We will be opening the application process for the 2027-2028 academic year on April 15, 2027 and closing it on June 15, 2027. If you are a student interested in applying for an ADSF scholarship, please check back on or after April 15 when we will have the application form on the website.
Applying for a Scholarship
Did you leave a Plain Anabaptist community, and are your parents still Plain? Did you navigate the many challenges of enrolling in a college or university with only the eighth-grade education of your childhood? If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you are likely eligible for a scholarship from the Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund. We are here to help you realize your dreams of earning a college education.
Applicant Criteria
The applicant:
- Grew up in an Amish or Plain Anabaptist home where pursuing higher education was not supported by parents
- Has a GED or high school transcript
- Must be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary program
- Completes an application form
- Writes an essay that demonstrates an understanding of Amish or Plain Anabaptist values and explains why they left their community and are seeking a higher education
Students re-applying for a scholarship may submit a previous essay with updates. These could include some description of the past school year, any new plans for the future, favorite courses, new challenges that have arisen, or any other relevant information.
Each year we have a set amount of funds available. We evaluate each applicant, and those who meet our criteria are awarded a scholarship. Award amounts vary depending on several factors, including demonstrated need. First-time applicants are awarded higher amounts than repeats, and undergraduates typically receive more than graduate students.
Awards in the past few years have ranged from $500-$5000, with an average of around $2000 per student. These numbers could change and we cannot guarantee any particular amount until the whole applicant pool is evaluated at the close of a cycle.
We strive to award scholarships to as many eligible students as possible.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities:
National Scholarship Foundations
The Hagan Scholarship Foundation is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free.
The Shawn Carter Foundation provides individual grants, paid directly to the educational institution, to every student who qualifies and reapplies yearly, from admission to graduation.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need.
Indiana Scholarship Opportunities
Goshen College: The Yoder Scholarship is generally awarded in the amount of $2,500 annually. The first preference is for students from an Old Order Amish family or that one or both parents are from Amish families. The second preference is for students who come from the Amish Mennonite Church. The third preference is for students who attend a Conservative Mennonite Church.
Grace College offers various scholarships and grants.
Community Foundation of Elkhart County: When you apply, you’ll be considered for more than 90 scholarship opportunities with a single application. Each scholarship has its own criteria, and many consider more than just GPA or test scores. We want to hear your story. There is a scholarship in the amount of $1.200 annually to support Elkhart County students pursuing an education at Indiana University South Bend.
Community Foundation of St. Joseph's County: The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has more than 80 scholarship funds, awarding close to a million dollars to local students each year.
Questa Education Foundation: "Discover how our distinctive, forgivable loans are supporting college dreams, reducing student debt, and building a brighter future for both students and our region of Northeast Indiana."
The Lilly Foundation Community Scholarship Program is administered by the Independent Colleges of Indiana and includes significant participation by the community foundations serving each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Ohio Scholarship Opportunities
Wayne County Community Foundation: They offers scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors, continuing college students and non-traditional students. Because they are created and designed by individual donors, these scholarships have varying eligibility and selection criteria. No two scholarships are the same.
You can apply for scholarships between December 15 and March 15* each year through our Online Scholarship Portal. By completing one application form, you will be considered for all opportunities for which you are eligible! During the process, you may be prompted to answer supplemental questions, write an additional essay, or request a letter of recommendation for even more scholarship opportunities.
More Wayne County Opportunities Here
Holmes County Foundation: The Holmes County Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships, available by application, to high school seniors, non-traditional students, and graduate students seeking higher education at a university, college, or trade school.
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Become a Mentor
Want to lend advice and support to a potential or current student? Apply to become an ADSF Mentor.
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Want to volunteer? Please tell us about yourself by contacting us.
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Want to help spread the word about ADSF? Please tell everyone you know about the scholarship. We thank you!