A History of our College/Vocational Program

For more than 50 years, the Albert Baker Fund has been helping Christian Scientists pay for higher education. Like the Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, and her elder brother Albert Baker, we appreciate the value of education. Since 2004, we have expanded to now providing grants to eligible students in 11 African countries, as well as the UK, Europe, and The Philippines.

Applicants for funding toward university, college, or vocational training must be active Christian Scientists, verified through church references and interviews with the In-Country Representatives in their region.

ABF reserves the right to approve or deny applications based on application requirements. A completed application does not necessarily guarantee approval.

1. ABF provides financial support for only tuition, academic fees, and hostel fees in approved ABF countries and approved institutions and facilities.
2. Applicants applying for funding for post-secondary education must be seeking either a degree or certificate. ABF does not fund extra-curricular courses or “enrichment courses.”
3. ABF does not pay in arrears for courses already completed.
4. Scholarship payments are always and only made to schools on behalf of the student and to approved commercial student housing organizations on behalf of the student. Students never receive checks or cash individually.
5. Students who fail to attend classes after ABF’s grant was paid to the school cannot under any circumstance withdraw the funds in their student account at the school. In these cases funds will be returned to ABF.
6. If a student receives a failing grade, ABF will not award funds to re-take the class.
7. Applicants must maintain a minimum of “passing” grades. If grades do not improve over time, ABF may not continue to support this student’s continuing education.
8. If a student is found lying or cheating on any ABF application or in conduct regarding ABF, that student will be permanently ineligible for funding from ABF.
9. When a student applies for funding for a school whose tuition/expenses exceed our maximums, before ABF agrees to fund our maximum, the student must demonstrate the capability to pay (copies of bank records, for example) or an invoice showing payment has been made for the amount above our maximum. We usually prefer the student apply to a less expensive school.

What We Fund

• Education Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, and vocational
• Institutions located in: Benin, Cameroon, Congo, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, Uganda, or Zambia
• Expenses: Funding awards can go toward paying for tuition, administration fees, exams, and housing
• Awards Types: Scholarships
• Award Distribution: Scholarships made payable only to approved educational institutions and approved hostel accommodations
• Award Duration: One scholarship per year

Scholar Eligibility Requirements (All Applicants)

• Applicants must be active and sincere students of Christian Science.
• Applicants must currently be a member of The Mother Church and a Christian Science Branch Church/Society.
• You are enrolled in an approved accredited post-secondary institution in your country.
• You are able to provide a Christian Science reference.
• Academic requirements: maintain good grades, making satisfactory progress towards your degree or certificate, and minimum enrollment is half-time.
• Applicants must take full responsibility for the application process and all communication with ABF Staff.
• Applicants must actively ‘pass their blessings forward’ by enriching the lives of the people they touch either through altruism, spiritual activism, or volunteerism.

The Application and Award Process

1. Application Creation and Submission: Once you have reviewed ABF’s application requirements and are eligible, please submit an application for financial assistance by visiting the Apply Page.
2. Application Review: Once an online application is submitted, reviewed, and judged complete, applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview with one of our In-Country Representatives (ICRs). This interview is required and can be conducted over the phone or face-to-face.
3. Result Notification: All applicants are notified by email of the award decision, so we encourage applicants to check their email regularly during this time.

Have Any Questions?

Please contact either the In-Country Representative (ICR) in your region (you will find each current ICR in your country’s page on our website). You may also contact Mr. Lamech Katamba, Africa Program Manager at lamech@albertbakerfund.org or Mr. Dominique Bita’a Beling, Africa Processing Agent (and French speaker) at dominique.beling@albertbakerfund.org.

Next Step: Application Deadlines>>