In 1922, a college scholarship program was inaugurated with an initial appropriation from Supreme Council funds. In 1932, Leon M. Abbott bequeathed additional funds to establish an Education and Charity Fund. The first Abbott scholarship was awarded in 1951. For many years, the scholarships were presented to journalism students at selected universities throughout the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. In 1984, it was voted to expand the scholarship program by awarding grants to children of Scottish Rite members and to young people active in the youth groups affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. In 1985-86, the first academic year, funds were allocated for 68 scholarships.Eligibility criteria are listed as follows:

• A Scottish Rite Mason of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
• A Child of a Scottish Rite Mason who is a High School Senior or currently enrolled at an accredited College, University, or Trade School who has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• A member of DeMolay, Rainbow, or Jobs Daughters  who is a High School Senior or currently enrolled at an accredited College, University, or Trade School and has attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.