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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!

Charlotte W. Newcombe Dissertation Fellowships

  • Application Deadline: 11/15/2019
  • Amount: $25,000
  • 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

Disciples Leadership Program

  • Application Deadline: 1/10/2020
  • 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

FTE Fellowships for Doctoral Students of African Descent

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2020
  • 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

Iowa UMF Seminary Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2020
  • Amount: $7,500
  • 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

Louis-Edward Nicklies Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/28/2020
  • 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: 3/31/2020
  • Amount: $1,500
  • 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

Mary E. Bivins Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 1/5/2020
  • 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

Native American Supplemental Grant

  • Application Deadline: 5/15/2020
  • Amount: $5,000
  • 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 a PC(USA) related seminary. (Listed on sponsor's website) Native [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2020
  • 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. 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 University Current Student Biblical Studies Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2020
  • 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, visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Oklahoma Christian University New Student Biblical Studies Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2020
  • Amount: Varies
  • 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

Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/15/2020
  • Amount: $3,000
  • 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

Presbyterian Study Grant

  • Application Deadline: 5/15/2020
  • Amount: $4,000
  • 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 Ernst Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $1,500
  • 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 Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies

  • Application Deadline: 1/3/2020
  • Amount: $20,000
  • 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.

    For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

United Methodist GBHEM Doctorate Level Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/7/2020
  • Amount: $10,000
  • 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

United Methodist GBHEM Ministry as a Career Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2020
  • Amount: $10,000
  • 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 status students and must be an active full member of The United Methodist Church for at least 1 year (International applicants must be active full members for at least 3 years. Other Methodist [...] More

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Last Reviewed: November 2019

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