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Minerva Education and Development Foundation Scholarships

Apply for Minerva Education and Development Foundation Scholarships and funds by April 5, 2025.

MEDF funds a number of scholarships for college students who are or who will be matriculating at various colleges and universities as well as working professionals and community leaders expanding their education. All applications are to be completed online.

If you want to donate to a scholarship, see donation button below.

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Scholarship & Special Funds: Description and Process

The purpose of MEDF’s scholarship and fund opportunities is to provide financial resources for college students who are or who will be matriculating at various colleges and universities.

The criteria for Scholarships is described below. Please pay special attention to ALL requirements.

MEDF also has specific funds (see descriptions at the bottom of the page) specifically for:
– Teachers (see the Joyce Gallant Literacy Fund)
– Pastors working on social justice (see the Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Jordan Fund)
– 2nd yr law students (see the Joseph M. White Legal Legacy Fund)
– Those working in child care & development, and senior care (see the Effie J. Weathers Intergenerational Fund).

We will receive ALL applications via online ONLY. Applications must be received no later than April 5, 2025.

Timeline

February 17-April 5, 2025: Scholarship Application Window

April 5, 2025:Deadline for Receipt of Scholarship Applications

May 9-12, 2025: Scholarship Announcements (via email)

**If you require additional information, please refer to the website for a recorded video elaborating on the application process**

Scholarship Informational Meeting Recording

This is a link to the recording of our Scholarship Informational Meeting held on March 2, 2024. Feel free to view the recording for guidance regarding applying for MEDF Scholarships!

Scholarships

Doris B. Corsey Arnold Scholarship

Stipend awarded to a single mother enrolled in a college or university. Award must be used to assist with payment of childcare expenses. Applicants will need to provide documentation from childcare provider with their application.

Dr. Barbara Coulter Scholarship

Scholarship that will support an African American student who attended high school in the Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County and has been accepted to and will attend a trade/technical school or a two- or four-year college. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

Sandra D. Delaine Scholarship

Merit scholarship for African American student (male or female) who: (i) is from or resides in Metro Detroit area (preferably Wayne County); (ii) registered to attend Eastern Michigan University in undergraduate or graduate studies; and (iii) has a 2.7 GPA (out of 4.0) or above

Dr. Bernadine N. Denning Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Beta Chapter Scholars Fund

Merit scholarship of $500 for up to four (4) full-time students matriculating at Eastern Michigan University who are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Delta Beta Chapter. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

Dr. Bernadine Newsome Denning Scholarship Fund

Financial aid scholarship of $1,000 awarded to an African American female student who is graduating/has graduated from a high school in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb county who will be attending a four-year college in Michigan. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). The scholarship is renewable for three years if student maintains a 3.0 GPA in college as evidenced by college transcript – for a total scholarship amount of $4,000.

The Kay Francis Hawthorne Hopkins Scholarship Fund

The Kay Francis Hawthorne Hopkins Scholarship Fund is for a college student majoring in Education at a 4 year HBCU. They must have a 3.3 GPA, African-American Detroit Resident.  The scholarship will be awarded to 1 female and 1 male at $1000 each.  Must provide a 400-600 word essay on, “Why I decided to go into education and the impact I hope to make on future scholars”. This scholarship is renewable if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA, and 30 hours of community service evidenced by a letter from an administrator, on the organizational letterhead.

Dr. Judith T. Jackson Scholars Fund

4-year merit scholarship to a Detroit Public Schools Community District high school student who has been accepted to and will attend a two year or four year college and can demonstrate community service.

Dr. Judith T. Jackson Fund GEMS Scholarship

A $2,000 book scholarship award to be paid over a four (4) year period at $500 each year to be awarded to students who have been active participants in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Detroit Alumnae Chapter GEMS youth program for at least 3 years.

Scholarship criteria is as follows: Applicants must have a 3.2GPA (on a 4.0 scale), graduating high school senior with an acceptance letter confirming admittance into a two or four year college, submit an essay with details of community service, Two letters of recommendation – (1) from a school official and (1) from a member of DST – DAC

Bobby G. Jenkins Memorial Scholarship

Merit scholarship of $500 that will assist an African American student actively enrolled in the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. Applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

Michelle Love Tau Chapter Scholarship

Scholarship awarded to member of Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc who attends Wayne State University.

Moore Woodside Anderson Fund

Awarded to a student in Southeastern Michigan, including the counites of Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and Macomb.

Dr. Bernice Finley Morton Scholarship

Merit scholarship of $1,000 that will assist an African American student actively enrolled in Wayne State University’s College of Nursing. Applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

Diane Hurd Muirhead Scholarship

Merit scholarship that will assist an African American student majoring in English or journalism at a Historically Black College or University. Applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) Executives Metro Detroit Chapter - Scholarship Fund

Scholarship for a Michigan high school senior with a GPA ranging from 2.75 to 3.4 who will attend a 4-year college/university.

Dorothy and Emanuel Odom Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship awarded to children or grand/children of financial members of Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Applicant must be enrolled and matriculating as an undergraduate or graduate college/university student with a min. 2.5 GPA (on 4.0 scale) with evidence of community service within last 12 months via recommendation letter from nonprofit organization discussing applicant’s service.

Dr. Tosha Padgett Scholarship Fund

Award to matriculating college student who is a current member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at a Michigan college and is majoring in Business, Technology, Science or Engineering

Dr. Carol Sayers Puryear Educational Leadership Scholarship Fund

Merit scholarship in memory of Dr. Puryear to assist a Detroit resident accepted into a masters or post masters’ degree program in Educational Leadership or Education Administration.

James and Patricia Solomon Memorial Scholarship

A $100 book scholarship awarded to two student applicants that attend Plymouth Congregational Church (Plymouth United Church of Christ), located at 600 East Warren in Detroit.

Robin H. Sowell Scholarship

Merit scholarship of $1,200 that will assist an African American student who lives in or is actively enrolled in a metro Detroit (Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb county) area college or university and who maintains an overall GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicant must write a 300-500 word essay on the topic, “How My Academic Pursuits Will Help Me Positively Impact My Community,” which should also include a brief description of his or her community service involvement.

Dorothy Welch Memorial Scholarship

Merit scholarship awarded to student majoring in Education at a Historically Black College or University.

Michelle Watson Memorial Scholarship

Book award of $500 given to assist students actively enrolled in a college or university. This fund provides financial assistance to students who have shown uncommon determination to overcoming obstacles impeding the pursuit of education and preparation for life. The scholarship will be awarded to applicants with diabetes, deceased parents, or are living in a single parent home. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and submit a personal statement describing the challenges they have overcome or difficulties they are working to address.

Wayne County Community College District Scholarship

Financial aid scholarships awarded to students actively enrolled in and attending Wayne County Community College and pursuing an Associate’s degree or completing a certification program. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Applicant must write a 300-500 word essay on the topic, “How My Academic Pursuits Will Help Me Positively Impact My Community,” which should also include a brief description of his or her community service involvement. The applying student must have two letters of recommendation; one should be from a college counselor, and the other should be from a teacher, administrator, community leader, or mentor.

Special Funds

Edythe Hayden Friley & Grant A. Friley Fund

Financial assistance awarded to African American men who are returning citizens. Funds must be used for academic advancement and/or housing.

Joyce Gallant Literacy Fund

This grant is available to African American female classroom teachers in Detroit Public Schools Community District who teach in grades K-6. This fund is used to promote teaching and learning around literacy.  Two (2) $500 grants will be awarded to:

  • provide in-classroom library/resources or
  • provide books/resources that can be given to students to take home or
  • purchase resources for virtual learning

Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Jordan Memorial Fund

Background

Established in 2016, The Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Jordan Memorial Fund was established by family members and friends to perpetuate the legacy of a beloved pastor and community leader. The fund will provide a stipend of $1,500 to a minister or pastor serving in a Baptist church who is seeking to obtain an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution. Pastor Jordan served as a president of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc. He was the Senior Pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church in Hamtramck for over 40 years from 1973-2004. While he was married with a family, in the early years of his pastorate he was bi vocational and supplemented his income as a licensed electrician. He was committed to education and ultimately obtained a doctorate degree from Drew University in New Jersey.

CRITERIA:

The fund will provide a stipend of $1,500 to a Baptist minister or pastor that is attending an accredited institution for the purposes of obtaining a degree in theology, religion or some other discipline that relates to, or will assist in, ministry and/or pastoring. Candidates should demonstrate how their ministry advocates social justice and demonstrates concern for the welfare of others.

Effie Jean Weathers Intergenerational Development Fund

An award in the amount of $500.00 (Five Hundred Dollars and 00/100) will be awarded to a Detroit resident who:

– Is committed to developing skills and experience that will promote the health and well-being of children and senior citizens in the City of Detroit and beyond;

– Is a student pursuing higher education at:

– (i) community college pursuing an associate degree; (ii) 4-year college or university pursuing a Bachelors, Masters’ or terminal degrees.

The scholarship is renewable for three years – for a total scholarship of $1,500.00 if the student applies annually by submitting proof of enrollment and class schedules.

Eligibility for Applicants

a. Proof of residence in the city of Detroit.

b. Proof of working for a Detroit-based entity in your field of interest (i.e. a letter from the owner, operator of day care center, nursing facility or organization delivering services to those populations).

c. Proof of:

i. acceptance into an educational institution and/or certification program with a curriculum focused on childcare development, education, or senior care (“Program”).

Application Requirements

a. MEDF Application Form

b. Copy of Driver’s License

c. Essay (up to 5-minute video or 2 pages type written and double-spaced in length) addressing:

i. Why this work is important to you?

ii. What drives you (personally or professionally) to do the work that you do?

iii. If you receive this scholarship, what is the impact you want to have?

Joseph M. White, Esq. Legal Legacy Scholarship

An award in the amount of $750.00 (Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars and 00/100) will be awarded to an African American male law student who:

– has been accepted into an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school; and

– was born and/or raised in Southeastern Michigan, including the counites of Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and Macomb.

Additional consideration will be given to members of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. but membership in Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. it is NOT required to apply.

 

The scholarship is renewable for two years for a total of $1,500.00 if the student applies annually by submitting proof of enrollment and class schedules.

 

2. Application Requirements:

d. MEDF Application Form

e. Personal Statement (1-2 pages type-written and double-spaced in length.)

i. Please tell us about your personal and professional background, passions and interests, extracurricular activities, and why you have chosen to pursue a career in law.

ii. Please describe any additional information or circumstances, including hardship that you would like the Scholarship Committee to consider with your application.

f. Essay (2 pages type written and double-spaced in length)

i. Submit essay answering the following questions:

– What laws are most pertinent to protecting the voting rights of African Americans this year?

– Why?

g. Your current official law school transcript (or undergraduate transcript for first year law students), including school grading scale.

h. Financial aid award letter, class schedule and letter of acceptance (if first year law student) for the upcoming academic year

i. Resume

j. Two (2) letters of recommendation (on letterhead, signed and dated)

i. Professor

ii. Character witness that can speak to community service (must be dated within 3 months of the application)

If applicable, one (1) letter verifying membership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

Apply Now

Below are applications and additional forms. They can be filled out and submitted online. **Please note that the Minerva Education and Development Foundation may request an interview with you as part of the application process.**

All applications must include:

  • A Parent/Guardian phone number and email address
  • A head shot (professional or cap and gown).
  • Personal statement, ensuring that it is tailored to the scholarship to which you are applying.

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