In addition to the many general scholarships available to all students, Christian students can tap into a specialized niche of scholarships especially for them. Some of these scholarships are further subdivided according to specific religious denominations, certain schools, or particular states. If you meet the criteria, the chance of getting one of these awards is greatly increased since the applicant pool is limited. Here are ten examples:
ABHMS Undergraduate Scholarship
The American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) scholarship program offers tuition scholarships from endowments donated by generous individuals, churches and organizations. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- Maintain a 2.75 GPA
- Be a resident of the United States of America
- Be an active member of an American Baptist Church
- Be enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college, university or seminary for the upcoming academic year
Catholic Order of Foresters Scholarships
The Catholic Order of Foresters awards $600 educational scholarships to 50 individuals each year. Students must be 17 years of age or older who attend or are planning to attend an accredited college, university, or trade or technical school. Winners are selected by a random drawing. Applicants must be COF members for at least 15 months prior to when the scholarship is awarded and in good standing at the time the scholarship is awarded. COF also offers a Fraternal Scholarship of $1000 for incoming and current college students between the ages of 17 and 22 who are COF members. To qualify, applicants must do one of the following within the application period:
- Host a Feeding God’s Children event.
- Participate in Catholic Order of Foresters’ Alternative Break.
- Serve as a religious education instructor at any level (kindergarten through Confirmation) at their home parish or in their college town.
You may apply without having completed one of the above items. The COF Outreach Team can help you achieve one!
Christian Missionary Scholarship
Since 1992 the Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation has helped thousands of missionary kids receive a quality Christian college education. Children of missionaries currently on or recently returned from serving a mission can receive this award, provided the Christian students plan to attend one of the six approved colleges:
- Calvin University (Grand Rapids, MI);
- Dordt University (Sioux Center, IA);
- Hope College (Holland, MI);
- Kuyper College (Grand Rapids, MI);
- Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL);
- Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).
Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship
The Unitarian Universalist Association offers a variety of scholarships. Some are general scholarships and others are named scholarships, with specific criteria. To be eligible to apply for UUA financial aid grants, applicants must be a ministerial aspirant or candidate, except the Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship, which is for first-year students only. Full-time and part-time students are eligible to apply. In addition to their application, ministerial students must also submit a paper, sermon, or special project covering an aspect of the Universalist theology.
GBHEM Scholarships
The United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry scholarship application opens in January of each year. Scholarship programs are divided into three categories: General Scholarships, Racial-Ethnic Scholarships, and Ministry as a Career Scholarships. You need only submit one application per year where it will be screened for all possible eligible programs. But you may indicate on the scholarship application which of the programs you would most like to be considered for.
Mary E. Bivins Religious Scholarship
The purpose of the Mary E. Bivins Religious Scholarship Program is to educate ministers to preach the Christian religion. Scholarships are provided for upper-level undergraduate (junior or senior only) or graduate education leading to a bachelor or master degree in a field that prepares the student to become a pulpit preacher, pastor, or enter into vocational ministry. Applicants must be permanent residents of the Texas Panhandle. A full description of the Mary E. Bivins Religious Scholarship Program for Christian students can be found here.
Rose Marie Williams Memorial Scholarship
Diamonds in the Rough Ministry makes this scholarship available to young women of any denomination, who are high school seniors in the state of Texas. Applicants must have a high school GPA of at least 2.5 and be enrolled in a college or university. The deadline for submitting an application for this scholarship is: Friday, May 27, 2022 11:59pm CST. Because the applicant pool is limited to women in one state, the chance of getting an award is greatly increased. A full description of the 2022 Rose Marie Williams Memorial Scholarship and application form can be found here. https://form.jotform.com/220544661059152
TBFA Scholarship
The Baptist Foundation of Alabama administers multiple scholarship funds established by generous donors interested in furthering the educational pursuits of deserving students; these include awards for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs of higher education. Every year, the Foundation awards scholarships to students meeting the criteria required by the funds available. Applicants must be Alabama residents who are members of good standing in a Southern Baptist Church.
Wischer Scholarship
The Irene S. Wischer Education Foundation Scholarship provides college and technical school scholarships to exceptional students, with preference given to “applicants who are Christians and attend church regularly.” Applicants must also have lived in Texas for at least 12 months prior to application submission.
Young Christian Leadership Scholarship
Young Christian Leaders (YCL) Scholarships are monthly awards of $1,000 given to high school seniors and/or currently enrolled full-time college undergraduates who have been endorsed by their peers, family and spiritual leaders as a person possessing a profound measure of character, commitment to service, and financial need. Applicants must be a permanent resident of New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, attending any accredited college in America. Applicants must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a transcript to prove it.
Do you know of any other scholarships for Christian students? Leave a comment!