Educational Scholarships

Shiloh Old Site encourages its new and returning college and university students to apply for as many scholarships as might be relevant to the their educational journey.

Information on this page relates to (1) Shiloh Old Site’s own educational scholarships,, and (2) educational scholarships administered by some of the church’s friends and organizational associates.

Scroll down to see all the options.

Shiloh Old Site’s Own Educational Scholarships

Shiloh Old Site has six different funds that can provide educational scholarships to worthy students pursing higher education.

These include:

• The Mary Bridgewater Scholarship (information not yet available)
• The Deacon Iretha R. Bumbrey Scholarship
• The Norma Burruss Scholarship
• The Lauren A. Davies Scholarship
• The Janice Pryde Davies Scholarship
• The Juanita Pitchford Scholarship (information not yet available)
• The Morris Dabney King & Norma Hatot-King Scholarship

Click on one of the above scholarships (or scroll down) to learn about requirements and application procedures for each. Remember that each scholarship has its own deadline. The deadlines differ. Applications, along with all related materials, must be received by the deadline date to be considered.

Other Educational Scholarships

Worthy students from Shiloh Old Site may also want to explore the very generous educational scholarships offered by several independent groups and/or individuals that have close ties to the church.

These include:

• The Eliza Bumbrey Williams Memorial Scholarship
• The Florence Bailey Student Assistance Fund of the Fredericksburg Area Virginia State University Alumni Association
• The Betty J. Hunter Bazemore Scholarship
• The Walker-Grant Alumni Association’s Leroy “Buddy” Hamm Scholarship (2024 information not yet available)
• The Carrie Hill Tatum Memorial Scholarship of the Fredericksburg Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Information on each of these scholarships — including guidelines, requirements, and application procedures — can be accessed by clicking on each of the scholarship funds individually.

The Norma Burruss Scholarship

For members of Shiloh Old Site who are either beginning or continuing their college, university, or advanced vocational education

Thanks to the generosity and foresight of one of Shiloh Old Site’s deceased members, the Rev. Norma L. Burruss, a scholarship fund was established to provide a measure of support to members of Shiloh Old Site who are either beginning or continuing higher education.

These scholarships (officially called the Alsop-Thornton-Burruss Scholarships) are awarded annually. Scholarship amounts vary from year to year, depending on the funds available and the number of applications received, among other factors. Applications and all related materials must be submitted to the scholarship committee no later than May 15.

Active students who are members of Shiloh Old Site are eligible to receive scholarships over the course of multiple years, but a separate application is needed each year.

If you are just beginning your college, university, or advanced vocational education, follow the instructions provided here.

If you are continuing your college, university, or advanced vocational education, follow the instructions provided here.

To learn more about Rev. Norma Burruss and what led her to donate these funds, click here.

If you’d like to submit a question to the Burruss Scholarship Committee, you can do so by using the form found here:

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Submit

The Iretha R. Bumbrey Scholarship

For a graduating high school senior, either a member of Shiloh Old Site or the child of a member, who has been accepted at an accredited four-year college or university and intends to major in either English or education

Thanks to the generosity and love of friends and family members of Deacon Iretha R. Bumbrey, the Iretha R. Bumbrey Scholarship Fund was established to ease the financial burdens faced by those enrolling in colleges or universities in pursuit of a degree in either English or education.

The Iretha Bumbrey Scholarship can be awarded annually. Applications along with all required materials must be submitted to the scholarship committee no later than May 1. The decision of the scholarship committee will be announced at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) on Scholarship Sunday each year. (Scholarship Sunday is normally the last Sunday in June.)

The selection criteria are as follows:

1. A graduating high school senior enrolled to attend an accredited four-year U.S. college or university with the intention of majoring in English or education.
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. A member of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), or a child of a member.
4. Someone who has performed 20 hours or more of community service in the last twelve months.
5. Submission of either a 300-word essay or a poem on the importance of family, community, or education.
6. Submission of a letter of recommendation from someone who is unrelated to the applicant: either a member of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) or a teacher or other mentor.

All materials must be submitted by email to this address: DeaconIRBscholarship@gmail.com.

Applications will be reviewed by members of Iretha Bumbrey’s family, who will make the final decision on the scholarship.

If you’d like to submit a question to the Iretha Bumbrey Scholarship Committee, you can do so by using the form found here:

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Question or Message *

Submit

The Lauren A. Davies Scholarship

For members of Shiloh Old Site who are either beginning or continuing their college, university, or advanced vocational education

Lauren Andrea Davies was a courageous young woman who refused to allow battles with sickle cell anemia to define her life. Despite being challenged by multiple cerebral strokes and debilitating physical crises, she completed her secondary education and additional classes at Germanna Community College.

When a massive stroke at age 24 further limited her educational capabilities, she redirected her energies toward community service. She served as a “Dolphin” in a one-on-one visitation program at Woodmont Health Care Center and volunteered with Cleo Lewis at the Anne Hamrick Community House. Lauren was also an active member of the Shiloh Old Site Usher Ministry and the Young Adult Choir.

After Lauren’s untimely death, Rev. Rudyard Lewis, an associate minister at Shiloh Old Site, established a scholarship fund to honor her memory. Other members and friends of Shiloh Old Site joined the effort, inspired by Lauren’s courageous, faith-filled life. More recently, a substantial addition to this scholarship fund was received from the estate of Doris J. Darden.

The Lauren A. Davies Scholarship Fund provides a limited level of support for active members of Shiloh Old Site who are either beginning or continuing their higher education. The amount awarded varies with the level of funds available.

Applications for this scholarship are due by May 15 each year. Scholarship awards are announced on Scholarship Sunday at Shiloh Old Site, which is normally the last Sunday in June.

The selection criteria have been as follows:

1. Active member of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site).
2. Completion of an accredited secondary education.
3. Acceptance as a beginning or continuing student at an accredited college or university.
4. A letter of recommendation from someone at a community organization through which you have provided volunteer service.
5. Christian character and an orientation to serving others.

To submit an application, click here.

To submit an emailed letter of reference, click here. (You may either type your letter of reference into the email, or you may attach to the email a file that has been saved in a PDF or some other standard format.)

For further information — or to submit a question to the Lauren A. Davies Scholarship committee — please fill out the form below:

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Question or Message *

Submit

The Janice Pryde Davies Scholarship

Applications are welcome from members of Shiloh Old Site or the local community who are either caregivers or individuals seeking to advance their future vocational opportunities

Janice Pryde Davies, who died March 20, 2024, was a talented and compassionate public-school teacher in Washington, D.C., prior to coming to Fredericksburg with her husband, the Rev. Lawrence A. Davies, and three young children in 1962. In Fredericksburg, Mrs. Davies became a visionary and compassionate leader in many realms, including religion, education, and health.

The scholarship named in her honor has been funded by members of the church and community.

Awards from the Janice Pryde Davies Scholarship Fund are limited to current residents of Fredericksburg or the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, and King George. Recipients of each award must goal-oriented, currently have limited financial resources, and be a member of a U.S. racial group that has historically been economically marginalized.

It’s recommended that awardees be either assigned or directed to a counselor/coach who can assist them in developing and implementing an effective plan of action, including the use of personal financial resources. Assistance from the counselor/coach may included other types of assistance as well, including connecting the awardee to other community resources and agencies that may be helpful in pursuing specific goals.

Two types of awards are offered on a one-time basis. (Note that awardees are not eligible for repeated awards.)

One type of award focuses on individuals who are currently serving others as an unpaid caregiver. Applicants for this award should be goal-oriented and between the ages of 25 and 55. They should be committed to increasing their access to financial resources through continuing education and a home-based career. The funds awarded can be used for in-home educational technology; tuition, fees, and educational materials for accredited programs at community colleges or accredited online programs, workshops. seminars, and the like; transportation costs to and from educational programs in which the recipient is enrolled; skills training and programs enabling work-ethic development; or subsidizing unpaid internships.

The other type of award focuses on goal-oriented individuals (students in middle school or above, as well as adults 18 and over) who want to pursue a career in some type of skilled employment. Applicants for this award should be goal-oriented, pursuing a career in some type of skilled labor, seeking to increase their opportunities through apprenticeship, continuing education, enrollment in a trade school, a community college, a workforce training program, or something of that nature. Applicants will not be disqualified simply because they have had a previous conviction for a nonviolent felony.

Money received through this second type of award can be used for tuition, educational materials, or fees associated with accredited educational programs; journeyman licensure; the securing of identification or certification needed for program participation or employment; child care costs associated with participation in educational or training programs; transportation costs to and from educational or training programs in which the awardee is enrolled; or other costs associated with skill training or work ethic development.

There is an open-ended process for applications. Applications are accepted year round. Those who are interested in more information are invited to start by submitting the form below. Applicants will be asked to submit various documents and references — and to be available for a personal interview, if requested.

For further information — or to submit a question to the Janice Pryde Davies Scholarship committee — please fill out the form below:

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Question or Message *

Submit

The Morris Dabney King & Norma Hatot-King Scholarship

For active members of Shiloh Old Site who are planning to attend either an HBCU or a vocational training school, preferably planning to major either in music or the sciences

This scholarship is named, in part, after Morris Dabney King, who grew up in Fredericksburg and at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). The scholarship also honors Norma Hatot-King. Together, they have established a scholarship fund that can provide up to two $500 scholarships per year to active member of the church who are planning to attend either an HBCU (an historically Black college or university) or a vocational training program of some kind. Preference is given to those who are planning to major in either music or one of the sciences.

Applications for this scholarship are normally due by May 3 of each year. The selection criteria are as follows:

1. Active member of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site).
2. Planning to attend an HBCU or a vocational training program.
3. Submission of a 300 to 500-word essay describing the ways in which the scholarship would benefit the applicant’s education.
4. A high school GPA of 2.5 or higher is preferred.
5. An official high school transcript showing courses taken and the overall GPA.
6. A planned major in music or the sciences is preferred.

Interested individuals can open and/or print the required application form by clicking here.

The application and all required materials must be received at the Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) office no later than May 3, 2024.

The application and related materials can be sent by postal mail to Morris Dabney King & Norma Hatot-King Scholarship, Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), 801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg VA 22401.

Or the application and related materials can be submitted by email to secretary@shiloholdsite.org. In the subject line, include the words “Morris Dabney King & Norma Hatot-King Scholarship.”

For further information — or to submit a question to the Morris Dabney King & Norma Hatot-King Scholarship committee — please fill out the form below:

The Florence Bailey Student Assistance Fund

For Fredericksburg-area residents who are enrolling as freshmen at Virginia State University and who are able to comply with this scholarship’s rather early deadline for applications

This scholarship was established by the Fredericksburg Area Virginia State University Alumni Association in honor of the late Florence Bailey, a long-time educator, graduate of Virginia State, and member of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site).

The Fredericksburg Area Virginia State University Alumni Association will award financial assistance of $500 or more to qualified students who are enrolling as freshmen at Virginia State University.

All application materials and letters of reference must be postmarked or received no later than March 31, 2024.

The selection criteria are as follows:

1. Successful applicants must attend Virginia State University.
2. Applicants must be residents of the city of Fredericksburg or residents of Stafford, Spotsylvania, or King George counties.
3. Applicants must complete and submit the official application form no later than the stated deadline. (For a copy of the application form, click here.)
4. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation, preferably on letterhead, from a guidance counselor, teacher, principal, employer, pastor, or some other community leader.
5. Applicants must provide verification of acceptance to Virginia State University.
6. Applicants must provide a short essay, up to 2 pages (maximum) in length, addressing either why the applicant decided to attend Virginia State University or the ways in which the applicant will be helped by this financial assistance.
7. Successful applicants must also submit a verification of enrollment no later than August 31, 2024.

For further information — or to submit an application — send an email to favsualumniassociation@gmail.com.

The Carrie Hill Tatum Memorial Scholarship

For Fredericksburg-area residents who are enrolling as freshmen at an accredited four-year educational institution and who are able to comply with this scholarship’s rather early deadline for applications

This scholarship was established by the Fredericksburg Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in memory of its deceased member, Carrie Hill Tatum. The chapter serves the city of Fredericksburg as well as the counties of Caroline, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and King George.

All application materials and letters of reference must be postmarked no later than March 28, 2024.

Applicants for this scholarship must do all of the following:

1. Complete the official application form (available by clicking here).
2. Prepare an essay of at least one page in length, explaining how today’s economy is affecting the applicant’s pursuit of a college education.
3. Submit a list of extracurricular, scholastic, and community activities in which the applicant is involved.
4. Submit a list of recent extracurricular and scholastic accomplishments.
5. Submit an official high school transcript showing grades as well as copies of SAT and/or ACT scores.
6. Submit two letters of recommendation on official letterhead, one from an academic teacher and another from a school official or guidance counselor.
7. Have all materials postmarked by Thursday, March 28, 2024. (No exceptions.)

The address for submitting applications is: Scholarship Committee, Fredericksburg Area Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., PO Box 8386, Fredericksburg VA 22404.

The Eliza Bumbrey Williams Memorial Scholarship

For high school seniors who have been members of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) for at least six months and who are either enrolling in an accredited trade/technical school (for which they can receive a grant of up to $1,500) or enrolling as first-year student an an accredited university, working toward a bachelor’s degree (for which they can receive a grant of up to $3,500)

This scholarship was established in memory of Mrs. Eliza Bumbrey Williams, a resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia, for more than 90 years and a dedicated member of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) who worked energetically in her church and community. She loved people and cherished each and every one of God’s servants.

She lived a life full of faith, love, joy, and courage, serving others through an endless commitment to excellence. Mrs. Williams was a leader who loved to laugh and engage others. This quality was reciprocated through the great level of respect that she received from others, who were regularly attracted to her caring spirit and to the heartfelt creations she made as a dietician and cafeteria manager at Walker-Grant School. A masterful gift for the culinary arts was her passion.

Her church involvement was extensive, including involvement in the Young Women’s League, the church choir, the usher board, and the food committee at Shiloh Old Site. In the community, she was an active leader in the Democratic Party, a life member of the NAACP, a member of the Progressors Club, the Fredericksburg Salvation Army board, and a dedicated member of the Elks.

This scholarship, established by members of her family in honor of Mrs. Williams’ distinguished leadership and example, provides support for up to two individuals each year, focusing especially on those who exemplify some of Mrs. Williams’ outstanding characteristics.

All application materials and letters of reference must be postmarked or received on-line no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 19, 2024.

The selection criteria are as follows:

1. Applicants must be seniors about to graduate from high school.
2. Applicants must have been members of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) for at least six months.
3. Applicants must have a high school GPA of at least 2.75.
4. Applicants must submit the required application form.
5. Applicants must also submit two to three letters of reference on official school, church, or other organizational letterhead.
6. Applicants must also submit a 300 to 500-word essay explaining their personal qualities and the role that financial support will play in the pursuit of their goals.

An on-line application form is available by clicking here or by scanning this QR code:

The deadline for applications is May 19, 2024.

For more information or for questions, call or text with your message to (410) 294-2314.