Eastern Star Training Award for Religious Leadership (ESTARL) & Education
ESTARAL
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. The scholarships are open to any person called to serve God in leadership including as 1) ministers, 2), missionaries, 3) directors of church music, 4) directors 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. The candidate must be pursuing an education which will enable him or her to serve in a religious field. 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.
Donations or special projects provide the money for the grants. It is estimated over the years we have assisted more than 850 students with approximately $360,000 in scholarships.
At each Grand Chapter Session an ESTARL worship service is held on Sunday morning.
Anyone interested in being considered for a grant should contact a chapter in your local area. The chapter will provide you an application form or you may obtain one from the Committee or the Grand Secretary of Georgia.
EDUCATION
The first educational funds were collected in 1910 when Electa Chapter held an entertainment to raise an 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.
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.
Funds to support education awards are obtained from Grand Chapter projects and donations.
All donations are welcome and the check should be sent to the Grand Secretary of Georgia.
Anyone interested in being considered for a grant should contact a chapter in your local area. The chapter will provide you an application form or you may obtain one from the ESTARL and Education Committee or the Grand Secretary of Georgia.