✔️ Eligibility Requirements

Qualifications to apply for the Albert Baker Scholarship:

• You are a student of Christian Science and a current member of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.
• You are able to provide a Christian Science reference.
• You earned a minimum 2.5 GPA for your most recently completed academic term.
• You are a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada. (Assistance is offered in other countries).
• You are enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution (including community colleges, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and vocational training programs) located in the United States, Canada, or another country where ABF operates.
• You have financial need as shown in your FAFSA / CSS.
• Academic requirements: in good standing, making satisfactory progress towards your degree or certificate, and minimum enrollment is half-time.

If you have any questions regarding these requirements or your ability to fulfill them, please contact Dr. Libby Scheiern.
Email: Libby.scheiern@albertbakerfund.org

👀 Gather Required Documents

All required documents below must be saved as individual PDF files. Your Application will not be processed until they have been submitted.

☐ 1. Verification of Membership in The Mother Church (TMC)

To request verification of your membership in The Mother Church please email clerk@christianscience.com with your request and include your name, address, phone number, and membership number (if you have it). It may take several weeks to receive your email verification. Save the verification email as a PDF. Alternatively, you can submit your most recent per-capita form.  If your application for membership in The Mother Church has been received by the Clerk’s Office, please contact Libby Scheiern directly.

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☐ 2. Christian Science (CS) Reference

Copy and send this URL to your Christian Science Reference to fill out: https://www.tfaforms.com/4961710

We require a reference from an active Christian Scientist who is not an immediate family member or peer who in the last year has personally witnessed your practice of Christian Science. They will be asked to speak to your character, integrity, and current practice of Christian Science including specific examples.

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☐ 3. Student Statement

Note on using AI to help with this section: Upholding the fairness and authenticity of the ABF scholarship application process is critically important to us. Therefore, we require that your student statement is authentic and written in your own voice. You are welcome to use AI to assist in the process of drafting an outline for your Student Statement but please use your own words to write the Statement itself.

You must write a new statement each year. We are interested in how you have grown in the past year. Please tell us about yourself, including your academic and non-academic interests. Share why you are furthering your education, your choice of career field, what you hope to accomplish with your education, and any future plans. Describe how you personally use Christian Science in your daily life, including specific examples. Include any other life circumstances you would like us to consider. The length of the essay should be one page, double-spaced, and no more than two pages. Label the top of your document with: Your Name, Date, School, Year in School, and NLC Graduation Date, if applicable.

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☐ 4. Academic Transcript

The academic transcript for your most recently completed high school or college term must include your name, date of the term, grades for courses taken during the term, and the term GPA.

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☐ 5. Letter of Enrollment / Acceptance of Admission or Course Schedule

First year students must provide a letter showing enrollment or acceptance of admission for the upcoming term at your accredited institution. Returning students must provide a course schedule for the upcoming term.

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☐ 6. Confirmation of Tuition Fees

Acceptable documents include an invoice or bill from your institution, a copy of your Financial Aid letter from the institution, or information from the institution’s course catalog or website with tuition pricing included.

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☐ 7. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from FAFSA or CSS Profile

Your application must include your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from EITHER the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR), or the school-provided EFC based on the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.

Submit a PDF that shows your official EFC amount.

Students enrolled in graduate programs (only) may submit a copy of their most recent IRS 1040 tax return form along with an annual personal budget instead of the EFC from FAFSA or CSS.

If you have questions regarding the EFC and financial aid calculations, please contact Libby Scheiern:  Libby.scheiern@albertbakerfund.org

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☐ 8. Official Financial Aid Letter

Submit the Financial Aid Letter from the Financial Aid Department of your institution that explains the total amount of monetary assistance (scholarships, grants and loans) your school is offering you.

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☐ 9. Prepare Estimates of Your Educational Expenses

Estimate expenses for the following items. You will enter these amounts directly in the online application, no attachment necessary.

• Tuition
• Housing
• Supplies, books, and equipment (such as computer)
• Required fees (academic, healthcare, other)
• Meals
• Travel