UCC Scholarships for Seminarians
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Scholarships made available through the national ministries of the United Church of Christ for those preparing for ministry.
One of the most cherished features of the United Church of Christ and our ancestral denominations has been a learned clergy. We have long considered rigorous practical and academic preparation essential for the pastors of local churches, as well as for people in ministries serving the church in other offices, whether as chaplains, administrators, or educators. In various ways we have worked to support their education and training. Today, that tradition continues through scholarships made available through the national ministries of the United Church of Christ for those preparing for ministry. Gifts from many generous congregations and individuals committed to the continued vitality of our church have funded these scholarship endowments.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR UCC SEMINARIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
To qualify for a United Church of Christ Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria unless otherwise stated:
- Membership in a UCC congregation for at least one year prior to receiving a scholarship;
- Enrollment in an ATS accredited seminary towards a course of study leading to ordained ministry;
- In-care of an Association or Conference at time of application;
- At least a "B" average maintained;
- Agrees to serve in the UCC or a partner church on completion of seminary;
- Demonstrates leadership ability through participation in local church, Association, Conference, or academic environment.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE! SCHOLARSHIPS
The Caring for Clergy Endowment created by gifts to the Make a Difference! Campaign makes provision for several types of scholarships.
- Make a Difference! Seminarian Scholarships: The presidents of the seven seminaries of the United Church of Christ are invited annually to submit a nominee for a Make a Difference! Seminarian Scholarship. The amount of the award is typically between $1,500 and $2,500 per recipient. The awards are transferred to the seminaries and applied toward tuition. Recipients must meet the general requirements. Interested parties should contact the president of one of the seminaries of the United Church of Christ.
- Make a Difference! Educational Support Awards: Each year association committees on ministry are invited to nominate their students-in-care to be considered for a Make a Difference! Educational Support Award. These awards of approximately $500 are transferred to the recipients' seminaries to offset tuition, books, or other educational expenses. Recipients must meet the general requirements. Interested parties should contact the committee on ministry of the association where they are in-care.
- Make a Difference! Doctoral Studies Award: The Make a Difference! Doctoral Studies Award is given annually to members of the United Church of Christ who are engaged in a doctoral studies program that would prepare recipients to be considered for a teaching position at a seminary of the United Church of Christ. Persons enrolled in a doctoral studies program may request a set of application materials. Make a Difference! Doctoral Studies Awards of approximately $2,500 are made each year. Make A Difference Doctoral Award Application
- Make a Difference! Overseas/Global Partner Church Awards: A seminary scholarship for one student of an overseas/global partner church and for one international student studying at a UCC seminary are awarded each year. Continuing education funds for a clergyperson of an overseas/partner church are also awarded annually. These scholarships are given upon nomination by the Area Offices of our common Global Ministries/Wider Church Ministries and awards range from $1,000 to $2,000.
For information and application materials, please contact: Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216-736-3839 or 866-822-8224, Ext. 3839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org
THE ADRIENNE M. AND CHARLES SHELBY ROOKS FELLOWSHIP
FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS
The Adrienne M. and Charles Shelby Rooks Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Theological Students was established to support the seminary education of members of the United Church of Christ from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in our church who are committed to serving the United Church of Christ and who are enrolled in a school of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Grants are also made to support doctoral study at accredited graduate schools for those seeking to pursue a scholarly teaching vocation in the field of religion. Grants are made to both full-time and part-time students and range from $500 to $5,000 annually. Grants may be renewed.
Those interested in applying for a Rooks Fellowship should contact: Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216-736-3839 or 866-822-8224, Ext. 3839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org
Who May Apply?
- Master of Divinity Students: Any member of a congregation of the United Church of Christ who is from an underrepresented ethnic group (such as African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American Indian, or Pacific Islander), who is enrolled in an accredited school of theology, and who has maintained at least a B average in all post high school academic studies may apply. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated leadership through a history of service to the church and scholarship through exceptional academic performance and who intend to become pastors and teachers within the United Church of Christ. Both full-time and part-time students are encouraged to apply. Applicants are expected to have begun the in-care process by the time of application. Rooks MDiv first time and renewal Application
- Doctoral Students: Any member of a congregation of the United Church of Christ from an underrepresented ethnic group, who is in a program of study leading to a Ph.D., Th.D., or Ed.D.; with in a field related to religious studies, may apply. Preference will be given to those students who have demonstrated high promise of academic excellence, teaching effectiveness, and commitment to the United Church of Christ and who intend to become professors in colleges, seminaries, or graduate schools. Rooks Doctoral first time and renewal Application
THE GARRETT TRUST FUND
The Garrett Trust Fund was established in 1946 to provide scholarship assistance for persons pursuing a seminary education. Seminarians enrolled full-time in a Master of Divinity program in an accredited seminary who wish to apply must sign a faith statement as part of application process. Students may make application throughout the year, as funds are available. The trust is held by Local Church Ministries and scholarships are administered through the Parish Life and Leadership Ministry Team. Scholarship awards range from $600 to $1,000 and are based on one time emergency financial need.
Please contact: Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216-736-3839 or 866-822-8224, Ext. 3839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org
Garrett Trust Application
THE CANNON ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP
The Cannon Endowment Scholarship was established in 1992 through a gift from Dr. Clinton Cannon. An army retiree and UCC lay member of the Washington-North Idaho Conference Dr. Cannon appreciated the ministry of chaplains during his career and wanted to ensure the future availability of chaplains to serve military personnel and their families. The Cannon Endowment provides scholarship assistance to seminarians planning to become military chaplains. Applicants must meet the general requirements, or the equivalent, if they are from other faith communities. Seminarians who are of the following faith communities may apply: United Church of Christ, Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian U.S.A. and United Methodist. Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and typically will be in the $2,500 range.
>> Download Application
For information and applications, please contact:
Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216-736-3839 or 866-822-8224, Ext. 839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP
In 1999, the predecessor body to Local Church Ministries, The Board for Homeland Ministries, created a scholarship for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender United Church of Christ seminarians in honor of William R. Johnson, the first openly gay man ordained in the United Church of Christ. The scholarship was established as a concrete way of affirming the long-standing conviction of the United Church of Christ that sexual orientation should not be a barrier to ordination. To qualify for this scholarship, students must be open about their sexual orientation, enrolled in an ATS accredited seminary, and have proof of both local membership in a United Church of Christ church and of In Care status. First-time applicants must exhibit exceptional academic ability typically demonstrated by a 3.0 GPA or better while in seminary. Specific written recommendations are also required. The scholarship is available to second and third year students. Scholarship awards typically will be in the $2,500 range. William R. Johnson Application
Those interested in applying for a Johnson scholarship please contact: Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216-736-3839 or 866-822-8224, Ext. 3839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org
UCC SEMINARIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
ADMINISTERED BY THE SEVEN SEMINARIES OF THE UCC
Each of the seven UCC seminaries receives funds from the Brown Endowment to provide scholarships to UCC students attending that seminary. Students are selected by each seminary to receive the Brown scholarships granted by that seminary. Additional information about selection criteria used by each seminary is available from the financial aid or president's office of the seminary.
UCC SEMINARIAN SCHOLARSHIPS ADMINISTERED BY COREM
Helen and Richard Brown Scholarships thru the COREM Bodies, support theological education for seminarians who are members of the following racial and ethnic UCC constituency groups:
• United Black Christians (African-American seminarians)
• Ministers for Racial, Social, Economic Justice (African- American seminarians)
• Council for Hispanic Ministries (Latino and Latina seminarians).
• Pacific Islander and Asian- American Ministries (Asian and Pacific Islander seminarians)
• Council for American Indian Ministries (American Indian seminarians)
Each member body selects scholarship recipients who must meet the general requirements.
For more information about the application process for scholarships administered through COREM, contact Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216 736 3839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org
- The Reverend Dr. Héctor E. López Scholarship for Latina & Latino UCC Seminarians
A scholarship program to nurture, support and educate Latinas and Latinos in the prophetic and liberating theology of the United Church of Christ.
The United Church of Christ (UCC) has been a prophetic and pioneer Christian voice in America, since the founding of this nation. It is our vision that the message of Jesus was that of an extravagant welcome, in which all people are honored in love and justice.
The Hispanic population has experienced enormous growth in the past few decades. Mainline Protestant denominations have been unable to effectively meet the pastoral challenge this growth represents. The UCC, one of the most prophetic and socially progressive Christian denominations in the USA, is taking action to meet this challenge through its Council for Hispanic Ministries with the establishment of The Reverend Dr. Héctor E. López Scholarship for Latina & Latino UCC Seminarians. This program was established in 2006 as a 3-way covenant between the Council for Hispanic Ministries, Local Church Ministries & Justice and Witness Ministries of the UCC.
The Lopez Scholarship is intended to prepare Latinas and Latinos future ministers, educated in the socially and theologically progressive seminaries of the UCC, who will return to lead vital congregations, minister to Latino constituencies, multicultural communities and the whole church, equipped to proclaim the liberating Gospel message of salvation, full-inclusion, justice and peace. This new scholarship is named in honor of The Reverend Dr. Héctor Edmundo López, a laborer in the journey for racial justice. Dr. López is the first Latino ordained in the UCC and the first Latino UCC Conference Minister. Please donate to this wonderful Scholarship opportunity!
Hector E.Lopez Scholarship Application
- The Harold Wilke Scholarship, established in 1981 by the Board of World Ministries, predecessor body to Wider Church Ministries, honors the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Wilke, a devoted minister, disability advocate and pioneer. Annual scholarships are available to assist gifted persons with disabilities and/or those directly involved in ministry to persons with disabilities. Download application
- The Reverend Dr. Joseph Henry Evans Designated Fund for African American Pastoral Scholarships will provide annual scholarship assistance to African-American seminarians, (full and part time) with a passion for justice advocacy and proven leadership abilities. Anticipated Scholarship award distributions anticipated in 2014.jeffersv@ucc.org
- The Virginia Kreyer Scholarship Fund for Persons with Disabilities Called to Authorized Ministry will provide annual scholarship assistance to UCC seminarians with disabilities. Scholarship award distribution is anticipated in 2015. Contact: Minister for Grants and Scholarships at 216-736-3839 or at jeffersv@ucc.org. Contributions can be made here!
