Grants & Scholarships
You can partner with us in this ministry by giving a gift in memory or honor of a loved one.
Watch Our Seminary Student’s Videos Below and See How a Gift Changes Lives
The Wayne C. Barrett Steward Leader Award
- Having funds invested in the UMF Collective Investment Funds of Michigan LLC or the MI Area Loan Fund
- Having contributed 100% of its conference ministry shares for the previous year and be current in contributions for the present fiscal year
- Demonstrating a collaborative relationship between the pastor and laity in providing leadership in the area of financial stewardship
- Articulating a clearly defined mission and vision for the church
- Adhering to the financial procedures and protocol as defined in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, including but not limited to socially responsible investing, annual financial review, cash management, and IRS-compliant donor contribution statements
- Providing an advance indication of their intent for the awarded funds’ usage
Revitup! For A Lifetime In Ministry
- Find ways to reduce and manage your seminary and personal debt
- Gather practical tips for balancing life and ministry
- Network with other young clergy from across the denomination
- Participate in one-on-one consultations with class instructors/field experts (benefits consultants, pastoral counselors, financial planners, tax consultants, wills and estate planning experts, and more!)
- Go home with new ideas, resources and knowledge
- And…Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Clergy Benefits Academy
A two and a half day conference sponsored by Wespath Benefits and Investments. Clergy Benefits Academy is for all ages and stages of ministry-new ordinands, early-career clergy, mid-career clergy, ready-to-retire clergy, district superintendents, clergy in extension ministries-and spouses. A wide variety of classes scheduled in 90 minutes sessions are for everyone! Plan now to attend! The Clergy Benefits Academy is held semi-annually in various locations throughout the United States. This event is a unique opportunity to learn about the many benefit, financial planning, and estate planning issues that affect your life and ministry. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available.
United Methodist Foundation of Michigan Leadership Scholars Program for Seminary Students
The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan is proud to partner with the Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to award scholarship funds to seminary students. These funds have been established by individuals and local churches to financially assist United Methodist seminarians from Michigan.
Qualified applications may receive up to $10,000 annually for full-time students ($5000 for part-time). To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a certified candidate under the supervision of the Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
- Be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student and attend a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and approved by the University Senate of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership capacity to address the opportunities and challenges facing The United Methodist Church
- Declare an intent to serve for a minimum of five (5) years on a deacon or elder track within the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Provide personal financial information to demonstrate financial need
- Be recommended by the Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
- Invitations to apply are emailed to qualified candidates
- Fall VOE
- Spring VOE
- 2024 Seminary Scholars Program Application
United Methodist Quadruple Dollars for Scholars
Eligible candidates may receive up to $4,000 per academic year toward undergraduate or seminary education.
The United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program sponsored by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation provides $1,000 matching scholarships to United Methodist full-time students who have received a $1,000 scholarship from their local United Methodist church to help them attend a United Methodist-related college, university, or seminary. The Quadruple Your Dollars component of the program includes additional contributions of $1,000 each from the college, university, or seminary and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. Quadruple Your Dollars scholarships are awarded annually by the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan and the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Qualified applicants must be an active member of a United Methodist church with funds invested in the UMF Collective Investment Funds of Michigan LLC for a minimum of one (1) year prior to applying for the scholarship. For more information about requirements and the online application form, visit the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation website.
Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship
The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, in partnership with Lilly Endowment, Inc., Wespath Benefits and Investments, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church (GBHEM), is honored to partner in a major matching scholarship program for seminarians. The purpose of this scholarship is to minimize the dependency of seminarians on student loans and to create greater personal financial literacy among the recipients. The $2,500 Foundation scholarship is matched by up to three (3) other equal matching scholarships (Lilly Endowment, GBHEM, and the United Methodist seminary). Thus, a qualified student receives up to a total scholarship of $10,000.00 per year.
Scholarship Criteria:
- United Methodist enrolled certified candidate for ministry (elder or deacon)
- Demonstrated merit, progress, and commitment in the candidacy process
- MDIV student enrolled at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries/schools of theology
- Full-time student
- Demonstrated financial need and how this scholarship will help avoid additional student loans
- Completion of personal financial planning with an EY financial advisor
- Approval to receive the award through scholarship committee review from all matching partners
Interested students may apply directly online with GBHEM between January 3rd and March 1st each year at gbhem.org. Students should choose to apply for the “EXCELLENCE IN CLERGY LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP” on the first page of the application. Applicants must reapply each year.
United Methodist Quadruple Dollars for Scholars
Eligible candidates may receive up to $4,000 per academic year toward undergraduate or seminary education.
The United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program sponsored by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation provides $1,000 matching scholarships to United Methodist full-time students who have received a $1,000 scholarship from their local United Methodist church to help them attend a United Methodist-related college, university, or seminary. The Quadruple Your Dollars component of the program includes additional contributions of $1,000 each from the college, university, or seminary and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. Quadruple Your Dollars scholarships are awarded annually by the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan and the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Qualified applicants must be an active member of a United Methodist church with funds invested in the UMF Collective Investment Funds of Michigan LLC for a minimum of one (1) year prior to applying for the scholarship. For more information about requirements and the online application form, visit the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation website.
If a gap exists between your tuition and related expenses and your present scholarships, grants, and continuing education funds, you may apply for this scholarship.
