Scholarship Opportunities and Information
The following will list scholarship opportunities available from the Rio Texas Conference, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF), and the Texas United Methodist College Association (TUMCA). Applicants are encouraged to consider applying for multiple scholarships since in most cases, funds are available in each scholarship program to award a limited amount of scholarships. Also, it may be a good idea to start identifying scholarships that you want to apply for early because in many cases, scholarship application periods are limited to the period from January to March for the Fall semester of the current year.
Rio Texas Conference College Scholarships
Accepting Applications - January 1st through April 21st, 2024.
The Rio Texas Scholarships Award Program will be accepting applications starting January 1, 2024. The 2024 application link will be available by January 1, 2024. Please ensure that all forms requested are fully completed prior to sending to the scholarship team. The Scholarship Nomination Application packet must be received via email or postmarked by April 1, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
2024 Scholarship Nominations Application.
Scholarship fund resources are available and considered annually for distribution to undergraduate students within the Rio Texas conference. The Craven-Wilson Scholarship is specifically awarded to students attending Texas Wesleyan University, (Ft. Worth, Texas) and The Albert & Nancy Wilson Scholarship for students in other colleges or universities in Texas. Both scholarships are to benefit the Rio Texas Conference. There is a limited number of scholarships available so the process is highly competitive. Completed packets are due no later than April 21st of each year.
2023 Rio Texas Scholarship Recipients
In 2023, three students were selected to receive the Albert and Nancy Wilson scholarship fund in the amounts of $500. Congratulations to the following students: Anna Hiekes, Avery Weaver and Olufunmilayo Ajanaku.
None of the students that applied for this years nominations awards program qualified to receive the Craven Wilson scholarship in 2023. This scholarship is only available to students enrolled at Texas Wesleyan University. Both scholarships have been available for several years through an endowment that was established by the Wilson family for college students who are members of United Methodist churches within the Rio Texas Conference bounds.
General Board of Higher Education and Ministries College Scholarships
http://www.gbhem.org/loans-and-scholarships
These scholarship. are mostly available for students who are members of United Methodist churches attending United Methodist related colleges and universities. Up to 4 various scholarships per student are possible, to include the 2024 Conference Merit Award, that is available to one student from all GBHEM scholarship applicants. The application period is usually limited and opens on December 15 through March 25 of the year. Visit: https://www.gbhem.org/loans-scholarships/scholarships/
Apply for any of the scholarships listed below at: www.gbhem.org/scholarshipapplication. The GBHEM general scholarship application is open January 4 through March 1 each year. You need only to submit one application per year where it will be screened for all possible eligible programs. You may indicate on the scholarship application first page which of these programs you would most like to be considered.
General Scholarship Application
Undergrad $500 - $1,000; graduate $1,000 - $2,000
Undergraduate or graduate level student, minimum 1 year active membership in the UMC, minimum 2.5 gpa.
Allan J. Burry Scholarship $1,000
For undergraduates (incoming Freshmen NOT eligible); member of UMC for at least 3 years; very active leadership in a United Methodist related Campus Ministry; minimum 3.0 GPA; will require a specific nomination from the UM Campus Minister.
David W. Self $1,000
Designated for graduating high school seniors entering first year of undergraduate study; 1 year active membership in UMC, full time degree program at any accredited institution, minimum 2.5 GPA, pursuing a church related career.
E. Craig Brandenburg$1,000 - $2,000
For applicants over age 35; any degree level; prefer students changing to a second career.
The Rev. Dr. Karen Layman GIFT OF HOPE Scholarship $1,000
For undergraduates (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior); minimum 3 year membership in the UMC; very active in UMC leadership; minimum 3.0 GPA
Miriam Hoffman Scholarship$500 - $1,000
For any grade level pursuing a vocational career in music education or music ministry; 1 year membership in the UMC; minimum 2.5 GPA.
GBHEM Racial Ethnic Scholarships
Bishop John W. Hamilton Scholarship $500
Applicant must be an African American female student, “an orphan” if possible. Full active member of UMC 1 year; minimum 2.5 GPA. Preference to student enrolled in one of the UMC’s historically black colleges/universities.
Blanche M. Hubbard Scholarship $600
African American student enrolled in one of the UMC’s historically black colleges/universities; member of the UMC for at least 1 year; minimum 2.5 GPA.
The Clinical Pastoral Education-Ethnic In Service Training (CPE-EIST) Stipend Not to exceed $2,000
United Methodist clergy, certified candidate for ministry, or seminary student accepted into an accredited Clinical Pastor Education (CPE) or an accredited American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) program; Chaplain or pastoral counselor seeking to enhance credentials in the areas of pastoral counseling or pastoral care; racial-ethnic minority student. Learn more about this scholarship.
Ethnic Minority Scholarship $500 - $900
For racial-ethnic minority undergraduates (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior); member of UMC for at least 1 year; minimum 2.5 GPA
HANA Scholars $1,000 - $3,000
For persons of Hispanic, Asian, and/or Native American ethnicity; grade level Junior in college and above (to include doctorate level); minimum 3 year membership in the UMC; minimum 2.85 GPA.
Helen and Allen Brown $500 - $1,000
For racial-ethnic minority undergraduates (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior); member of UMC within the Nashville, Tenn., or New Orleans, La., Districts for at least 3 years; minimum 3.0 GPA.
Journey Toward Ordained Ministry $5,000
For any undergraduate or graduate level racial-ethnic minority student pursuing ordained ministry (deacon or elder); age 30 or under; minimum 2 year membership in the UMC; enrolled at a UM-related institution; minimum 2.85 GPA for undergrad, minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate level. (Has a mentoring component with the program.)
Native American Seminary $3,000 - $10,000
For Native American students pursuing a degree at a University Senate approved seminary. Minimum 3 year membership in the UMC; certified candidate or pursuing candidacy; born of Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native parent (at least one parent); tribal affiliation documentation required.
Richard S. Smith $1,000
Designated for graduating high school seniors entering first year of undergraduate study; racial-ethnic minority; 1 year active membership in UMC; pursuing full-time degree program at any accredited institution; minimum 2.5 GPA; pursuing a church related career.
Women of Color Scholars $3,000 - $10,000
For females born of African, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American parent (at least one parent); pursuing a PhD or ThD within the field of religious studies who desires to serve on the faculty or in an executive administrative position at a UM-related Theological School; minimum 3 year membership in the UMC; minimum 3.0 GPA. (Has a mentoring component with program.) Learn more about this program.
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Scholarships
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation awards scholarships each year to deserving students all over the country. Each year, we distribute over $2 million annually to more than 1,000 students attending over 100 United Methodist-related institutions of higher learning.
To obtain these scholarships there needs to be matching scholarships for amounts up to $1000.00 each from the local church, from the Conference, and from UMHEF.
For more details and eligibility click here to visit website: https://umhef.org/scholarships/
The Texas United Methodist College Association
The Texas United Methodist College Association (TUMCA) has as its mission: “Helping Texas United Methodist Students Attend Texas United Methodist Colleges and Universities”. This help is provided as participating conferences in the state of Texas make contributions to the TUMCA scholarship fund. In turn, TUMCA makes available scholarship support to students attending these United Methodist Colleges in Texas: McMurray University, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, and Texas Wesleyan University. Deserving students attending these United Methodist institutions and have received TUMCA scholarships have expressed profound appreciation for receiving this vital support toward their education. Students who are interested in becoming TUMCA Scholars may contact the financial aid office of the United Methodist university they will be attending.
Click here for a complete listing of TUMCA 2023 scholarship recipients: TUMCA_Scholarship_recipients