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2026 TUCC Graduate Recognition and Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Please note the new deadlines. All completed applications/graduate recognition forms should be submitted electronically to: applications@trinitychicago.org by Friday May 29, 2026. Please attach a PHOTO (a headshot) in JPEG format with all submissions.

Each year Trinity UCC recognizes and honors its members who have completed elementary, high school, undergraduate, graduate, professional, technical, and vocational programs of study in a special Graduates Recognition Ceremony. Scholarship awards are also announced during the ceremony and scholarship applicants are REQUIRED to attend in order to receive their scholarship award. TUCC members who are graduating are encouraged to participate in the Graduate Recognition Ceremony whether or not they are applying for a scholarship. In order to participate, Trinity graduates MUST submit a completed Graduate Recognition Form along with a photograph in JPEG format to applications@trinitychicago.org by Friday May 29, 2026.

2026 TUCC Scholarship Awards

For the past 46 years Trinity United Church of Christ has awarded scholarships to support the higher educational pursuits of members. To date millions of dollars have been awarded to fund educational pursuits at colleges, universities and trade schools.

Trinity members are encouraged to apply for various church-sponsored, family and organization scholarship awards. The eligibility criteria for each scholarship are listed on the succeeding pages. Overall requirements for consideration of a scholarship award are listed below:

Scholarship Requirements

    • Applicants MUST be members of Trinity UCC for at least one year .(A member has walked the aisle, completed the New Member Class(es), received the Right Hand of Fellowship AND is active in a ministry and/or documented community service).
    • Applicants must submit a completed Ministry/ Community Service Verification Form* signed by an authorized ministry partner indicating current participation in the respective ministry or community service organization official.
    • Students attending college may participate in Adopt A Student as their Ministry.
    • All applications, requested supporting materials and a headshot photograph (JPEG) must be submitted to the Committee no later than Friday May 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., via email to applications@trinitychicago.org.
    • SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY SERVICE – JUNE 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.: All Scholarship Award Recipients MUST BE PRESENT in worship at the TUCC Scholarship Sunday Service on June 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. to step forward and claim their scholarship award. ATTENDANCE is MANDATORY. It is not optional. Failure to attend the service and be present at the time a scholarship award is announced will cause the scholarship award to be FORFEITED.

Renewable Scholarship Requirements

    • Applicants may reapply for scholarships designated as renewable for up to the specified years of renewal excluding the initial scholarship award. Use the Renewal Application Form for renewal consideration.
    • 3.0 or a “B” GPA equivalent or better is required for consideration of all renewable scholarships
    • All renewal applications and requested supporting materials must be submitted to the Committee no later than May 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
    • All Scholarship Award Recipients MUST BE PRESENT in worship at the TUCC Scholarship Sunday Service on June 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. to step forward and claim their scholarship award. ATTENDANCE is MANDATORY. It is not optional. Failure to attend the service and be present at the time a scholarship award is announced will cause the scholarship award to be FORFEITED.

IT IS SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT APPLICANT:

  1. TO ENSURE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION IS RECEIVED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE
  2. THAT DOCUMENTATION IS CURRENT AND NOT OLDER THAN TWO YEARS
  3. THAT DOCUMENTATION IS NOT INCOMPLETE
  4. THAT APPLICATIONS ARE LEGIBLE

THE TUCC SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE will not consider applications that are late, illegible and missing required documentation.

IF APPLYING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP AND GRADUATING MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT THE GRADUATE RECOGNITION FORM, no later than Friday, May 29, 2026.

General Scholarships

Rev. Barbara J., S.L. (Sam) & Michael Allen Scholarship – For Such a Time as This!

F or current or continuing college students 35 years or older enrolled to complete their first baccalaureate degree after an extended period of absence. Applicants must have at least one course completed and registered to continue study at an accredited college or university. Scholarship is renewable for up to three years.

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Lucille Ellison/Kathryn Brown Memorial Scholarship

A pplicants must be graduating high school students entering college, community college, technical or vocational school in the Fall Quarter/Semester 2026. Consideration will be given to applicants with less than a “B” GPA. Applicants must submit:

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The Faatimah Bean Scholarship

B orn in Chicago and raised in Louisiana, Faatimah Bean was a 23-year-old culinary school graduate who had dreams of opening her own bakery. This scholarship is awarded in her honor to a high school student graduate or continuing college or trade school student who will attend a college or a trade school and has an entrepreneurial dream that they will pursue upon graduation. Applicants must submit:

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Coleman Outstanding Student/Youth Service Scholarship

T he Coleman Outstanding Student/Youth Service Scholarship recognizes graduating high school seniors and college students who has demonstrated leadership and has volunteered above average service hours helping others. Applicants with consistent attendance for 4 years in Scouts, service in Youth Service Ministries such as usher, Youth church Assistants, or Deacons are encouraged to apply. This scholarship is renewable for three years.

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Dr. Manford J. Byrd, Jr. Scholarship

A pplicants must be currently enrolled college students (2nd year thru graduate level). The award is renewable for up to three (3) years. Applicants must submit:

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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Scholarship

H onors the legacy of scholarly achievement and servant leadership as exemplified in the collegiate and lifetime achievements of Jewel Brothers, Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelly, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy, the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The scholarship recognizes a graduating African American male high school senior who personifies scholarly achievement, school and community leadership and seeks to attend a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Applicants must submit:

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The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Scholarship

A male high school graduate who will attend a four – year accredited college. Applicants must submit:

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The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship

T his scholarship will be dedicated to all the past, present and future women who will commit to the sisterhood, promote academic excellence, and service to those in need. This female high school student graduate will demonstrate a strong passion for actively aiding people in the community by writing a 300-WORD, essay, entitled “How I plan to make a difference.”

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The Danny S. Creed Memorial Scholarship

T his scholarship is in memory of Danny S. Creed. Prospective scholarship recipients are incoming
freshman or continuing college students who are majoring in any area of engineering at an accredited
college or university.

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The Patricia Louise Dunagan HBCU Scholarship

F or high school graduates or continuing college students who are attending an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that is not located in the state of Illinois. Applicants must submit:

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Henrietta J. Dodson Memorial Scholarship

T he Henrietta J. Dodson Memorial Scholarship offers scholarships to students with financial need who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others (in school, community, or household), a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. This scholarship supports entering or returning students attending a college, university, or trade school (vocational or technical). Awards are limited to students seeking their first postsecondary degree or certificate, as applicable. Students must reapply for each year they wish to be considered.

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Timothy Lucas Harper “Continuing a Black Male Tradition of Educational Excellence” Memorial Scholarship

R ecognizes a male college student enrolled in a Liberal Arts program with a minimum 2.0 GPA with a business or technology focus. Applicants must submit:

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The Albert J. Heard Memorial Scholarship

T his scholarship is designed for a college-bound or college student who is majoring in Criminal Social Justice, Social Work, or related field. First generation college students are encouraged to apply.

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The Armstrong Family Scholarship In Memory of Virgil and Elizabeth Goens

F or Male students accepted into a college/university for undergraduate study who is able to demonstrate great financial need. The scholarship is renewable is the student maintains a 2.5 GPA or greater. Applicants must submit:
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Rupert Graham, Sr. Award

A pplicants must be graduating 8th graders from elementary school. Applicants must submit:

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The Odari Lewis Engineering Scholarship

F or male or female students accepted into a college/university for undergraduate study or who is currently matriculating through a 4-year college or university who is studying any engineering discipline. The scholarship is renewable if the student maintains a strong academic standing. Applicants must submit:

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Monica Moss “Smoothies Make Smiles” Scholarship

F or active members in any Trinity United Church of Christ ministry who desires to attend a two- or four-year institution of higher learning and have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. Applicant must submit:

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Cheryl L. Guyton Memorial Scholarship

R ecognizes graduating high school seniors with a minimum “B” GPA or equivalent. The scholarship is renewable thru completion of the baccalaureate degree or up to three (3) years. Applicants must submit:

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Bozeman & Brown Memorial Scholarship

F or Male students with at least a 3.0 GPA accepted into a college/university for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate study. Applicants must submit:

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Mechell Daniel Boynes Memorial Scholarship Award

F or high school graduates with goals to improve society through progressive, involvement in the community and church and a commitment to academics

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Dr. Katherine Williams Phillips Memorial Scholarship

G raduating high school student(s) to support tuition or university fees for room, board, fees, books, supplies or other needed expense for college enrollment.

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The James D. Montgomery, Sr. Scholarship

A pplicants must be high school graduates who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and reside in a single parent household. The scholarship is renewable for three (3) years. Applicant must submit:

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The LGBTQIA+ Educational Scholarship

F or high school graduates or continuing college, technical or vocational students, preferably who identifies/participates in the LGBTQIA+ community. Applicants must:

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Ray and Venetia Helm Memorial Scholarship

F or high school graduates or continuing college students seeking to continue their education in an accredited college or university. Applicant must submit:

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The Brown Family ‘Lady Bryd Mikle’ Scholarship

F or high school graduates or continuing college students who maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher, are attending an Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and the offspring of a two- parent household that is ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Applicant must submit:

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The Isaiah Phillip Woods Infinite Winning Academic Scholarship

T he academic scholarship is offered to any student who is pursuing an educational degree beyond high school including, undergraduate, graduate, law or medical school, an educational professional certificate or license requirements such as Certified Public Accountants CPAs, but not limited to the accounting profession. The family will consider any other expense directly related to the success of completion program. Applicants may apply every year.

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The Joseph A. Stroud Scholarship

R ecognizes undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate students in journalism, print media, radio/TV production or a related field. Applicants must submit:

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Joseph W. Evans – Struggling Artist Memorial Scholarship

R ecognizes visual artists (in areas including drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, arts and design, gaming, animation and visual effects, industrial design) grades 9 thru college. This scholarship is renewable depending on current grade. Applicants must submit:

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Joseph Cedric Graves Worship and Arts Scholarship

F or a high school or college student with at least a 2.0 GPA average. Applicants must submit:

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Dr. Jeffrey P. Radford Memorial Scholarship

H onors Dr. Radford’s 30 years of consecrated and devoted service at Trinity United Church of Christ and recognizes academic achievement and personal development to the ministry of music in the Christian church. Applicants must be music majors at either the undergraduate or the graduate level. This scholarship is renewable. Applicants must submit:

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Dwain Phillip Lubin Engineering Scholarship

R ecognizes a graduating African American male high school senior who ranks 21 or lower in his class who has been accepted into an electrical, mechanical, or structural engineering undergraduate program, preferably at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The scholarship is renewable for up to three (3) years.

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Annette Glenn Parker Memorial Scholarship

T his scholarship is in memory for the dedication of Annette Glenn Parker in the field of nursing. Prospective scholarship recipients are high school seniors who plans to major in the field of nursing, allied health or science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).

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Alzata C. & Judge R. Eugene Pincham “Can-cer-Vive” Memorial Scholarship

A pplicants must be graduating high school students planning to enter college, or a returning college student. Scholarship is renewable for three years. Applicants must submit:

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Mildred Chapman Memorial Scholarship

R ecognizes 2- or 4-year nursing students, including students seeking healthcare leadership, management, certification, or accreditation in the medical field. The scholarship is renewable for up to three (3) years. Applicants must submit:

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The Dorothy M. Washington-White Memorial Scholarship

T he academic scholarship recognizes high school students who plan to major in nursing in college and/or college or university students who are currently majoring in nursing at the undergraduate or graduate level. The scholarship is renewable, and recipients may reapply depending upon current educational level. To be eligible the student must:

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Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. / Deacon Don Moody Scholarship

R ecognizes individuals, age 18 and older, who have completed the 12-Step Program and desire to further their formal education in substance abuse and/or rehabilitation. Prospective scholarship recipients must commit to volunteer service in a related program. This scholarship is renewable for up to three (3) years:

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Dr. Mary Henderson Wright Scholarship

H onors the dedicated commitment to Christian beliefs exemplified in the lifetime achievements of Dr. Mary Henderson Wright, who was a devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and recognizes a graduating female high school senior who plans to major in science, technology, education, or mathematics. Applicants must submit:

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Swanegan Memorial Teacher’s Scholarship

R ecognizes education majors at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels. The scholarship is renewable, and recipients may reapply depending upon current educational level. Applicants must submit:

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The TnT Legacy Scholarship

T he academic scholarship recognizes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and/or Math) majors at the undergraduate level. The scholarship is renewable, and recipients may reapply depending upon current educational level. To be eligible the student must:

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Margarette L. Foley – Bowers & Gus E. Bowers Memorial Scholarship

F or female students who are currently or continuing some program which provides specialized training or education for those who already have a high school diploma. The highest award a
student can earn is for doctorate study. The scholarship is renewable for three (3) years. Applicant must submit:

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Dr. Maurice M. McNeil Scholarship

F or current or continuing college students who are majoring in English or who have formally expressed pursuit of a career in teaching. This scholarship is renewable for one year. Applicants must submit:

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Rev. Samuel L. Ellis Theological/ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Scholarship

R ecognizes students enrolled in accredited seminaries. This scholarship is renewable annually for up to three (3) years. Applicants must submit:

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Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr. Scholarship

H onors the personal development and fidelity to Christian beliefs held by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah
A. Wright, Sr. and recognizes active Ministers In Training students enrolled in an ATS accredited seminary. The scholarship is renewable for up to three (3) years. Applicants must have a minimum “B” GPA or equivalent, be active in the community and submit:

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