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Minerva Education and Development Foundation Scholarships

Apply for Minerva Education and Development Foundation Scholarships and funds by April 1, 2024.

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 as well as in the General application. 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 1, 2024.

Timeline

March 2, 2024 – Application Informational Session 9am to 10am via zoom

ZOOM LINK HERE
Meeting ID: 819 0067 1629
Passcode: 795621

April 1, 2024 –  Application Deadline

May 15, 2024 – Scholarship Award Notifications and Announcement

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 Detroit resident enrolled as a full-time college sophomore, junior or senior.

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

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 $1,000 to a senior pastor that is seeking to obtain a graduate degree at an accredited institution.   The applicant must be a member of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc., an organization where Rev. Jordan served as a president.  Rev. Jordan served as 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 $1,000 to a senior pastor that is attending an accredited institute for the purposes of obtaining a graduate 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

This grant is available to support those that are committed to developing skills and experience that will promote the health and well-being of children and senior citizens in the city of Detroit. This fund will support professional development, certification and advanced educational opportunities for those working in Detroit in the fields of child care and educational development and elder care. Each award will be $500.

Joseph M. White, Esq. Legal Legacy Scholarship

The purpose of the Joseph M. White, Esq. Legal Legacy Scholarship is to support African American law students that are pursuing legal careers that will positively impact the African American community. This scholarship is for 2nd year law students attending an ABA accredited law school, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., and born and/or raised in Detroit or Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Each award will be $750.

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.

Donate To A Scholarship

Contribute to MEDF our initiatives online.