Francis Maria Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $10,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: May 1, 2025


​The Antiochian Archdiocese shares this listing of scholarships from a variety of sources for the benefit of applicants and benefactors. Contact the benefactors directly for rules, qualifications and deadlines for their scholarships. All 2025 scholarships are updated as of February 27, 2025.

The 2025 Francis Maria Scholarship being offered for adults and young adults in good standing in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. Applicants must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen entering any of the first four years of an accredited undergraduate college or university.

Through a generous gift of the Francis Maria Foundation for Justice and Peace, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America will once again grant several scholarships in the amount of $10,000 to students attending an accredited college. The amount of the award is $10,000 per student, to help meet the challenges of high tuition costs. With this Premier Scholarship, we hope to encourage more Orthodox young people to seek higher education becoming stronger, well-educated, Orthodox Christian leaders.

Scholarships will be granted each July.

​Francis "Frank" Maria of Pump­kin Hill, Warner, N.H., who established the Francis Maria Fund for Justice and Peace, was born in Lowell, Mass., to Syrian Arab Christian immigrants. He earned a bachelor's degree from Boston University and did advanced work through the BU­/Harvard Extension Program. An English teacher and coach at Tewksbury, Lowell and Newton Schools in Massachusetts, he later served with the U.S. Marines, for which he developed leadership training programs during World War II. After the war, Mr. Maria was personnel manager for the Merrimack Manufacturing Co. and became known as an innova­tor and reformer. Later, he became an independent consultant and teacher, and undertook special assignments for government, industry and health care organizations.

Named by President Eisenhower to the U.S. delegation for the UNESCO general session in 1960, Mr. Maria served on numerous diplomatic, refugee relief and ecumenical initiatives.

Instructions: It is essential to complete Forms A, B, and C, along with all required materials, as incomplete applications will be disqualified. The use of AI technology for the Essay is prohibited. Resumes, photographs, or letters of recommendation should not be included; only the specified pages are to be used. Additionally, please provide Form D, the Pastor’s Evaluation, to your Priest. The accompanying Checklist is for the applicant’s reference only and should not be submitted.

Include the following material:

  • Student and Parent Information Form (Form A): The applicant’s section is to be completed solely by the student, who should also direct any inquiries. Parents are required to fill out only the financial section, which should reflect the total income of both parents. It is essential that this form contains all three signatures.
  • Church and School Activities Form (Form B): Give attention to detailing your list of church service involvement and community activities.
  • Short Essay (Form C): The Essay allows you to articulate your faith in a form that is personal and creative.
  • Pastor’s Evaluation Form (Form D): The Pastor’s Form is required to be signed and submitted directly by the Pastor of your parish within the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. If you are the child of the Pastor, please ensure that Form D is completed by your Father Confessor or another Orthodox Priest.
  • Grades and Test Scores: High school applicants are required to submit unofficial transcripts along with their application. College applicants must provide both unofficial high school and unofficial college transcripts along with their application. Additionally, it is important to include your SAT or ACT Scores. Canadian applicants who have not completed the SAT or ACT are not required to submit these scores. Award winners must submit official transcripts prior to the distribution of awards. Please refrain from sending your application via USPS, Canada Post, overnight delivery, registered, or certified mail. Inquiries regarding the final selection of winning applications are not permitted. Only the award recipients will be notified of the judges’ decisions in July 2025.
  • Email your completed Application and unofficial transcripts as (1) Pdf file to: Kh. Kathleen Purpura, Director Scholarships@OrthodoxYouth.com.
How to Apply:

No Essay Scholarship by Sallie

Deadline: Apr 30, 2025
$2,000
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ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

Deadline: Apr 29, 2025
$50,000
ScholarshipOwl is your source of relief from the dreaded application process. We put students on the fast-track to success by providing direct access to the scholarships they need the most. Take the hassle out of financial aid and maximize your chance at a free ride in college. No matter how much funding you need for school, we have the opportunities...

Niche $15,000 Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2025
$15,000
Niche can help with every step of the college search including paying for it. We're giving one student $15,000 to help cover tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!High school seniors who apply can also be eligible to receive acceptance (and scholarship!) offers from our Niche Direct Admissions partner colleges.Apply for our $25,000 No Essay Scholarship...

Be Bold Scholarship

Deadline: May 01, 2025
$25,000
The "Be Bold" Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. It takes less than 2 minutes to apply.To us, boldest does not mean "best", or "most accomplished". Being bold means being:EarnestDeterminedMovingThe scholarship will be awarded to the student whose profile is most bold, according to these characteristics.Furthermore, the scholarship will be...

$10,000
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship.This scholarship...

Faith Based College Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2025
$2,000
The Christian Connector offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities. All of the information services provided by The Christian Connector are offered absolutely free!Eligibility:Students applying to the Faith Based College Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027 or 2028) interested in attending a Christian/Faith Based university or college.About:The Christian Connector offers a...

The Future is Now Scholarship

Deadline: Apr 30, 2025
$1,001
The Lenny Scholarship offers $1,001 US to support young individuals aged 16 and above, enrolled in college and residing in the US or India. Automatic disqualification may occur for multiple applications.EligibilityYou must be a resident of the US or IndiaYou must be 16 years of age or olderYou must be enrolled in a college

Appily Easy Money Scholarship

Deadline: Apr 30, 2025
$1,000
The Appily scholarship application is fast and easy.Scholarship Eligibility: This scholarship is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and first semester senior students for all majors and schools. We will judge this scholarship based on other criteria such as volunteer work, extracurricular activities, special circumstances, etc.About the sponsors of the scholarship (EAB and Appily):EAB is the market leader in helping colleges...

10 Words or Less Scholarship

Deadline: Apr 15, 2025
$1,000
Scholarship Eligibility:A) Anyone who is between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school in the Fall of 2025.B) This scholarship is provided by StudentScholarships.org. In order to apply for our scholarship follow these instructions:1. Go to www.facebook.com/myscholarships and place a comment on any post you see answering the question:In 10 words or less, tell us why you deserve...

National Dairy Shrine Scholarships

Deadline: Apr 15, 2025
$3,000
Tomorrow’s dairy leaders are here today, in classrooms, dairy youth organizations, at dairy competitions and on dairy farms across the country. The Dairy Shrine’s task is to encourage, stimulate and inspire them. Since its inception, Dairy Shrine has recognized the importance of laying a foundation for the future, and has constantly expanded its youth programs to capture and challenge the...