The Knights of Columbus Scholarships for Catholics

When it comes to Christian scholarships for Catholics, one of the most popular is the Knights of Columbus scholarships for Catholic students. The Knights of Columbus has scholarships for Catholics which are primarily given to Knights who may be working towards bachelor’s degrees in Catholic colleges/ universities throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico & the Philippines. In 2008-2009 the Knights of Columbus handed out $1.5 million in Catholic scholarships to six hundred eighty seven college students.

The Knights of Columbus was chartered on March 29, 1882 by the Connecticut State Legislature. It was through the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, who dedicated his valuable time by serving as the Assistant Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, that this fraternal benefit society was born. The Knights of Columbus, started by McGivney and a handful of his parishioners, began with a few caring members and has now grown into an organization with more than 1.7 million members from the United States, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, and several other countries throughout the world.

Father McGivney and his followers originally founded the Knights of Columbus on the principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity, which are still the strong guiding forces behind the society. McGivney’s intentions for the group were to advocate and defend civil and religious rights for all people. Since its beginning, this selfless organization has donated billions of dollars and millions of volunteer community service hours to charity. What started out as a handful of concerned parishioners in the basement of St. Mary’s Church has cumulated into the largest charitable Catholic organization in the world.

The Knights of Columbus has (3) main scholarships for Catholic programs offered to college undergraduates:

Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarships
(62) of these Catholic scholarships for Christians are awarded every year to US students only. There are (12) Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarships for Catholics set aside specifically for freshmen who are enrolling to ‘The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.’, These are all facilitated by the University themselves. The remaining (50) Christian scholarships are set aside for students studying at other Catholic colleges & universities within the US. This Knights of Columbus scholarship is for $1,500 each.

John W. McDevitt (Fourth Degree) Scholarships
(36) of these Christian scholarships for Catholics are awarded every year. Must be a US freshman student undergraduate studying at a Catholic college/university in the US & a Knights of Columbus member in good standing or the son/daughter/wife/widow of such a member or deceased member. The Christian scholarships are for $1,500 each..

Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria (Canada) Scholarship
(12) Knights of Columbus Canada scholarships for Catholics are awarded every year. Applicants must be a Canadian student entering his or her first year of College towards a baccalaureate degree at a Canadian College. Must be a member in good standing with the Canadian Knights of Columbus or the son or daughter of such a member or deceased member. These Christian scholarships for Catholics are for $1,500 each.

For the 2008-09 academic year, the Knights of Columbus awarded scholarships totaling more than $1.5 million to 687 students. Applications can be secured after October 1st for all of the above Knights of Columbus scholarships. US. applicants must apply to a Catholic college or university. Go to Knights of Columbus Scholarships to apply for anyone of these above.

Other Knights of Columbus scholarships which are much smaller & more restrictive in terms of qualifying criteria then the above larger scholarships for Catholics are the following:

Vocations Scholarships
Fellowships at The Catholic University of America
Fellowships at The Catholic University of America
Bishop Charles P. Greco Graduate Fellowships
Mexico, Philippines and Puerto Rico Scholarships
Endowed Scholarships
Matthews and Swift Educational Trust Scholarships
Matthews and Swift Educational Trust Scholarships
Sister Thea Bowman Foundation-Knights of Columbus Scholarships

For any questions on the Knights of Columbus scholarships for Catholic students contact by writing or calling to the information below.
Department of Scholarships
Knights of Columbus
PO Box 1670
New Haven, CT 06507-0901
203-752-4332

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