Scholarship Information for Georgia Baptists
Many scholarship sources are available to qualified Georgia Baptist students enrolled in Baptist colleges and seminaries. The vast majority of these funds are available through the financial aid offices of the colleges and institutions. Prospective students are encouraged to talk with the financial aid office if interested in attending a Baptist school. Because of the assistance possible, many students find the cost to attend a Georgia Baptist college no higher than that of a comparable state school. Listed below are scholarships available to qualifying students by agencies offering assistance. A far more extensive list is available at each institution.
Georgia Baptist Education Commission
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
770.936.5240 (Atlanta area)
800.746.4422 X240 (Outside Atlanta)
e-mail: Pam Schildecker
Students who are members of GBC-affiliated churches and attending the Georgia Baptist colleges are eligible for Ministerial Education Funds and Student Achievement Awards:
Brewton-Parker College, Mount Vernon
www.bpc.edu
Shorter University, Rome
www.shorter.edu
Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland
www.truett.edu
Ministerial Education Fund
The Georgia Baptist Convention provides funds through its Cooperative Program budget to assist Baptist students who plan to enter church ministry vocations. Students apply at the financial aid offices of the institutions. In 2012, over 100 students received up to $720 per term in assistance. Funds are available for students considering the pastorate, missionary service, and church staff ministry. Those considering bi-vocational ministry may also apply. This funding is a grant to students eventually serving in a ministerial vocation. It is to be repaid if the student does not continue in ministerial study or enter a church-related vocation and continue in ministry for three years.
The financial aid director of each college is responsible for ascertaining the needs and qualifications of each student making a request and must submit these applications to the Education Commission office. The grants are then forwarded to the college to be applied to the student's tuition.
Georgia Baptist Student Achievement Awards
Each year the Education Commission, in cooperation with the Baptist colleges, awards 30 scholarships to outstanding Baptist high school seniors. Recipients receive $1,000 annually for up to four years while enrolled in Georgia Baptist colleges. Students must be active members of churches affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention. Academic achievement is primary but extracurricular activities and church involvement are also considered. All applicants must be nominated by their ministers. Pastors of all Georgia Baptist churches receive information about this scholarship in August, prior to each school year. Nominations must be made by November 1 of the students' senior years of high school. Pastors may choose to use our on-line nomination form by clicking here, or for a downloadable, printable form, click here (between July 1 and November 1 of each year). All inquiries should be directed to the Education Commission office at the address and phone number listed above.
Georgia Baptist Foundation
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
770.452.8338
www.gbfoundation.org
The Georgia Baptist Foundation manages more than 100 scholarships and loan funds that have been established through wills and trusts of individual Georgia Baptists. The Foundation works closely with the financial aid directors of the Georgia Baptist colleges in determining who receives these grants and loans, with application for the majority of these funds being made through the college financial aid offices.
Seminary Scholarships
All qualified Georgia Baptist students enrolled in Southern Baptist seminaries receive financial assistance from funds held in trust by the Georgia Baptist Foundation. Applications are available at each of the following seminaries:
Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
201 Seminary Drive
Mill Valley, CA 94941-3197
www.ggbts.edu
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
5001 North Oak Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64118-4697
www.mbts.edu
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
3939 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70126
www.nobts.edu
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
120 South Wingate Street
Wake Forest, NC 27587
www.sebts.edu
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
2825 Lexington Road
Louisville, KY 40280
www.sbts.edu
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
2001 West Seminary Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76115
www.swbts.edu
Georgia Baptist Woman's Missionary Union
6405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
770.936.5324
800.746.4422
MK Post-Secondary School Allowance
The North American and International Mission Boards provide scholarships for sons and daughters of these two respective boards. College and university students receiving these funds and attending schools in Georgia also receive Georgia WMU Burney Gifts. These are annual monetary gifts honoring Mrs. Frank Burney, former WMU state president and Margaret Fund chair.
Seminary Scholarships
Each year BWMU of Georgia grants a limited number of scholarships to women residing in Georgia who are attending Baptist seminaries. To qualify for one of these scholarships, students must indicate an evidence of need, commitment to missions, academic ability, strong character, good health, personal references and acceptance by a Baptist seminary. An application form may be downloaded from the state WMU office web site, www.georgiawmu.org. The application form must be completed and returned to the WMU office by March 1.
Georgia Baptist Children's Home
PO Box 329
Palmetto, GA 30268
770.463.3800
800.252.0872
www.gbchfm.org
Young people who are clients of Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries receive financial assistance through the budgeting of institutional funds which assist them through higher education and vocational training. The agency also has a limited amount of internships and apprenticeships available to Baptist students in various fields.
Georgia Baptist Colleges
Each of your Georgia Baptist colleges has scholarships and work grant funds available for students. Application is made directly to the director of financial aid. Students at Brewton-Parker College can access nearly 100 scholarships, many of which are available for students from Baptist churches, ministerial students, or dependents of pastors and church staff members. Shorter University offers a number of scholarships that recognize academic achievement, talent and financial need. Scholarships are also given to students who are active members of GBC churches, students who are dependents of full-time Georgia Baptist ministers, as well as dependents of full-time missionaries affiliated with the International Mission Board. Truett-McConnell College offers scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work to help students with their financial needs. Academic scholarships are based on SAT or ACT scores and/or GPA. Scholarships are also available for Christian high school graduates and home school graduates, Baptist students and for specific majors, such as ministry, missions and education. For more information visit www.truett.edu.
State and Federal Funds
Tuition Equalization Grants are available to many Georgia students, as are federal grants and loans. Amounts vary but may significantly impact total cost. Georgia Baptists have several resources to assist qualified students in their education. Representatives of the Education Commission, Georgia Baptist Foundation, or the institutions are always glad to talk with anyone interested in providing assistance to deserving students. Prospective donors are encouraged to contact any of the organizations listed in this brochure, all of whom will gratefully and faithfully utilize gifts according to the stated desires of the donor. For further information contact the financial aid directors at the following institutions:
Brewton-Parker College
PO Box 197
Mount Vernon, GA 30445-0197
800.342.1087
www.bpc.edu
Shorter University
315 Shorter Avenue
Rome, GA 30165-4298
800.868.6980
www.shorter.edu
Truett-McConnell College
100 Alumni Drive
Cleveland, GA 30528
800.226.8621
www.truett.edu
