Students going into Mission and Ministry work typically fair better at finding scholarships to help offset any education requirements/costs for that chosen career path. However, as interest grows stronger and more students are looking at Mission and Ministry programs across the nation, the competition for those scholarship dollars can also increase.

The General Education and Ministry Board for United Methodists Churches is pleased to offer a number of scholarship programs (see below) to help students realize their educational goals. The following are the requirements.

An applicant must be:

• an active, full member of a United Methodist Church for at least one year prior to applying
• admitted to a degree program in an accredited college or university WITHIN the United States
• maintaining a grade point average of 2.5 or above

AND, high school students may apply if they will be college students in the fall term. Additional good news about some of these scholarships is that you don’t necessarily have to be going into Ministry and Mission work to qualify.

If you have been on the fence about becoming a Methodist, this may be the right time. However, also keep in mind that Lutheran’s have a good number of scholarship opportunities available as well! 😉

The Allan Jerome Burry Scholarship
Undergraduates (incoming freshmen NOT eligible); member of UMC at least 3 years. Nomination by campus minister/chaplain, recognizing academic performance, leadership skills, and participation in the activities of a UM-related campus ministry or chaplaincy program at the college or university. Member of UMC at least 3 years. GPA 3.0+. Average award $1,000.

The Bishop James C. Baker Award
Designated for CURRENT United Methodist Campus Ministers who have been in campus ministry for at least 3 years. Must have received an MDIV degree or equivalent; be pursuing advanced training: doctorate degree, certification, or independent study; GPA 3.0+. Must be committed to remaining in campus ministry. Average award $2,000 – $5,000.

The Bishop Joseph B. Bethea Scholarship
Undergraduate scholarship for African American students. Applicant must be a member of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Black Methodists for Church Renewal (SEJBMCR); GPA 2.8+, demonstrate financial need. Average award $500 – $1,000.

The Clinical Pastoral Education-Ethnic In Service Training (EIST) Stipend
United Methodist clergy, certified candidate for ministry, or seminary student accepted into an accredited Clinical Pastor Education (CPE) or an accredited American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) program; Chaplain or pastoral counselor or pastoral care; racial/ethnic minority. Average award $1,500.

The Coleman Tyson Siekman Scholarship
Designated for endorsed clergy or persons pursuing endorsement through the United Methodist Endorsing Agency for correctional ministry. Requires ordained clergy or seminary students on the candidacy track to ordained ministry; experience in and a call to serve in the criminal justice/correctional ministries. Average award $700 – $1,000.

The David W. Self Scholarship
Students pursuing a church related career. Incoming freshmen (first year of undergraduate study) only may apply. Average award $1,000.

The E. Craig Brandenburg Scholarship
Applicants must be students 35 years of age or older; desiring to continue their education or go into a second career; member of the UMC for at least 1 year. Average award $1,000-2,000.

The Edith M. Allen Scholarship
This scholarship is for outstanding African-American graduate or undergraduate students pursuing a degree in education, social work, medicine, and/or other health professions. Must be enrolled at a UM college or university, have a B+ average or higher; and be an active full member of the UMC for at least 3 years. Average award $1,000.

The Elvina Jane Owen Award
Student must be majoring in education. First preference to students in the Jonestown District of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference enrolled at Allegheny College. Second preference to graduate students from Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. GPA 2.85+. Average award $500 – $1,000.

The Esther Edwards Graduate Scholarship
Female administrator or faculty member working for a United Methodist related institution pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration. GPA 3.0+. Average award $5,000.

The Ethnic Minority Scholarship
Undergraduate students of Native American, Asian, African American, Hispanic or Pacific Islander parentage pursuing their first degree. GPA 2.5+. Average award $500 – $1,000.

The Fred Heather Memorial Scholarship
Designated for endorsed persons completing requirements for professional certification, advanced training appropriate to their endorsed setting, or enrolled in an Association of Clinical Pastor Education (ACPE) training toward certification as an ACPE Super- visor. Requires a person ordained in full connection or a certified candidate for ministry; endorsed currently or potentially endorsed by the United Methodist Endorsing Agency (UMEA). Average award $1,000.

The Georgia Harkness Scholarship
Females, age 35 or older, pursuing an M.Div. degree at any University Senate Approved School of Theology. Must be a certified candidate at time of application for the Elder track. Preference given to those who have chosen ministry as a second career. GPA 3.0+.
See the Georgia Harkness Scholarship page for more detailed information.

Average award $5,000.

The HANA Scholarship
Applicant must be born of Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or Pacific Island parentage (at least one parent); an upper level student (undergraduate at junior or senior level; OR a graduate or doctoral student); full and active member of the UMC for at least 3 years; GPA of 2.85+; with plans to prepare for leadership in the UMC and in their HANA community. Average award $1,000-3,000.

The Helen and Allen Brown Scholarship
Undergraduate racial/ethnic minority students from the Nashville District of the Tennessee Annual Conference or the New Orleans District of the Louisiana Annual Conference. Member of the UMC at least 3 years; demonstrate financial need. GPA 3.0+. Average award $500 – $1,000.

The Joe and Trudy Thaxton Scholarship
Applicant must be an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Bedford, Virginia. Must demonstrate an ongoing history of active participation in church and community. Average award $500 – $1,000.

The Journey Toward Ordained Ministry Scholarship
Student must be pursuing ordained ministry at either the undergraduate or graduate level; racial/ethnic minority aged 30 or under; member of UMC 2 years; must be attending a UM related institution. GPA of 2.85+ (undergraduate); or 3.0+ (graduate). This program has a mentoring component. Average award $5,000.

The Miriam Hoffman Scholarship
Undergraduate or graduate level, pursuing a vocational career in music education or music ministry. Average award $500 – $1,000.

The Native American Seminary Award
Native American students pursuing a degree at a University Senate approved seminary. Funded through the Native American Ministries Sunday Offering. Member of UMC at least 3 years. Born of Native American/American Indian/Alaskan Native parentage at least one parent). Documentation of tribal affiliation required. Must be in the candidacy process of ordination and demonstrate involvement within the Native American community. Average award $3,000 – $10,000.

The Rev. Charles W. Tadlock Scholarship
Students must be a certified candidate for ordination as an Elder in the UMC and successfully completed first year of seminary and pursuing an M.Div. As scholarship is derived from a will, preference given to candidates from the Missouri Annual Conference but is open to all. GPA 2.85+ . Average award $1,000 – $2,000.

The Rev. Dr. Karen Layman Gift of Hope: 21st Century Scholars Program
Undergraduate students who demonstrate strong leadership in the UMC. Member of UMC at least 3 years. GPA 3.0+. Average award $1,000 .

The Richard S. Smith Scholarship
Students pursuing a church related career. Must be a racial/ethnic minority. Incoming freshmen (first year of undergraduate study) only may apply. Average award $1,000.

The Rosalie Bentzinger Scholarship
Ordained Deacon pursuing a Ph.D. in Christian Education, enrolled in a University Senate approved Seminary; minimum 3 year membership in the UMC. GPA 3.0+. Average award $5,000.

The Special Seminary Scholarship
Seminary students pursuing ordained ministry as a vocation (M.Div.) under 30 years of age (unless applicant is a renewal). Must be attending a UM-related seminary or school of theology. Average award $2,000.

The United Methodist General Scholarship
Choose if you meet the general requirements but are unsure for which program you qualify. May be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students; must be full active members of the UMC for at least 1 year; have a minimum GPA of 2.5+, and are attending any accredited institution within the U.S. Average award: undergrad $500 – $1,000; graduate $1,000 – $2,000.