GBHEM Scholarships

GBHEM Scholarships offers financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, we award an average of $5.5 million 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.

List of Scholarships

The GBHEM scholarship application opens in December of each year. All complete and qualified applications are reviewed and placed for consideration in the best available scholarship program. Award Amounts below are a general estimate of awards given.

Apply For Scholarships

One of the major obstacles to students who are preparing for their calling at a college or university is a lack of financial resources.

We are here to connect you with the resources you need to claim and flourish in your calling through higher education.

Scholarship Application Opens: December 15–March 13

Eligibility

GBHEM’s Office of Scholarships administers over 80 scholarship programs with one general application. Criteria for each scholarship program vary, but there are minimum requirements that apply for general scholarship eligibility consideration.

Students who are United States citizens or permanent residents, or who are  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)  persons shall follow the minimum scholarship requirements.

MINIMUM SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must be an active, full member of The United Methodist Church for at least one year. Membership is determined by the date the applicant was confirmed and took membership vows with a United Methodist church. (Members of other Methodist denominations are not eligible.)
• Applicants must be pursuing a degree program at an accredited institution within the U.S.
• High school students may apply if they will be college students in the fall term.
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicants are required to be full-time students according to their school’s standards for the program for which they are enrolled.
• A student may receive GBHEM scholarships for up to seven award years maximum. Applicants will not be considered for an eighth academic year for a GBHEM scholarship.

Students Enrolled Outside the United States

GBHEM can help you reach your educational goals by connecting students with important funding resources within the United Methodist Church.

United Methodist students who are enrolled in a degree program at an accredited institution within the U.S. may explore scholarship options here.

Students who are seeking funds for undergraduate, graduate or seminary education outside of the United States should explore these options:

GRASP: Through the International Grants and Scholarship Program (GRASP), GBHEM offers funds to help offset the cost of education for students studying at a Methodist-related institution outside the United States. This is a need-based scholarship for United Methodist students in high school, college, seminary or university. Requirements and the full application are available here.

Young People’s Ministries International Scholarship: Administered by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), this is a need-based scholarship for United Methodist students, ages 16-30, attending a university outside of the United States. Requirements and the full application are available here. Students will need to create a profile to apply.

The General Board of Global Ministries’ World Communion Scholarship: This scholarship provides limited funding for international students who are United Methodist or from churches of Methodist denominations with affiliate status with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Full additional scholarship information students should contact GBGM by phone at 404-942-4026 or email at scholars@umcmission.org.