Program FAQ

Scholarships are offered for students who demonstrate an outstanding demonstration of and/or passion for leadership in their campus or community environments. Undergraduates and graduate students must be attending full-time a college, university, or graduate theological institution affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Undergraduate students must be entering freshmen or sophomores during their first year in the program.

Undergraduate scholarships range from $7,500 to $9,000 annually. Graduate scholarships range from $2500 to $4500 annually. The number of scholarships awarded varies each year. The Legacy Foundation tends to award between five and eight undergraduate awards each year and between three to six graduate awards.

Beginning each January, the Scholarship Application will be accessible on our website. There, you’ll discover a clickable link that will take you to the Foundation’s Foundant Scholarship Portal for registration.

Beginning in 2025, both the undergraduate and graduate scholarships require a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA minimum to apply. Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded, and official transcripts will be requested as needed. High school transcripts are not required for graduate applications.

The Legacy Foundation Scholarship and programs are merit-based and not determined by financial need. However, as an undergraduate applicant, if your entire “cost of attendance” or “COA” (tuition, room, board, books, insurance, etc.) as determined by your institution has already been met through other non-loan based scholarships and grants, we may not be allowed by your institution to make the award.

Both the undergraduate and graduate applications require basic personal and academic information to be completed within the form. In addition, both applications require a resume, essay, outside recommendations as well as unofficial and official transcripts from your educational institutions.

Applicants must submit a current resume that includes current education, campus and community involvement, work experience and any honors or achievements.

Please allow your three references adequate time to complete your online reference forms. All references are due on the application due date.

Please have your school send a scanned and signed copy of a letter with the converted unweighted GPA on official letterhead to scholarships@pulf.org.

All applicants will be notified whether they are awarded or declined a scholarship. Undergraduate scholarship awards will be announced each year in mid to late April. Graduate scholarships will be announced on a rolling basis beginning each spring until all funds have been distributed.

As part of our work honoring the legacy of Phillips University, scholarships are designated for students attending liberal arts colleges and universities much like Phillips itself. Phillips University, since its beginning, was affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Today, that legacy is continued by designating scholarship eligibility to students attending those related institutions. For a full list of colleges, universities and theological institutions, please see the Eligible Institution’s page.

The program is open to all eligible applicants, and no particular affiliations are required. As part of our commitment to inclusiveness and nondiscrimination, the Phillips University Legacy Foundation does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The Legacy Foundation strives for an inclusive environment throughout its programs while honoring its mission as well as the heritage and values of Phillips University.

Scholarships may pay for tuition, room and board, books, fees and/or other related educational expenses. This will be outlined in your award notification. Scholarship monies are considered merit-based financial aid and, as such, are awarded without regard to the recipient’s financial need. The award is not intended to limit, replace, or reduce any of the recipient’s other aid eligibility and may exceed the student’s need-based financial aid.

The Scholarship Program does not defer scholarships from year to year. Please notify us immediately if you are fully funded for this school year.

Scholarship checks are only paid once we have received your required award agreement and all necessary verification documents. Scholarship checks are sent directly to your school’s financial aid or scholarships office, which will deposit the check and post it to your student account. There are no exceptions. Scholarships are divided into two equal payments – one for the fall semester and the other for the spring semester.

The scholarships are renewable but require that students submit renewal applications the following year. Both undergraduate and graduate scholarships have GPA requirements for renewal. Undergraduate scholarship renewal is also dependent on multiple factors including, but not limited to: 1) fully participating in all elements of the program, including the Annual Leadership Conference and Volunteer Leadership Project; 2) demonstrating leadership growth; and 3) having no missed deadlines or missed requirements.

Undergraduate Legacy Scholar semester GPA requirements, based on a 4.0 scale, are listed below. The “semester” below refers to the semester at college or university, not the semester in the Foundation program.
First semester = 2.5 GPA Third semester = 2.8 cumulative GPA Fifth semester = 3.0 cumulative GPA
Graduate Legacy Scholars must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Our program is limited to serving colleges, universities, and graduate institutions affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). If you transfer to another eligible institution, your scholarship may be able to transfer with you. If you transfer schools, please notify us immediately so we can determine whether you are still eligible for your scholarship. If you are eligible, we will transfer your award to your new school.

Your scholarship may be tax-free if you are a student pursuing a degree at an educational institution, and the scholarship pays for tuition, fees, books, and supplies that are required of all students in your classes. For more information, consult a tax expert or your school’s financial aid office. Scholarship awards may be considered taxable by the Internal Revenue Service. Scholarship recipients are responsible for ascertaining tax liability for the scholarship, and for reporting the taxable portions of their scholarship as income. See publications IRS 520 and 970 on the IRS website for details.

No, you do not need to pay back your scholarship unless you use it for purposes other than those allowed by your scholarship agreement.

The Leadership Development Conference is an opportunity for undergraduate students to come together for leadership learning, connection, and community. It provides opportunities to strengthen leadership skills, explore leadership models, and work alongside a community of peers from across the country. The conference is usually held from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon, not including travel time, over the second weekend in October. Conference dates will be announced over the prior summer.

The conference is the key in-person component of the undergraduate leadership program, so attendance is a requirement. The only exceptions made for non-attendance are for documented serious personal illness, death of an immediate family member or study abroad for the fall semester.

All conference costs are fully covered, including airfare to the conference, conference ground transportation, housing, meals, and program costs. Participants, however, must arrange and fund their own travel to the airport of departure.

As an Undergraduate Legacy Scholar, you have the power to create positive change in your campus or community, which is why all Legacy Scholars develop and implement a Volunteer Leadership Project. Your project will address a significant need and put your leadership skills into action. You won’t be alone in this journey – you’ll choose a community or campus agency to work with, as well as an on-site liaison, and have support from a foundation mentor and staff. It’s a commitment of at least 40 hours but no more than 60 hours annually.