There are many religions people align themselves with and for the most dedicated followers, life after college doesn’t mean a swanky corner office and unlimited expense accounts: It means becoming part of the faith they were raised in or educating others about it. But how does one gain the necessary knowledge to do so? By majoring in religion or theology.
Whether your goal is to become a priest, rabbi, teacher, activist or writer, a deep understanding of your chosen religion is vital in landing the position you desire. Expect to take a fair amount of history, anthropology, philosophy and writing-intensive courses in addition to your major classes and consider the possibility of studying abroad or accepting an internship or research fellowship to further immerse yourself in your studies. Funding your education, however, can become quite expensive and the best way to graduate with a limited amount of student loans (and the possibility of future debt) is to apply for religion and theology scholarships and grants to pay for school.
The prestigious Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships are designed to encourage original and significant study of ethical or religious values in all fields of the humanities and social sciences, and particularly to help Ph.D. candidates in these fields complete their dissertation work in a timely manner. Candidates for Ph.D. or Th.D. degrees must be in an American doctoral [...] More
This scholarship was established by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) upon Rev. Pohl's retirement as Unitarian Universalist Association Director of Ministry in 1993. It supports the intellectual, spiritual, and professional development of individuals studying for Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministry. Priority is given those grantees that have demonstrated outstanding [...] More
Scholarships are made possible by gifts from individuals, families, congregations, and other expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Scholarship funds are generated from interest earned on permanent funds and cash gifts, and are used as investments in persons preparing for ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United [...] More
This top-tier, competitive scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen based on leadership, academic excellence, and the commitment to explore during college a life of faith-based servant leadership. Seminary-bound students are encouraged to apply, but all qualified DOC students with exceptional leadership and service will be equally considered. Applicants should have a minimum cumulative high [...] More
Dora Maclellan Brown established a fund that would be expressly geared to Christian evangelism and the training of foot soldiers for God's front lines. Applicants must be from the greater Chattanooga area; be theologically and biblically conservative and have a testimony of faith and evidence of call to ministry. Students must be seeking a master's degree at a theological seminary or graduate [...] More
FTE offers financial support for doctoral students who have completed the coursework stage of their Ph.D. or Th.D. program in religion, theological studies or biblical studies. Applicants must be of African descent enrolled or admitted full time in a Th.D. or Ph.D. program in religion, theological studies or biblical studies and be finished with coursework by the beginning of the fellowship year. [...] More
FTE offers financial support for doctoral students who have completed the coursework stage of their Ph.D. or Th.D. program in religion, theological studies or biblical studies.
Eligibility: -Be of Latino/a, Asian, or first nations descent enrolled or admitted full time in a Th.D. or Ph.D. program in religion, theological studies or biblical studies -Be finished with coursework by the [...] More
The purpose of this scholarship is to support deserving individuals who have demonstrated an interest in and are prepared to integrate interfaith understanding into their ministry and have a commitment to guiding others on their own spiritual path. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a Masters of Divinity program leading to fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministery. For [...] More
Iowa United Methodist Foundation offers thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants every year to students who demonstrate academic and community excellence and have maintained a faithful membership with the United Methodist Church. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
Khyentse Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers scholarships for Buddhist scholars. KF Buddhist Study Scholarships are one-time grants to support individuals who wish to study the Dharma. KF accepts applications from teachers, students, scholars, and translators, from all traditions, schools, and sects of Buddhism.
KF accepts open scholarship applications twice a year, from [...] More
The Louis-Edward Nicklies Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate, masters-level and doctoral students enrolled in 12+ credit hours who have graduated from a high school located in Jefferson County, KY.
For more information, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
The Marguerite Young Endowment Fund was established to provide assistance for students pursuing theology. Marguerite Young was a sincere Christian woman who was a faithful member of her church and an unwavering supporter of theological education for the training of faithful Christian ministers. Applicants must pursue a degree or studies in Theology and be enrolled full-time in a [...] More
The purpose of the Mary E. Bivins Foundation Religious Scholarship Program is to educate ministers to preach the Christian religion. Scholarships are provided for an upper-level undergraduate or graduate education leading to a bachelor's or master's degree in a field that prepares the student to preach the Christian religion. Priority will be given to students intending to serve as pulpit pastors [...] More
The Native American Supplemental Grant is for Native American and Alaska natives pursuing full-time post-secondary education who have been awarded the Presbyterian Study Grant and have remaining need.
Eligible applicants must be full-time M.Div. or M.A.C.E. students attending a Presbyterian Church U.S.A.-related seminary at the following institutions: -Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary [...] More
The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state. Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Scholarships are renewable for four years of college in the state of Washington. Music, sculpture, [...] More
Oklahoma Christian awards more than $19 million in institutional scholarships and grants every year. Generous donors make it possible for Oklahoma Christian to offer a variety of scholarships for new and returning students majoring in preaching, Bible, ministry, vocational ministry and more.
For more information, visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
Oklahoma Christian University applicants interested in becoming Bible majors are encouraged to apply for College of Biblical Studies endowed scholarship awards. Generous donors make it possible for Oklahoma Christian to offer a variety of scholarships for new and returning students majoring in preaching, Bible, ministry, vocational ministry and more. Award amounts vary based on academic profile [...] More
The Student Opportunity Scholarship program serves Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) college students by providing need-based aid for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are full-time, first-degree students attending accredited institutions in the United States. Student Opportunity Scholarship applicants will explore who God created them to be in a series of essay questions intended for students to [...] More
Eligible applicants must be full-time M.Div. or M.A.C.E. students attending a Presbyterian Church U.S.A.-related seminary at the following institutions: -Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary -Columbia Theological Seminary -Interdenominational Theological Center -Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary -McCormick Theological Seminary -Pittsburgh Theological Seminary -San [...] More
The OBES exists to provide financial Assistance in the way of scholarships to prepare American Baptist Professional Ministers for tomorrow. The Rev. Robert E. And Gladys Ernst Scholarship awarded to current ABC/Ordained pastors of American Baptist Churches in Ohio who are pursuing post-graduate ministry degrees such as Master's or Ph.D of Divinity either at accredited institutions or through a [...] More
The Ph.D. Merit Scholarships are awarded by the Ph.D. and admissions committees for the Educational Studies and Intercultural Studies departments, and for the four Theological Studies departments (including Old Testament, New Testament, systematic theology, and church history). Awards are renewable for a second year and are awarded based on full-time credits (9 or more) and will be pro-rated if [...] More
The Ph.D. Program Scholarship is awarded to one recipient per Ph.D. program (theological studies, educational studies, and intercultural studies), selected by the Ph.D. and admissions committees. Awards are based on full-time credits (9 or more) and will be pro-rated if registered for less than 9 credits in a semester. Applicants are automatically considered during the admissions process. The [...] More
The Ph.D. Waybright Leadership Scholarship is awarded to one Educational Studies Ph.D. student, one Intercultural Studies Ph.D. student, and four Theological Studies Ph.D. students selected by the Ph.D. and Admissions committees. Applicants are automatically considered during the admissions process. Scholarships are renewable up to four years.
For more information or to apply, please visit [...] More
Maurine Mulliner, a long-time member of All Soul's Church in Washington, DC, made an estate gift to establish this award in order to affirm Rev. David Hilliard Eaton's vision of a community dedicated to strengthening hope, justice, and balance and creating an anti-racist, multi-cultural religious organization and country. This scholarship is awarded to women from a historically marginalized group [...] More
The Donald K. Evans Memorial Theological Scholarship Fund was established by the Ohio-Meadville District and is awarded to members or former members of congregations within the Ohio-Meadville District (Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Southwest New York State) who are preparing for the Unitarian Universalist ministry. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship [...] More
Ingeborg Haseltine made a gift from her estate to establish a permanent scholarship fund to support the education of women pursuing a career in the ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a Masters of Divinity degree program leading to fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister. Priority is given those grantees that have [...] More
John A. Buehrens, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) from 1993-2001, has made enormous contributions to the life of this institution and to the Unitarian Universalist movement as a whole. To recognize and honor his work, the UUA has established a permanent fund to support the intellectual, spiritual, and professional development of future Unitarian Universalist ministers [...] More
The Lucille K. and Jerome P. Gallon Scholarship was created to support promising candidates for Unitarian Universalist ministry. This scholarship is to individuals who have demonstrated strong preaching skills during their path to ministry. The funds are available to students enrolled at least half-time in a Masters of Divinity degree program leading to fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist [...] More
Established in 1997, this scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to promising ministerial students in their second or third year of seminary who have already proven their capabilities. This scholarship is awarded to individuals who respect hard work as a foundation of a full life and appreciate the freedom, political system, and philosophical underpinnings of our country. [...] More
The Olympia Brown and Max Kapp Award is made to a ministerial student who, in addition to meeting the requirements for general financial aid, chooses to submit as part of their general financial application a paper, sermon, or another special project on some aspect of Universalism. Entries are evaluated by an outside reader. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a Masters of Divinity [...] More
The Unitarian Universalist Association established the President William G. Sinkford Fund in 2008, during the last year of Rev. Sinkford's UUA Presidency. To honor his legacy in the years to come, the Sinkford Fund will further Rev. Sinkford's visions by providing scholarships for promising and passionate students preparing for Unitarian Universalist ministry. Applicants must be ministerial [...] More
This scholarship serves Unitarian Universalism, and individual Unitarian Universalists like Chuck and Nancy Thomas, by valuing a history of service and leadership as critical elements of a call toward professional theological training. Each year it supports a student in the first year of seminary or in preparatory academic work. Scholars qualify for the award by demonstrating their outstanding [...] More
The Roy H. Pollack Scholarship was created in 1998 to support second or third-year students who have strong academic records and are a promising candidate for the Unitarian Universalist ministry. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a Masters of Divinity program leading to fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister. For more information or to apply, please visit the [...] More
The Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies welcomes applications from Ph.D. and post-doc candidates from around the world for funding for the September through the following August academic year.
Ph.D. Requirements: -Be enrolled and good standing in a Ph.D. program that supports the study of the Holocaust -Study/have studies a language of Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union [...] More
Susan M. Jackson's children established this fund on Ms. Jackson's 85th birthday to honor her commitment and dedication to Unitarian Universalism. This scholarship is awarded to recipients who share with the wider world their enthusiasm about Unitarian Universalist (UU) ideas and conclusions, drawn from their faith, which influence their lives. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a [...] More
GBHEM Scholarships administers scholarship programs with one general application. Criteria for each scholarship program varies. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA person and be an active member of The United Methodist Church for at least one year. Applicants must have a masters degree and be enrolled in a doctoral program for ministry. A minimum 2.5 GPA is also [...] More
GBHEM Scholarships administers scholarship programs with one general application. Criteria for each scholarship program varies.
The minimum requirements for Ministry scholarships are: -Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA person -Applicants must be an active full member of The United Methodist Church for at least 1 year (International applicants must be active full [...] More
This scholarship was established in 2001 by Walter and Carolyn Vogt to honor Walter's father The Rev. Dr. Von Ogden Vogt and his dedication and commitment to Unitarian Universalism. Scholarships are given to support the intellectual, spiritual, and professional development of future Unitarian Universalist ministers who are attending Meadville Lombard Theological School. For more information or to [...] More
Scholars will launch an interdisciplinary journal next year, called The Journal of Controversial Ideas, where authors will be able to publish their academic work under pseudonyms due to "recent threats against polarizing academics." There will be no restrictions on academic disciplines, and "both left-wingers and right-wingers" are welcome on the editorial board. [...]
Research indicates that college students are expected to vote in record numbers in today's midterm election, in stark contrast to the nation's lowest youth turnout and voter registration in 2014. While forty percent of 18- to 29-year-olds say they will "definitely vote" in the midterm elections, "doesn't mean they'll actually cast a ballot on Election Day." Here are a few of the issues in higher education on which voters will have a say: [...]
Graduate student assistants across the nation are pushing for a $15 per hour stipend, which they believe is a "minimum living wage." Graduate students have attributed the 29 percent stipend increase at Emory University to their successful campus advocacy. [...]
