Wellroot Family Services Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Wellroot Family Services

Description
**Purpose:** Wellroot Family Services operates a scholarship program to help students continue their education at accredited colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools in the United States. The program supports high school seniors, recent graduates, current undergraduates, and graduate-level students who meet program criteria. Awards are distributed from multiple named funds with different priorities and eligibility requirements. Applicants should consult fund-specific details before applying.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarship program administered for students pursuing postsecondary studies in the U.S.
- Supports high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students.
- Multiple named funds with distinct priorities fund the awards.
- Review fund-specific rules before applying.

Eligibility
**Who may apply:** Applicants must be U.S.-based high school seniors or graduates, current postsecondary undergraduates, or graduate-level students planning full-time study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the U.S. for the upcoming academic year. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent) is required. Some named funds add extra eligibility requirements or preferences; check the Awards details for those fund-level rules.

Key takeaways:
- Eligible: high school seniors/graduates, undergraduates, and graduate students in the U.S.
- Must plan full-time study at an accredited U.S. institution for the coming academic year.
- Minimum GPA: 2.0 (4.0 scale) or equivalent.
- Individual funds may impose additional eligibility conditions.

Award Value
**Amounts and scope:** Individual awards range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the fund. Award dollars are intended for undergraduate and graduate study only. Specific award counts and amounts vary by named fund (see Fund-Specific Awards for details).

Key takeaways:
- Award range: $1,000 to $3,500 per recipient.
- Funds are designated for undergraduate and graduate study only.
- Exact award amounts and counts depend on the specific named fund.

Selection Criteria & Process
**How recipients are chosen:** Scholarship America manages recipient selection. Selection is based on academic performance, leadership and extracurricular participation, work experience, a statement of educational and career goals, unusual personal or family circumstances, and an online recommendation. Financial need is not considered in the selection. Wellroot Family Services staff do not participate in awarding decisions, and applicants agree to accept Scholarship America’s determinations as final.

Key takeaways:
- Selection administered independently by Scholarship America.
- Evaluated on academics, leadership, work experience, goals statement, circumstances, and recommendation.
- Financial need is not a factor.
- Wellroot staff have no role in selection; decisions are final.

Fund-Specific Awards
**Named funds and special requirements:** The program includes multiple named funds that differ by award count, amount, and additional eligibility preferences. Some funds prioritize applicants who are or have been Wellroot residents or who have received Wellroot assistance in the North or South Georgia conferences; others favor applicants with interests in music, elementary education, or STEM; and one fund requires attendance at a Methodist-affiliated college. Review each fund’s criteria before applying.

Key takeaways (per fund):
- B&R Phillips Fund — 8 awards of $3,000; must be a Wellroot resident; preference for applicants associated with Wellroot services in North or South Georgia.
- Emily Anne Burgess Estate Fund — 10 awards of $2,500; preference for demonstrated interest in music, elementary education, or STEM.
- Holt Fund — 10 awards of $2,000; recipients are referred by Wellroot Family Services; award amount determined by Wellroot.
- Jack & Wanda Reaves Education — 6 awards of $2,000.
- Lee Corvette Fund — 5 awards of $3,500; must be a Wellroot resident; preference for those associated with Wellroot services in North or South Georgia.
- Moore Memorial — 12 awards of $2,000; recipients must attend a Methodist-affiliated college.
- N S Elizer — 4 awards of $3,000; must be a Wellroot resident attending Young Harris College, Reinhardt College, or Oxford College of Emory University; preference for those associated with Wellroot services in North or South Georgia.
- Patterson Higher Education — 4 awards of $3,000; must be a Wellroot resident; preference for those associated with Wellroot services in North or South Georgia.
- RC Carlton Education — 2 awards of $2,000.
- Reuel & Naomi S. Burgess — 5 awards of $1,500; preference for demonstrated interest in music, elementary education, or STEM.
- Reuel A. & Naomi S. Burgess Fund — 35 awards of $2,400; preference for demonstrated interest in music or STEM.
- WL Monroe Sr. Trust — 2 awards of $2,000 (one male recipient; one female recipient).

Renewal and Reapplication
**Renewal policy:** Awards are not renewable; recipients receive a one-time award per selection. Students who continue to meet eligibility requirements are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. Only one program award may be received per student in any given year.

Key takeaways:
- Awards are one-time and not renewable.
- Students may reapply annually if they remain eligible.
- Only one award per student per academic year from the program.

Application Timeline
**Cycle and deadlines:** The scholarship program operates on an annual cycle; specific application opening and deadline dates are set each year. Applicants should consult the program’s Awards tab or the scholarship portal for current deadlines, required materials, and fund-specific timelines. Missing a fund’s deadline may render an application ineligible for that fund’s awards.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarships are awarded annually.
- Check the Awards tab or scholarship portal for current deadlines and requirements.
- Adhere to fund-specific timelines to remain eligible.

Privacy and Data Sharing
**Data handling and communication:** Wellroot Family Services will share resident and assistance information (including case workers, life coaches, and DFCS contacts) with the program sponsor for administrative purposes. Case workers, life coaches, and DFCS contacts will be copied on Scholarship America emails related to applicants. Applicant data is used for award administration and sponsor coordination.

Key takeaways:
- Wellroot may share resident and assistance contact information with the sponsor.
- Case workers, life coaches, and DFCS contacts will be cc’d on Scholarship America communications.
- Shared data supports award administration and coordination with the sponsor.

History of the Award
**Program origins:** The scholarship program is offered by Wellroot Family Services (formerly UMCH) to expand access to postsecondary education for residents and other eligible applicants. It is funded through multiple named endowments and donor funds, each carrying specific award purposes and preferences. The structure of multiple funds enables targeted support for academic interests, residential status, and regional preferences.

Key takeaways:
- Administered by Wellroot Family Services (formerly UMCH).
- Funded through multiple named donor funds and endowments.
- Multiple funds allow focused support by interest area and applicant background.

For full application instructions, deadlines, and the Awards tab details on fund-level eligibility, consult the scholarship portal or the Wellroot Family Services scholarship webpage.