The Cathedral of St. Philip - Atlanta, GA

Cathedral Scholars

We each have God-given abilities that need to be nurtured and developed, and education is one of the most powerful ways that we can thrive. The Cathedral Scholars program aims to provide financial, vocational, communal, and spiritual support to members of the Cathedral of St. Philip's community who seek to further their educational goals. The Cathedral's community is far-reaching and includes members of the Cathedral parish, Cathedral staff and their immediate family members, and the larger Cathedral community, including its many parochial entities.

DONATE TO THE CATHEDRAL SCHOLARS FUND

What does it mean to be a Cathedral Scholar?

  • Financial Support: We are accepting requests up to $5,000 per year for tuition, books, required equipment/supplies, and other expenses at an accredited college, university, or trade school, undergraduate or graduate studies. Awards will be paid directly to the designated academic institution. Requests outside this scope may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Vocational, Communal, and Spiritual Support: A supportive community is integral to education success.
    • Each scholar will have an assigned committee liaison who will be the scholar’s primary contact throughout their educational experience. In addition to providing support and prayers for the scholar, this liaison can connect the scholar with Cathedral parishioners who may serve as vocational resources.
    • Each summer, the current scholars will gather for an in-person networking event with scholar alumni, the Cathedral Scholars Committee, and supporters of the program.
    • Scholars are prayed for regularly in the Prayers of the People at the Cathedral.

Application Process

  • Timeline: Scholarships are awarded annually on a need basis. Applications are accepted year-round, and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 
      • Deadlines for applications are as follows, depending upon when the scholarship funds will be needed:
Annual Funding Beginning with: Application Deadline:
Summer Semester/Quarter February 28
Fall Semester/Quarter April 10
Winter Quarter or Spring Semester/Quarter September 30
  • Criteria: All applications will be considered, with preference given to those with direct Cathedral affiliatio Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply based on the following criteria:
    • Financial need: Combined annual gross income of applicant or the applicant’s parents less than $75,000
    • Student character: integrity, responsibility, and kindness
    • Academic performance: Include grade point average and rigor of courses
    • Extracurricular activities: school, church, community activities and after-school/summer employment
  • Application: Please note, the following are required to apply or reapply:
    • New Student Applicants:
      • Completed new applicants form (see link below)
      • Cover letter composed by the applicant including 250-500 word personal statement (Tell us who you are!)
      • Current school transcript
      • One letter of recommendation addressing the applicant’s character

nEW sTUDENT aPPLICANTS - Click Here to Apply

  • Returning Student Applicants:
    • Completed returning applicants form (see link below)
    • Short letter (addressed to program donors) reporting on your most recent year
    • A copy of your school’s financial aid letter for the upcoming year
    • Current School Transcript

Returning Student Applicants - Click Here to Apply

Meet Our Scholars!

The Cathedral of St. Philip is excited to introduce our Cathedral Scholars! We are also grateful for the thoughtful work of the Higher Education Scholarship Committee: Nicole Baños, Nancy Beane, Lyons Brewer, Pete Davis, Keith Dumke, Lindsey Hardegree, Barbara Day Miller, the Rev. Julia Mitchener, Amy Rudolph, the Rev. Juan Sandoval, and Rick Tyler. Thank you! Thanks too for the generous donors (make a donation here) who have made it possible for us to partner with these impressive young adults in pursuing their goals—and to David Rocchio, always making a difference behind the scenes.

Ernest Charles, Jr.

Ernest is a freshman at Barry University, with plans to study oceanography.  He enjoys music and film, and intends to combine his interests with marine biology to bring more awareness of our aquatic ecosystem.

Juliana Contreras

Juliana is a freshman and a first-generation college student at the University of Virginia. Juliana hopes to major in speech communication disorders as her first step toward becoming a speech therapist.

Leslie Coronel

Leslie is a junior at the University of the South. She is a first-generation high school graduate, now looking forward to being a first-generation college graduate as well. She is majoring in biology.

Carolina Diaz

As a freshman at Villanova University, Carolina will be attending the Villanova Business School and majoring in Marketing. Carolina is a first-generation high school graduate who looks forward to being a first-gen college graduate.

Lindsay Dukes

Lindsay is a freshman at Mercer University who has a love for children and plans to obtain a B.S. Ed. degree in Elementary Education/Special Education – the Holistic Child, with a minor in Spanish. 

Maria Marquez-Gatica

Maria is a freshman at Oglethorpe University, majoring in business administration. She is a first-generation high school graduate. A member of the Cathedral of St. Philip, she attends services in Mikell chapel, where she has served as an acolyte.

Christopher Hayes

A senior at Georgia State University, Christopher will be graduating in December 2022, with a B.A. in Economics and a minor in French (he speaks Spanish also). He plans to attend law school next fall (2023) and hopes to have a career in public service in his hometown of Atlanta. 

Charlotte Henry

A second-year graduate student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Charlotte is studying corporate finance and banking. Prior to graduate school, Charlotte participated as a Cathedral lay reader and intercessor online and during in-person services, and in the Cathedral's young professionals group.

Maggie Long

Maggie is a freshman at Mercer University, studying marketing and working towards attending physician assistant school. Maggie has been a member of the Cathedral of St. Philip for most of her life. She spends her time working two part-time jobs while attending school.

Imari Wright

Imari is a freshman at Albany State University, with plans to major in Chemistry, followed by advanced study in forensic science. A first-generation college student, Imari has already earned her criminal investigation certification and hopes to work in the medical examiner’s office.