What are Christian Scholarships?
College-bound students who identify as Christian may find plenty of scholarships. Christian scholarships are a type of faith-based financial aid. Unlike a loan, if you abide by the terms, you don't have to pay the money back.
Eligibility for a Christian scholarship varies. Often it depends on who administers the funds and for what purpose.
Many reward students for church and community service. But there are non-secular criteria also.
These may look at your GPA or financial need. As such, students planning to attend a Christian college often fill out a FAFSA when applying.
To get other scholarships, you may need to be a follower or member of your congregation. While others may be more general and not linked to a set denomination.
One example is the Robert D. Ashworth Scholarship. Four awards of $1,800 each go to students who are residents of West Virginia. Apart from a 2.5 or higher GPA, applicants must be members of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Charleston.
Many Christian scholarships are school specific too. These are usually set aside for students who enroll there. For these, you may have to study a specific major. Like theology or students entering into missionary work. Though you can also look for scholarships to help pay for college studies in any major.
Yet another kind of scholarships are only for dependents of full-time ministers. One example is the Pacific Lutheran University Clergy Dependent Grant. This $1,000 award is for children of ordained and active ministers.
Do Churches Offer Scholarships?
Many churches offer scholarships. These are usually a way to help their members pay for college, spread the faith, or study the ministry. Churches may sponsor local, regional and/or national scholarships depending on their size.
One example is the Acts 1:8 Ministry Scholarship. This $500 award goes to those who spread love and faith in their communities.
But if your church does not offer scholarships, they may be helpful to you in another way. Many applications for example, ask for recommendations from mentors, teachers, and church leaders. So, if you take part in your local church, this may be useful information for your application.
Why Consider a Christian Scholarship?
Christianity is one of the most common religions in the nation. At last count, 70.6% of Americans identify as Christian. Of these, 17% are between the ages of 18 and 29 and 16% have a college degree.
If you are active in your faith, there are a few reasons to think about applying for a Christian Scholarship. For one, there are many providers of this type of faith-based scholarships including:
- Christian college scholarships
- Private organizations
- Faith-based civic groups
- Nonprofits
- Churches and religious organizations
Another reason is the wide range of Christian schools. Conservative Christian schools are one of the largest groups of private schools. They hold a 40% share of all non-Catholic faith-based schools in the United States. Many of these are colleges that support students’ religious and academic goals.
The amounts each Christian scholarship pays out varies a lot. But to give you an idea, take a look at the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation . In 2018, they awarded over 2.3 million dollars in scholarships.
Top Christian Scholarships for 2019
The financial aid office at any Christian college or university is one key resource for scholarships. Apart from these Christian college scholarships, there are many other providers to check out. Here are the top Christian scholarships for 2019. Which ones will you apply to?
American Baptist Home Mission Societies Undergraduate Scholarship
The American Baptist Home Mission Societies Undergraduate Scholarship is available for American Baptist students who reside in the United States or Puerto Rico. Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited four year college/university or graduate program in the United States or Puerto Rico and must have a minimum GPA of 2.75.
2020
Baptist Life Scholarship
This award is for full-time U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are insured (either a base policy or a rider) on a Baptist Life Association permanent life insurance certificate, term life insurance certificate, or annuity for two years or more prior to May 31.
2020
Christian Connector $2,500 Christian College Scholarship
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. students who plan to enroll in a Christian college. The student must enroll full time in a Christian college within 16 months of notification that he/she has won the drawing.
2020
David W. Self Scholarship
The David W. Self Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors who are entering their first year of undergraduate study.
Champions for Christ Scholarship
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to enter full-time Christian ministry.
Christian Missionary Scholarship Fund
Christian Missionary Scholarship Fund is available for children of missionaries currently on or recently returned from the mission field who have made significant financial sacrifices to serve the Lord.
Anna Schiller Scholarship
The Anna Schiller Scholarship is available to a graduating Rockford Christian High School senior to further their education.
The Brown Endowment Fund
The Helen and Richard Brown Endowment for Pastoral Scholarships derives from a generous gift received in the 1990s, designated to support pastoral ministry in the United Church of Christ. Since its inception, the gift of $5 million has provided over $250,000 annually to UCC Conferences, seminaries and global partners, providing individual scholarships for seminarians and sponsorships for continuing education events.
Irene S. Wischer Education Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to students attending accredited undergraduate colleges and universities, graduate schools, and vocational/technical and trade schools that are designated as qualified organizations (a not-for-profit educational institution).
Stanfield and D’Orlando Art Scholarship
The Stanfield Scholarships Program is available for either graduate or undergraduate Unitarian Universalist students preparing for a career in fine arts. The terms of the trust limit eligibility to those in the study of painting, drawing, photography, and/or sculpture. Performing arts majors are not eligible.
United Church of Christ Undergraduate Scholarship
United Church of Christ Undergraduate Scholarship provides scholarship assistance to United Church of Christ members who are sophomore, junior or senior undergraduate students. Applicants may be majoring in any discipline at any accredited four-year university or college in the United States.
Dollars for Scholars
The Dollars for Scholars program involves matching support from a student’s church, UMHEF, participating United Methodist-related schools, and participating UMC conference foundations. You may apply for both the General Named Endowed Scholarship and UMDFS program through UMHEF and we will provide you with the largest scholarship support for which you qualify.
Scholarship Types
- Athletic Scholarships
- College-Specific Scholarships
- Company-Sponsored Scholarships
- Grants for College
- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Military Scholarships
- Minority Scholarships
- Our Scholarships
- Religious Scholarships
- Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes
- Scholarships by Major
- Scholarships by State
- Scholarships by Type
- Scholarships for Graduate Students
- Scholarships for High School Students
- Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- Weird Scholarships
Our Scholarships
- $1,500 - I Have a Dream Scholarship
- $10,000 - Unigo $10K Scholarship
- $1,500 - Sweet and Simple Scholarship
- $2,500 - Superpower Scholarship
- $3,000 - All About Education Scholarship
- $1,500 - Fifth Month Scholarship
- $1,500 - Do-Over Scholarship
- $1,500 - Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- $1,500 - Make Me Laugh Scholarship
- $1,500 - Shout It Out Scholarship
- $2,000 - Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
- $5,000 - Education Matters Scholarship
- $1,500 - Top Ten List Scholarship