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Scholarships
Scholarships for higher education -- undergraduate, graduate, and seminary -- are available for members of The United Methodist Church through a variety of channels. Be sure to check out all those for which you may qualify!
There are two general education scholarships available through the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. Qualifications: Applicants for the two scholarships below must intend to be a full-time student and must have been a member of a United Methodist church within the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference (or a baptized participant in a UM campus ministry or other UM ministry setting) for at least one year. Applications for the 2023-2024 year will be made through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry scholarship website
Applications are open now through March 30, 2023.
Go to https://aim.applyISTS.net/GBHEMScholarship
Notification of selection results come in June-July 2023 and funds are disbursed August-September 2023.
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Oregon-Idaho Conference Undergraduate Leadership Award ($1,000)
A scholarship is awarded to one undergraduate student from each of the four districts of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, a total of four $1,000 scholarships, annually. Applicants are evaluated primarily on their leadership or potential leadership skills. Financial need is also considered. The scholarship may be used at any two- or four-year accredited undergraduate institution.
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Oregon-Idaho Ethnic Minority Leadership Award ($1,000)
A $1,000 scholarship is available for one undergraduate or graduate ethnic minority student. Applicants are evaluated primarily on their leadership or potential leadership skills. Financial need is also considered. The scholarship may be used at any two- or four-year accredited institution of higher education.
More information is available from the Scholarship Coordinator by email: linda@umoi.org
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church offers both loans and scholarships. Loans are available up to $5,000 at low interest rates and there are a variety of scholarships. These can be used for any accredited school in the U.S. You can find more information at www.gbhem.org/loans-scholarships. The loans through GBHEM can be applied for throughout the year for the upcoming term.
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation also offers scholarships for those attending United Methodist-related institutions of higher education. Their website is www.umhef.org. The same minimum criteria exists for both agencies: you must have been a member of a local UMC for at least one year, and be enrolled full-time in an accredited institution of higher education. But beyond that there may be other criteria for specific scholarships. The application period is generally Jan. 1 - March 1 for scholarship distribution that fall.
Other specialized scholarships available are:
The Gertrude Boyd Crane Scholarship gives financial assistance for graduate study to women of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference for use in a church-related vocation. The award is administered by the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference United Women in Faith. For more information go to www.umoi.org/cranescholarship.
The Edward Coe Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Conference Board of Trustees, in memory of Edward Coe.
The Jasa Scholarship Award is available to students who are in seminary. This award is administered by the Board of Ordained Ministry, and may be presented to two or more persons each year. Certified candidates for the Deacon in Full Connection are encouraged to apply for it.
The Blair Scholarship Endowment was established for candidates for ordained ministry by the Blair family in memory of William Bradford (Brad) Blair. It is administered by the Faith Foundation in consultation with the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Rev. Ann Blair. Applicants may be awarded up $1500.
In addition to these scholarships, Ministerial Education Funds (MEF) are also available to students pursuing seminary education toward ordained ministry or licensed local pastors engaged in Course of Study. Read the MEF Policy here; contact the Board of Ordained Ministry (bom@umoi.org) for questions about MEF monies.
And your home church may also award a scholarship – check with the church office of your local congregation!