Loans and ScholarshipsFirst, contact the financial aid office in the schools you’re interested in, since many institutions offer scholarships.
You can find loans and scholarships available through GBHEM by visiting the Loans and Scholarships page. Application deadline for 2023-24 school year is March 30, 2023.
Women ministry students may also want to consider the Sondra Newman Scholarship offered by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
COSROW offers a scholarship for any woman who is 1) a certified candidate from IGRC 2) enrolled in seminary for degree or course of study 3) completed at least one semester of training 4) will also consider CPE training.
More information can be found at: www.igrc.org/cosrow
The Endowment Board of the Kinmundy United Methodist Church Oil Trust Fund provides up to three scholarships to students who are intending to return to the Illinois Great Rivers Conference upon graduation from seminary. First-time applicants need to contact the pastor of Kinmundy UMC for information and an application. Once awarded, a student can request renewals on an annual basis for a maximum of six semesters.
Onarga UMC's Barber Education Trust annually seeks applicants for the following school year. Scholarships from the Trust are for persons seeking to become full-time workers in Christ's church. Scholarships are at a minimum $500. Full-time work includes those pursuing ordained ministry, Christian Education, youth ministry and other specialized ministries within the church.
Preference is given to those applicants within the Iroquois West School District or raised in the boundaries of the Iroquois River District. Applicants may or may not be United Methodist although preference is given to United Methodist applicants.
Request an application by email at: methodistof@att.net or by contacting the Onarga UMC, 109 Seminary Ave., Onargo, IL 60955-1240. Application deadline is May 30 with scholarships awarded by July 15.
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation provides financial resources with both endowed scholarships as well as being part of a Dollars for Scholars program. Students whose home churches are willing to provide $1,000 may send it to the Higher Education Foundation for a matching gift. The $2,000 is then sent on to the school which also participates by crediting the student with a $3,000 amount. Other scholarships for students in special circumstances are also available.
CM CARES®, the Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, has established a scholarship program to assist students pursuing an advanced (graduate) degree in religious studies at an accredited or conditionally accredited theological seminary, college or university of higher learning. If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $2,500 award. Awards are one-time only and not renewable.
Seminary students that are preparing for a Master of Divinity for pulpit ministry may want to check out the Opal Dancey Fellowship. Students from any United Methodist seminary or Asbury Seminary are eligible.
Visit www.opaldanceygrants.org for more information. Once grant is awarded, students in good standing can apply for renewal for up to three years.