Board of Ordained Ministry - Scholarships and Funding
Once you have begun the candidacy process, the Board of Ordained Ministry offers resources to help finance required educational preparation. Available opportunities include:

The Thomas K. Cartwright Scholarship
This award is granted annually to support young adults as they respond to a call to ordained ministry.

The Harry B. & Ruth A. Nicholas Scholarship
This award supports eligible candidates of the Susquehanna Conference who are pursuing an M.Div. at an approved seminary and discerning a call to ordained elder ministry.

The Barnhart/Beard Memorial Scholarship
This award offers support to any Susquehanna Conference college or post-graduate school student who is entering ordained ministry, studying a field in Christian Education, Christian Counseling, Music Ministries, or some other field deemed acceptable. Full-time students and applicants from the Northern Wilds District will receive preference.

Questions? Contact Saint John’s–Newberry United Methodist Church

Mary Bigler Hinkle ScholarshipT
his scholarship is awarded to graduate students within the River Valley District going on to a church-related vocation. For more information, contact the River Valley District Office.

Student Aid Fund
The Student Aid Fund provides financial support for certified candidates in the Susquehanna Conference who are preparing for full-time pastoral ministry as deacons or elders in The United Methodist Church. Eligible students must attend a University Senate-approved school and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The Fund offers service loans and regular loans for undergraduate and seminary education. Seminary students may receive up to $5,000 per year for four years, with special 50/50 tuition matching agreements at Wesley, Drew, United, and Garrett-Evangelical seminaries, allowing Susquehanna students to attend tuition-free through a combination of school scholarship and service loan. Service loans are forgiven at a rate of 20% for each year of full-time pastoral service under appointment in the Susquehanna Conference.

For more information or an application packet, contact Rev. Nick Keeney.

Board of Ordained Ministry - Continuing Formation Fund
Administered through the Board of Ordained Ministry’s Continuing Formation Committee, this fund offers financial assistance to clergy fulfilling continuing education requirements of the Conference.

• Applicants must be under appointment, or the event must focus on those under appointment
• Supported by the Ministerial Education Fund and Educational Leave Fund

Questions? John Mackey, Chair, Continuing Formation

Maud K. Jensen/Karen E. Layman Memorial Scholarship
Established through Women in Ministry of the Susquehanna Conference and administered by the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation, this scholarship supports women entering ministry.

Questions? Anna Layman Knox

Georgia Harkness Scholarship
To encourage women over 35 to prepare for ordained ministry as an elder in The United Methodist Church as a second career. The award is to be applied toward tuition, fees, room and board for the basic seminary degree leading to elder’s ordination. It is not available for undergraduate, D.Min., or Ph.D. work. Learn more here.

Susquehanna Conference Merit Scholarship
Funded through the Conference Student Day Special Offering and administered in partnership with the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry, this scholarship supports students attending United Methodist-related colleges and universities.

• Application is completed through GBHEM
• Be sure to indicate interest in the Susquehanna Conference Merit Scholarship
• Application window is typically January through March

United Methodist Foundation of Pennsylvania - Seminary Scholarships
The United Methodist Foundation of Pennsylvania offers seminary scholarships for students from the Susquehanna and Western Pennsylvania Conferences.

These scholarships support those preparing for service as pastors, deacons, and lay leaders and are awarded twice annually. Visit the Foundation's website for eligibility requirements and application details.

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation
Multiple scholarship programs that include:

• Dollars for Scholars Program
• Endowed Scholarships
• HBCU Scholarships
• Special Scholarships

Applicants must be an active, full member of The United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, AME Zion Church, or Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for at least one year prior to applying. See more details here.