Scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year are now being accepted for the Friends Education Fund until May 1.
The Friends Educational Fund, which is a Quaker College scholarship fund, directly benefits African American undergraduate students working toward an associate degree in technical or vacation programs at an accredited institution of secondary education.
Created in the 1940s, the Friends Educational Fund was created by members of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting — the surviving governing board of Indiana’s only orphanage for African American children.
After the orphanage closed, the remaining assets were used to fund the educational program, including those of the formerly enslaved farmer and tanner John Williams — who, upon his death requested his assets be used to educate “poor Negro children.”
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First Friends invested the remaining assets from the orphanage to provide financial assistance to African American students. Over the years, the directors continue to invest in Black Hoosier students by funding more than $1,000,000 in scholarships.
In recent years, the Friends Educational Fund has awarded up to $1,500 per year.
However, if additional funds are available, the board will consider first-time scholarship applications from nontraditional students or returning undergraduate students, according to a press release.
Applications for the Friends Educational Fund can be found at indyfriends.org/friends-education-fund.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
