Westminster Seminary California
 
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Scholarships, Grants & Academic Awards

WSC offers a variety of non-repayable scholarships and grants to our students that are awarded on the basis of several of factors including financial need, previous academic performance, denominational affiliation and ministry interests. All available resources will be used to determine eligibility, including the student’s initial admissions file and references, the student’s current records, faculty and staff consultation (when appropriate), and the information provide on the WSC Application for Financial Aid. Additional criteria for individual scholarships and grants are listed in the Academic Catalogue.

 Need-Based

WSC Grant

This need-based grant is awarded on an annual basis and applied equally each semester towards tuition. If the student’s financial situation changes during the year (up or down), a recalculation of the grant may be done. Provisional awards are made on a rolling basis after the FAFSA and WSC Application for Financial Aid are received.

Applications submitted by April 1 for new students (March 15 for continuing students) will receive full consideration. For those students who are beginning their studies in the winter or spring, we recommend that all applications be submitted by November 1. Continuing students must apply each year to be considered for this grant.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid

 

The Titus Fund

This fund is named after Paul’s epistle, a rich letter filled with wise counsel and encouragement to Titus, instructing him to preach the gospel, teach sound and profitable doctrine, establish churches with proven elders, and encourage all believers to faith and love through Christ. The Titus Fund was established by a supporter of Westminster Seminary California to provide financial assistance to one full-time student enrolled in the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts program who demonstrates financial need through the completion of the Westminster Application for Student Aid and FAFSA. The scholarship is to be awarded by the WSC Financial Aid Committee on an annual basis and applied to the student’s tuition account in two equal amounts for the fall and spring semesters.

The Titus Fund is renewable on an annual basis provided the student demonstrates ongoing need of financial support, is enrolled continuously as a full-time student (12+ units per semester) and maintains a minimum 2.5 grade point average.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
     

 

Im Family Grant

The Im Family Grant is for M.Div. students who are married and have children. The $1,000 grant is designed to encourage students in need by helping them with seminary costs.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter to WSC Financial Aid Committee requesting consideration

 

Merit-Based

Awes Presidential Scholarship

This award was funded by Mrs. Johanna Awes to serve as a testimony of God’s faithfulness to her and her husband.

  • The grants are awarded by the President of the Seminary on the basis of the following criteria, but not limited to:
  • high academic standing
  • full-time enrollment in the M.Div. degree program
  • status under care of a presbytery (or equivalent) as a student of theology
  • proven record of leadership ability
  • potential for leadership in the church of Christ
  • The financial need of the student may also be considered. Such grants are normally given for one year, but may be renewed on an annual basis.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter to WSC Financial Aid Committee requesting consideration


Marjorie McGill Student Aid Fund

This fund was established through the generous gift of Marjorie McGill who desired to aid the furtherance of the gospel . Her desire was that the name of our exalted Lord be glorified in the lives of those who are trained to travel to the ends of the earth bringing the Word of life to a lost and dying world.

The income from this Fund shall be used to make grants to students studying for the gospel ministry.

The recipient of this grant will be a full-time student who has completed the first year of studies, continues to make satisfactory academic progress, has a clear vocational calling to the gospel ministry, and demonstrates financial need.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • One-page letter describing vocational calling to the gospel ministry


The Minnie Gresham Machen Scholarship

The Minnie Gresham Machen Scholarship was established to encourage and enable talented women to take advantage of advanced theological education at Westminster Seminary California in order to equip them to answer God’s calling in the home, the academy, and the church.

The scholarship is named to honor the memory and legacy of Minnie Gresham Machen, a woman who was valiant for the truth of the Reformed faith throughout her life. She profoundly influenced her son, J. Gresham Machen, during his formative training with the richness of Scripture and the confessional tradition of the Reformed faith.

The Minnie Gresham Machen Scholarship will provide tuition aid up to full tuition (depending upon need ) for up to three years of study to one or more recipient each year who meets the following criteria:

  • a female admitted to an MA program at WSC
  • a member in good standing of a Bible-believing church
  • shows evidence of high academic achievement
  • demonstrates financial need through the WSC application for financial aid

Admitted students desiring to apply for the scholarship must submit a 250-500 word essay on why they wish to study at Westminster Seminary California, and how they plan to use their theological and biblical education after graduation. Applications should be addressed to the Minnie Gresham Machen Scholarship Committee and must be submitted by April 1.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for Financial Aid

  • 250-500 word essay as described above


Presidential Merit Scholarship

The Presidential Merit Scholarship is awarded to students based upon prior academic performance and the potential for future leadership in both ordained and non-ordained vocations. This scholarship is renewable on an annual basis for students enrolled in a minimum of12 units per semester who maintain minimum 3.0 GPA.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA

  • WSC Application for Financial Aid

Denominational

Church Matching Grant

This matching Grant brings congregations and the Seminary together to support students during their first full year at WSC.

The number of grants from this fund is limited and will be available on a first come first served basis. The Seminary will match the contribution of a congregation up to a maximum of $1,000 per student. (Although WSC will match the contribution up to $1,000, the church’s contribution may exceed this amount.) This grant is not based on financial need.

Forms Required:

  • A contribution from the church and a letter from the student’s home church (on church letterhead) requesting the contribution be matched by WSC.


Reformed Scholarship Fund

These grants for first-year students were established by friends of the Seminary to encourage students from Reformed and Presbyterian churches to attend WSC.

Recipients must:

  • be accepted for full-time study as a first year student
  • be a member in good standing in a Reformed or Presbyterian church
  • demonstrate financial need
  • demonstrate Christian leadership

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award


Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) Scholarship

Trinity OPC of Medford, Oregon provides a scholarship each year. To qualify, you must be:

  • a student in the Master of Divinity program
  • a member in good standing in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
  • under care of an OPC Presbytery
  • planning to be a pastor in the OPC
  • able to demonstrate financial need

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award

 

Ministerial/Cross-Cultural


The Anniversary Scholarship

A generous donor created this award to celebrate the Seminary’s twenty-year anniversary of training pastors and other leaders for the Reformed community.

By providing financial assistance for promising African-American and Hispanic-American students, this scholarship is instituted to encourage leadership development among ethnic communities traditionally under-represented by Reformed churches. This scholarship pays the recipient’s tuition and fees for up to three years of study at the Seminary.

Recipients must:

  • be African-American or Hispanic-American
  • possess U.S. citizenship
  • be enrolled at Westminster Seminary California as a full-time student
  • have completed all required financial aid forms
  • Completed applications for admission and for this scholarship must be received and approved by the Seminary on or before April 1.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award


Vietnamese Missionary Grant

This grant, funded by the Antioch Mission Fellowship of Mishawaka, Indiana, is available for students enrolled in a master’s level program at WSC and whose goal upon graduation is to enter into full-time ministry to Vietnamese people.

The primary selection criterion for the award is an essay submitted by the applicant which affirms a commitment to the Reformed faith and outlines the applicant’s vision and strategy for advancing churches of the Reformed faith among Vietnamese people in Vietnam, the United States, and/or other parts of the world.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award
  • Essay as described above


The Elijah and Elizabeth Owens Scholarship Fund

The Elijah and Elizabeth Owens Scholarship Fund is established in honor of the ministry of Pastor Elijah Owens who served for more than thirty-six years as a chaplain in the California State Prison system. Chaplain Owens’ ministry through both the spoken as well as the written word has influenced the lives of many inmates to come to a knowledge of the doctrines of God’s sovereign grace.

The purpose of this Scholarship Fund is to provide assistance to students entering the Gospel ministry who are not able to cover all of their expenses while attending Westminster Seminary California with preference given to students interested in the chaplaincy.

Students meeting the qualifications may make a formal request to the Westminster Seminary California Financial Aid Committee. In addition to the regular student aid application form, the student must submit a written statement of no more than three pages in length describing goals and plans for ministry. Applications should be received by April 1 of each year.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter as described above


The Walter Swets Scholarship for Hispanic Ministry

This scholarship was instituted in honor of the ministry of Rev. Walter Swets, who served as pastor of Christ Reformed Church from 1959 until his retirement in 1997.

The recipient of this scholarship will be:

  • Hispanic with demonstrated financial need
  • enrolled as a full time student in a degree program at Westminster Seminary California
  • intending to minister to the Hispanic population either within the US or another country

In a year where there is no Hispanic student meeting the above criteria, the scholarship may be awarded to another student who has interest in pursuing Hispanic ministry, either as a missionary, pastor of a congregation, or serving a congregation that is seeking to reach out to Hispanics. The award will be reviewed annually and can be renewed. The application consists of a letter (no more than two pages, typed) describing the applicant’s spiritual background, demonstrated financial need, and goals and plans for ministry.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award addressing the criteria listed above

 

Timiteo Scholarship Fund

By providing financial assistance for promising Hispanic students from churches associated with the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) and other Presbyterian and Reformed churches abroad, this scholarship is instituted to encourage leadership development among Hispanic communities traditionally under-represented among Reformed churches.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to one student by the WSC Financial Aid Committee in consultation with the principle donors. Candidates must have demonstrated financial need, evidence of previous academic achievement, and potential for future leadership within the church. Preference will be given to first year students and the scholarship is renewable for students who are continually enrolled at WSC and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Priority consideration will be given to students who have a stated intention to minister in Hispanic communities in the United States or abroad upon graduation, and a preference will be given to students who are able to secure matching funds through their local churches (evidenced by a written commitment from their church to contribute to their education if the applicant is awarded the scholarship).

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid,
  • Statement regarding the applicant’s background and particular ministry goals

 

The You Kye-Soon Memorial Scholarship

The family of Mrs. You Kye-Soon instituted this scholarship as a memorial of her life of faith in her savior Jesus Christ and of her concern to make the Gospel known. Its purpose is to provide an annual scholarship for a deserving full-time student in the Master of Divinity program. The award can be renewed.

Applications for this scholarship should consist of a one-page typed letter describing the applicant’s spiritual background, demonstrated financial need, and future plans for ministry.

Forms Required:

  • FAFSA
  • WSC Application for Financial Aid
  • One-page letter as described above

 

International


International Grant

Each year, grants from the International Student Financial Aid Fund are available to international students who are committed to ministry in their own country after studying at Westminster.

Students receiving these grants must pursue full-time studies in one of WSC’s degree programs. Because these grants never exceed the amount of tuition, the student’s living expenses must be supplied from other sources.

Each award will be in the form of a loan. When the student returns to his country of origin, the loan will be forgiven at a rate of one year of financial support per year of ministry in that country. If the student desires to minister in a country other than the country of origin, he may petition the Financial Aid Committee to approve such a ministry as fulfilling the loan obligations. Under no circumstances may ministry in the United States be approved as meeting that obligation. If a student does not return to the country of origin and does not receive approval from the Financial Aid Committee to minister elsewhere in fulfillment of his loan obligations, the student is expected to repay the loan in full, twelve months after the completion of studies at WSC.

Only students who have been admitted to a regular program of studies prior to March 15 will be considered for financial aid for the following academic year. The financial aid application form should arrive at WSC by April 15. For more information, please review the Requirements for the International Student Financial Aid Fund.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for International Student Financial Aid
  • Signed Agreement Accepting Terms of Award


Canadian Student Grant

The Seminary offers some financial assistance based on the disparity between Canadian and US currencies. The amount granted will vary each year based on the current exchange rate. Students must certify that at least 90% of their resources are in Canadian dollars to qualify.

Forms Required:

  • Letter to WSC Financial Aid Committee requesting assistance


Bielema Foreign Student Grant

The Bielema Foreign Student Tuition Grant was instituted by Mrs. Doris Bergsma and Mrs. Sandra Kolk in memory of their parents, Martin and Alice. It serves as a memorial to the Bielema’s lives in service to our risen Lord and love for foreign missions.

Recipients of this award shall be Non- American or Canadian students who have demonstrated financial need. Priority will be given to those students who sign a pledge stating they shall return to their native country to apply their WSC education.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for International Student Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award


The Trinity URC Scholarship

The Trinity URC Visalia International Scholarship is awarded annually to two international students at Westminster Seminary California who intend to return to their country of origin to strengthen the ministry of their home churches.

Recipients of this award shall be students (non- American or Canadian) who have demonstrated financial need. Students who have received this award in their first year and have maintained a 2.5 grade point average may reapply by April 15 each year until they graduate.

The application is in the form of a one-page essay describing the applicant’s previous educational and church experience and future ministry goals in their home country.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for International Student Financial Aid
  • One page essay as described above


The Yune-Sun Park Scholarship

This scholarship is funded annually by the family of the Reverend Yune-Sun Park as a memorial to Rev. Park’s prayers and constant support for Westminster Seminary California. Preference is given to students (non- American or Canadian) preparing for service in their home country upon graduation.

Forms Required:

  • WSC Application for International Student Financial Aid
  • Letter requesting consideration for this award


Thomas and Grace Stewart New Zealand Grant

The purpose of the Thomas and Grace Stewart New Zealand Grant is to encourage students from New Zealand to attend WSC, then return to New Zealand to minister in a church faithful to Reformed doctrine.

Amounts up to one year’s tuition will be awarded from this fund. The award will be in the form of an interest-free loan that will be forgiven at the rate of $1,500 per year of active ministry in New Zealand after graduation. Should an award recipient not elect to return to New Zealand or if he is later called elsewhere, the balance of his loan obligation to the fund shall be repaid in three years.

For further information, applicants should contact the Office of Admissions.

 

Academic Awards


The Samuel and Ann Van Til Student Scholarship Prize

The Samuel and Ann Van Til Student Scholarship Prize has been instituted by the children of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Van Til to honor their parents’ love for the Reformed faith and its witness to the world through Westminster Seminary California. The fund was established in 1994 through an estate bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Van Til .

The prize is used to encourage exemplary Reformed scholarship. One prize is awarded each year for the best major paper (15-20 pages) submitted in each of the Seminary’s departments: Biblical Studies, Theological Studies, and Practical Theology. The faculty, through a process coordinated by the Academic Dean, selects the recipients.

Forms Required:

  • None, Selection made by WSC Faculty on an annual basis


The Arthur Forest Wells Memorial Award

This was established in 1980 in memory of the Rev. Arthur Forest Wells, a Presbyterian minister in St. Louis and Baltimore. Each year a graduate receives this awarded for the purchase of books for his professional theological library.

To qualify, you must:

  • be a senior M.Div. student
  • uphold the highest standards of scholarship
  • subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith
  • have the career goal of serving as a minister in a Presbyterian or other Reformed denomination.

Forms Required:

  • None, Selection made by WSC Faculty on an annual basis

Outside Scholarships


Fund for Theological Education

FTE is a leading national advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry. Their work supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars. They provide fellowships and a network of support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds-encouraging those with gifts for leadership to consider vocations in ministry and teaching and nurturing them in their exploration and study. They also help congregations and denominations find ways to nurture young men and women for ministry and teaching


There are two Fellowship opportunities that may be of particular interest to WSC students: 1) Fellowships for Students Entering Seminary ($2,000 to $5,000) and 2) Fellowships for Second-Year Seminary Students ($10,000).
Visit www.thefund.org for more details, including a search list of scholarships, fellowships, and grants.


Student Ministries, Inc.

SMI, a national non-profit organization, works with those pursuing graduate training in ministry related areas. Through SMI you can enlist a team of ministry partners who can invest in your ministry through prayer and tax-deductible contributions. You can invite personal contacts of family, friends, churches, and organizations to participate in God’s Kingdom, specifically in the ministry to which he has called you and in the place he is currently using you. From this investment, you can receive compensation for your ministry hours performed as a self-employed contractor with SMI while building a foundation of prayer support to increase your ministry.


For more information, visit www.studentministriesinc.org or contact them via mail at Student Ministries, Inc., 300 W. Davis, Suite 530, Conroe, TX 773301 or via phone at 936-756-2790.