The Rev. Michael J. Bader Memorial Scholarship Program is governed by Virginia State Council By-laws resolution 2021-10 that superseded the original resolution 94-03 and incorporated several others passed in previous years. 2025 will mark 31 consecutive years of awards. The Program was and is intended to be perpetual and enduring. It provides all Virginia Councils and Assemblies the ability to leverage often limited budgets with State Program funds and offer meaningful onetime 1st year college scholarships to their members, children, and grandchildren. Affiliate members are not eligible, nor are online members not associated with a Virginia Council.
Three-part fillable PDF application forms are updated by 1 October annually. They are readily downloadable from the State website. Links to each form are included at the end of this overview.
Program funds are maintained in a Restricted Fund within the state’s budgeting system and historically invested in CDs. Total program funds have hovered around $100,000 +/- in the 2020 – 2023 timeframe, well below its high point in the 2010-12 timeframe. Resolution 2021-10 specifies thresholds below which awards cannot be made. Annual award levels are supported solely by voluntary donations and interest on CDs. Unlike the state’s KOVAR and VKCCI charities, the Fr. Father Bader Scholarship is not a 501(c)3 incorporated charity and it has no Board of Directors or structured stewardship other than budget lines for awards and donations. Fund contributions can come from any Knight, Council, Assembly, or other K of C entity or friend of the knights throughout the State.
From 2010 through 2023 the program awarded 145 Scholarships totaling $218,775. Awardees were sponsored by 65 Councils from 33 Districts Statewide. The average scholarship in this period was >$1,500. Grand Knights and District Deputies interested in their Council/District award history, or with any other program questions, are welcome to contact the Program Chairman (contact info in the State Directory).
The Program was established principally to engage the critical demographic of graduating High School seniors; and support the many Virginia Councils and Assemblies that do not routinely have sufficient funds to award their own scholarships. Graduating children and grandchildren of Council members in good standing are eligible to apply. Active teenage members of Councils or Squire/Squire Rose Circles headed to college are also eligible. Award recommendations are made by committee based on the “Whole Person”. No single factor outweighs others. State Officers review committee recommendations and make the final award decisions.
HS Senior/rising college freshman application forms are in fillable PDF format and are available for download from the State Website. The application forms are submitted to the Program Chairman electronically or by mail. The application period is 1 January to 31 March annually. An essay is not required but resumes are strongly recommended in addition to the completed forms. Awards are announced in early May each year during the Awards Breakfast at the Annual Meeting. Award dollars are sent in June directly to the education institution each awardee plans to attend to be credited to the awardee’s student account. Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries must track their sponsored applicants and ensure awardees provided the necessary information to the State.
Separate from graduating HS Seniors (rising college freshman), Brother Knights or their spouses in dire financial need are also eligible for awards subject to the total fund threshold contained in Resolution 2021-10. Letter applications documenting financial need can be sent to the Program Chairman at any time during the year.
Donations are critical to the long-term sustainment and growth of fund award levels. Donations may be made at any time during the Fraternal Year. Checks must be made out to the State Council, with “Fr. Bader” on the memo line, and sent or hand delivered directly to the State Secretary. Cash is also accepted but must be designated for Fr. Bader. Donations can come from individuals or any K of C entity including Councils, Assemblies, Circles, Corporations, State Council, 4th Degree District, and Ladies of Virginia.