GBHEM Scholarships

GBHEM Scholarships offers financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. With this financial aid, GBHEM is opening pathways for students of all backgrounds to earn their degrees and serve as the next generation of leaders for the church and the world.

Applying for scholarships at institutions outside the U.S.

The scholarship portal for United Methodist students studying at an accredited Methodist-related college, seminary, or university outside the United States opens in January.

International Grants and Scholarships Program (GRASP)

Through the International Grants and Scholarship Program (GRASP), GBHEM has established a program to help offset the costs of education for students studying at a Methodist-related post-secondary institution outside the United States. This is a competitive, need-based scholarship for United Methodist students enrolled in a college, seminary, or university.

Eligibility requirements

GRASP applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a student currently attending classes at a Methodist-related post-secondary educational college, seminary or university outside the United States.
• Have completed at least one full semester, quarter or the equivalent, and submit the respective academic transcript with this application.
• Be a member of a United Methodist church and receive the recommendation of its pastor or your institution’s United Methodist chaplain.
• Show evidence of good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and leadership engagement in the community.

Application information

The 2026 GRASP application portal is open and closes on March 6.

If you have additional questions, contact the Scholarship Office at umscholar@gbhem.org.

How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?

• You must be an incoming college first-year student or a current first-year, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student enrolled in an accredited institution in the United States.
• You must be an active, full member of a United Methodist Church for at least one year prior to submitting your application.
• You must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
• International applicants can apply if all the above criteria are met.

If you do not meet these requirements, your application will not be considered.

What are the selection criteria for scholarships?

An independent selection committee evaluates applications and selects recipients based upon program or endowment criteria.

How many awards can a student receive from the Office of Scholarships?

A student may receive one GBHEM scholarship each year.

Before You Begin

• Each applicant may apply once per year for a scholarship from GBHEM.
• Review the list of scholarships and select one scholarship program for which you wish to apply. If you are unsure which scholarship to choose, select the “General Scholarship” program. GBHEM will determine the best program with available funds for you.

Completing the Application

• First-time users create a username and password using a valid email address that you frequently check. This will be the way we communicate with you throughout the scholarship process. For returning users, enter the username and password you created previously.
• The scholarship code on the application for scholarships is GBHEMScholarship.
• Have the address of your current UM church and the school where you will be enrolled.
• Have email addresses for your references. You will need your pastor to confirm church membership and a church reference who knows you well. (Some applicants will also need a district committee on ministry (DCOM) member, an academic advisor or CPE supervisor.) References must submit their recommendations via a specific link and code generated from your application. Note: pastor reference and church reference must be different.
• Obtain an unofficial copy of your transcript. You will be asked to upload a scanned version of your transcript with grades through December.
• Some students will need a current copy of their resume.
• You may save the application throughout the entry process and return later to complete it.
• DO NOT FORGET to SUBMIT the application on the last page of the application. You will need to scroll down to the bottom of the SAVE/SUBMIT page and hit the SUBMIT button.

After Submission

Your application is not complete until we have received ALL required items within the online application, including references.

Visit your HOME page to check the status of your application and references completion prior to deadline.

Visit your PROFILE page to change your address, phone, email or where you will be enrolled in school. You can do this BEFORE or AFTER the deadline has passed.

Once a scholarship has been awarded, the student must accept the award on their individual application site and upload a verification of enrollment before the scholarship check is issued. Verification of enrollment (VOE) can be a tuition receipt, letter from the registrar’s office certifying enrollment or class schedule.