Second Career Scholarship

Our Second-Career Scholarship Program is for individuals who aspire to work as a funeral director as a second career. Each scholarship is worth $1,500, with up to four scholarships awarded each year— two in late June and two in late December.

Independent funeral service is a highly-regarded career where the utmost service, care, and business acumen are necessary. While this profession is traditionally filled by generations of families who own and operate funeral homes, there is a growing number of people choosing to work in funeral service as a second career. In an effort to offer support and encouragement to this trend, the Selected Educational Trust has established this unique scholarship program specifically for these second-career individuals.

Note:  Preview online to look at the application process prior to beginning your application.

When you are ready to start your application, you will first be asked to create an account, so that you can leave at any time and then return to finish and submit your application.

Requirements

Only applications that include all the following will be considered:

• Personal Essay (not to exceed 1,500 words)
• Financial Needs Assessment Form  completed and signed by an authorized representative of your academic institution
• Coursework and GPA Assessment Form  completed and signed by an authorized representative of your academic institution or most recent transcript
• Recommendation letter provided by a current member of the faculty of your academic institution, preferably one of your instructors
• Recommendation letter by a current or former employer
• Complete personal information and digital signature certifying accuracy

Scholarship applicants must:

• Currently be enrolled in and attending classes (in-person or online) at an accredited mortuary science program.
• Not be related in any manner to an owner of a funeral home currently operating in North America.
• Not be a previous Second-Career Scholarship recipient.
• Be able to provide proof of the following:
  • Previously full- or part-time employment in at least one career other than funeral service and that funeral service will be a new career for you.
  • Tuition and fees owed, and any financial assistance currently being received.
  • Mortuary science courses that have been completed to date and those in which you are currently enrolled.
  • Current mortuary science GPA.

You can and will complete and sign the online application form and submit all the required documents by the deadline identified.

You are not a former recipient of a Second-Career Scholarship Award.

Application Checklist

Applicants must submit a completed online application on or before May 31 (for the Spring cycle) or October 31 (for the Fall cycle) each year. The application includes:

• Personal essay (not to exceed 1,500 words)
• Financial Needs Assessment Form completed and signed by an authorized representative of your academic institution
• Coursework and GPA Assessment Form completed and signed by an authorized representative of your academic institution
• Letter of recommendation from a member of the faculty of your academic institution
• Letter of recommendation from a current or previous employer

Go to our Online Scholarship Application system to preview the process or begin your application. Only completed applications will be considered.