Gateway Seminary continuously seeks information on creative graduate financial aid resources for students such as those offered through foundations, educational commissions, private trusts, community organizations, and more. These sources are often highly beneficial to non-Southern Baptist students who are not able to take advantage of scholarships specific to members of the Southern Baptist Convention. Hundreds of scholarship resources exist, but students must commit to the hard work of research, calling/writing and application processes. Hopefully, some of the resources following will offer a head start your search for tuition assistance. Many professional or corporate organizations specialize in scholarship searches. These organizations also offer great tips and services to the average student seeking financial help. You may also want to begin by checking out commercial sources at sites such as tuitionfundingsources.com.
Another excellent resource that more distinctly addresses seminary education is the Forum for Theological Exploration. This organization sponsors a specific financial aid research tool called FundFinder. FundFinder can act as an additional search engine for both private and public theological education scholarships. Many of the scholarship sources listed below can also be found on FundFinder.
Over the past several years, Gateway Seminary has come in contact with many such private and public organizations offering scholarships or low-interest student loans/grants. These are organized below into broad categories (State, Military, Denominational, Social/Fraternal, Ethnic/Nation and Miscellaneous). Blessings on your search!
State-Specific Scholarship Sources
Arizona
Arizona Community Foundation: Various scholarships are available with different eligibility requirements. Click here for more information.
Community Foundation of Southern Arizona: Various scholarships are available with different eligibility requirements. Click here for more information.
Arkansas
Arkansas Community Foundation: Various scholarships are available with different eligibility requirements. Click here for more information.
GEORGIA
Student Aid Foundation Loan: Low-cost loan for women from Georgia. Click here for more information.
HAWAII
Hawaii Community Foundation: Click here for more information.
OREGON
Oregon Student Assistance Commission: Scholarship and loan information for Oregon residents. Click here for more information.
Tennessee
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee: Click here for more information.
The Generosity Trust: Scholarships for students from the Chattanooga area. Click here for more information.
Texas
Glaser Family Charitable Foundation: Preference given to Fannin County residents, but all Texas residents can apply. Click here for more information.
Julie Ann Jones Memorial Theological Scholarship: Preference given to Washington County, TX residents, but all Texas residents can apply. Deadline January 31 (spring) or August 31 (fall). Write to Julie Ann Jones Memorial Theological Scholarship, C/O Ms. Sally M. Jones, PO Box 382, Brenham, TX 77833.
The Bivins Foundation: Scholarship for residents of Texas Panhandle counties. Click here for more information.
West Virginia
West Virginia Baptist Education Association: Scholarships for members of West Virginia Baptist Convention churches. Click here for more information.
WISCONSiN
Veda Sweeney Memorial Scholarship: Scholarship for a Wisconsin resident who is preparing for the Christian ministry. Click here for more information.
Military Assistance
U.S. Air Force Reserve Chaplain Candidate Program: Scholarship resources for chaplain candidates. Click here for more information.
U.S. Army Chaplain Candidate Program: Scholarship resources for Army chaplain candidates. Click here for more information.
U.S. Navy Chaplaincy Candidate Program: Scholarship resources for Navy chaplain candidates. Click here for more information.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: Scholarship resources for children of active or retired U.S. Marines or Navy corpsmen who served in Marine units. Click here for more information.
Tillman Scholar: Becoming a Tillman Scholar includes a wide range of benefits, including academic scholarships. Veterans (disabled or not) as well as active duty service personnel are eligible. Click here for more information.
AT&T Veterans Scholarship: Any US military personnel, either active duty or veteran, disabled or not disabled, can apply for this scholarship. Click here for more information.
MCA -USA Chaplaincy Scholarship: Click here to learn more.
Denomination-Specific Aid
American Baptist USA
American Baptist Home Mission Societies: Scholarships for members of American Baptist USA churches. Click here for more information.
Ohio Baptist Education Society Scholarship: Scholarships for members of American Baptist churches in Ohio. Click here for more information.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Disciples Home Mission: Scholarships for members of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches. Click here for more information.
Presbyterian
Torrance First Presbyterian Church: Scholarships for Korean seminary students. Email the church for more information.
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ: Scholarships for members of United Church of Christ churches. Click here for more information.
United Methodist
Harding Foundation - Preference to United Methodist Church members. Write to Harding Foundation, PO Box 130, Raymondville, TX 78580.
Laura Hofford Trust - Must be a male member of the United Methodist Church. Deadline is January 30th. Contact (212) 870-3662 or write to Mission Personnel Resources Program Department, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1470, New York NY 100115.
Mount Olivet Foundation: Loans and grants; preference for individuals involved in the Mount Olivet Methodist Church community. Click here for more information.
The United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry: Scholarships and loans for members of a United Methodist church. Click here for more information.
Social/Fraternal-Specific Aid
Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation: Merit- and financial need-based scholarships. Click here for more information.
Alpha Tau Omega Foundation: J. Milton Richardson Theological Fellowship: Scholarships for members of Alpha Tau Omega. Click here for more information.
Order of the Eastern Star, California: Scholarships for members of the Grand Chapter of California Order of the Eastern Star. Click here for more information.
International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons: Scholarship for students enrolled in a Master of Divinity program. Click here for more information.
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: Scholarships for individuals affiliated with a Masonic organization. Click here for more information.
Ethnic/Nation-Specific Aid
American Indian Graduate Center: Scholarships for members of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group with demonstrated financial need. Click here for more information.
Association of American Indian Affairs: Scholarships for members of federally recognized American Indian tribes. Click here for more information.
Global Mission Church Korean-American Scholarship: Deadline is June 30th. Contact
or write to Global Mission Church (Att: Scholarship Committee), 13421 Georgia Avenue, Silver Springs, MD 20906. Click here for more information.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Scholarships for full-time graduate students of Hispanic heritage. Click here for more information.
Grace Foundation: Scholarships for students from Southeast Asia. Application deadline January 31st. Write to the Grace Foundation, PO Box 924, Menlo Park CA 94025.
Korean American Scholarship Foundation: Scholarships for students with Korean heritage. Click here for more information.
Japanese American United Church: Scholarship for students with Japanese ancestry. Click here for more information.
Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.): Scholarships and loans for women. Click here for more information.
Swiss Benevolent Society of San Francisco: Scholarships for students of Swiss descent residing in Northern California. Click here for more information.
Miscellaneous Aid
Alexander Graham Bell College Scholarship Program: Students who are deaf or hard of hearing are eligible for this scholarship. Click here for more information.
The American Association of University Women: Fellowships for women who are not permanent residents of the United States. Click here for more information.
Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism: Students facing challenges with autism, whether because they suffer from it themselves or have a close family member who has been diagnosed, may apply for this scholarship. Click here for more information.
Cancer for College: Scholarship available to full-time students who are current or former cancer patients. Deadline is January 31st. Click here for more information.
Champions for Christ: Scholarships for students dedicated to full-time ministry service. Click here for more information.
Cochlear Scholarships: Students who have Cochlear implant are eligible for this scholarship. Click here for more information.
Forum for Theological Exploration: Fellowships and resources for students in doctoral programs. Click here for more information.
GetEducated.com Distance Learning Scholarship: Scholarship for students pursuing education online. Deadlines are October 15th and March 15th. Click here for more information.
Harvesters Scholarship Foundation: Scholarships for students preparing for careers in missions. Visit here for more information.
Hazel Stone Memorial Scholarship: For Jewish/Messianic female students in bible college or seminary. Write to Hazel Stone Memorial Scholarship, c/o Jews for Jesus, 60 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94102.
Keefer Foundation: For students in preparation as religious teachers. Write to Keefer Foundation, 127 Keefer, Tomball, TX 77375.
Mensa Foundation: Click here for more information.
National Federation of the Blind: Scholarships for students who are legally blind. Click here for more information.
Vance H. Havner Scholarship Fund: Deadline June 1st. Write to The Vance H. Havner Scholarship Fund, Inc., PO Box 9946, Greensboro, NC 27429.