The Arkansas Funeral Directors Association Scholarship Fund is established by the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and funded by contributions from its members and from others who desire to contribute. Awards of scholarships will be made based on merit, need, and scholastic achievements. It is intended for qualified students who plan to complete their education in an accredited mortuary science school and serve the public in their chosen profession in the state of Arkansas. Scholarships awarded at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee

Any person who is currently an apprentice, has satisfactorily completed the apprenticeship program for either funeral directors or embalmers, or a current student of an accredited mortuary science school who has completed one year of this program is eligible to apply for a scholarship. This scholarship is intended for use in partially defraying expenses incurred while in attendance at an accredited school of mortuary science.

The scholarship award is for a one to two year period based on eligibility and is distributed in the amount of $500 per eligible semester.

Payments will be made to the school attended by the applicant and unexpended credits withdrawn if the conduct of the student is such that it is contrary to the principles of funeral service and/or the school attended. Unexpended credits may also be withdrawn should the student fail to maintain a GPA of 2.5.

Applicants will be notified of the time, date, and place of the meeting of the Scholarship Committee. Applicants must appear in person before the committee, and the expenses incurred as a result of their appearance must be borne by the applicant.

Applicants must submit the following documents with the application form:

1. Transcript of high school grades for grades 9-12, or a General Education Development (GED) certificate
2. A statement of 200 words or less setting forth the goals the applicant has in relationship to funeral service and how he/she plans to accomplish those goals. The statement shall become property of the Scholarship Fund, with editorial and publication rights reserved for the Scholarship Fund. Duplicates will not be made available to the applicant.
3. Two letters of recommendation from either the funeral home for which the apprenticeship is being served or the institution for which the student is enrolled.

In addition to the requirements set forth heretofore, applicants must also meet the following prerequisites and agree to the following conditions:

1. Applicants must have graduated from high school or hold a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
2. A letter of acceptance from a school approved by the American Board of Funeral Service Education must accompany the application.
3. Applicants must agree to repay the award in the event they are no longer enrolled for any reason.

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