The application period for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open! Please read our criteria below and if you qualify, you are welcome to apply. Deadline for applications is July 10.
Applying for a Scholarship
Did you leave a Plain Anabaptist community, with a family that is 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
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.
How to Apply
Our application this year requires you to fill out a Google form, where you can attach documents, so you no longer need to email us your application materials. If you have questions, you may contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can. No question is too small.
Please click below to get started with the application.
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.
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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.
Volunteer
Want to volunteer? Please tell us about yourself by contacting us.
Spread the Word
Want to help spread the word about ADSF? Please tell everyone you know about the scholarship. We thank you!