Welcome to the Loretta Parshall Scholarship Program!

The Trustees of the Muhammad Subuh Foundation (MSF), in July of 2025, established an Education Support Fund. This Fund was created by Lucian and Hannah Parshall to honor Lucian’s mother, Loretta.  Its purpose being:

“To provide financial support through a Loretta Parshall Scholarship Program for the educational needs of students throughout the Worldwide Subud Community.”

The Loretta Parshall Scholarship Program is administered by Susila Dharma International Association (SDIA). Dividends from the Education Support Fund held by MSF will sustain the scholarship program in perpetuity. SDIA has established an online application procedure and a review team to manage the scholarship awards. 

These scholarships will assist students throughout our Subud Community in helping them recognize their right field of study and realize their true talent. Students at all levels from pre-school to high school are eligible. Students must be active members, or in the family lineage of a Subud member.

 

Frequently

Asked Questions

(FAQs)

Who was Loretta Parshall?

The Education Support Fund and Loretta Parshall Scholarship Program was set up to honor my mother Loretta Parshall (1915-2011), a first-generation immigrant. While she never graduated from High School, she always stressed the importance of attaining a good education to her six sons and daughter as well as her 38 grand and great-grandchildren. 

My father named me after his father, who died a few months before I was born. When I explained Subud to both my parents and changed my name to ‘Lucian’, the name Bapak provided, my father was understandably very upset. He never accepted Subud and saw my name change as a snub. However, my mother said she wanted to experience the latihan immediately. She was always open to the worship of God in any way. 

Loretta lived in a small rural area of the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. Fortunately, Malinda Klafter, also an isolated member, lived somewhat nearby, in Rochester, NY. She opened her.  Loretta was 63 years old at the time. Essentially, only able to do latihan on and off with Malinda, or with my wife Hannah when we visited and later with our Subud sister, Jasmin Webb. By great fortune Jasmin had reason to visit the Finger Lakes regularly to check on her own mother, who had a summer cottage just four miles from Loretta. Mashallah. 

The number of members in Subud USA that knew Loretta could be counted on one hand. Yet she would do latihan for over 30 years till her passing at age 96, always pressing the value of a good education on her descendants.

In my grade school years, I had to walk a mile or so every morning to a Catholic School.  My mother would always stand by the front door with her parting words to me “walk with God.” I never realized how profound those words were till I found the latihan.

Lucian Parshall

Who can apply?

This Scholarship Program is intended to provide financial support for the educational needs of students throughout the worldwide Subud Community. Subud members between 18 and 25 years of age can apply on their own behalf.  For children and relatives of an active Subud member, the application should be made by the Subud member on behalf of their sisters, brothers, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. The Review committee may choose to engage with national helpers in your country to validate the applicant’s connection to Subud.

When can I apply?

Since the school year begins and ends at different times in different countries, the project advisory committee has determined that for the first year, which is a learning period, there will be two application windows:

Window A: Deadline June 15, 2026 (for those whose educational program begins in June-September)

Window B: Deadline October 15, 2026 (for those whose educational program begins in November- February)

Online learners may apply to either window.

What type of studies are covered?

Pre-school Support

1. Early Education Scholarships (3-5 years of age approximately) are available for families who need tuition assistance in preschool or early childhood programs. The program provides Early Learning Scholarships based on annual tuition (up to $1,000) for the needs of children, aged three to the time they enter primary school. This Scholarship is paid directly to the program to cover tuition costs, where possible via the SD National organisation or national helpers dewan.

2. Primary school through high school programs (ages 5-17 approximately – kindergarten through end of high school, depending on the national education system)

There are two windows for this award. The first is to support a specific project that young learners want to carry out on behalf of their community.

A. Project-based awards for specific initiatives (up to $1,000 USD, based on project budget). These encompass three areas for project-based learning and community contribution – they may include making videos, online presentations, booklets and other initiatives where students carry out community projects. These projects might include:

a) Civility Initiatives that engage fellow students to seek kindness, creativity, and collaborative behavior that address or make a tangible difference within their school environment or;

b) Environment Initiatives that make a significant impact in the field of environmental advocacy. For students actively engaged in environmental projects and initiatives that both celebrate and demonstrate leadership and commitment to a healthy planet through innovative projects or campaigns or;

c) Social Initiatives that recognize students who actively address issues through innovative projects that demonstrate the commitment to solving pressing societal problems either through entrepreneurship or non-profit community engagement.

B. Needs-based awards (up to $1,000 USD per annum). In addition to the above, in many countries there may be a need to assist families just to cover the cost of basic education. The needs-based award can include school fees, uniforms, books, transport and other costs without which the learner cannot complete their education. This award is for primary and secondary students whose families do not have the means to meet these basic expenses, and therefore are at risk of not completing their course of study.

3. Evan Padilla Scholarship for higher education (post-secondary, college/university/technical institute or online program – up to and including students 25 years of age)

This scholarship is for any fulltime student (minimum 12 class hours per semester) enrolled in a higher education program at an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school, community or junior college that leads to a degree or certificate. This Scholarship is awarded for expenses including tuition, fees, books, materials/equipment, or room/board. Annual awards of $500 per semester (or $333 per tri-semester) or a total of $1,000 per academic year are either made directly to the student or via an SD National organisation or Subud committee which could pay the tuition/expenses on their behalf. This may include online learning options in countries where in-person course options are limited or too costly. It may be awarded up to four consecutive years. Verification of successful completion of the prior semester is required for renewal.

How to apply?

If you are a Subud member aged 18-25 you can apply on your own behalf by completing the appropriate forms below. Any other Subud member can apply on behalf of a child or family member by completing one or more of the forms below:

Important notice: Please note that in order to apply, you must do so using a Gmail account. If you do not have a Gmail account or need further assistance with this, please email us at any of the addresses listed at the bottom of this page. We will be happy to help you with your application.

Two ways to support these scholarships

Thank you for your interest in donating to either the Education Support Fund (ESF) managed by the Muhammad Subuh Foundation (MSF) or the Loretta Parshall Scholarship Program (LPSP) administered by Susila Dharma International Association (SDIA). 

How it works: the initial capitalization of the ESF is targeted to produce an annual dividend into perpetuity. The dividends from the ESF are then transferred to SDIA for the scholarship awards.

  • When you make a donation through SDIA to the Loretta Parshall Scholarship Program your funds are used immediately for grants to Subud students.
  • When you make a donation through MSF your funds go into a long-term Education Support Fund and are invested by the Foundation in low growth, high dividend equities.

If you wish to know more about the giving and investments contact Lucian.

Have any questions?

We are here to answer them.
Please contact lorettaparshallprogram@susiladharma.org or [email protected] and we will be pleased to support you.