Need-Based Scholarships: Endowed and Named Scholarships

These need-based endowed and named scholarships are additional financial aid awards provided by the Wheaton Academy Foundation. These scholarships can only be added to a family’s overall financial aid award if a student is nominated and meets each scholarship’s criteria. 

Families can apply to be considered for these scholarships through the financial aid application. Please visit the Affordability page to learn more about our financial aid application process and the corresponding deadlines.

Application is currently closed. It historically opens in early November and closes in early January.​

Please review the scholarships below. If you meet the requirements and wish to apply for one or more of the scholarships, please fill out an application. We use a single application for all of our endowed scholarships. 

Additionally, all endowed scholarships are need-based scholarships; therefore, we require families to complete the Blackbaud Financial Aid application to be considered for an endowed scholarship. Please visit the Affordability page to learn more about our financial aid application process and the corresponding deadlines.

ITEMS TO NOTE:

  • Scholarships are available to students entering their freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year at Wheaton Academy during the fall of 2024. Preference is given to current students.
  • The application should be completed by each applicant (one per student as opposed to one per family).
  • Applicants should only apply once per year.
  • The application must be completed in one sitting.
  • Applicants need only complete one online form to be considered for the multiple scholarships available.
  • Applications must be submitted to the Wheaton Academy Business Office via this online form by December 31, 2023.
  • Scholarship recipients will be notified at the time their financial aid package is awarded.
  • All recipients will be asked to provide a thank you note, personal profile, and photograph to be forwarded to the donor.

You will find all of the endowed and named scholarships listed below. If you are interested in contributing to Wheaton Academy’s endowment, please contact Doug Hardy, Director of Development. 

The AMDG Architects Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to applicants demonstrating financial need.

The Todd Beamer Christian Character and Leadership Award is given to a current Wheaton Academy student demonstrating financial need who demonstrates excellence in Christian character and leadership potential as modeled by former Wheaton Academy student and 9/11 hero Todd Beamer.

The Kay and Marge Gieser Memorial Scholarship is named in memory of former Wheaton Academy mothers and grandmothers Kay Gieser and Marge Gieser and has been supported by their family and friends since their passing in 1981 and 2011, respectively. This scholarship is available to applicants who are children of missionaries or those in other full-time Christian ministry and who demonstrate financial need.

The Dr. William A. Henning Scholarship is given to a current Wheaton Academy student who demonstrates a strong Christian commitment and character. This scholarship is available to applicants who are children of missionaries or who are from a single-parent home and who also demonstrate financial need.

The Ellen (Hansen ‘42) Lindop Scholarship is named and given in honor of Ellen, a 1942 graduate of Wheaton Academy. It is available to applicants demonstrating financial need.

The Paula (Jordan ’75) Lithander Scholarship is named in honor of a Wheaton Academy graduate from 1975 who lost the battle against stage 4 melanoma on August 5th, 2009. A classmate of hers, Howard Volz ’75, began a scholarship fund in her name to honor Paula’s legacy, particularly her commitment to ministry as a pastor’s wife, Bible study leader, and missionary to Bolivia.

This scholarship is available to applicants who are children of missionaries or those in other full-time Christian ministries and who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to pursue full-time Christian ministry in the future.

The Jean (Clausen ’52) Ludwig Scholarship is named in honor of 1952 WA graduate Jean (Clausen) Ludwig and has been supported by her family and friends since her death in 2009. This scholarship is available to applicants who demonstrate financial need, maintain a high academic standing, and are recommended by a Wheaton Academy employee.

The Dwight T. Peterson International Scholarship is named in honor of former Wheaton Academy parent and Board member Dwight T. Peterson. It has been supported by his family and friends since his death in 2003 and is available to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to those who personally, or whose parents, carry a passport from or hold citizenship in, a country other than the United States.

The Chet Stewart Endowed Scholarship is named and given in honor of Chet, a 1958 graduate of Wheaton Academy. It is available to applicants demonstrating financial need.

The Van Der Molen Family Scholarship is named in honor of a family who represents three generations of commitment to Wheaton Academy and its mission. This scholarship is available to applicants demonstrating financial need.

The Sherman Williams Scholarship is awarded to one male and one female student who have demonstrated financial need and who, at this point in their lives, have a sense that the Lord is calling them into vocational Christian ministry, just as Rev. Williams did during his time at Wheaton Academy.

The Gail Wittekind Scholarship is named in honor of beloved wife, mother, and Grandmother Gail Wittekind and has been supported by her family since her passing in 1998. This scholarship is available to applicants who are members of a single-parent family with more than one child, maintain a “B” GPA or above, and demonstrate the following:

  • strong moral character and leadership abilities as evidenced by participation in co-curricular activities
  • good manners in both speech and dress
  • ability to verbalize their Christian testimony and how God is working in their life
  • financial need

The Nancy Abels Wittekind Scholarship is named in honor of beloved wife, mother, and Grandmother Nancy Abels Wittekind and has been supported by her family since her death in 2012. This scholarship is available to applicants who are members of a single-parent family with more than one child, maintain a “B” GPA or above, and demonstrate the following:

  • strong moral character and leadership abilities as evidenced by participation in co-curricular activities
  • good manners in both speech and dress
  • ability to verbalize their Christian testimony and how God is working in their life
  • financial need