If you’re a Christian student, adding your religion to your list of scholarship search criteria is a no-brainer. But searching for Christian-related scholarships may end with you being more discouraged than before you started. You’ll find that many scholarships require that you attend a specific high school or church, which isn’t helpful to most students. Not finding what you’re looking for can be frustrating, and no one should have to go through that! So here’s a list of four great Christian scholarship opportunities to help you start this scavenger hunt.
Young Christian Leaders Scholarships
YCL scholarships are offered to high school seniors and college undergrads from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Applications are due on the 15th of every month but can only be submitted once per calendar year. YCL asks three other things of hopeful applicants: that they are active members in their church, that they maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and that they are currently enrolled (or plan to enroll) in an undergraduate program. Sounds attainable enough, doesn’t it? To apply, you’ll need three letters of endorsement: one from a family member, one from a friend, and the last from a spiritual leader. After mailing these letters to the address specified on the provider’s website, you’ll find out if you qualified for the $1,000 prize the month after your application was sent in.
Related: How to Find Scholarships in Hidden Places
Pepperdine’s Christian Leadership Award and PLP Helen Young Scholarship
Located in Malibu, California, Pepperdine University is a highly praised institution that prides itself in its involvement with the Churches of Christ. This, put simply, includes anyone who regards the New Testament of the Bible as divine truth. If that sounds like you, you may want to add this school to your college list! Pepperdine’s Seaver College offers two scholarships of $5,000 each that students can apply for. For both, you must have a letter of recommendation from a church leader—anyone from your minister to an elder at your church—and you can use the same recommendation for both scholarships. It’s up to you whether to mail the letter in or submit it through the link provided on their website. The deadlines fall on November 1 and February 15, which may seem pretty far away right now, but believe me—it’s always beneficial to plan ahead!
Request information from Pepperdine!
The Ruth Scholarship
The Bible dedicates an entire book to Ruth, in which she overcomes the misfortune of her husband’s death and is eventually used by God to be a source of encouragement to millions. Likewise, the Ruth Scholarship from The Red Perspective is built specifically for women between the ages of 16–25 who have looked adversity in the eye and managed to conquer it with the help of the Lord. Applicants must submit an essay detailing how they are similar to Ruth, have a minimum 2.0 grade point average, and include two letters of endorsement, one of which must come from a current or former teacher. The application period is from May 15–June 30, and the prize is $1,000. If you’ve always felt a personal connection to this particular Bible story, this scholarship is perfect for you!
The David Scholarship
Those familiar with the Bible story of King David know that he was appointed as ruler of Israel and tasked with slaying the nine-foot-tall Goliath at a very young age. Now that’s a story to tell the grandkids! Similar to the Ruth Scholarship, The Red Perspective’s David Scholarship was created for men between the ages of 16–25 and offers a grand prize of $1,000. To enter, you’ll need a minimum 2.0 grade point average and two recommendation letters, both of which must be turned in by the June 30 deadline. You’ll also be tasked with writing an essay that outlines how you are ideal for the scholarship based on their criteria. The Red Perspective is looking specifically for men who have gone through some form of adversity. Whether that happens to be your decision to follow Christ and the struggles it has presented or an experience you’ve gone through similar to David’s, they want to hear about it!
Related: Great Christian Colleges and Universities in the Midwest
There you have it, four of the best Christian scholarships out there—now right at your fingertips! You might be planning on going into ministry as your primary career, or maybe you’re simply a life-long believer. Either way, there are always resources available to help further your educational and spiritual journeys. As the Bible says, the Lord will always provide for his followers in their time of need, and these scholarships could be his way of doing just that for you. Now, go forth and conquer!
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