Laughlin Trust Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Nebraska Funeral Directors Association

Introduction These scholarships support Nebraska residents who intend to pursue careers in mortuary science. Applicants must satisfy the criteria below and follow the application and interview procedures set by the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association (NeFDA) Scholarship Committee.

Eligibility To be considered, an applicant must:

• Intend to pursue a profession in mortuary science.
• Be a current resident of Nebraska.
• Hold a diploma from a Nebraska high school.
• Provide a typed application, official high school and college transcripts, and a letter from the State of Nebraska Credentialing Division confirming that all pre-mortuary academic requirements have been fulfilled — or submit an approved plan demonstrating how those requirements will be completed before beginning mortuary school.
• Include a letter of recommendation from a member of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association with the application.
• Demonstrate good moral character.
• Submit the completed application package to the NeFDA office by June 15 each year; applications will be date-stamped upon receipt.
• Agree to return to Nebraska and practice in the state for a minimum of three years after graduating from mortuary school. If the recipient moves out of Nebraska before completing the three-year obligation, the full amount received from the scholarship must be repaid to the Laughlin Scholarship Fund.

Timing for interviews and application submission dependent on program length:

• For students entering a one-year mortuary science program: submit the scholarship application and complete a personal interview with the Scholarship Committee before matriculating at the accredited mortuary school. All State of Nebraska pre-mortuary academic requirements must be met prior to enrollment.
• For students pursuing a four-year program: submit the scholarship application and complete a personal interview with the Scholarship Committee prior to beginning the third year of study. All State of Nebraska pre-mortuary academic requirements must be met prior to entering mortuary science college.

Selection process

• Finalists will be interviewed in person by the NeFDA Scholarship Committee. Applicants must appear before the committee in person; no exceptions will be allowed.
• The Scholarship Committee selects recipients. Those selections must be approved by the NeFDA Board of Directors by July 31 of each year.

Use and distribution of funds

• Scholarship awards may be applied toward mortuary science coursework, provided the State of Nebraska pre-mortuary academic requirements have been satisfied.
• The number and amount of grants distributed will depend on available funds and the Committee’s discretion.
• If a recipient withdraws from school, any unused portion of the Trust grant shall be returned directly to the Trust.