New Light: Illuminating Your Future Scholarship
Higher education should be accessible to everyone—regardless of religious background, family beliefs, or personal circumstances.
Within the Jehovah’s Witness faith, pursuing college or advanced education has traditionally been discouraged. For decades, members were advised to focus on religious work instead of academic or career goals, leading many to forgo opportunities for higher learning. Although the organization has recently softened its stance on higher education, this change stands in stark contrast to the long-standing culture that once strongly dissuaded members from pursuing college degrees. As a result, many former Witnesses still face the lingering effects of those earlier teachings—such as limited access to well-paying jobs that require degrees or certifications, minimal family support, and little guidance in navigating the road to higher education.
This scholarship seeks to support those who are choosing a new path forward in this world. It is dedicated to helping students who have left the Jehovah’s Witness faith and are now pursuing higher education as they build lives aligned with their own values and dreams.
Any high school senior, undergraduate, graduate student, or returning student may apply if they are a first-generation college student and formerly a Jehovah’s Witness. If you're not a former Jehovah’s Witness, DO NOT APPLY. Only former Jehovah’s Witnesses will be considered.
To apply, please write a short essay sharing your big and small goals for the future and how you plan to achieve them.
If you're not a former Jehovah’s Witness, DO NOT APPLY. Only former Jehovah’s Witnesses will be considered.
Focusing on the future and the life that you envision for yourself, describe your personal goals (big and small) and how you aim to meet those goals.
Winners and Finalists
July 2026
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is Jun 15, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jul 1, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jul 1, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
