The 2025 GBU Foundation Scholarship and Grants Details

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

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.

GBU Foundation Grant Awards

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

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.)

GBU District 5000 — IOV Grand Lodge Scholarship

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.

High School Freshman Grants

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.

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Beat Summer Boredom with Our Give Back Group Benefit

July 27, 2026

Summer vacation is an exciting time packed with trips, camps, and sports, but we’ve all reached that point where we hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored!” With GBU Life’s Give Back Group benefit, you can keep your family busy while helping others without the pressure of covering project costs.