporting future scholars in their own transformative learning paths.” 

And from a Christian Science nursing student in Africa:  “Your financial aid has relieved a significant burden off my shoulders, enabling me to focus on my academics without excess financial strain.  I assure you that I am making the utmost use of this aid and striving towards academic excellence.  I truly appreciate your trust and confidence in me.”

Click here to Invest in the Education of Christian Science Students!

These are just a few examples of the gratitude from the very students you help support.  We are so grateful to you for being the foundation of our efforts to invest in the education of Christian Science students.

Thank you for your essential role in helping us fulfill our mission!

Gratefully,

Sue Ellen Coughtry l Chief Advancement Officer

The Albert Baker Fund
111 Woodmere Road, Suite 210
Folsom, CA 95630
Office: 916.594.9513
sueellen.coughtry@albertbakerfund.org

“This special scholarship in Lisa’s name is a fitting tribute to her deep commitment to our students and ABF’s mission to serve Christian Scientists,” said Alistair Savides, Chair of the Board. “We are excited to name Matthew Consiglio, a sophomore in Marketing at Carroll University, as the recipient. Matthew is a dedicated Christian Scientist, an accomplished student, and plans a career in marketing, where he will focus on “helping people market their businesses, products, and services, whether it be social media posts, website design, or creative advertising.”

One of Matthew’s highlights academically included joining the AMA (American Marketing Association) club. This is a professional club that taught him various aspects of marketing. For one activity, he was given a tennis ball and fishing wire, and was asked to create an innovative product, market its new use, and create materials to market it. Not an easy challenge!

This year, a significant lesson he learned academically was to stay true to self. His greater confidence allowed him to step up more as a leader in group projects and speak up more in class.

Matthew recently shared with us his gratitude for the support of ABF and his Christian Science community.  He shared, “Christian Science has really helped me in my life…if I ever come across anything that may seem challenging in my life, I know I can conquer that challenge with ease.”

Alistair added, “Congratulations, Matthew! This scholarship is well-deserved and I’m sure you will do great things for mankind.”

If you would like to consider funding a special scholarship for Christian Scientists, please contact Sue Ellen Coughtry, Chief Advancement Officer, at sueellen.coughtry@albertbakerfund.org.

Congratulations to Ashley, the recipient of this scholarship. Ashley is a junior studying Finance, with a minor in Energy and Market Resources at University of California, Berkeley. Ultimately, she would like to have a career in investment banking.

This past year she joined a premier finance group club on campus. To become a member of this club she went through a rigorous extensive application process where she had a lot of preparation and interviews. Through this club, her group was responsible for running a hedge fund and making recommendations to the Board on how to invest the money.

She also joined the campus Christian Science Organization (CSO) and began attending church.

She loves being active in the CSO at Berkeley because it has given her a sense of community and inspiration throughout the academic term. Having a CSO has allowed her to talk to others and to find metaphysical support during challenging times like midterms and finals. Using Christian Science throughout her daily life has helped her overcome having a sense of anxiety and fear. “I’ve been working closely with the idea: “Not my will, but Thy will be done,” which has reshaped how I approach my future. I hope to pursue investment banking internships and summer positions in the years ahead, but above all, I trust in God’s direction.”

If you would like to consider funding a special scholarship for Christian Scientists, please contact Sue Ellen Coughtry, Chief Advancement Officer, at sueellen.coughtry@albertbakerfund.org.

Introduction: Don’t Let the Price Tag Scare You

Whether you’re choosing your first college, considering a transfer, or rethinking your financial aid package, the question is the same: “How am I going to pay for this?” The stress is real.

But here is the good news: You don’t have to figure it out alone, and you definitely don’t have to go broke. The secret is understanding the game before you start playing.

“The key is knowing how to get the most aid without having to pay it all back later.”
— George Snow Scholarship Fund

1. Know What You’re Actually Paying For

Before you fall in love with a campus, you need to look at the price tag—the real one.

The “Sticker Price” vs. Reality

Most students only look at tuition. That’s a mistake. You need to look at the Cost of Attendance (COA). The COA includes:

• Tuition & Fees
• Housing and Food (Room & Board)
• Books, Supplies, and Transportation
• Personal Expenses (laundry, toiletries, etc.)

The Three Tiers of Cost

“Remember, the most expensive option isn’t always the best option – many affordable schools offer excellent education and opportunities.”
— George Snow Scholarship Fund

2. The “Free Money” Hierarchy

When filling your financial bucket, always go in this order:

3. The Golden Ticket: FAFSA

You cannot ghost the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It is critical.

4. The Debt Trap (And How to Avoid It)

How to stay safe:

• Align your college choice with your career salary. Don’t take on $100k in debt for a career that starts at $35k/year.
• Only borrow what you need. Just because a lender offers you $20,000 doesn’t mean you should take it all if you only need $10,000.

Your Future Self Will Thank You

Taking control of your finances now might feel like homework, but it’s actually self-care.

“By taking charge now, you’ll be giving your future self the gift of freedom—freedom to start a career, travel, or pursue passions without worrying about paying off massive student loans.”
— George Snow Scholarship Fund

The “Am I Ready?” Checklist

Screenshot this or download it to your phone for quick reference!

Material adapted from George Snow Scholarship Fund Guide by permission.

Congratulations to Cole Quitter on his graduation from Rollins College!

“Being at a school with very few Christian Scientists, I have learned to have a very personal relationship with God. I have used Christian Science many times at college in classes as well as for injuries and I am very confident that my relationship with God has grown because of this.”

Last summer, Cole had the opportunity of traveling to Hong Kong to finish up his final credits and allow him to start his MBA program. “From tropical hikes, to waterfalls, to urban exploring in a huge city, Hong Kong is such a diverse city. I have loved learning about new cultures and habits which allow me to view the world from yet another perspective.”

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure?

We are so excited for our first-ever global travel excursion hosted by The Albert Baker Fund! If you haven’t yet signed up, there may be still a few spots remaining.

To register, go to: https://www.gonext.com/groups/albert-baker-fund/

Join us July 29 – August 13, 2026, on a cruise from Copenhagen to Reykjavik with stops in Sweden, Norway, Scotland, and Denmark. Along the way you’ll not only experience the sights and sounds of these amazing countries, but you’ll also get to meet face-to-face with some of our international ABF students!

You’ll be in the heart of totality to witness the total solar eclipse in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 12th, 2026.

Very limited spots remaining!

Lamech Katamba, Albert Baker Fund Africa Programs Manager visited the ABF Office in Folsom, CA, in May and June 2025.  During his trip he made two presentations to the ABF Board of Trustees.  Videos of these presentations can be found below, along with 3 additional interview clips.

Presentations to the ABF Board

Thursday evening, May 1, 2025

Friday morning, May 2, 2025

Additional interviews with Lamech

ABF’s Impact in Africa

Lamech’s introduction to Christian Science

Lamech’s first Christian Science healing

We are delighted to highlight ABF grant recipient, Jacob Stenstrom, who just finished his junior year at Oklahoma State University. With a double major in Environmental Biology and Zoology, he hopes to pursue an environmental career in order to help companies ensure their projects are environmentally sustainable.

“I have grown tremendously in the last year, both as a person and a Christian Scientist. Attending church, staying connected with CedarS, going to the Annual Meeting, and participating in the online learning communities through ABF were the driving factors of this growth.”

Keep up the good work, Jacob!

Download 2025 ABF Scholarship Poster (PDF)