Empowerment through Education Scholarship
2026 Application now open
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply:
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Residency: Applicants must be residents of Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, or Pinellas County.
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Enrollment: Open to women planning to enroll or currently enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution, including universities, colleges, trade schools, and vocational training programs, located anywhere.
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Commitment: A demonstrated commitment to community service and/or social justice initiatives is highly regarded.
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Need: Applicants should demonstrate a financial need and outline how the scholarship will make a difference in their education.
Deadline
Application Period 2025
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Opens: October 15, 2025
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Closes: January 31, 2026
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​All awards notified by April 30, 2026
All application materials must be submitted online by January 31. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Please ensure all required information and documents are complete to avoid delays in the review process.
Application Information
How to Apply: To apply for the Church Women United Tampa Bay Area Empowerment Through Education Scholarship, please complete the online application form available on our website. The form will require you to:
​
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Provide personal and contact information.
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Detail your educational and career goals.
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Describe your community service involvement.
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Discuss your financial situation and educational expenses.
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Explain how you plan to use your education to impact your community and further the mission of Church Women United.
Award Information
Scholarship Amount vary. Each scholarship awarded may be between $500-$5000, depending on the number of qualified applicants and the available funds.
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Distribution: Scholarship funds will be awarded directly to recipients to use for tuition, books, and other educational or living expenses as needed. This method ensures flexibility to meet diverse needs while supporting educational goals.
​
Notification: Applicants will be notified of their status by April 30. Scholarship recipients must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were used and the impact on their education and personal development. This report helps ensure accountability and informs the effectiveness and adjustments of the scholarship program.
Celebrating Our First Scholarship Awards!
The 2025 Church Women United scholarship recipients represent a wide range of educational goals, professional interests, and personal backgrounds. Among them are high school seniors entering college for the first time, undergraduate students close to graduation, and women returning to school for advanced degrees including doctorates and second master's programs. Their fields of study include social work, nursing, law, education, dentistry, statistics, real estate, theology, computer science, veterinary medicine, and more. Some are preparing for careers in direct service, such as teaching or healthcare, while others are focused on advocacy, policy, or leadership roles. Many are first-generation college students or single mothers balancing school with work and family responsibilities. Together, they reflect a strong commitment to creating change through education and a shared desire to use their knowledge and skills to benefit their communities.
Church Women United of Tampa Bay proudly awarded its first Empowerment by Education scholarships in 2025. Led by committee members Kristen Brown, Rev. Laura Reed, Jane Brown, and Brenda Streeter, we received 55 applications from women across Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, and Pinellas Counties. After a thorough review process, 24 scholarships were awarded based on financial need, educational goals, and alignment with CWU’s mission of service and empowerment.
The recipients were honored on May 2 during our World Friendship Day celebration. It was a joy to meet many of these inspiring women in person and celebrate their achievements with the CWU community.
The next scholarship application cycle will open on October 15, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply:
-
Residency: Applicants must be residents of Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, or Pinellas County.
-
Enrollment: Open to women planning to enroll or currently enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution, including universities, colleges, trade schools, and vocational training programs, located anywhere.
-
Commitment: A demonstrated commitment to community service and/or social justice initiatives is highly regarded.
-
Need: Applicants should demonstrate a financial need and outline how the scholarship will make a difference in their education.
Deadline
Application Period 2025
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Opens: September 1, 2024
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Closes: January 31, 2025
-
​
All application materials must be submitted online by January 31. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Please ensure all required information and documents are complete to avoid delays in the review process.
Application Information
How to Apply: To apply for the Church Women United Tampa Bay Area Empowerment Through Education Scholarship, please complete the online application form available on our website. The form will require you to:
​
-
Provide personal and contact information.
-
Detail your educational and career goals.
-
Describe your community service involvement.
-
Discuss your financial situation and educational expenses.
-
Explain how you plan to use your education to impact your community and further the mission of Church Women United.
Award Information
Scholarship Amount: Each scholarship awarded will be up to $5,000, depending on the number of qualified applicants and the available funds.
​
Distribution: Scholarship funds will be awarded directly to recipients to use for tuition, books, and other educational or living expenses as needed. This method ensures flexibility to meet diverse needs while supporting educational goals.
​
Notification: Applicants will be notified of their status by April 30. Scholarship recipients must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were used and the impact on their education and personal development. This report helps ensure accountability and informs the effectiveness and adjustments of the scholarship program.
