Forge Community Through Civic Friendship
Polarization over divisive opinions and viewpoints effectively paralyzes our society far too often. That’s why we’re launching the Civic Friendship Scholars Program, a unique scholarship and leadership initiative designed for students who are committed to promoting mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and active engagement in the common good within communities.
The Civic Friendship Scholars Program offers selected students entering college in the Fall of 2025 a $10,000 scholarship per year, renewable annually up to four years and a one-time $500 book award, giving these students the freedom to contribute to fostering a community of respect, attentiveness, and civic-mindedness in the tradition of Assumption’s Catholic liberal education. Through a series of engaging workshops, events, activities, and other initiatives, students in this program will develop their capacity to facilitate respectful discourse, negotiate diverse perspectives, and become thoughtful citizens as they work to strengthen civil society.
Become a Civic Friendship Scholar
Application Requirements: Complete the below application, including a written or video response to the question prompts
Application Window: December 15 – January 31 (award notifications coming in February 2025)
Scholarship Amount: $10,000 renewable scholarship and a one-time $500 book award
For questions, please contact Kaitlyn Hastings.
What is Civic Friendship?
Civic friendship is about building bridges, not tearing them down.
Rooted in a commitment to building strong communities, civic friendship encourages people from diverse backgrounds to connect beyond their differences, forming more welcoming and inclusive societies.
Civic friendship is the foundation of who we are at Assumption University. Through the Center for Civic Friendship, our mission is to cultivate the virtue of civic friendship in students and teachers at Assumption and across the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application and essay/video due?
The application will be live starting December 15, 2024. All materials are due no later than 11:59pm on January 31, 2025.
When will applicants find out if they are awarded?
February 2025
What is the scholarship amount?
First-year students who will be entering college in the Fall of 2025 are eligible for this $10,000 scholarship. This scholarship is renewable for 4 years as long as the student is making satisfactory academic progress and is a residential student. In addition to the award above, students will receive a $500 book award.
Why is housing part of the scholarship program?
Housing is central to this initiative because living in community offers an invaluable opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships, encouraging students to build bridges across differences.
Are the scholarships stackable?
The two awards are stackable with other merit awards.
How will my application be reviewed?
Applicants will be reviewed by a carefully selected committee of dedicated Assumption faculty and staff members who are committed to building the inaugural cohort of Civic Friendship Scholars. This committee with be steered by Mary Jane Rein (mj.reinkates@assumption.edu).
How many words should my essay be?
300-500 words.
Can my essay be the same as my CommonApp Essay?
Please ensure that your essay is in response to one of the questions listed on the application. We encourage all applicants to take the time to be reflective and diligent in their submission.