Francis Maria Scholarship

​The Antiochian Archdiocese shares this listing of scholarships from a variety of sources for the benefit of applicants and benefactors. Contact the benefactors directly for rules, qualifications and deadlines for their scholarships. All 2025 scholarships are updated as of February 27, 2025.

The 2025 Francis Maria Scholarship being offered for adults and young adults in good standing in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. Applicants must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen entering any of the first four years of an accredited undergraduate college or university.

Through a generous gift of the Francis Maria Foundation for Justice and Peace, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America will once again grant several scholarships in the amount of $10,000 to students attending an accredited college. The amount of the award is $10,000 per student, to help meet the challenges of high tuition costs. With this Premier Scholarship, we hope to encourage more Orthodox young people to seek higher education becoming stronger, well-educated, Orthodox Christian leaders.

​Francis "Frank" Maria of Pump­kin Hill, Warner, N.H., who established the Francis Maria Fund for Justice and Peace, was born in Lowell, Mass., to Syrian Arab Christian immigrants. He earned a bachelor's degree from Boston University and did advanced work through the BU­/Harvard Extension Program. An English teacher and coach at Tewksbury, Lowell and Newton Schools in Massachusetts, he later served with the U.S. Marines, for which he developed leadership training programs during World War II. After the war, Mr. Maria was personnel manager for the Merrimack Manufacturing Co. and became known as an innova­tor and reformer. Later, he became an independent consultant and teacher, and undertook special assignments for government, industry and health care organizations.

Named by President Eisenhower to the U.S. delegation for the UNESCO general session in 1960, Mr. Maria served on numerous diplomatic, refugee relief and ecumenical initiatives.

Instructions: It is essential to complete Forms A, B, and C, along with all required materials, as incomplete applications will be disqualified. The use of AI technology for the Essay is prohibited. Resumes, photographs, or letters of recommendation should not be included; only the specified pages are to be used. Additionally, please provide Form D, the Pastor’s Evaluation, to your Priest. The accompanying Checklist is for the applicant’s reference only and should not be submitted.

Include the following material:

• Student and Parent Information Form (Form A): The applicant’s section is to be completed solely by the student, who should also direct any inquiries. Parents are required to fill out only the financial section, which should reflect the total income of both parents. It is essential that this form contains all three signatures.
• Church and School Activities Form (Form B): Give attention to detailing your list of church service involvement and community activities.
• Short Essay (Form C): The Essay allows you to articulate your faith in a form that is personal and creative.
• Pastor’s Evaluation Form (Form D): The Pastor’s Form is required to be signed and submitted directly by the Pastor of your parish within the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. If you are the child of the Pastor, please ensure that Form D is completed by your Father Confessor or another Orthodox Priest.
• Grades and Test Scores: High school applicants are required to submit unofficial transcripts along with their application. College applicants must provide both unofficial high school and unofficial college transcripts along with their application. Additionally, it is important to include your SAT or ACT Scores. Canadian applicants who have not completed the SAT or ACT are not required to submit these scores. Award winners must submit official transcripts prior to the distribution of awards. Please refrain from sending your application via USPS, Canada Post, overnight delivery, registered, or certified mail. Inquiries regarding the final selection of winning applications are not permitted. Only the award recipients will be notified of the judges’ decisions in July 2025.
• Email your completed Application and unofficial transcripts as (1) Pdf file to: Kh. Kathleen Purpura, Director Scholarships@OrthodoxYouth.com.