Financial Support for Gifted Students Entering Seminary (Under age 35)

The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) offers The Congregational Fellowship. This fellowship enables a congregation to provide significant financial aid for a student during his or her first year of seminary. This matching grant program doubles a congregation's investment in the theological education of a young person whose call to ministry it has helped to cultivate.

Congregational Fellowships are for students entering their first year in a full-time Master of Divinity program. To be considered, they must be nominated by a congregation.

Here is how the program works

* The nominating congregation commits $2,000 - $5,000 toward the cost of the student's first year.
* If the student is selected as a Fellow, FTE matches the congregation's commitment dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.
* Nominated students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA in undergraduate work.

What does it include?
Congregational Fellows receive an award from FTE to match the amount provided by their nominating congregations.

Each Fellow also attends the FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry in the summer before the fellowship year. A stipend is provided for conference travel and expenses.

(Please note that attendance at the conference is a requirement of the fellowship.)

Application forms for the 2009-2010 fellowship year are now available for download.
The application deadline is April 1, 2009.

The fellowship substantially reduces the cost of a student's first year in seminary, covering tuition and most living expenses. More importantly, it enables a congregation to provide a tangible expression of abundant support and confidence in a young person's calling as he or she takes a significant step toward becoming a minister.