Different Types of Federal Student Aid
Perhaps one of your biggest concerns about pursuing higher education – whether online or on-campus – is how you will pay for it. However, if you qualify, there may be various options available to you for Financial Aid at Christian Colleges and Universities. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify.
Typically most students may be eligible to receive some form of financial aid at Christian Colleges to help pay for school. Financial aid may consist of scholarships, grants, loans, and participation in work-study programs. If you qualify, Tax credits and benefits for military personnel may also aid in offsetting the cost of higher education. Additionally, private loans may be available to help make pursuing your degree a reality. Loan consolidation may be able to help ease the burden of multiple loan payments and simplify the payment process.
Scholarships
Christian scholarships may be available through a variety of sources, including companies, organizations, and clubs. Scholarships may be based on a variety of factors. Academic performance, financial need, religious affiliation, minority status, heritage, and other specific sets of criteria that are important to the organization providing funds or community affiliations are all examples of what could make you eligible for a particular scholarship, if you qualify.
Many individuals mistakenly assume that they will not be eligible for scholarships, but this is not necessarily the case. In addition to the scholarships offered by Christian colleges, numerous organizations affiliated with the church and other spiritual groups offer Christian scholarships to students.
11 Christian Scholarships
Grantors of college scholarships may look at one of two criteria. Academic achievement. That means GPA, SAT/ACT scores and community service. Or, they look at unmet financial need as calculated on your FAFSA.
Here are 11 scholarships for Christian college students that you may be eligible for.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies Scholarship
ABHMS offers tuition scholarships funded by investment income. You may find these awards at schools related to American Baptist Churches USA. This includes 16 colleges/universities. And 10 seminaries and theology schools.
Eligibility:
- Be an active member at an American Baptist church
- Full time enrollment at an accredited four year college/university in the United States or Puerto Rico.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
- Reside in United States or Puerto Rico
- Undergraduate students, seminary / graduate students
Award Amounts:
Vary
Deadline:
The application window is open January 15 to April 30 each year.
Dr. James Earl Massey Intercultural Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship is available at Anderson University, a private Christian liberal arts college in South Carolina. The award honors its namesake. And aims to expand diversity at the school.
Eligibility:
- For first time freshmen only
- Minimum high school GPA of 2.75
Award Amounts:
Range from $2,000 to $4,000 per year and are renewable for an extra three years with a max of $16,000. There are also merit scholarships which go by grade point average and award from $6,000 to $16,000 per year.
Deadline:
Varies
Colorado Christian University World Changers Scholarship
CCU is a Christian college in Colorado. Each year, they fund a variety of scholarships and grants. Undergraduate students who apply to the school are auto considered for these awards once CCU has your FAFSA. The World Changers is the highest of these awards and pays full tuition.
Eligibility:
- First time freshmen
- Minimum 3.8 GPA (you have to keep a 3.5 up to renew the scholarship)
- ACT score of 28, or SAT composite score of 1320
Award Amounts:
The award is renewable for up to eight semesters
Deadline:
Varies
Hubler Endowed Scholarship
This Christian scholarship is available at Baylor University a private Baptist college. It was set up through a trust that benefits BU ministry students. Specifically for students who are Religion majors and take part in the Ministry Guidance Program in the Department of Religion.
Eligibility:
- Have a minimum 3.25 Baylor GPA
- Show you have a divine call to church related vocational Christian ministry
- Demonstrate you commit to Christian principles
- Be a regular church member and active in a school year church
- If a new student, qualify for a merit scholarship
- Provide certification from your church
Award Amounts:
The award pays $5,000 per Fall/Spring semester for full time students enrolled 12 hours or more.
Deadline:
Varies
Peters Foundation Scholarship
The Peters Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides a limited number of scholarships to high school seniors graduating in 2020. Applicants must attend an accredited Christian college. But may major in the field of environment, conservation and forestry.
Eligibility:
- Financial need
- Academic potential
- Must attend colleges located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona or Colorado
Award Amounts:
The awards range from $10,000 to $20,000 over a four-year period ($2,500 to $5,000 per year) and cover tuition.
Deadline:
April 1, 2021
Lee University Dean Scholarship
Lee is a private Christian university in Tennessee. The school affiliates with the Church of God and offers several merit scholarships as well as some only for transfer students. Of all their current awards, the Dean’s is the highest paying.
Eligibility:
- Any new student who has graduated from an approved high school with a 24-27 composite score on the ACT or 1160-1300 total score on the SAT
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA to renew and enrollment of at least 12 credit hours
Award Amounts:
The award pays $5,000 per year for a maximum total of $20,000 over four years or eight semesters.
Deadline:
Varies
Alice J. McGiven Endowment Fund
This is one of the named scholarships from IUMF. The Iowa United Methodist Foundation is a charitable nonprofit that serves Iowa’s United Methodist churches, and organizations, individuals and families. Each year, they offer a range of scholarships which come with a set of criteria. For this one, you submit transcripts, ACT/SAT scores and FAFSA/IRS Tax return. Applicants also need at least two recommenders and must be active leaders in school and involved with their church.
Eligibility:
- Applicant must be a high school senior
- Planning to enter the ministry and/or do missionary work
- Attend a United Methodist College in Iowa
- Show community leadership outside your local church
Award Amounts:
One award of $2,250.00
Deadline:
Scholarship applications are open December 1 – March 1 annually
ECLA Fund or Leaders Full Tuition Scholarship
The Fund for Leaders scholarship program is from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In the 2020-2021 academic year, the fund plans to provide over $2.8 million in scholarships to 297 ELCA seminarian students.
Eligibility:
- Students beginning a full time program at an ELCA Seminary
- Already begun the candidacy process to become a rostered pastor or deacon in the ECLA
Award Amounts:
Full tuition at an ECLA seminary for the first year and renewable if you stay eligible
Deadline:
Varies
Presbyterian Scholarship for Undergraduates
The Presbyterian Mission Agency provides scholarships to up to 120 college students per year. Their mission work plan is about relieving poverty and reducing the impact of systems of white supremacy. As such, they offer extra funds to eligible students of color, students who are the first in their family to attend college and students with unusually high need.
Eligibility:
- Freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
- Complete a FAFSA
- Member of the Presbyterian Church
- Enrolled as a full time student in an accredited college in the United States
- Going for a first associate’s or bachelor’s degree
Award Amounts:
The basic scholarship award is $4,000 up to unmet need. Extra funds may also be available ($2,000 for People of Color, $2,000 for first generation students and $2,000 for the 10% neediest students).
Deadline:
Will reopen March 2021
Samuel Robinson Award
This is one of the Christian scholarship opportunities from the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. It’s goal is to stir interest in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. To do this, it challenges college students (juniors/seniors) to memorize and recite the catechism from memory. Applicants also have to write a $2,000 word essay on an assigned topic.
Eligibility:
- Be members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Attend a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) related college or university
Award Amounts:
The two students with the highest scores receive $7,500. The lowest award for an application with essay is $2,000.
Deadline:
June 1, September 1, and December 1
Presbyterian Study Grant
This grant is from the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. It is their financial aid program for students planning for careers in the church. Each year, it serves about 120 students enrolled in seminary / graduate school who are going for a Master of Divinity or MACE degree.
Eligibility:
- Be members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Normally enrolled at an ATS accredited seminary
- Financial need
- MDiv or MACE students
Award Amounts:
Up to $5,000.00
Deadline:
TBA for 2021/22
Find more Christian scholarships on Unigo.
Grants as Financial Aid at Christian Colleges
Unlike a loan, grants may not require repayment. Grants may be available from the federal government, state government, schools, and private organizations. Federal and state grant funds are typically paid directly to your school to cover tuition and other eligible education costs.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are often one of the largest sources of aid awarded to undergraduate students who have not received a bachelors’ degree, and are based on financial need. How much you may be awarded depends on your Expected Family Contribution, your cost of attendance, whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less.
You may receive only one Pell Grant in an award year, and you may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time. Students may apply for the Pell Grant by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is important to note that if you have used federal financial aid to fund previous college study, that may limit the amount of aid you are eligible to receive in the future.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
FSEOG awards may be given to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need. FSEOG awards may be used as Financial Aid at Christian Colleges. The grant is often made available to those earning their first associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The maximum amount you may be eligible to receive is between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, the funding level of the school you are attending, and the policies of your school’s financial aid office.
Students may apply for the FSEOG program by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information about applying for federal grants, speak to your school’s financial aid office or visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Aid Web site.
Work Study Programs
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial aid program funded by the US government and may be available to undergraduate as well as graduate students. You may be eligible to participate in a work-study program if you are awarded Federal Work-Study with your financial aid package and the individual school has a work-study program in place.
The program may encourage community service work and may offer work related to your course of study. Qualified work-study recipients are able to work in part-time roles assisting their college or local community. (Occasionally FWS recipients may work for for-profit employers.) Since a school that offers work-study programs may have requirements specific to that particular school, details regarding eligibility and other program requirements is best answered by the individual school.