Seminary Graduate Sholarships or Grants

Scholarships can help offset the cost of attending the seminary.

Seminary programs prepare students for work in ministry, be it as a missionary, teacher or pastor. A seminary student might wish to apply for a scholarship to help defray the cost of completing a graduate degree. Scholarships might be offered by nonprofit foundations, church-based organizations and seminaries.

Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarship

Sponsored by the Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation in Tennessee, the Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarship is for Chattanooga-area students who intend to enroll in a graduate seminary or master's program in theology. The scholarship amount is determined based on merit and financial need and can be renewed for up to four years. Applicants submit materials for consideration including two reference letters, transcripts and a testimony letter. Qualified candidates are interviewed before a final decision is made. Preference is given to applicants who plan on careers in the pulpit, according to the foundation's website.

Baptist Communicators Association Scholarship Program

The Baptist Communicators Association, or BCA, awards a $500 scholarship to a graduate student each year. Applicants need a minimum GPA of 2.5 and must submit a resume, three recommendation letters and a personal statement. The scholarship is open to seminary students who intend to pursue a career in Baptist communications, according to the association's website. The scholarship is a one-time award; however, students are free to reapply for subsequent years if they wish.

Calihan Academic Fellowships

The Acton Institute, a nonprofit devoted to the study of religion and liberty, awards the Calihan Academic Fellowships; seminary students and graduate students of theology and religion are invited to apply. Prospective fellowship recipients submit transcripts, an essay and a proposal outlining how the fellowship funds would be used. Fellowship amounts vary but do not exceed $3,000, according to the institute's website. The fellowship is not renewable, but applicants are welcome to reapply for additional funding.

Asbury Theological Seminary Scholarships

The Asbury Theological Seminary offers scholarships for graduate students. The presidential scholarships for master's and doctoral students are in amounts up to 100 percent of tuition. Applicants for the presidential scholarship must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.75 and maintain a 3.5 GPA while in graduate school. They also must commit to at least 20 hours of active Christian ministry work following graduation. The seminary's dean's scholarship covers 50 percent of tuition; recipients must maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 while in graduate school and demonstrate their involvement in a "local worship community."

References

• Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation: Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarship Guidelines
• Baptist Communicators Association: BCA Scholarship Program
• Acton Institute: Calihan Academic Fellowship
• Asbury Seminary: Scholarships