Scholarship Application

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

   *The application must be completed and submited by 5:00pm on Friday, May 15th. 

NO EXCEPTIONS!     

I. The Judith D. Trimble Scholarship of Academic Excellence - $5,000.00     

• Student has been accepted to a four (4) year college or university or is currently enrolled with a minimum of 12 units (priority given to recent High School graduate)
• College student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher
• High School student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher (Grades 9-12)
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities 

 II. The Austin Family Scholarship - $6,000

• Student has been accepted to a four (4) year college or university or is currently enrolled with a minimum of 12 units (priority given to recent High School graduate)
• College student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher
• High School student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher (Grades 9-12)
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities 

III. The Lee & Brenda Cotton Family Scholarship - $5,000.00  

• Student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
• Student enrolled in a Community College or four (4) year university with a minimum 12 units
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

IV. The Alexander Family Scholarship - $3,000.00  

• Student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.2 or higher
• Student enrolled in a Community College or four (4) year university with a minimum 12 units
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

V. The Shamell Academic Excellence Scholarship - $3,000.00              

• Student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
• Community College or four (4) year university student enrolled with a minimum of 12 units
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

VI. Bridges Academic Excellence Scholarship  - $2,500.00

• Student has been accepted to a four (4) year college or university or is currently enrolled with a minimum of 12 units
• Student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.2 or higher
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities
• Bridges student for at least one year

VII. The Christopher Liggins Scholarship – $2,000.00

• Student has maintained an overall weighted GPA of 2.0 or higher at a community college or trade school
• Must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

VIII. The Sammie L. Blake Scholarship - $1,500.00

• Student must attend a fully accredited post-secondary (four year) nonprofit university and seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree
• Has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

IX. The Leake Family Scholarship - $1,500.00                                                

• Student must attend a fully accredited post-secondary (four year) nonprofit university and seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree
• Has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

X. The Dorsey & Thelma Yates Academic Scholarship - $1,250.00                

• Student must attend a community college, trade school or four (4) year university and enrolled with a minimum of 12 units
• Student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

XI. The Hurd Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00 

• Student must attend a community college, trade school or four (4) year university and enrolled with a minimum of 12 units
• Student has maintained an overall weighted Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher
• GCFI partner (member) for at least one year and actively participating in various church, school or community activities

Those interested in applying for one of our Scholarships, must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Active GCFI partner (member); Bridges participation where applicable 

2. Consistent participation in one of our ministries. If currently out of state, must show active engagement online and in-person when local.

3. Submit all requested materials by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026. No exceptions!

Note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled as soon as received. Incomplete application packets submitted on the last day will be rejected!

Application must include but not limited to:

• Official Transcript(s)
  An official copy of your most recent transcript(s). If current semester grades are pending, please submit your most recent transcript along with a progress report for your current classes. Final transcripts will be required before the scholarship decision is finalized.

• Two Letters of Recommendation (on official letterhead)
  Letters from a previous year will not be accepted.

  1.  One letter of recommendation from a ministry or department leader at GCFI or Bridges CEDC where you serve as a volunteer (required for all applicants).

  2.  One letter of recommendation:

      a) high school teacher or academic counselor (for high school students), or

      b) professor, department chair, or college counselor (for college students).

 

Please review the available scholarships on the previous page and select/apply for those you meet the criteria for. 

*Please note that the scholarship awarded may differ.

*Note: All selected applicants will be required to participate in a Panel Interview. Dates will be made available upon review of your completed application.

Optional Information: Information regarding gender, ethnic origin, and race is optional. This information is requested for post-scholarship reporting purposes only and will not affect your eligibility or selection for scholarship awards.

For High School Students:

For College Students:

All essays must be the applicant’s original work. Essays determined to be generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be considered.

Living the Vision

Our church's vision is "Win the Lost, Disciple the Found, Send the Discipled." In the space below, respond to the following questions:

1) Articulate how you have applied this in your life and accomplished the vision. 

2) How will you continue doing so while in college?

3) If you haven't, please explain what steps you are willing to take to fulfill the vision of GCFI as a college student.

Please read carefully:

Each applicant must submit an essay.  The essay must be a minimum of two (2) typed pages, double spaced.  Include your selected topic at the beginning of your essay. Returning applicants must submit new essays.

 

Choose ONE of the following essay topics:

1. Tell us about your academic goals and the career you hope to pursue. How will your college education and activities help you support and improve your church, family, and neighborhood? Share specific examples of things you’ve already done to help your community, church, or family.

2. If you participated in Glory Christian Fellowship International (GCFI) or Bridges CEDC, give three specific examples of how those experiences helped you grow as a leader. For each example, briefly describe:

• What you did (the leadership action or role),
• The result or impact on others
• What you learned about leadership, character and obedience

3. What is your favorite or most inspirational scripture, quote or person in the Bible that you connect with and explain the significance in your life, your relationship with God, your future aspirations in college, and your career.

4. Tell us about a time your faith or integrity were challenged. 

• Briefly explain the situation (what happened and why it challenged you),
• Describe the choice you made and what you did,
• Explain the outcome and how people were affected,
• Share the lessons you learned and how the experience changed your actions or beliefs.

5.  Describe three core values that are most important to you. For each value, explain why it is meaningful to you and how it influences the choices you make in your daily life.

Additionally, share an example of a time when one or more of these values was challenged. Describe the situation and explain how your values guided you to make the right decision or take the right action.

In addition to completing the application please also upload the supporting documentation requested below prior to submitting your application.

Application must include but not limited to:

• Official Transcript(s)
  An official copy of your most recent transcript(s). If current semester grades are pending, please submit your most recent transcript along with a progress report for your current classes. Final transcripts will be required before the scholarship decision is finalized.

• Two Letters of Recommendation (on official letterhead)
  Letters from a previous year will not be accepted.

  1.  One letter of recommendation from a ministry or department leader at GCFI or Bridges CEDC where you serve as a volunteer (required for all applicants).

  2.  One letter of recommendation:

      a) high school teacher or academic counselor (for high school students), or

      b) professor, department chair, or college counselor (for college students).

By signing (typing your legal name) in the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.

If you have any questions concerning this application, please contact our Admin Office at (310) 538-9185 or email fellowship@glorychristian.org.

GCFI is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education. GCFI does not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected class.