Leadership Development Scholarships

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is dedicated to supporting United Church of Christ members in their studies, including undergraduate, our future seminary professors, African-American laywomen, and gifted persons with disabilities, among others.
In addition to these funds, please check directly with the Admissions or Financial Aid Office at your educational institution to discover additional scholarships and grants that may be available to you.

To qualify for a United Church of Christ Leadership Development Scholarship, applicants must be a United Church of Christ member for at least one (1) year prior to applying.
All online Scholarship applications open on December 1 and close on March 1 of the following year at 11:59PM ET.
Award notifications and scholarship disbursements are processed by June 1st for use in the fall.
The application link in each listing includes more details, guidelines, and application procedures for the scholarships listed below.

Avery Arthington Fund
The Avery Arthington Fund is intended to help undergraduate college students from the African continent study in the United States. Awards may cover educational expenses such as tuition, books, and fees, but may not be used for room, board, or incidentals. Awards may only be made after a student has been admitted to an accredited US college or university. Awards are granted one year at a time. Students may apply for a renewal for a maximum of four years. Renewals are not automatic. Application.

Make A Difference! Doctoral Studies Award
The Make a Difference! Doctoral Studies Awards are given annually to members of the United Church of Christ who are engaged in a doctoral studies program that will prepare them to be considered for a teaching position at a seminary of the United Church of Christ. Application.

Valerie Russell Scholarship for African American Lay Women
The Valerie Russell Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 in honor of Valerie Russell who served as the Executive Director of the Office for Church in Society in the national setting of the United Church of Christ. Valerie served in this role from January 15, 1992 until her death on February 23, 1997. Applicants must be African American laywomen who affirm UCC values and embrace UCC justice commitments. This scholarship is awarded to individuals (not organizations). Application.


United Church of Christ Undergraduate Scholarship
The UCC Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1994 through a generous gift from the members of the Society of the South Congregational Church of Brooklyn, NY. The Endowment provides scholarship assistance to United Church of Christ members who are sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate students, in any discipline, attending an accredited four-year university or college in the United States. Application.

The Harold H. Wilke Scholarship Fund
The Harold Wilke Scholarship, established in 1981, 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 service to persons with disabilities to further their education or training. Applicants must be pursuing a degree or educational certification and may be from the United States or other countries. Application.

The Pension Boards Higher Education Scholarships for Children (not administered by the UCC)
Scholarship assistance is available for the higher education of children of deceased ministers who were authorized ministers at the time of their death. Higher education scholarships are also available for children of authorized ministers who served the United Church of Christ for at least 10 years and are now on long-term disability. For more information, please contact The Pension Boards at info@pbucc.org.

Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program (not administered by the UCC)