Eastern Star Training Award for Religious Leadership (ESTARL) & Education
ESTARL
As an organization which is founded on the belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, our greatest reward is knowing we have had a small part in preparing those who can lead others to live their lives close to God. A “Scholarship for Religious Education” was begun in June 1952 and became a permanent committee in 1956. At each Grand Chapter Session an ESTARL worship service is held on Sunday morning.
Who is Eligible for an ESTARL grant?
The ESTARL scholarship is open to any person pursuing an education which will enable him or her to serve in God in leadership as 1) minister, 2), missionary, 3) director of church music, or 4) director of youth or religious education. Candidates for this award must be in at least their second year of college. Membership in or relationship to anyone in the Order or any affiliated Masonic organization is not required.
How to Apply
The first step is to fill out the Request for ESTARL Grant form and gather the required information listed there. The form will need to be turned into the secretary of a local Chapter. Once the Chapter votes to support the request, the form will be sent to the ESTARL/Education Committee. Members of the committee screen the candidates on the basis of academic record, citizenship, character, and financial need. The amount of the grant is variable up to $1,200 per year and can be renewed. The money is sent to the accredited school of the applicant’s choice to be used to help defray school expense.
How You Can Help
Donate online using the form below. Chapters or others who want to donate by check may make their check out to The Grand Chapter of Georgia, OES and mail to the Grand Chapter at P.O. Box 2436, Kennesaw, GA 30156. Be sure to put ESTARL Fund on the memo line.
EDUCATION
In 1963 a resolution was adopted to combine the ESTARL and Education Committee into one. Even though the ESTARL and Education Committee was combined, the funds are still maintained and awarded separately. The amount of the grant for education is up to $1,200.
How to Apply
The first step is to fill out the Request for Education Grant form and gather the required information listed there. The form will need to be turned into the secretary of a local Chapter. Once the Chapter votes to support the request, the form will be sent to the ESTARL/Education Committee. Members of the committee screen the candidates on the basis of academic record, citizenship, character, and financial need. The amount of the grant is variable up to $1,200 per year and can be renewed. The money is sent to the accredited school of the applicant’s choice to be used to help defray school expense.
How You Can Help
You can donate to the ESTARL/Education fund online using the form below. Chapters or others who want to donate by check may make their check out to The Grand Chapter of Georgia, OES and mail to the Grand Chapter at P.O. Box 2436, Kennesaw, GA 30156. Be sure to put ESTARL/Education Fund on the memo line.
Instructions for Donating using the online form
On the form below, select the amount you want to donate or choose custom amount then enter the amount you want to donate. Click the Donate button.
On the Donation Summary screen, you can add a note to make the donation in honor or memory of someone or a group. Click More Payment Options.
On the next screen, enter your email address and click the Continue button. Choose your payment method and enter the required information. Review the information and when ready press Continue to confirm and go to the “checkout” page. Complete the checkout to donate. You will receive an email confirming your donation.
Thank you for supporting our ESTARL and Education recipients pursue their education.
History
The first educational funds were collected in 1910 when Electa Chapter held an entertainment to raise money for a business course for the eldest boy in the Masonic Children’s Home. With this modest beginning Georgia began the first Education Loan Fund. The fund became permanent in 1916 and a committee of Trustees was elected. In 1962 the committee recommended that education loans be discontinued and that instead education grants be awarded without the requirement of reimbursement.
It is estimated over the years we have assisted more than 850 students and over $360,000 in scholarships.