South Bend church giving high school seniors $1,000 scholarship

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- A local church is taking applications that will give high school seniors $1,000 scholarship.

The New Haven Missionary Baptist Church’s James Allen and Jaqueline Battest Scholarship Foundation was created in 2015. According to the church, the foundation “provides access to postsecondary education to members of the community who otherwise would not have the financial means to fulfill their education.”

“It’s actually a way of reaching out to the community trying to help our young people be inspired to continue their education,” said Cary Batteast, New Haven MSBC pastor.

Jacqueline Batteast, University of Notre Dame graduate and women’s basketball standout, is the president of the foundation. She said money is not something that should stop students from pursing their education.

“You don’t think that $1,000 is a lot but it does a lot for these families and these students,” Batteast said.

For the past four years they’ve been collecting money for the scholarship fund. In total, they’ve raised more than $30,000, through advertisements, fundraisers, and personal donations.

“Sometimes it’s tough to pay the gas bill but yet we give away $10,000,” said Pastor Batteast.

He said they do this to help students in the community. Last year, they raised $10,000 to give 10 students $1,000 each.

“Most churches don’t do that maybe you get $200 maybe $300, but a thousand dollars at some schools that might just help cover like half of a tuition,” said Myron O’ Neal, past scholarship recipient.

Batteast said the scholarship process is simple: fill out an application, then send it to the church with attention to the Scholarship Committee. O’Neal said applicants should stay in contact with Pastor Batteast and show up to scholarship meetings.

“It’s just very simple just fill out an application the worst that can happen is you get a $1,000,” said Batteast.

Scholarship requirements include: must be a high school student, must have good grade standing, and must have completed a college application.