The Braswell/Finch Scholarship
Emerald Isle Baptist Church established the Braswell/Finch scholarship in 2017 to honor Reverend Freddie Braswell, the church’s first full-time pastor and Reverend Doctor Curt Finch, the church’s founding pastor. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded annually by the Education Team of the Ministry Council to help fund the recipient’s post high school education.
Congratulations to Becky Renfrow Pope, one of our co-recipients of the Braswell/Finch annual scholarship. She is the daughter of Phillip and Shannon Renfrow.
Becky is entering Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine—Carolinas in Spartanburg, SC.. She and her husband Cameron will move to South Carolina for the duration of her education.
Please remember Becky in your prayers as she pursues her dream to become a doctor.
Congratulations also to Madison Bowen She is the daughter of Joey and Megan Bowen.
Madison will attend Marshall University in Huntington, WV, on an athletic scholarship. She will pursue a degree in elementary education and will be a member of the university’s swim team.
Please keep Madison in your prayers as she pursues her goal to become a teacher.
Eligibility requirements:
The applicant may be a church member, child of a church member, or someone who has maintained an active relationship with Emerald Isle Baptist Church. The recipient’s age is not a factor, but he/she must be a high school graduate seeking higher education. The scholarship may be awarded to a student entering college as a freshman or a student already enrolled in college or graduate school or an older student enrolling in an institution of higher education for the first time. (For the purposes of these eligibility requirements higher education refers to any institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or another of the similar regional nationally recognized accrediting agencies).
These funds can be used for any legitimate higher education expenses including but not limited to tuition, books, supplies and travel.
By March 1 each year, the Ministry Council’s Education Team will announce applications for the scholarship are available and persons interested should apply by April 17th. However, this deadline does not preclude a student who is entering college later in the academic year from applying for the scholarship if it has not been awarded that year or applying for the scholarship the following year. The recipient of the scholarship will be announced by the Education Team to the church in a timely manner. A person may apply, and if selected by the Education Team, receive the Braswell/Finch Scholarship a second time.
Information for Applicant:
1. Pick up an application and guidelines from the church secretary or print one from this website.
2. Submit all material by the specified deadline to the church secretary. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered. All material submitted in this application process will be kept in confidence.
3. The application also requires a personal statement/essay of no more than three typewritten pages highlighting the applicant’s involvement with Emerald Isle Baptist church, including activities in the church and community. This essay should also provide information on the applicant’s field of study and reflect goals, motivation and plans post college.
4. An official transcript (either for high school or college, for those applicants currently enrolled) and two letters of recommendation must accompany this application.
5. Applications will be reviewed, and all applicants interviewed by the Education Team who will make the final decision on awarding the scholarship.
6. The preferred method of payment would be the church making a direct payment to the institution of higher education where the recipient is enrolling or continuing their studies. If this is not practical, the recipient may receive a check for $3,000 from the church after:
a. Presenting documentation of current enrollment, or
b. Presenting documentation of continuing enrollment, or
c. Presenting proof of acceptance into an institution of higher education.
7. In the event the scholarship recipient drops out during the first semester of study following the award, he/she will be expected to repay the scholarship to Emerald Isle Baptist Church.
8. The recipient will be recognized in church at a date and time to be determined by the Education team.
