Independent Order of Odd Fellows Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Sovereign Grand Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Here is a clear, teacher-friendly summary of the Educational Foundation, IOOF scholarships and grants. Read each program carefully — note the eligibility rules, required verifications, deadlines, and award amounts. If you plan to apply, make a checklist from these details so nothing is missed.

Ingstrom Trust Regional Scholarship
- Award: $3,000 per year to one student in each of 15 regions across the U.S. and Canada.
- Focus: Financial need, academic scholarship, and leadership.
- Who may apply:
- Must have completed one grading period at a college or university.
- Must be a member of the Order or have a relative who is a member of an Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodge.
- Application must be signed by the Lodge Secretary to verify membership.
- Deadline: Completed applications due by May 15. Winners notified before August 1.

Charles J. & Christine Wirz Scholarship
- Award: Usually two scholarships of $2,000 each per year.
- Focus: Financial need, academic scholarship, and leadership. (Open to applicants regardless of Order affiliation.)
- Who may apply:
- Must have completed one grading period at a college or university.
- Application must include a Lodge endorsement.
- Deadline: Completed applications due by May 15. Winners notified before August 1.

Christine Smith Graduate Studies Scholarship
- Award: $15,000 (for graduate study).
- Purpose: Supports graduate research and advanced study focused on children and family issues; intended for professionals who will work in social intervention fields at the master’s or doctoral level.
- Background: Established from Christine Smith’s estate; first scholar selected in 2004.
- Who may apply:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a superior academic record.
- Have two or more years of recent professional experience in social work or a related field.
- Propose a graduate program that specializes in children and families (master’s or doctoral).
- Submit evidence of admission to an accredited graduate program (copy of formal acceptance letter).
- Preference given to applicants from the U.S. and Canada.
- Deadline: Follow the general application deadline (May 15) unless otherwise noted in the official application materials.

Peter F. Geolot Continuing Education / Career Enrichment Grants
- Award: Grants up to $1,500 for eligible continuing-education expenses not covered by an employer or other source.
- Purpose: Help IOOF members pursue job-related continuing education or retraining for a new career direction.
- Eligible expenses: Required books/publications, tuition, and student fees for continuing-education courses.
- Who may apply:
- Must be a member of a branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
- Apply at least 60 days before grant funds are needed.
- Reporting requirement: Recipients must submit a signed 100–150 word article for The IOOF News describing the class, what was learned, and how it will be useful on the job. The Foundation may edit the article and will publish it as space allows.

Odd Fellows & Rebekahs Vocational Technology Scholarship
- Award: $1,000 per year.
- Focus: Financial need and leadership; supports vocational/technical training.
- Background: Evolved from the Lawson/Pezo scholarships (first awarded in 2005).
- Who may apply:
- Must have completed high school or hold a GED.
- Must be a member of the Order or have a relative who is a member of an Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodge.
- Application must be signed by the Lodge Secretary to verify membership.
- Deadline: Completed applications due by May 15. Winners notified before August 1.

Glenn Coursey Agriculture Scholarship
- Award: Amount varies (established by bequest); supports students pursuing agriculture careers.
- Purpose: For students entering or continuing study in agriculture.
- Who may apply:
- Must have completed at least one semester of college in an agriculture field and hold an average-to-above-average academic record.
- Must demonstrate financial need and leadership.
- Must be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technology school and be pursuing an agricultural career.
- Must be a member of the Order or have a relative who is a member; application must be signed by the Lodge Secretary to verify membership.
- Deadline: Completed applications due by May 15. Winners notified before August 1.

Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
- Purpose: Supports adult students who are returning to or beginning college under non-traditional circumstances.
- Who may apply (one of the following must be true):
- At least 30 years old and not dependent on parents or another person for support, or
- Married and not dependent on parents or another person (other than spouse) for support, or
- Supporting your own child and not dependent on parents or another person for support.
- Additional requirements:
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Apply and be accepted into a degree program at an accredited college or university and enroll.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Applicant must be a member of the Order, or have a relative who is a member; the Lodge Secretary must sign the application and affix the Lodge seal to verify membership.
- Use of funds: Tuition, books, transportation, child care, and other educational expenses.
- Payment schedule: Half of the award will be paid prior to enrollment; the second half will be paid after the Foundation receives the student’s transcript for the semester covered by the first installment.

General Application Information (applies to all programs unless stated otherwise)
- Deadline: All completed applications must be received by the Educational Foundation by May 15. Applications received after that date will be rejected.
- Send only the documents requested on the application. Do not send extra materials or unsolicited information.
- Do not send original supporting documents. Send copies of supporting documents; only send original transcripts when explicitly required.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Decisions by the Board of Trustees of the Educational Foundation, IOOF are final and confidential.

If you want, I can turn any one of these summaries into a printable checklist or an application-preparation timeline to help you organize materials and meet the May 15 deadline. Which scholarship are you interested in?