Application & Eligibility

If you are a member of a Missouri United Methodist Church and are called to a life of professional pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church in Missouri, financial resources may be available from a variety of sources to assist you with educational expenses.  For a helpful vocational overview, read "Steps Into Licensed and Ordained Ministry" published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.  

Of course, your first steps should be to talk with your pastor and to contact your District Superintendent.  The DS will then assign you a mentor to work with you through the candidacy process.  (You are strongly encouraged to make these contacts prior to enrolling in seminary.)  (See paragraphs 311 and 312 in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2008, for a description of the candidacy process.) 

While most financial assistance is directed to students who are "Certified Candidates" enrolled in seminary, a limited amount is available for undergraduate students who are under appointment by the conference to serve a local church as a “student local pastor.”  If you have any questions about your eligibility status, contact your Missouri District Superintendent.

A single, unified application form must be submitted each year by the student in order to be considered for any of these awards.  The application for the 2010-2011 academic year can be downloaded here.  Also, applications are available on the Missouri Conference website.  You may also request that a hard copy be mailed to you. 

Applications are accepted during the spring for the following academic year. Your application must be completed, signed and returned to the address on the form postmarked no later than June 30.  The number and amount of awards may vary depending on funds available and the number of students applying. 

 

 Missouri United Methodist Foundation Seminary Scholars Grant

Students will be considered for this award who:

1. are enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church;
2. are pursuing the degree of Master of Divinity or its equivalent;
3. are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “Certified Candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment;
4. intend to be ordained into the full-time ministry of The United Methodist Church in Missouri; and
5. intend to serve at least five years in full-time ministry in Missouri after ordination

Grants are available for full-time (9 hours or more) or half-time (6 to 8 hours) study. Currently, full-time grants are $3,000 and half-time grants are $1,500. A student is eligible to receive a maximum of $9,000 within six years of the initial grant.

 

Stella Kahrs Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created by Ms. Stella Kahrs who was a member of the Smithton United Methodist Church. Currently, each scholarship is in the amount of $500. Students will be considered for this award who:

1. are enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church;
2. are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “Certified Candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment; and
3. intend to be ordained into the full-time ministry of The United Methodist Church in Missouri.

Preference for these grants will be given to students from Smithton UMC and the Heartland South District. The full amount of this award is distributed in the fall semester following enrollment verification.

Stella Kahrs Biography Page

Dollars for Scholars

College and seminary students from United Methodist churches in Missouri now have the opportunity for up to $4,000 in scholarships through the Dollars for Scholars program administered by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF).

Eligibility

Students must: 

• Be a member of a United Methodist church for at least one year.
• Enroll in a United Methodist-related college or seminary.
• Complete the Dollars for Scholars application.  The student's local church must send the application and $1,000 to the UMHEF.

If the application is successful, the student will receive a matching $1,000 scholarship from the UMHEF.  (If the application is rejected, then the money is returned to the church.)  If the student's college/seminary is participating in the Dollars for Scholars program, he or she may qualify for another $1,000 from the school.  If the school is Central Methodist University or Saint Paul School of Theology, the student is eligible to receive another $1,000 scholarship from the Missouri United Methodist Foundation.

More information and application instructions are available by visiting the UMHEF website. 

 

Missouri Conference Aid

 

Missouri Conference Student Aid Grant (MEF): Seminary students and church-appointed undergraduate students

Students will be considered for this award who:

• are enrolled in a college, university or seminary approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church; and
• are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “certified candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment.

In addition, undergraduates must be appointed by the Missouri Conference to serve a local church as a “student local pastor.” Grants are available for full-time study (nine hours or more), and one half of the full-time amount is available for half-time study (six to eight hours). Full-time grants may be given for a maximum of four years from the date of the initial grant, and a combination of full-time and half-time grants may be given for a maximum of six years from the date of the initial grant.

 

Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry Seminary Grant
Students will be considered for this award who:

• are enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church;
• are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “certified candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment;
• intend to serve in some professional capacity in the ministries of The United Methodist Church in Missouri; and
• intend to serve at least five years in ministry in Missouri. Grants are available for full-time study (nine hours or more), and one half of the full-time amount is available for half-time study (six to eight hours). Full-time grants may be given for a maximum of four years from the date of the initial grant, and a combination of full-time and half-time grants may be given for a maximum of six years from the date of the initial grant.

 

 

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