A Vision of Opportunity
The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund, Inc. is dedicated to honoring Charles and Olivia Keesee's desire to assist qualified students in obtaining an education at the Fund's beneficiary schools.
The Founding of the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund
In 1893, an ambitious young man, born and reared in Caswell County, North Carolina, came to Martinsville, Virginia, to seek his fortune. That young man was Charles B. Keesee. In 1896, Mr. Keesee was married to Miss Olivia Helms Simmons of Floyd, Virginia. Having no children of their own, it was their desire to help worthy young men and women obtain an education at Baptist institutions. Mr. Keesee provided in his will for the establishment of an educational fund, and after his death in 1940, the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund was established in 1941. Mrs. Keesee shared her husband's interest in assisting young people toward greater educational opportunities. At her death in 1944, she left a major part of her estate to the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund, Inc.
Today
Today, the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund provides financial assistance to eligible students attending a Keesee beneficiary school and planning to enter vocational Baptist ministry or undertake religious work in the Baptist denomination. Since its inception, the Fund has assisted thousands of qualified students in paying their educational expenses.
See Eligible Schools and Degrees for a list of Keesee beneficiary schools and eligible degrees for each school.
Keesee Grants
The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund accepts applications and awards two types of grants to students enrolled in a Keesee beneficiary school (see Eligible Schools and Degrees). Master's grants are available for qualified students enrolled in an eligible Master's degree. Doctoral grants are available for qualified students enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry program.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE REVIEW
Apply for a Keesee Grant
Applications are accepted for the academic year starting January 1st and are due as follows:
New Applicant
(has never applied for or been awarded a Keesee grant)- Master's Applications are due April 1st*
- Doctor of Ministry Applications are due May 1st*
Repeat Applicant
(has applied for and was awarded a Keesee grant; even if you did not accept your grant award, you are considered a repeat applicant; if this is your first time applying while enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program, but you received a Keesee grant while enrolled in a Master's program, you are still considered a repeat applicant)- Master's Applications are due March 1st*
- Doctoral Applications are due May 1st*
Applications are accepted for the spring semester only (winter/spring for Doctoral degrees) starting August 1st, and are due as follows:
- All spring-only Master's applications are due October 1st*
- All winter/spring Doctoral applications are due November 1st*
*If a deadline to apply falls on a weekend, applications will be accepted the next business day (typically the following Monday)
Ready to Apply?
First-time users will need to create a profile to apply for a Keesee grant.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A KEESEE GRANTApplication approvals/denials do not rest on a single factor, but on the strength of the entire application. Final decisions are at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Students will be notified by email after all applications are processed and decisions are available on the application portal.
Judson College at Southeastern
Keesee funds are available for eligible juniors and seniors enrolled at Judson College in certain degree programs. Please review the attached document for applicant requirements and eligible degrees.
Interested students must submit the proper application online through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The application may be accessed here: https://forms.office.com/r/Wepwq4HgU5. If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid office at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Applications are accepted January 1st through May 1st.
Frequently Asked Questions
For detailed answers to common questions, please refer to the following documents:
- Frequently Asked Questions – Master's Students
- Frequently Asked Questions – Doctoral Students
- Keesee Beneficiary School Information
For general questions, please contact us using the form below.