Scholarships

The United Methodist Foundation of Indiana (UMFI) handles the awarding of the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) Awards as well as a number of scholarships for the Indiana Conference. There is one application for all the awards that the UMFI oversees. You may find the application and more information at https://www.umfindiana.org/endowments/.

Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) Awards

MEF Awards are made on behalf of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church (INUMC) by the United Methodist Foundation of Indiana (UMFI). MEF awards are based upon the financial need and the availability of funds. If funds are available, the MEF Awards are awarded at a rate of $100 per credit hour per semester and an additional $200 per projected decade of service remaining per semester.

United Methodist Foundation of Indiana (UMFI) Scholarships

The UMFI awards a number of scholarships on behalf of the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Foundation. The actual amount of the scholarships varies from year to year. Some scholarships may have additional eligibility criteria or state a preference in granting an award (i.e. from a particular district or church).

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a certified candidate in the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
• Applicant must be enrolled and attending a school of theology approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church.
• Applicant must be seeking ordination as a Deacon or Elder. Applicants must have the recommendation of their district committee on ordained ministry and District Superintendent.

Application and Award Process

• Application deadlines are June 1 for fall semester grants and November 1 for winter/spring or summer semester grants.
• The student must complete application, secure the needed recommendations and send the application to The United Methodist Foundation of Indiana.
• Scholarships and MEF awards are based upon Certified Candidacy, financial need and the availability of funds. Maintaining a 3.0 equivalent or above GPA (GPA is based on a 4.0 scale; the requirement does not apply for 1st semester seminarians) is also required. Failure to do so will result in suspension of assistance until such time as the GPA is raised to that level. If a course is failed by a seminary student, the following semester the student’s award will be reduced by the amount invested in the previously failed course.
• Distribution of scholarships and MEF Awards will occur in January and August of the academic year.
• Students seeking ordination may apply for MEF Awards up to 5 years.

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Loans and Scholarships (GBHEM) administers over 70 scholarship programs with one general application. The amount of each scholarship and the qualifications are different. Please click on the link for more information  (http://www.gbhem.org/loans-and-scholarships/scholarships).

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) offers several scholarships for United Methodist students. One of these is the UM Dollars for Scholars which is is a collaborative effort between UMHEF, United Methodist-related Colleges and Seminaries, and the local church. In Indiana, the scholarship is worth up to $3,000 per year. Please click on the link for more information (www.umhef.org/scholarship search).

The Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship was created to help entering United Methodist clergy avoid excessive educational loan debt, minimize financial stress and build financial acumen.  It is made possible with a grant from the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders.  The scholarship is worth $12,500 per year for up to two years. The candidate must reapply for the second year. Please click on the link for more information  (http://www.gbhem.org/loans-and-scholarships/scholarships).  This scholarship uses the same application as the GBHEM Scholarships.

The CM CARES^TM Scholarship was created by the Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation. The purpose is to help financially support religious students in their pursuit of a career in ministry. The scholarship is worth up to $5,000 and is available for the 2019-2020 academic year. Please click on the link for more information (churchmutual.com/cmcares/cmcares-scholars).

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Loans and Scholarships (GBHEM) administers over 70 scholarship programs with one general application. The amount of each scholarship and the qualifications are different. Please click on the link for more information  (http://www.gbhem.org/loans-and-scholarships/scholarships).

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) offers several scholarships for United Methodist students. One of these is the UM Dollars for Scholars which is is a collaborative effort between UMHEF, United Methodist-related Colleges and Seminaries, and the local church. In Indiana, the scholarship is worth up to $3,000 per year. Please click on the link for more information (www.umhef.org/scholarship search).

The CM CARES^TM Scholarship was created by the Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation. The purpose is to help financially support religious students in their pursuit of a career in ministry. The scholarship is worth up to $5,000 and is available for the 2019-2020 academic year. Please click on the link for more information (churchmutual.com/cmcares/cmcares-scholars).