Complete Applications are due by: May 15, 2022 

ELIGIBILITY 

Scholarship grants are available to students for full and part-time study toward the first baccalaureate degree or certification at colleges, universities, and vocational schools, or first master’s degree in theology. Applicants will be asked to describe the ways or organizations for whom they provide Christian leadership, especially those that help churches or ministries to thrive, address structural racism, and/or engage issues of poverty (which are three of the Synod’s most important goals).[1]

Presbyterian applicants, including seminarians, are eligible to apply if they are from within the bounds of the synod and are active members of their Presbyterian church. Applicants are eligible to apply annually, up to a maximum of 5 years. Applicants must have and maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to be eligible. All financial scholarships will be made payable to the session for distribution. Session will return the grant to the synod office if the student’s status changes.  Applications will not be considered after the due date:  May 15, 2022.  Only completed applications will be considered.  Special consideration will be given to applicants who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, and to those with significant financial need.  Applicants and Sessions will be notified by June 30, 2022.

In addition, if a grant is awarded, the student is asked to return a short video to grants@synodofthecovenant.org  (less than 3 minutes) talking about (1) how their studies/experience relate to the Matthew 25 principles, and (2) what the student hopes to accomplish upon graduation.  A short “thank you” video would also be appreciated, as a composite video will be put together to celebrate each one of you.

TYPES OF GRANTS 

FULL-TIME STUDENTS  (9+ credits per semester): up to $1500.

PART-TIME STUDENTS  (less than 9 credits per semester): up to $750.

THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS: Students enrolled in their first master’s degree program at Presbyterian theological institutions or an institution approved by the student’s presbytery may be awarded a maximum of $1,500 (FT), $750 (PT). Proof of presbytery approval must be supplied.

INSTRUCTIONS

The review of applications will begin June 1. Applications and all requested materials and endorsement letter from pastor or moderator/clerk of session, must be submitted by the deadline to receive consideration by the scholarship committee. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered nor will they be carried forward automatically. Applicants will need to reapply annually to be considered for continued funding.

Please submit each application individual. Do NOT submit multiple applications as a group so ensure proper processing.

All applications must include 3 documents: 

• As a single document, the entire completed Scholarship Application:

• General Information, Educational Information, and Financial Information Statement of career objectives and how this scholarship will enable the applicant to reach these objectives.
• Statement as to how the student demonstrates Christian leadership (in the church or at school), especially those that help churches or ministries to thrive, and/or helped to address racial injustice, and/or engage anti-poverty efforts (the three main goals of the Synod).[2]

• Endorsement letter from the student’s pastor or clerk of session (Endorser should submit directly to grants@synodofthecovenant.org.)
• The Expected Family Contribution from a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form (available here:  https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa)

Questions can be addressed to Rev. Betty Angelini at bettyangelini@fpcwarren.org or Lisa Allgood at lisa@cpresby.org .

Applications can be completed and uploaded at www.synodofthecovenant/grants, or completed applications should be emailed to grants@synodofthecovenant.org.

Please contact the Synod Grants and Scholarships Committee using the following information:

Grants and Scholarship Team
The Synod of the Covenant
grants@synodofthecovenant.org
248-729-2415