Scholarship Opportunities

The following scholarships are awarded during the admissions process. In order to be eligible for these awards, applicants must be admitted by February 1 preceding the academic year they plan to enter seminary.

Merit Scholarships - Wesley offers several scholarships to students of all denominations based on prior academic achievement and demonstrated ability and potential for leadership in the church. These scholarships include the Bishop's, Oxnam, Governor's, Presidential, Dean's and Wesley Merit Awards.

Korean Endowment Scholarship and Transgenerational Scholarships - Each year, Korean and Korean-American students are selected to receive Korean Endowment Scholarships. Transgenerational Scholarships are available for the 1.5 or second generation Korean-American students who demonstrate strong ability and commitment to the ministry for the next generation of Korean-American English speaking congregations. There is a June 30 deadline for this scholarship.

Ellura Harvey Winters Award - Tuition coverage for an entering student who exhibits potential for academic excellence and for leadership in the United Methodist Church. This is a first year award only, but recipients may be considered for additional aid after a successful first year of studies.

UMC MINISTERIAL EDUCATIONAL FUNDS
United Methodist students need to contact their Annual Conference to apply for tuition grants or service loans provided by the Ministerial Educational Funds (MEF).

Scholarships through The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Applications for the following scholarships may be found on their website at www.gbhem.org. Applications are due by
March 1.

The HANA Scholarship
Applicants must be Hispanic, Asian or Native American (at least one parent), be member of the UMC for a minimum of 3 years, be a citizen/permanent residents of the US, and have financial need. Awarded to students with plans to prepare for leadership in the UMC and their HANA communities.

The E. Craig Brandenburg Graduate Award
Awarded to graduate students over the age of 35 for whom seminary represents training for a change in career. Applications must be members of the UMC for atleast 1 year. 

The Reverend Charles W. Tadlock Scholarship
Applicants must have completed their first year of seminary and be certified candidates for ordination as an elder in the UMC. Students must have a GPA of at least 2.85 and must be citizens or permanent residents of the US. 

The Special Seminary Scholarship
Applcants must be MDiv students under the age of 30, and preparing for ordained ministry in a UM related seminary or theological school.

United Methodist Seminary Award
Awarded to students who have completed their first year of seminary and plan to enter Parish Ministry.   Students are nominated by their seminary and must be a member of the UMC for at least 3 years, and be a citizen or permanent resident of the US.  Send a letter requesting nomination to the Director of Financial Aid. 

Georgia Harkness Scholarship
Awarded to women over the age of 35 preparing for ordained ministry as an elder in the United Methodist Church and must be a member of the UMC at least one year prior to application.  US citizenship or permanent residency required. 

John Q. Schiesler Award
Awarded to students preparing for a career as a Christian educator, lay professional or ordained deacon.  Applicants must be the members of the UMC  at least 3 years and US citizens or permanent residents. 

Native American Seminary Award
Awarded to applcants of Native Americans, American Indian, or Alaskan native descent. Students must be a member of the UMC for at least three years.  They must also be preparing for ordination as an elder.

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation:

Applications are available at www.umhef.org for the following:

Foundation Merit Scholarship Program
Awarded by the UMHEF to one first year student, one second year student and one third year student attending a UM related seminary or theological school. Students are nominated by their school. Deadline for the school to submit nomination is September 1

United Methodist Dollars for Scholars
This program challenges United Methodist churches to provide a $1000 scholarship for a student from their congregation.  The scholarship check must accompany the student's application to the UMHEF.  If the student's application is selected the student will receive an additional $1000 from the UMHEF Dollars for Scholars program as well as $1000 from Wesley Seminary. 

Holly Elliott and Laurel Glass Scholarship Endowment for Seminary Study by Persons who are Deaf, Deafened, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing.
Applicants must be culturally deaf, orally deaf, deafened, late deafened, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing and must be able to provide documentation of disability.  Applicants must also be a US citizen or permanent resident, a member of the United Methodist Church (UMC) for at least one year, and be preparing for specialized ministries in the church. 

Priscilla R. Morton Scholarship
Applicants must be the members of the UMC for at least one year, be a US citizen or permanent resident, have a minimum GPA of 3.5.  Preference will be given to those students enrolled in or planning to enroll in a UM related college, university, seminary or theological school. 

National Temperance Society Fund
To be eligable, applicants must be a member of the UMC for atleast one year, be a US citizen or permanent resident, be enrolled in or planning to enroll in a UM related college, university, seminary or theological school and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Lemuel C. Summers Scholarship and Dr. Chester A.McPheeters Scholarships
Both of these named endowed scholarships required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be preparing for Christian ministry.  Students must also have UMC membership for at least one year, and be a US citizen or permanent resident.  Additionallly, stuents must be attending a UM related college, university, seminary or theological school. 

John C. Wright Scholarship
Applicants must live in Virginia, and be preparing for UM ministry in a UM related seminary or theological school.  Students applying must also have a 3.0 GPA or higher and be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Chaplain Samuel Grover Powell Scholarship Fund
Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited seminary and preparing to enter chaplaincy in any branch of the military. 

Bishop James K. and Eunice J. Mathews Scholarship
Awarded to a first year student at Wesley Theological Seminary or American University in alternating years.  Applicants must be a member of the UMC.  Deadline determined by Wesley or AU.

UMC Ministries Educational Funds
United Methodist Students are encouraged ti contact their annual conferences for the availability of the tuition grants and/ or service loans through the Ministerial Educational Funds.

More Scholarship Opportunities

Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty 
Amount: $500-$5000 / Deadline varies. Grants and fellowships awarded to outstanding seminarians and graduate students in religious fields of study. www.acton.org/programs/students 
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
161 Ottawa Avenue, NW, Suite 301
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-454-3080

ESTARL - Eastern Star Training and Religious Leadership Scholarships
http://www.easternstar.org/grand_secretary.htm
Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership
General Grand Chapter, OES
Attn: Mrs. Betty Briggs
Right Worthy Grand Secretary
1618 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009

The Philadelphia Foundation
Margaret and Charles E. Stewart Scholarship Fund
Up to $500 available to full-time Master of Divinity students intending to serve in the black church of any Protestant denomination. Deadline: April 30

The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) - www.thefund.org

Ministry Fellows Program - FTE
Awarded to second-year MDiv students. Applicants must be nominated by the seminary dean or president. Deadline: March 1.

Congregational Fellows - FTE
Awarded to entering first-year seminarians in the Master of Divinity program in a school accredited by the ATS. Congregational Fellows receive a $1000-$5000 award from FTE to match, dollar for dollar, support provided by their nominating congregation. Recipients must be preparing to enter parish ministry, be 30 years of age or younger and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Deadine is April 1.

International Order of The King's Daughters and Sons Scholarship Programs - http://www.iokds.org/scholarship.html

DC Baptist Convention Foundation
To qualify for a scholarship through the DCBC Foundaiton, students must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled as a full-time student.  Applicants must also be completing a first graduate degree in theology and preparing for full-time ministry. Application information and a list of participating DCBC churches are available online at http://www.dcbaptist.org/foundation.htm. Deadline is May 1.

American Baptist Individual Seminarian Grants
Applicants attending a non-ABC related seminary or theological school may apply for up to $750. Students must be in the MDiv program and be a member of the American Baptist Church for at least one year prior to applying for assistance. Please contace the Office of Financial Aid for Studies, National Ministries, American Baptist Churches, USA, P.O Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. Visit www.nationalministries.org/education or 1-800-ABC-3USA. Deadline is May 31.

Unitarian Universalist - www.uua.org/giving/awardsscholarships/

United Church of Christ - Scholarships for Seminarians at www.ucc.org/ministers/

Presbyterian

Presbyterian Church (USA)
Scholarships and loans for full-time Presbyterian (USA) students. Amounts range from $200-$2000. To qualify students must be enrolled full-time in the Master of Divinity program, and be inquirers or candidates in a PC (USA) presbytery. Award is limited to students for whom this is their first professional degree and recommendation by the student's financial aid administrator is required.

Hotson Trust
Grants to Presbyterian students at theological schools
Deadline: June 1
Amount: $500
Application:
Hotson Trust
900 Jordan Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 222-0604

Lutheran
Abdel Ross Wentz Prize in American Lutheran History
Deadline: June 1
Amount: $1000
Awards are presented annually to the author of an outstanding essay or research paper dealing with American Lutheran history.
Qualifications: All Lutheran students in a first-degree program at a theological seminary in North America are eligible.
For an application:
Abdel Ross Wentz Prize in American Lutheran History
Lutheran Historical Society, Gettysburg
61 Seminary Ridge
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Air Force Chaplaincy Scholarships
The Air Force offers scholarships for individuals who want to become service chaplains. To qualify applicants must: 1) meet Air Force commissioning requirements, 2) receive written permission from a listed DoD ecclesiastical endorser, 3) be in good academic standing, and 4) be younger than 39 years of age upon completion of theological studies. For more information, send a request to chaplains@rs.af.mil. And to get started on your search for scholarships, visit Military.com Scholarship Finder.

Yellow Ribbon Program
Wesley Theological Seminary participates in the Yellow Ribbon program in partnership with Veterans Affairs under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33). Through this program, the VA pays a larger portion of the total tuition/fees and Wesley makes up the difference, totaling 100% coverage of tuition/fees even for non-active duty and retired military. A limited number of Yellow Ribbon spaces are available to Wesley students each academic year and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Black College Dollars
Scholarships are available for African-American students through the collaborative efforts of Sallie Mae and BET Networks. Visit www.blackcollegedollars.org for details.

www.fastweb.com - A Scholarship site for both undergraduate and graduate students.