BROOKFIELD, Wis. — The Funeral Service Foundation is officially accepting applications for its Fall 2026 academic scholarship cycle. Students currently enrolled in funeral service programs as well as military veterans are invited to apply for more than 25 available awards, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, before the November 1 deadline at FuneralServiceFoundation.org.
Debut of the Bob Arrington Scholarship
This season marks the inaugural presentation of the Bob Arrington Scholarship. Fully endowed through more than $225,000 in contributions from the funeral service community, the award honors the Foundation’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient. The scholarship provides a fitting tribute to Arrington, whose career in the profession spans over five decades after beginning at age seven. It will be awarded to a student enrolled in an accredited mortuary science program.
“Bob Arrington has given so much to this profession and to the Foundation — his passion for developing the next generation of funeral service professionals is something we all witnessed firsthand. It’s a privilege to see that legacy carried forward through this scholarship, and to know that students for years to come will benefit from the generosity he inspired,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “The full scholarship season reflects what this community does best: investing in people who will carry funeral service forward with skill and compassion.”
A Legacy of Educational Support
Since introducing its first academic award in 2002, the Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship, the Foundation has continuously expanded its offerings. Today, the portfolio includes memorial scholarships honoring Shipley Rose Buckner, Mark Hornibrook & Harry Pontone, Steve Mack, Louis & Josephine Pontone, Dennis Schoepp, Jack Springer with CANA, Todd Van Beck, and Tom Johnson, alongside awards honoring APFSP, John Carmon, Bob Horn, Steve Lang, and Funeral Directors Life. Additional opportunities include Memorial Classic Scholarships funded by an annual golf event, Foundation ’45 Scholarships honoring the organization’s founding year, and partnerships supporting the Brenda Renee Horn and Steve Mack Memorial Scholarships through the SCI National Scholarship Program.
Eligibility and Special Veteran Opportunities
Academic scholarships are open to full- and part-time students in good standing who are actively attending classes and pursuing a degree at ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institutions. Coursework must be underway at the time of application. Funds are paid directly to institutions to offset tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
Military veterans have access to dedicated awards, including the $5,000 Journey to Serve Scholarship for U.S. or Canadian veterans aged 18 and older who are enrolled or accepted into an accredited program. Additionally, the $2,500 Hunter M. Harbeson Memorial Scholarship is available to U.S. military veterans meeting the same criteria.
Application Process and Requirements
Applicants must complete a common application that includes five short essay questions capped at 250 words each and a two-minute video submission. Military veterans must also submit an overview of their service. Required supporting documentation includes recent transcripts, a letter of good standing from the registrar or financial office, and a recommendation letter from an instructor or program director.
All materials must be submitted by November 1, as late applications are not accepted. Previous applicants who have not yet received an award are encouraged to re-apply. Detailed requirements and forms are available on the Funeral Service Foundation Academic Scholarship Information and Application Page.
Supporting the Profession
These educational opportunities are made possible through donors who share the vision of fostering resilient, adaptable, and compassionate leaders. Community members wishing to support future professionals can make a gift by visiting FuneralServiceFoundation.org/DonateNow and selecting “Scholarship Funds” as their project designation.
About the Funeral Service Foundation
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission to lift up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
Over 25 Academic Scholarships Available for Mortuary Science Students and Veterans
