Masonic
Scholarships
Investing in the future through education is a cornerstone of Freemasonry in Ohio. In 2026, various Masonic organizations across the state continue their long-standing tradition of providing financial assistance to deserving students, ranging from graduating high school seniors to those pursuing advanced graduate degrees.
Whether you are a member of a Masonic youth group, a relative of a Mason, or a dedicated student from the local community, there are numerous opportunities available through different branches of the fraternity:
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Scottish Rite "Leon M. Abbott" Scholarships: Sponsored by the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, these awards support Scottish Rite members, their families, and members of youth groups like DeMolay, Rainbow for Girls, and Job’s Daughters. Applications for 2026 open January 5th.
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Grand Lodge of Ohio Scholarships: Each of Ohio's 25 Masonic Districts typically awards multiple scholarships to local male and female students. For the 2026 cycle, applications generally open January 1st and are due by March 1st.
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The Ohio Masonic Communities (OMC) Scholarship: This program offers tuition assistance for undergraduate degrees to Ohio residents with a Masonic connection. The deadline for the 2026 academic year is April 1, 2026.
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Youth Organization Scholarships: Specific funds are often reserved for active members of:
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Ohio DeMolay: Offers the Ohio DeMolay Scholarship Foundation grants to members in good standing with a 3.0 minimum GPA.
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Ohio Rainbow for Girls: Members or majority members can apply for various awards, with some applications due by May 1, 2026.
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Specialized and Local Lodge Grants: Many individual lodges and appendant bodies, such as the Ohio Knights Templar and the Order of the Eastern Star, provide unique grants based on community service or religious leadership.
Explore the sections below to find detailed eligibility requirements, application forms, and deadline information for each of these programs.
Leon M. Abbott Scholarship
Named after Leon M. Abbott, Sovereign Grand Commander from 1921 to 1932, the Abbott Scholarship Program provides financial support for the continuing undergraduate and graduate education of Scottish Rite Masons, family members of Scottish Rite Masons and members of Masonic Youth Groups including (but not limited to) the Order of DeMolay, Job's Daughters International and The Order of Rainbow for Girls.
Many other Masonic group offer other scholarships in addition to the Scottish Rite. Below are scholarships offered within our Masonic community and link to their applications or how to find more information.
Eligibility: Those meeting any of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the 2026 Abbott Scholarship program:
• • • A Scottish Rite Mason of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction who is in good standing.
A student related (by blood or legal means) to a current or deceased member of the Scottish Rite in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
A member of a Masonicly sponsored youth group located within the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (ex - DeMolay International, Job's Daughters, Order of Rainbow for Girls)
To be considered for an Abbott Scholarship, applicants must meet one of the following qualifications (please note that local Valleys may have more strict GPA requirements):
• • A high school senior, currently accepted at an accredited trade school who has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student currently enrolled at an accredited college or university.
All applications should be submitted to the local Valley of the sponsoring Scottish Rite Mason.
The deadline for the Valley of Dayton Abbott Scholarship is April 1st, 2026. Applications received after April 1st, 2026 will not be considered. You can find the application at the link below:
Donald R. James Medical Scholarship
The scholarship is available for all students who are seeking a medical degree, either undergraduate or graduate, and have at least a 3.0 GPA or passing grade for doctoral programs. If eligible, the applicant can receive a scholarship of up to 50% of their tuition. It is open to all Ohio Masons, Ohio Eastern Star Members, Masonic Youth, or the children or grandchildren of Ohio Masons or Eastern Star Members.
The application is due by March 31st, 2026.
Scholarships from the Grand Lodge of Ohio Charitable Foundation
Scholarships from the Grand Lodge of Ohio Charitable Foundation are distributed to young men and women throughout Ohio’s twenty-five masonic districts. The recipient must be a graduating high school senior. Applicants do not need to be related to an Ohio Freemason to be considered.
Through the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation, the Grand Lodge of Ohio awards two scholarships to deserving high school seniors in each of Ohio’s 25 Districts, selected by the District’s Scholarship Committee, based on criteria set by the Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee.
The general information about the scholarships and student eligibility:
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Two $1,500 Scholarships will be granted in each of the Masonic Districts in the Grand Lodge of Ohio – one to a male student and one to a female student.
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All recipients MUST be graduating High School Seniors in the Spring of 2025 and living within the Second Masonic District (Montgomery, Preble, Warren, and Butler Counties).
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Each scholarship will be paid directly to the recipient.
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Only recipients will be notified.
OHIO LODGE of RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
Norman G. Lincoln Scholarship Ohio Lodge of Research
The Grand Lodge of Ohio, Free and Accepted Masons
The Norman G. Lincoln Scholarship, provided by the Ohio Lodge of Research of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Free and Accepted Masons is to assist high school graduates in the pursuit of knowledge. The recipient of the scholarship may apply the funds toward tuition, room, board, textbooks, and/or related academic expenses at accredited colleges or vocational/technical schools within the United States.
A candidate’s past academic performance, involvement in the community, demonstrated leadership, financial need, and dedication to education will be given consideration during evaluation for the award.
Scholarship Amount: $1000
Number of Available 2025 Scholarships: 2
The Norman G. Lincoln Scholarship, by the Ohio Lodge of Research, is renewable to include funds up to four (4) years. The final year of renewal eligibility coincides with graduation from the program even if the recipient has received the scholarship less than four years. The full application must be submitted by the candidate for review by the selection committee in the first year. The renewal application for subsequent years will consist of the following: the student must maintain a GPA of 3.5, provide a transcript to the committee, and write a letter to the committee describing progress toward, or changes in, educational goals.
For consideration, completed applications must be received no later than April 1, 2025. All applicants will be informed of scholarship status no later than July 1, 2025.
Norman G. Lincoln Scholarship Requirements Applicant must:
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Be a legal resident of the State of Ohio.
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Be at least 16 but not more than 25 years of age at the time of application
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Be accepted or currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at an accredited trade school or an accredited college or university within the U.S during the 2024-2025 academic year.
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Have a minimum High School GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale if not currently attending college or trade school (electronic copy of transcript to be included).
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Have a minimum College GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale if currently attending college or trade school (electronic copy of transcript to be included).
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Arrange to have two (2) letters of recommendation sent electronically to the committee by the author of the letter.
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Include a copy of the first page of the FAFSA Student Aid Report.
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Include a transcript showing the most recent cumulative GPA.
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Complete the OLR Scholarship Agreement
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Complete all components of the Scholarship application in full and submit to the Ohio Lodge of Research Scholarship Committee as a single pdf file.(Letters of Recommendation are not required to be included in this document.)
the Ohio Masonic Communities Scholarship Program
The Ohio Masonic Communities Scholarship Program is an endowment established by The Ohio Masonic Communities to provide tuition assistance for eligible full-time students working toward a bachelor’s, associate’s or other undergraduate degree programs at an accredited institution. The Ohio Masonic Communities Scholarship Committee is responsible for administering this annual scholarship.
DeMolay Scholarship Foundation of Ohio, Inc.
Scholarships shall be available to DeMolays in Ohio who will attend a school or institution of training on a fulltime basis, acceptable to the Scholarship Committee for any of the following.
1. Business administration and/or business education.
2. Institutes or schools for the skilled trades.
3. Schools or institutes of technology.
4. Colleges or Universities.
5. Professional schools, such as Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathy, Optometry, Veterinary Medicine, Law, etc.
Following are the requirements necessary to be considered for a scholarship:
1. Must be active in DeMolay.
2. Good scholastic record (3.0 min.)
3. Church attendance
4. Civic service
5. The Scholarship Board also looks closely at the young man’s need.
Scholarships are awarded on a one (1) year basis. Renewal is required for further scholarships. After the first application, students MUST re-apply each year (scholastic record of 3.0 minimum must be maintained). A letter asking for renewal, along with a transcript of the previous year’s grades, must be supplied. The letter MUST include the applicants name, along with their current address, phone number and email.
OHIO GRAND ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF THE RAINBOW FOR GIRLS SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is open to Rainbow Girls who are or will be attending a postsecondary institution (undergraduate program only) and have not received majority. The application that must be postmarked by April 15th.
Eligibility: Ohio Rainbow girls who are or will be attending a postsecondary institution(undergraduate program only) and have not attained the majority age of 20.The following documents are required prior to your application being considered.
1. Form A: Application. Must be signed by applicant, Mother Advisor, and Grand Deputy
2. Form B: Statement of Financial Need. Must be signed by the applicant and either Mother Advisor, Grand Deputy, or Chair of the assembly’s advisory board, none of which are to be related to the applicant.
3. Form C: Applicant’s Confidential Financial Statement
4. Form D: Parent or Legal Guardian Confidential Financial Statement
5. An official transcript from your high school, for your first seven semesters (grades 9, 10,11 and first semester of grade 12). This should be forwarded directly from the school to the scholarship committee. If the applicant is currently enrolled in a post secondary institution, these transcripts are also required.
6. Completed Form A (Application) and Form B (Statement of Financial Need) are to begiven to the Mother Advisor who will complete her portion of the forms. The Mother Advisor shall forward the forms to the Grand Deputy who will complete her portion and forward to the chair of the scholarship committee.
7. Completed Forms C and D (Financial Statements) are to be mailed directly to the Chair of the scholarship committee
The Knights Templar Educational Foundation Ohio Division Scholarship
Knights Templar Educational Foundation is a non-commercial Trust Fund established by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America and composed largely of contributions from individual Knights Templar and administered by the Knights Templar Educational Foundation, a Division of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Ohio
MISSION STATEMENT
The Knights Templar Educational Foundation Committee, Ohio Division, shall consider scholarships for all who are citizens of the United States of America, without regard to age, race, religion, gender, Masonic ties or affiliations. These scholarships are not “grant in aid” but are open to all students regardless of their financial circumstances.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to receive an award from the Knights Templar Educational Foundation Ohio Division, the applicant must be enrolled or to be enrolled in an accredited college/university or vocational school at the undergraduate or graduate level. The scholarship award is in the amount of $1000.00.
Applicants must complete the attached application form in its entirety and provide an official school transcript of the most recent completed academic year. Applicants approved for scholarships will be reimbursed following completion of their first quarter/semester and must have attained a GPA of 2.00 or higher. An official grade transcript must be presented for payment. Application forms are available online at http://ohioknightstemplar.com/educational-foundation/
All applications and supporting documents must be sent by U. S. Mail and must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2026. Electronically submitted applications will not be accepted, however, with the permission of the Chairman, documents supporting an application may be e-mailed to the Chairman upon request.
