The John & Helen Apostle Memorial Scholarship
Helping the young adults of Assumption pursue college, graduate education, vocational training, and trade-school programs while honoring a lasting legacy of faith, generosity, and service.
A legacy of faith and generosity
John and Helen Apostle were devout Greek Orthodox Christians and longtime stewards of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. They were known as a hardworking couple who generously offered their time, talents, and treasure to Assumption and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.
Their wish was to help the young adults of the parish receive the financial assistance they needed to pursue their dreams of higher education and professional training.
Through this scholarship, the Apostle Trustees, the Apostle Scholarship Committee, and the Assumption Parish Council continue to honor John and Helen’s memory by helping students attend college, graduate school, vocational programs, and trade schools.
John and Helen also hoped that scholarship recipients would become active and generous stewards of the Assumption Parish, carrying their spirit of faith, compassion, and service into the future.
Financial need comes first.
The Scholarship Committee will also consider each applicant’s parish involvement, stewardship, compassion, community service, educational goals, and commitment to helping others.
Scholarship eligibility
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the John and Helen Apostle Memorial Scholarship.
Student status
The applicant must be one of the following:
- A currently enrolled high school senior.
- A student currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning.
- A student planning to attend an institution of higher learning or vocational training program during the fall of 2026.
Parish and community involvement
Applicants must demonstrate active involvement in Greek Orthodox parish life and the wider community.
Applications should include participation in Greek Orthodox youth groups, ministries of the Church, volunteer programs, or other forms of community service.
Stewardship requirement
The applicant or the applicant’s immediate family must be a stewardship member in good standing of the Assumption Parish for:
- The current calendar year, 2026.
- The immediately preceding calendar year, 2025.
Use of scholarship funds
Scholarship funds must be used toward eligible educational expenses at a:
- College or university.
- Graduate school.
- Vocational school.
- Trade school.
How to apply
- Download the 2026 scholarship application .
- Complete every required section of the application and prepare all supporting materials listed below.
- Attach the completed Word application and all required supporting documents to an email.
- Email the completed application and attachments to apostlescholarship@assumptionlb.org no later than August 15, 2026.
Application checklist
Review each requirement carefully. An application that does not include all required information may be considered incomplete and may not be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.
Eligible areas of study
Applicants may seek assistance for several different educational and career-training paths.
College or university
Students may apply for assistance with a two-year or four-year undergraduate program at an accredited college or university.
Trade or vocational school
Students pursuing career preparation, technical education, certification, or skilled-trade training may apply.
Graduate school
Students pursuing an advanced degree or other post-baccalaureate education may also be considered.
Information you will be asked to provide
Select each heading below to review the information and written responses required as part of the application.
Personal and academic information
The application requests the following:
- Applicant’s name and mailing address.
- Telephone number and email address.
- Current high school and graduation date.
- Cumulative high school GPA.
- Name of the applicant’s current college, vocational school, or graduate school, if applicable.
- Current year of study and cumulative GPA, if applicable.
Fall 2026 educational plans
Applicants will be asked to identify their intended school or training program for the fall of 2026 and provide:
- Name of the college, university, or school.
- Major or principal course of study.
- Expected length of the program.
- Cumulative GPA to date, if applicable.
Required essay
Submit an essay of no more than 500 words as an attachment to the application.
The essay should explain:
- How the scholarship will support your pursuit of higher education or training.
- Financial hardships and family-support considerations.
- The number of siblings currently attending or planning to attend college.
- Personal experiences involving community service, philanthropy, or humanitarian efforts.
- Your intended field of study and why you selected it.
- People, values, or ideas that influenced your educational and vocational goals.
- Your involvement in Greek Orthodox youth ministries and how those experiences affected your life.
Educational costs and financial assistance
Estimate your annual educational costs for the academic period beginning in the fall of 2026.
Your estimate should include:
- Tuition and required fees.
- Housing and living expenses.
- Books, supplies, and related educational costs.
- Other scholarships, grants, or tuition assistance that will reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
- Student loans you have received or intend to apply for, including the estimated amount.
Family support and income information
Applicants will be asked whether their parents or guardians will contribute toward their educational expenses, the anticipated amount, and how long that assistance is expected to continue.
Applicants will also select the applicable gross family income range for the most recently completed fiscal year:
- Under $125,000.
- $125,000–$250,000.
- Over $250,000.
Volunteer and humanitarian experience
Include a list of volunteer, charitable, philanthropic, or humanitarian experiences that allowed you to help others.
Describe the impact each experience had on the people you served and the effect it had on your own development.
Letters of recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required:
- One letter from a member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church community.
- One letter from a person who can speak to and validate your desire to pursue additional education or training.
Letters may be emailed to the Scholarship Committee or mailed directly to the church.
Application deadline
August 15, 2026
Download and complete the application, then email the completed Word application and all required attachments to apostlescholarship@assumptionlb.org. The complete application and all related materials must be received by the Scholarship Committee no later than the deadline.
Where to send your application
Download and complete the application, then attach the completed Word application and all required supporting materials to an email. Send everything to the scholarship email address below. Letters of recommendation may be submitted electronically or mailed directly to the church.
Submit by email
Email the completed application and all required attachments to:
apostlescholarship@assumptionlb.org
Please use a clear subject line that includes the applicant’s full name.
Mail recommendation letters
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryGreek Orthodox Church
Attn: John and Helen Apostle
Memorial Scholarship Committee
5761 East Colorado Street
Long Beach, CA 90814
Applicant acknowledgment
Applicants will be required to certify that all information contained in the application is true, accurate, and complete.
Applicants will also be asked to grant permission for their name and image to be used in Assumption Parish publications or on the Assumption Parish website if they are selected to receive the John and Helen Apostle Memorial Scholarship.
The Apostle Scholarship Committee reserves the right to request additional information when necessary to clarify an applicant’s responses.
The completed application must include the applicant’s printed name, signature, and date. A parent or guardian’s printed name, signature, and date must also be included when required.
Investing in the future of our parish
The generosity of John and Helen Apostle continues to open doors for a new generation. Eligible students preparing for college, graduate school, vocational training, or trade school are encouraged to apply.