Complete Applications are due by: May 31, 2023  

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 grants will be made payable to the session for distribution. Session will return the grant to the synod office if the student’s status changes. Grants will not be considered after the application due date: May 31, 2023. 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, 2023.

The amount of the grant will be awarded on the basis of need, academic standing, and demonstration of Christian Leadership as noted above. In addition, if a grant is awarded, the student is asked to return a short video to the Synod office (less than 3 minutes) talking about the project and its relation to (a) helping churches or ministries thrive, (b) addressing structural racism, and/or (c) working to solve poverty as well as what the student hopes to accomplish or intends to do. A short “thank you” video would also be appreciated, as a composite video will be put together to celebrate each one of you.

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 the following documents: 

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

• General Information, Educational Information, and Financial Information; this includes the amount of tuition for the year, the Expected Family Contribution from a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, and a full accounting of any other financial aid or source of income.
• 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]

• A separate endorsement letter on church letterhead submitted through this page directly from the pastoral leader or clerk of session.

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

Applications should be completed and uploaded below. If absolutely necessary, they may also 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