Financial Aid Resources  

Deadline: May 1

Criteria:
For MDiv candidates who will be ordained in the ELCA.  Must be a graduate of St. Olaf College.

Contact:
Cleven Seminary Scholarship
Office of Church Relations
St. Olaf College
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057-1098

churchrelations@stolaf.edu
507 786 8254

Deadline: Apr 14

Criteria:
Priority will be given to students nominated from the membership of First Lutheran Church in Williston, ND and/or Grace Lutheran Church of Wildrose, ND, but only if those congregations subscribe to the Christian Doctrine as expressed in the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed.

Contact:
*Pick up application in the Financial Aid office*

North Dakota Community Foundation
PO Box 387
Bismarck, ND 58502-0387

Deadline: Jun 20

Criteria:
The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution.

Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 30.

Contact:
www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm

Deadline: April 1

Criteria:
Applicants must be pursuing their degree through a distance learning program.

Contact:
www.education-portal.com/pages/Graduate_Level_Distance_Learning_Degrees_-_Academic_Award.html

Deadline: Oct 31

Criteria:
ELCA Middlers or Seniors planning to become pastors, missionaries or church musicians.  Preference is given to students from the Northeastern Iowa Synod.

Contact:
www.luthersem.edu/finaid/forms/CHRISTIANSEN%20multi%20year.pdf

Deadline: Aug 15

Criteria:
Students and undergraduate students, especially Black women, who have excelled academically.   Applicants should demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and present evidence of leadership through participation in community and college service.

Contact:
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Attn: Educational Advancement Foundation
5656 South Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637

773 947 0026

www.akaeaf.org

Deadline: Dec 31

Criteria:
Full-time students of ELCA seminaries who were active participants in the ministry of the Lutheran Student Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Above average GPA

Contact:
The Alvin & Edel Petersen Scholarship Fund
Lutheran Student Center
535 North Sixteenth Street
Lincoln, NE  68508

Deadline: Varies

Criteria:
One of the world's largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, the AAUW Educational Foundation supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.

Contact:
AAUW Educational Foundation
Dept 60
301 ACT Drive
Iowa City, IA  52243-4030

319 337 1716 ext.60
aauw@act.org

www.aauw.org/education/fga/awards/index.cfm

Deadline: May 31

Criteria:
Eligibility criteria for all applicants:

• Membership in an American Baptist Churches USA congregation
  
• United States citizenship

Graduate students (Ph.D. candidates only) must enroll in a preparative course of study for a church-related vocation. Scholarship amounts vary.

Contact:
Office of Financial Aid for Studies, National Ministries, ABCUSA
P.O. Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851

800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2067
Fax: 610-768-2470

www.nationalministries.org/education/financial_aid/

Deadline: Jan 31

Criteria:
The Amy Foundation Writing Awards program is designed to recognize creative, skillful writing that presents in a sensitive, thought-provoking manner the biblical principles on issues affecting the world today with an emphasis on discipling.  To be eligible, submitted articles must be published in a secular, non-religious publication (either printed or online) and must be reinforced with at least one passage of scripture.

Contact:
The Amy Foundation Writing Awards
P.O. Box 16091
Lansing MI 48901-6091

517 323 6233
amyfoundtn@aol.com

www.amyfound.org

Deadline: Varies

Criteria:
Annual scholarship for Valparaiso University graduates who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated financial need
  
• Meet the admissions requirements of Luther Seminary for full-time students in the Master of Divinity program.

Deadline: Typically Oct 15 of each year.

Criteria:
The purpose of the program is to enrich the experience of a wide range of promising individuals at mid-career to help them prepare for greater responsibilities and contributions to the communities in which they live and work. 

Contact:
Bush Leadership Fellows Program
Suite E 900
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN  55101

651 227 0891
info@bushfoundation.org

www.bushfellows.org/leadership

Deadline: Apr 15

Criteria:
Must be a resident of Dane County, Wisconsin, and a member of an ELCA congregation in Dane County when enrolling in seminary.

Contact:
Bethel Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation
312 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, WI  53703

bethel@bethel-madison.org

www.bethel-madison.org/aboutus/endowment.html

Deadline: Jun 1 for funds beginning in July of the next year

Criteria:
The foundation offers research grants for projects that promote a balance between technology advancements and preservation of the natural/human environment.  Does not fund scholarships or tuition reimbursements.

Contact:
Lindbergh Foundation
2150 Third Avenue North, Suite 310
Anoka, MN  55303-2200

763 576 1596
Fax: 763 576 1664
info@lindberghfoundation.org

www.lindberghfoundation.org

Deadline: Mar 6

Criteria:
Full-time students preparing for the ministry.  Selection is based on academic merit, financial need and community service. 

The scholarship is renewable for up to three years.

Contact:
sallyking@bellsouth.net

https://www.wachoviascholars.com/hovr/index.php

Deadline: Oct 15

Criteria:
Members of the United Methodist Church who plan to teach in seminaries, or to teach one of the theological disciplines (Bible, church history, theology, ethics, and the arts of ministry) in universities or colleges.

The applicant must have received the M.Div. degree or its equivalent from one of the United Methodist seminaries, or be in a Ph.D. program or its equivalent at a university affiliated with a United Methodist seminary at the time the award is granted.

Verification of study toward the Ph.D. or equivalent degree is required prior to the distribution of the stipend. A person already holding a Ph.D. degree is not excluded from candidacy. Graduate study by current seminary faculty to meet changing faculty needs will be considered.

Candidacy for ordination as an elder in an annual conference of The United Methodist Church is preferred.

Contact:
Rev. Beth Luton
Assistant General Secretary
Division of Ordained Ministry
P. O. Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0007

615-340-7388
Fax: 615-340-7377
dcheatham@gbhem.org

www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3501661/k.6892/Graduate_Fellowships.htm

Deadline: Feb 15 ***No new scholarships in 2009. Hope to reinstate in 2010***

Criteria:
Merit-based renewable scholarship for seminary study.  Must be taking a Masters in Divinity or Theology.  Applicants considering pulpit ministry preferred.  Interview Required.

Contact:
Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation
736 Market St, Suite 1706
Chattanooga, TN 37402-4503

423 266 5257

www.cccfdn.org

Deadline: Jun 1

Criteria:
Male seminary students in the MDIV program who are from Iowa.  Students who were born in another state, but who have lived a year in Iowa, and have registered to vote and voted in Iowa may also apply.

Contact:
David J.W. Proctor's Office
Elmer O. and Ida Preston Educational Trust
801 Grand Avenue, Suite 3700
Des Moines, IA  50309-2727

Deadline: Feb 1

Criteria:
Multiple scholarships with variety of criteria

Contact:
Karla Kay Nicklaus
ESA Foundation State Counselor
3825 35th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN  55406

612 729 9376
kkn@usfamily.net

www.esaintl.com/esaf

Deadline: Varies

Criteria:
Students preparing for leadership in a field or fields of religious service.

Contact:
Contact Local Eastern Star chapter, or

ESTARL Committee, General Grant Chapter
Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC  02009-2578

www.easternstar.org

Deadline: Varies, usually March, April and May

Criteria:
Varies

Contact:
www.thefund.org

Click on 'fund finder' to access information on a variety of scholarships and grants.

Deadline:

Criteria:
Various GI Bill programs
All information on website

Contact:
www.gibill.va.gov

888 GIBILL1

Deadline: May 1

Criteria:
Full-time M.Div. St. Olaf grad intending to become an ordained minister.

Contact:
St. Olaf College, Office of Church Relations
1520 St. Olaf Ave.
Northfield, MN  55057 

507 786 8254
churchrelations@stolaf.edu

Deadline: March 31

Criteria:
The William and Alice Hinckley Fund scholarships will be awarded, primarily to graduate students from the San Francisco Bay Area.  Financial need, career plans reflecting humanitarian concern, and good academic work are given priority by the selection committee.  Applicants chosen for final consideration will be interviewed by a member of the scholarship committee.  The Scholarship Committee may limit the number of scholarships awarded to students following the same career paths.   The Hinckley Fund requires that students who have been awarded a scholarship make a midterm report by December 15 and a final report by June 15 to the Hinckley Fund. 

Application are usually available from the church February 1.  The deadline for receipt of complete applications is 5 pm March 31.   Email or Fax substitutions will NOT be accepted.

Contact:
Wm & Alice Hinckley Fund
1st Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco
1187 Franklin St.
San Francisco, CA 94109

Deadline: Rolling

Criteria:
Applicants must show interest in Christian education or involvement with the church, financial need, and prior academic performance. Recommendations from instructors, and possible interview.

Contact:
Howard H. Klein Foundation
10515 Rodgers Road
Houston, TX  77070

Deadline: Mar 1

Criteria:
Resident of Bexar County, TX
Between ages of 18-24
Studying missionary work

Contact:
First Presbyterian Church
404 N Alamo
San Antonio, TX  78205

www.saafdn.org

Deadline: Apr 30

Criteria:
Full-time M.Div.
B average or better
U.S. or Canadian citizen
Make requests only between Jan 1 and Mar 31

You must also include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Contact:
Director, Student Ministry Department
P.O. Box 1040
Chautauqua, NY  14722-1040

www.iokds.org/scholarship1.html

Deadline: Feb 1

Criteria:
Full-time student in first graduate degree program
Undergraduate GPA 3.5+
Financial need
College senior or graduated within last 5 years

Must be nominated by faculty of undergraduate school.

Contact:
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
2255 North Dubuque Road
P.O. Box 4030
Iowa City, IA  52243-4030

800 498 6478
jkc-g@act.org

www.jkcf.org

Deadline: January 31 for Spring Semester August 31 for Fall Semester

Criteria:
Theological Students

Preference is given to applicants from Washington County, Texas and surrounding counties.

Contact:
Sally M. Jones
P.O. Box 382
Brenham, TX  77814

Contact:
Contact local chapter

Criteria:
The applicant:

• must be nominated by the President of her institution;
  
• may attend the institute of her choice providing the program includes work in governance, financial management, administration, and professional development;
  
• must gain admission to the institute of her choice and provide written confirmation of the admission to the institute before the scholarship is disbursed;
  
• must show that her institution is sharing the cost of the summer institute by providing financial support in a variety of ways such as transportation, staff support as necessary, etc;

Additional Scholarship Committee Considerations

• Applicant's expectations from the institute clearly stated and attainable;
  
• Preference is given to applicants who have the terminal degree in their discipline;
  
• Preference is given to applicants with at least three years experience in teaching or administration;
  
• Involvement of applicants in Women of the ELCA

Other Notes:

• The maximum amount awarded to any recipient for this scholarship is  $2000.
  
• Recipients are eligible to reapply and receive assistance for a  maximum of two years;
  
• Women of the ELCA reserves the right to not award scholarships in any given year.

Deadline: Feb 10

Criteria:
Maintain GPA above 3.0
Permanent resident of one of the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle
Intending to serve as pulpit pastor

Contact:
www.bivinsfoundations.org
info@bivinsfoundations.org

806 379 9400

Deadline: Mar 31

Criteria:
Persons eligible for scholarships are persons who intend to be or already are missionaries.

One should have a heart for mission, and should be serious about full-time ministry as a missionary. 

It is preferred, but not required, that such a person be committed to Lutheran theology. 

It is primarily intended that the contemplated missionary service be outside the United States, but such missionary service may include service to immigrant or ethnic groups within the United States, and might possibly include service to unchurched people in the United States.

Contact:
Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley
7520 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427

Liz Turner
lturner@calvary.org
Applications available at www.calvary.org.

763 545 5659

Deadline: Jul 1 (priority)

Criteria:
Student must be a Minnesota resident who is of one quarter or more Indian ancestry, enrolled at least half-time.

Contact:
MN Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive Ste. 350
St. Paul, MN  55108
(800) 657-3866
Online application available at www.getreadyforcollege.org/indianscholarship

Deadline: Mar 1

Criteria:
Iowa resident planning to pursue a career in the ministry. Selection based on academic excellence, overall fitness for the profession, and financial need.

Contact:
University of Iowa
Department of Religious Studies
Walker Scholarship
314 Gilmore Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242

319 335 2164

Deadline: Varies

Criteria:
Membership in an NCCC Church. 
Intention to serve in CCC ministry upon completion of degree.
Enrolled at least half-time.

Contact:
www.naccc.org/ministries/CongregationalFoundationForTheologicalStudies.aspx

800 262 1620 x22

Deadline: Jun 30

Criteria:
Students who are legally blind, living in the United States and enrolled full-time.  Must attend the July convention where awards are presented.

Contact:
National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Committee
scholarships@nfb.org

Sheila Koenig, Chairperson
shekoenig@comcast.net
612 977 9110

www.nfb.org/scholarships

Deadline: Varies

Criteria:
Applicants must be enrolled in a college music program leading to a career in the ministry of music. The awards, based on merit, will be available to members of all faiths.

Contact:
An application form may be downloaded from
www.religiousmusicweek.com/scholar.html

Deadline: Sept 1

Criteria:
First year seminary student - Augustana College(SD)graduate at a Lutheran Seminary

Contact:
Augustana College Office of Church Relations
2001 S. Summit Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD  57197
chapel@augie.edu

605 274 4603

Deadline: February 1

Criteria:
Awarded to N/W Lower MI Synod members who have received a positive approval for entrance from their Candidacy Committee, are admitted and attend an accredited seminary full-time, and are studying for parish ministry.

Contact:
Applications available at www.mittensynod.org/leadership/scholarships.html

Synod Office
517 321 5066

Deadline: Aug 1

Criteria:
Any ELCA student attending Luther Seminary from Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, or from a foreign country, in preparation for parish ministry is eligible to apply

Contact:
Applications Available in the Office of Financial Aid

Deadline: Request application by Dec. 15 Due by Jan 31.

Criteria:
From country other than US/Canada
Full-time grad student in US/Canada
Full year remaining
Promise to return to home country

Contact:
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund
P.E.O. Executive Office
3700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA  50312-2899

www.peointernational.org/about

515 255 3153

Deadline: Spring

Criteria:
Women Graduate Students who are enrolled full time and making satisfactory progress.

Contact:
P.E.O. Executive Office
3700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA  50312-2899

www.peointernational.org/about

515 255 3153

Deadline: May 1

Criteria:
PC (USA) women who are members of churches within the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and are inquirers or candidates under care of presbytery, in MDiv or specialized ministry degree program.

Contact:
Presbyterian Women
Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area
122 W. Franklin Ave., Suite 508
Minneapolis, MN  55404

www.ptcaweb.org/ptcawomen.html

Deadline: Mar 31 - No Scholarship for 2009

Criteria:
Applicants must be full-time degree students preparing for church occupations at either the seminary or graduate levels. Preference will be given to students under care of the Presbytery of Chicago.  Award amounts vary depending on financial need and the recipient's plan of study.

Contact:
Presbytery of Chicago
100 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607

312 243 8300

Deadline: Mar 1

Criteria:
The Lydia Fund seeks to equip evangelical women for leadership in the PC(USA).  Applicants must be female MDiv students involved in the candidate process of the PC(USA).

Contact:
www.npwl.org/lydia-scholarship

Deadline: Sept 30

Criteria:
Applicants must be racial ethnic students whose permanent residence is within the bounds of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.

Be an active member in a congregation of the PCUSA, and be studying for preparation for ministry in the PCUSA or in a related ecumenical organization. 

Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time, in good academic standing, making progress toward a degree, and able to demonstrate financial need.

Contact:
Committee on Racial Ethnic Ministry at the Synod Office

www.lakesandprairies.org/resources-r_e_scholarship.html

800 328 1880

Deadline: Mar 1

Criteria:
For Lutherans of any age residing/rostered in the Southern Ohio Synod seeking religious educational opportunities including seminary study, full or part time.  Members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, Ohio receive special consideration.

Contact:
The Springfield Foundation
4 West Main Street
Suite 825
Springfield, OH  45502

Applications online at www.springfieldfoundation.org/sguidelines.html

937 324 8773

Deadline: Jul 1

Criteria:
MDiv candidates who hold membership in a Lutheran Congregation in Wisconsin.

Based on financial need.  Student must be enrolled full-time, and be a candidate for ordination.  Not available for internship.

Contact:
Student must complete application and return to the Office of Financial Aid no later than July 1 of each year.  Complete application must also be accompanied by a letter from student's pastor verifying the student's church membership.  The letter must be an original on church letterhead.  Applications without a current pastor's letter will not be accepted.  The application can be downloaded from the website.  It is located in the forms section.

Your Luther Seminary financial aid application must be complete by July 1 so that we can complete our portion of the application.  Siebert applicants must complete the Luther Seminary Application as well as the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Siebert Lutheran Foundation
2600 N. Mayfair Rd.
Suite 390
Wauwatosa, WI  53226
(414) 257-2656
www.siebertfoundation.org

Deadline: Varies

Criteria:
Various scholarships available primarily for students from the South Dakota Synod.  Descriptions of the various scholarships can be found at the South Dakota Synod website.

Contact:
Please contact the synod directly.

www.sdsynod.org

Deadline: Mar 1 of each year.

Criteria:
Member of UMC or employed by UMC.  Each year the Fellowship awards up to five scholarships for higher education.  All applicants must be students planning a career in church music and/or worship arts.

Contact:
Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts
Applications online at www.fummwa.affiniscape.com

Deadline: Nov 1

Criteria:
Must be a "Green Card" holder or naturalized citizen or have two parents who are naturalized citizens as of the date of your  application.

May not be older than 30 as of November 1, of the year you are applying.

In first or second year of graduate study.

Contact:
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
400 West 59th Street
New York, NY  10019

pdsoros_fellows@sorosny.org
www.pdsoros.org

212 547 6926

Criteria:
Openly Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender United Church of Christ seminarians

Contact:
The William R. Johnson Scholarship
Parish Life and Leadership Ministry Team
700 Prospect Ave. E
Cleveland, OH  44115-1100

www.ucc.org/seminarians/ucc-scholarships-for.html

216 736 3849    
866 822 8224

Deadline: Varies from Feb 1 to May 15

Criteria:
General Criteria for MDiv or Doctoral students

Membership in a UCC congregation for at least one year prior to receiving a scholarship
Enrollment in a course of study leading to ordained ministry
In-care of an Association or Conference at time of application
At least a "B" average maintained
Agrees to serve in the UCC or a partner church on completion of seminary
Demonstrates leadership ability through participation in local church, Association, Conference, or academic environment

Contact:
Information on various scholarships can be found at:
www.ucc.org/seminarians/ucc-scholarships-for.html

Deadline: Mar 1

Criteria:
United Methodist women over 35 with B.A. or equivalent
Certified candidate for elder's orders
Full time in MDiv program

Contact:
Division of Ordained Ministry
Georgia Harkness Scholarship Award
PO Box 340007
Nashville, TN  37203-0007
gharkness@gbhem.org

615 340 7409

Application available online at www.gbhem.org.

Deadline: Jan 15

Criteria:
Preparing for full-time vocation in the UMC
Have a Minnesota connection (Home, Parent's Home, Home Church, Sponsor) 

Sponsor:  First United Methodist Church - St. Cloud, Minnesota

Contact:
First United Methodist Church
Scholarship Committee Chair
302 South Fifth Avenue
St. Cloud, MN  56301
(320)251-0804
(320)251-9878 - fax
fumc@fumc-stcloud.org

Deadline: Nov 1

Criteria:
Enrolled as of Sept 1 of application year
Financial Need
Intend to serve in MN Annual Conference of UMC


Sponsor:  Centennial United Methodist Church of Roseville, MN

Contact:
Centennial United Methodist Church
www.centennialumc.org/Support/johnson-kitts.htm
cumc@centennialumc.org

651 633 7644

Deadline: May 1

Criteria:
Awarded to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who are admitted to a full-time degree program. 

Must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above.

Award for Native American students pursuing a degree at a University Senate- approved seminary. Funded through the Native American Ministries Sunday Offering.

Must have been a member of the UMC for at least 3 years; born of Native American/American Indian/Alaskan Native parentage (at least one parent); documentation of affiliation required; be in candidacy process of ordination; and demonstrate involvement within the Native American community.

Contact:
www.gbhem.org

Deadline: Varies (between Jan 1 and May 15) Fall scholarship applications will open January 4, 2010. Online application available at www.gbhem.org/scholarshipapplication.

Criteria:
Varies according to scholarship

Contact:
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
www.gbhem.org

Deadline: Jun 1

Criteria:
United Methodist Woman
Entering full-time Christian service

Contact:
Mary Maloney
83633 380th St.
Lewisville MN 56060

507 435 4674

Criteria:
Scholarships are available to those whose ministry will focus on careers in evangelism and missions.

Contact:
The Vance H. Havner Scholarship Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 9946
Greensboro, NC  27429-0946

www.vancehavner.org

Deadline: May 1

Criteria:
Applicant must have an Iowa connection and be a full-time student working toward MDiv.

Contact:
W.B. Small Trust
2709 Fairlane Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
joblut@mchsi.com

Deadline: May 31

Criteria:
Students must be enrolled in White Earth
Good Academic Standing
No student loan default

Contact:
Dana Goodwin-Chaffee
White Earth Reservation Tribal Council Building
P. O. Box 418
White Earth, MN  56591
highered@whiteearth.com

www.whiteearth.com
218 983 3285
800 950 3248

Deadline: Feb 15

Criteria:
Second career ELCA women seeking ordination
At least 5 years between college graduation and beginning seminary

Contact:
Women of the ELCA
www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/Engage-in-action-and-support-one-another-in-our-callings/scholarships.aspx

800 638 3522  x2736

Deadline: Feb 15

Criteria:
Several scholarships within this category with varied criteria

Contact:
Women of the ELCA
www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/Engage-in-action-and-support-one-another-in-our-callings/scholarships.aspx

800 638 3522  x2736