The 2025 GBU Foundation Scholarship and Grants
January 21, 2025
GBU Life (GBU) established the GBU Foundation in 1963 to offer academic scholarships to its members. Through 2024,
the GBU Foundation has awarded over 4,000 scholarships totaling almost $3,000,000 to members attending two-year,
four-year and graduate programs. Visit gbufoundation.awardspring.com for the latest information about GBU Foundation scholarships.
GBU Foundation Scholarships
GBU Foundation Scholarships
Freshman Scholarships (4 years)
- For eligible GBU members entering four-year programs leading to a bachelor’s degree.
- $1,500 per year, renewable for up to three years.
Bert Waltenberger Memorial Scholarship
- Applicant must be involved in German-related programs and sports activities to be eligible to receive this award.
- $1,500 per year, renewable for up to three years.
Clarence O. Affelt Architecture/Fine Art Memorial Scholarship
- Applicant must have a declared major in architecture or the fine arts to be considered for this award.
- $1,000 in the first year, with $500 per year, renewable for up to three years.
Two-Year Scholarships (2 years)
- For eligible GBU members entering or enrolled in degree, certificate or trade programs up to two years in duration offered by vocational/technical schools, nursing schools, community colleges and similar institutions.
- $1,000 per year, renewable for up to one year.
Undergraduate Scholarships (3 years)
- For eligible GBU members in college programs leading to a bachelor’s degree.
- $1,000 per year, renewable for up to two years.
Graduate Scholarships (2 years)
- For eligible GBU members entering or enrolled in college graduate degree programs leading to advanced degrees.
- $1,000 per year, renewable for up to one year.
All eligible applicants who do not receive a GBU Foundation Scholarship are entered in a random drawing for a predetermined number of one-time $500–$1,000 GBU Foundation grants.
Scholarships Offered to GBU District Members
Scholarships Offered to GBU District Members
- Fritz Bertz Scholarship (District 510 — Toledo, OH)
- District 146 — Johnstown, PA, Scholarship
- District 291 — Summerhill-Lilly, PA, Scholarship
- District 510 — Toledo, OH, Scholarship
- District 1000 — LFA Scholarship
- District 2000 — ULS Scholarships
- District 3000 — HRFA Scholarship
- District 4000 — Sokol USA Milan Getting Scholarship (Visit sokolusa.org/scholarship to apply.)
- For eligible District 5000 — IOV high school senior members who have received confirmation of acceptance from an institution of higher learning.
- Must hold either a junior or senior membership in the IOV for at least six months prior to the date of application.
- $1,750 nonrenewable scholarship. Apply November 1, 2024 — March 1, 2025.
- The GBU High School Freshman Grant Program is designed to assist eighth-grade GBU members with associated costs in their transition into the high school curriculum. High School Freshman Grants of $250 are to be used for expenses necessary for the student’s educational needs. For more information, please contact the GBU Foundation at gbufoundation@gbu.org.
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
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