COVENANT CHILDRENS HOME

AND FAMILY SERVICES

STERNER GRANTS

The Ronald Lee Sterner Trust Fund was established by the Sterner family in 1957 in

memory of their son, Ronald Lee Sterner, who was adopted through Covenant Children’s Home and Family Services (CCHFS).   The Board of Directors of CCHFS administers the funds in accordance with the wishes of the Sterner family, as stipulated in the trust.

Applications will be considered for recognized post-high school education, such as vocational school, trade school, junior college, college and university

ELIGIBILITY:

The Ronald Lee Sterner Trust states funds will be available to any worthy student who has demonstrated financial need and who falls within the guidelines established by the policy.  The following categories of persons are eligible for Sterner funds and will be given preference according to the following factors:

a.  Orphaned children as defined in the Ronald Lee Sterner Trust Fund dated

Nov. 29, 1957.

b.  Former residents of CCHFS or of a foster home under CCHFS supervision who are furthering their education beyond high school;

c.  Child of a family who received counseling from CCHFS;

d.  Employees of CCHFS, including those terminated in August, 2001, and their dependent children, if stipulated by a severance agreement;

e.  Student at North Park University or Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, Moody Bible Institute or other schools of Christian emphasis;

f.  Individuals pursuing careers in Christian service or one of the helping professions, e.g., healthcare, social work, education, etc.;

g.  Children from “broken homes”;

h.  Children with evidence of financial need;

i.  A senior at Princeton High School nominated by the PHS Scholarship Committee.  The student should be attending a Christian College with plans to obtain a degree in some aspect of human service or ministry occupation;

j.  A senior at The Children’s Home of Cromwell, Connecticut.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS;

High school graduates should have a 3.00 GPA to qualify for a Sterner grant.  An exception to the 3.00 qualification may apply to applicants from troubled families, single parent homes or students with special needs.

A Sterner recipient is expected to maintain high academic standards.  Any recipient receiving a grade lower than a “C” may make the recipient ineligible to receive funds in the future.

COSTS COVERED:

Grants will be made to help defray the cost of tuition, fees, room and board.  A grant will not be made in an amount which, when considered with other scholarship loans and grants awarded to the applicant, exceeds the total of his/her education costs.  The Sterner fund should not be considered until all other appropriate resources have been pursued.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

-EARLY application deadline is May 15.

-LATE application deadline is June 15.  There is no guarantee that funds will still be available to late applicants.

THE APPLICATION FORM:

Click here for a copy of the application form.

The application form requires the following:

1. A statement of faith from first time applicants.
2. Information about financial resources, both from the student and the parent(s).
3. A short explanation of career plans and goals
4. A copy of the applicant’s most recent high school or college transcript including a GPA.
5. The signature of both the applicant and parent is required for a dependent student.
6. Household financial information and the signature of a parent or guardian will NOT be required for applicants who are no longer considered dependents. (No longer claimed as a dependent on a parent’s federal income tax return.)
7. First time applicants should include two character references from non-related persons.

PAYMENTS TO RECIPIENTS:

The grant is distributed as two payments, one for fall semester and one for spring. Unless otherwise notified, grant disbursements will be mailed by August 1 and January 1 in the form of a check payable jointly to the recipient and the educational institution.  In unusual circumstances, payment may be made directly to the recipient with the consent of the Sterner Fund committee and/or the executive committee.  In the case of a delayed payment, the educational institution will be notified by letter.

A GRADE TRANSCRIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE CLOSE OF ANY TERM OR SEMESTER FOR WHICH FUNDS ARE RECEIVED.

REPAYMENT OF GRANTS:

All grant recipients and their families are encouraged to support the continuing ministry of CCHFS to troubled children and families.  Grant recipients are encouraged to repay the grant when possible in order that funds may continue to be made available to other worthwhile recipients.

NOTICE OF CHANGES:

Sterner fund recipients must keep CCH informed of any changes of address and changes in status as a student (transfer, withdrawal, graduation, etc.)