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Religion/Theology Scholarships

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.

Scholarships.com lists numerous faith-based scholarship awards – Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Episcopalian, Hindu, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Muslim, Pagan/Wiccan and Presbyterian – but many universities like Fuller Theological Seminary and the Claremont School of Theology offer their own religion and theology scholarships. For additional scholarship opportunities, conduct a free scholarship search today!

Disciples Home Missions Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • Disciples Home Missions 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 and are used as investments in persons preparing for ministry. By completing an application, you will be considered for any scholarship for which you qualify. Eligible applicants are members [...] More

Disciples Leadership Program

  • Application Deadline: 1/10/2021
  • Amount: $6,000
  • 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. DLP Fellows receive full tuition plus two on-site mentorships ($6,000 total combined, travel-related expenses) exploring service anywhere in the world. DOC students discerning a call to ordained [...] More

Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/15/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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 Fellowships for Doctoral Students of African Descent

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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 Fellowships for Latino/a, Asian and First Nations Doctoral Students

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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 at an American or Canadian institution. Eligible applicants must: be Hispanic, Asian, or of indigenous descent enrolled or admitted full time; must be finished with coursework by the beginning of the fellowship year; and, [...] More

George and Lynna Gene Cook Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: $800
  • To apply for the George and Lynna Gene Cook Scholarship, you must be a current graduating senior or a former graduate of any high school in Nebraska or have successfully completed the GED, and must have attained a GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent on a 4.0 scale and be pursuing a degree in ministry or education. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Henry J. and Pauline M. Armstrong Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: $1,300
  • The Henry J. & Pauline M. Armstrong Scholarship is for seniors or graduates of Waverly High School in Waverly, Nebraska who are, or plan to major in agriculture, home economics or veterinary medicine, or are male students who will attend a Lutheran seminary with the intention of becoming a minister. Applicants must have financial need. For more information or to apply, please visit the [...] More

Iowa UMF Seminary Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $2,500
  • 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 Buddhist Studies Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $3,000
  • Buddhist Studies Scholarships are intended to support students who are in or plan to enroll in a program in Buddhist studies. Khyentse Foundation scholarships are awarded for one-year terms. Scholarship recipients may apply each year for a continuing support to fund longer-term studies. Applications are open for teachers, students, practitioners, scholars, and translators, from all traditions, [...] More

Louis-Edward Nicklies Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/28/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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. Applicants must be members of a Baptist church. For more information, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Marguerite Young Endowment Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Amount: $1,500
  • The Marguerite Young Endowment Fund was established to provide assistance for students pursuing theology. Applicants must pursue a degree or studies in Theology and be enrolled full-time in a college/university or seminary. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Mary E. Bivins Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 1/5/2021
  • Amount: $3,500
  • 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

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state (and a US citizen). 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. [...] More

Oklahoma Christian University Current Student Biblical Studies Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $4,000
  • 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 or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Oklahoma Christian University New Student Biblical Studies Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • Oklahoma Christian University applicants interested in becoming Bible majors are encouraged to apply for College of Biblical Studies endowed scholarship awards. Award amounts vary based on academic profile and demonstrated financial need. For more information, or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s [...] More

Presbyterian Study Grant

  • Application Deadline: 5/15/2021
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Applicants of the Presbyterian Study Grant must be full-time M.Div. or M.A.C.E. students attending a Presbyterian Church U.S.A.-related seminary at participating institutions. M.Div. students must be enrolled as Inquirers or Candidates by PC(USA) presbyteries before the application deadline to be considered for an award. Students who have an M.Div. or M.A.C.E. and are working on a second degree [...] More

The Ernst Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $1,500
  • he Rev. Robert E. And Gladys Ernst Scholarship is 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 college/seminary extension program. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More

The Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies

  • Application Deadline: 1/3/2021
  • Amount: $20,000
  • The Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies supports Ph.D. and Post-doctoral candidates pursuing advanced study in the Holocaust. Supported research can include: the immediate historical context in which the Holocaust took place; political, economic, legal, religious or socio-cultural aspects; ethical and moral implications; or other related, relevant topics. Candidates can be studying [...] More

United Methodist GBHEM General Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/7/2021
  • Amount: Varies
  • GBHEM Scholarships administers scholarship programs with one general application. Criteria for each scholarship program varies. For general scholarships, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be an active member of the United Methodist Church. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

United Methodist GBHEM Ministry as a Career Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Amount: $12,500
  • Ministry as a Career Scholarships offers 17 total scholarships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA status students and must be an active full member of The United Methodist Church for at least 1 year. Applicants must be pursuing a degree program at an accredited institution in the U.S; individual scholarships are available for undergrad and graduate students, as well [...] More

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Last Reviewed: July 2020

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